Ben's pizzeria was exactly like someone could imagine while hearing the name. An old restaurant with black and white tiles on the floor, red walls with Italian pictures, red booths, round tables with spices and oils bottles on them, an old jukebox in the corner of the room, a big Italian chef, etc. No need to say, Aria instantly loved the place. The delicious smell of melted cheese and tomatoes filled her nose and made her feel in heaven. The employees were really kind and on top of that, she was going out with people that could become her friends. How could she not be happy?

Aria spotted Hanna and Spencer along with two boys, who were probably their boyfriends and two girls who she guessed were Emily and her girlfriend. When Hanna and Spencer saw her, they waved at her and indicated her to come seat with them. Aria was really shy since the only person she knew, Ezra, had still to arrive. However, she heard Mike's voice in her head and felt much more confident.

-Hi, she greeted them when she arrived at their booth.

-Hey! said Spencer. Guys, this is Aria, Ezra's new friend, she works at his favourite café on the NYU campus.

-Nice to meet you, I'm Toby, Spencer's boyfriend, said the tall boy with blue eyes.

-And I'm Caleb, Hanna's boyfriend, said the guy with long hair.

-And this is Emily and Paige, said Spencer, presenting Aria the two girls.

-It's nice to meet you all, said Aria.

-So, what's your major? asked Caleb to Aria.

-I chose Education. I always loved kids and teaching. I used to play the teacher with my brother so I thought that this path was designated for me. What about you all? she asked.

-Well, I'm studying architecture, Emily's studying psychology while swimming in the school team with Paige and Caleb is in IT, said Toby, and I believe Hanna and Spencer already told you what they were studying, he added.

-Hey guys how are you? said a voice behind Aria.

She turned over and saw Ezra who was flashing her one of his best smile. All of his friends stood up and started hugging up. It was clear that they loved each other very much. Aria couldn't help but wonder if somebody would ever care about her like that. Oh how she wished for that!

After all the greetings were done, everyone seated and they ordered pizza and drinks. They all ate together, chatting animatedly, while Aria just looked at them and laughed at how they seemed close to each other. They had so many anecdotes to share and Aria learned so many things. For example, she discovered that Hanna was the fashion addict of the group and that she had once eaten only chips and ice cream during two days in order to pay herself a new dress that was too big for her. Also, she learned that Spencer had dated her sister's fiancé a while back.

But the peace there was in Aria's mind was broken when Ezra's friends started to talk about Hanna's dad who had left her when she was young and Emily's one who was in the army, because after that, they asked her about her dad.

Aria tensed and became extremely nervous. She didn't know how to act or what to say and Ezra, who was seating next to her, felt it. Sensing her discomfort, he decided to change the subject.

-Well, no dad can beat mine! he joked.

The others all laughed sincerely since they hadn't detected Aria's nervousness. The conversation then deviated towards Ezra's father and soon enough everyone forgot about Aria's dad. However Ezra didn't and he was left to wonder how come Aria felt so bad talking about him. Then everything seemed to make sense for Ezra. How Aria always jumped when someone touch her, how she was always smiling with a hint of sadness, how she arrived in New-York with no attach anywhere, how she hated to talk about her family, how she had no confidence in herself. Ezra couldn't believe it but it seemed like the right explanation. He thought that maybe Aria's father was violent or something. It would make sense no? However he couldn't tell her his suspicions. If it wasn't true, she would probably feel hurt that he would have thought that, so he kept his thoughts for himself and tried to enjoy the night without worrying.