Chapter Nine
Love comes in waves. Sometimes it's that slow tide returning to shore. A constant reminder that the love is still there. Other times it's a tsunami tide. Strong and passionate.
Aria was once told that real love was what was left after that intense love burned away. It was the warm feeling you got in the arms of the one you love. It was when the lovey dovey phase was over but your roots were left so entangled that you stay together.
She felt herself falling deeper in love with Ezra Fitz. What other choice did she have? They were soulmates, after all. She could see their future. Cuddled in front of a tv screen, watching old movies and staying up the rest of the night, just talking. She could see them old and gray, that constant and unwavering love still there, while they watched a mess of grandkids run through the yard.
It had been two weeks since they met. Two weeks of sneaking around and cooping up in his apartment. It was nice. It was sacred in a way. They were able to have a special intimacy, just the two of them. When most people found their soulmates they broadcasted it to the whole world and now Aria was wondering if that made it any less special. It was nice knowing that what she and Ezra had was just theirs. But of course, good things never seemed to last for our dear Aria Montgomery.
She was sitting in her AP Physics class when it happened. She saw the flash of dark hair through the door and convinced herself that she was just seeing things. She'd had quite a few of nightmares and her mind easily played tricks on her. That was all this was. Her mind messing with her and playing with the little bit of sanity she had left.
She got a text moments later confirming her worst fears. This couldn't be possible. No way in hell. Her stomach dropped, her breathing quickened and she was on the onset of a panic attack. Black spots clouded her vision and damn, she just could not get enough air in her lungs. She heard the worried voice of her teachers and Emily, who was in that class. Nothing was helping. Everything began to fade out and she slowly lost consciousness. She was thankful for the break from all of her thoughts, even if it was the more dramatic way to do it.
Emily slowly lifted Aria's phone and read the message. Shit.
Spencer: Just saw Noel Kahn. Word is he made bail. Be careful.
Aria woke up roughly half an hour later in the nurse's office with a very concerned Emily. The fluorescent lights stung her eyes and she moved her hand to cover them, emitting a small groan of discomfort. She had a pounding headache and wasn't sure how she got here.
"Are you okay?" asked Emily, her face worried and her eyebrows creased.
Aria thought for a moment, she wasn't sure how she was. "I'm fine, I think.. What happened?"
"Aria," Emily breathed out, concerned to how her friend would react to the news that she seemed to have forgotten, "You blacked out in class."
"What? Why?" At this point Aria was just confused. She'd had her fair share of panic attacks, but she had no idea what would bring this on. Emily was about to answer her when the nurse entered the room.
"How are you doing, sweetie?" The kind, 40-something, nurse asked Aria.
Aria cleared her throat, "Better, I guess."
"That was quite the panic attack, everyone was worried out of their minds. I suggest you go home and get some rest," she suggested as she looked through the medical record in her hands. Aria noticed her writing something and wished that she knew what it was. The nurse kept shaking her head and sighing and it was making Aria nervous. She felt like everyone around her knew what was going on with her, but her.
The second that Ezra found out that his Aria had fainted he rushed to the nurse's office. He didn't want to be obvious and he was sure that Hackett would notice, but right now he didn't give a crap. All that mattered was Aria.
It was when he was on his way that he saw him. He couldn't believe it. How could the bastard be allowed to see daylight? What was worse was that people were treating him no differently. The girls still stared at him as if he was a god and his "bros" fist bumped him and welcomed him back. It was as if he'd been on a family vacation to grandma's, not in a prison cell for the rape of an innocent girl. The girl who was Ezra's whole world.
His nostrils flared in fury and he clenched his fist at his side. He was tempted to walk over and finished what he'd started the day that Noel was arrested but decided against it. He decided it would be best if he went to the principal and found out how he was allowed back in the school.
"Ezra!" Hackett greeted chirpily, pleased to see one of his favorite teachers until he noticed the fact that Ezra was seething.
"What the hell is Noel Kahn doing back at this school?" He said through gritted teeth. His brain pounding out of pure anger and hatred. That excuse for a human had stolen his beautiful Aria's sense of self. He'd stolen her self value and broken her. That was not okay with him.
"I understand your personal conflict," Hackett started but Ezra immediately interrupted him.
"No. This goes far beyond my "personal conflict." He hurt someone. He took advantage. He is a twisted person who ruined someone's life. He caused significant damage to another human being," Ezra responded, his breaths deep.
"Look, he made bail and his fathers on the school board. What could I do?" Hackett asked tiredly.
Ezra gave a harsh laugh, "You know what, Hackett? I used to respect you, it's a shame that I can't anymore."
And with that he left the office, slamming the door behind him. Principle Hackett slumped across his desk and let out a long sigh.
Aria had been listening to the nurse ramble on about healthy eating habits and the importance of not being over stressed for the last 15 minutes. The nurse was finally distracted by the phone ringing and Aria took the chance to ask Emily what was going on.
"You had a panic attack because Noel is back," Emily whispered. She was so afraid that anything she said would throw her already fragile friend into hysterics.
A look of disbelief crashed over Aria's face and her voice trembled, "If this is a joke..."
"I wish it was, Aria," Emily said gently, rubbing small circles on her friend's back in an attempt to comfort her.
A dry sob escaped Aria's lips. She did her best to control her breathing to avoid passing out. She didn't need to do that more than once a day. She was grateful for Emily but she really needed to see Ezra. He was the only one who actually made her feel safe.
As if Ezra had read her thoughts he came into the room moments later. His breathing was heavy and he looked tense. She had a feeling he'd heard the news. But the second he saw her his expression softened.
"Are you okay?" He asked gently.
"No," she said as she shook her head, her lips quivering as she did her best not to cry. She didn't want to cry anymore. She didn't want to appear weak. She didn't want to cause him to hurt. She wanted to be strong for him but she wasn't and she was afraid she never would be.
Ezra immediately gathered her up in his arms. He didn't care what the nurse or Emily thought of the act of affection. The nurse hadn't noticed, she was too busy gossiping on the phone. But Emily seemed to be connecting the dots pretty quickly.
"Are you two — are you? Is that why you couldn't tell us who he was?" Emily asked, her words a confused jumble.
Ezra nodded and smiled a sort of sad smile, "Mr. Fitz. Aka Aria's soulmate."
Emily fell into a chair behind her, "Wow."
"Tell me about it," Aria sighed as she pulled herself out of the crook of Ezra's neck. She looked up at Ezra and whispered, "How could they let him come back?"
Ezra shook his head and look of disgust covered his face, "His dad is on the freakin' school board."
There were a lot of twisted things in the world. Justice was rare. But Aria had never felt hurt by it so personally. She felt like she didn't matter. What happened to her didn't matter to anyone else. Why didn't they care? A guy makes bail and is allowed back to school when he could hurt someone. Who's to say she was the first girl that he cornered in a dark alley?
She was interrupted from her thoughts when he mother came through the door.
"Aria, they called me and said you fainted. Are you okay?" She asked softly, still trying to catch her breath from her sprint down the hallway.
This was the third time someone had asked her that question. She knew that everyone was just worried about her, but she was tired of it. "No, I'm not. But I will be," Aria said, trying her best to sound strong. She was tired of her mother worrying about her. It must be a hard job, being a mom. Especially when your child gets hurt. She knows that her mom blames herself, which she thinks is absolutely ridiculous. So that's why she was going to try to save her mother some heartache. She was going to put up her best front and smile.
Ezra excused himself after giving Aria a kiss on her forehead, promising to come back soon. She was safe with her mom. He had someone to see.
"Mr. Kahn," he said in his teacherly voice. He did his best to hide his disdain.
The boy smiled at him, glancing at his friends around him, "How are you, Mr. Fitz? Last time I saw you, you seemed kind of... Upset."
Ezra wanted to punch that dumb smirk right off of Noel's face. He forced a smile, "Could I speak to you for a moment? I just wanted to review with you what you missed in class."
Noel nodded and waved goodbye to his friends as he followed Ezra to his classroom. The second the door closed behind them their friendly dispositions melted away.
"I want to make something clear, Noel. The school may be okay with what you've done, but I'm not," Ezra said sternly.
Noel stared at him for a few moments before a sick smile came across his face, "This is about Aria, isn't it?"
"I would feel this way about any student," Ezra defended, which was was partly true.
Noel shook his head, "No, no, no. I'm not stupid, Fitz. Her clock was about to run up and so was yours. Don't tell me... This is priceless. Miss High and Mighty with a teacher. I always knew she was a slut, fate just confirmed it."
That's all it took and Ezra's fist crashed into Noel's jaw.
Noel shook it off and laughed. Wiping the blood from his lip, "I'll let it slide this time, Fitz. I provoked you and I believe in second chances. But don't forget, I have connections on the school board."
Noel left with a wink and Ezra slammed the door. Why? Why? Why? Anger surged through his veins and he took it out on a pencil holder. He threw it as hard as he could across the room.
Noel Kahn would not get away with this.
Sorry for the longer wait! My week was so busy, you have no idea.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Noel is back and all hell is breaking loose. What do you think Ezra will do?
21 reviews. Y'all blow me away every time.
Also, I just finished reading The Fault in Our Stars. If you haven't read it, go and read it right now. It's perfect.
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Love you loads,
-RissyWrites
