A/N: Hey everyone, another long chapter for you tonight. Hope this turns your Saturday night even better, it has definitely transformed mine lol. Oh and please review! I mean it, I really adore reading your comments and they really are the fuel that keeps me wanting to sit down in front of this laptop and post all of this jazz to you guys. Please, make an effort and click the Review button after reading a chapter, and take your time to write me a little message. I'd really appreciate it (: Love you, and hope you like this one. I certainly did.
Disclaimer: I don't own PLL.
CHAPTER 9
The next day, Aria was awakened by the alarm clock among her comfy sheets. She slowly opened her eyes, which felt swollen and puffy and sat up on the bed, stretching her back. She suddenly felt the urge to spew out, so she jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom, bending over the toilet and doing so. Aria lifted her head in front of the mirror after flushing and saw her reflection: puffy eyes, big dark circles, tear stains, smudged makeup and messy hair. She groaned and turned on the cool water, needing it to wake up and feel better. After tossing her sweatpants into the dirty clothing pile, she got under the shower and let the stream run down her body, wetting also her tangled brown hair.
Aria was feeling terrible. She was nauseous and had a headache because of the bad position she had slept in. Besides that, it was just the emotional frustration. She was expecting a baby, and it wasn't being easy for her to deal with that idea. At least not alone. She felt her throat itch and tears started falling off her tired hazel eyes as she leaned back against the wet wall and slid down, sitting on the floor with her face between her knees. Aria wasn't ready for this at all, it was too much for her to assess.
After calming herself down, Aria stood up and grabbed the shampoo, squeezing the fancy bottle and pouring it on her head, massaging it to spread the product. She did that one more time, then the same with the conditioner. All of that took about ten minutes, and she spread her favorite pomegranate body wash all over her body. Then she decided to end the long shower and go get ready for school. She wrapped a towel around her damp hair and put on a pair of dark washed jeans along with a beige T-shirt and a simple necklace; she really didn't feel like dressing up that day. Aria did put a bit of makeup on though, just a tiny bit of foundation, concealer, eyeliner and mascara to hide the fact that she had cried herself to sleep the night before. She walked up to the bathroom and unrolled the towel from her head, hanging it back on the wall and grabbing a hair comb. She managed to untangle her hair and quickly blow dry it. Nothing too special.
Aria slipped on her white converse and went downstairs to the kitchen to get something to eat. Even though she was nauseous, Aria made an effort and ate a little bit of cereal.
At school, she would just go to her classes and sit as far from the teachers as she could, because she didn't plan on paying attention to anything they would say. She really didn't care, all Aria wanted to do was leave that place as soon as possible. During lunch, the girls noticed something was up with their friend. Aria was abnormally quiet.
"Aria, what's wrong?" Spencer asked, clearly concerned. The brunette was resting her chin on her hand and playing around with some peas in her plate.
"Um, nothing. I'm just tired, didn't sleep well last night." Aria lied and gave Spencer a quick fake smile, she couldn't wait to leave.
"Well, whatever it is, make sure you eat that muffin, otherwise I will." Emily joked, poking it with a fork. Aria let out a small chuckle while the others laughed at Emily's remark.
~~ o ~~
The bell rang some time later announcing the end of the last hour at Rosewood High School. Aria walked up the hallways to her locker beside Hanna.
"So then I told Caleb we should totally go to that restaurant you told me about for Valentine's Day!" Hanna rambled even though her friend wasn't listening at all. Aria interrupted her when they reached her locker and she opened it.
"Han, sorry!" She apologized. "It's just that I really need to go talk to Ezra tonight, and I was wondering if you could cover for me..."
"Huh, yeah, of course!" She said. "Hang out, study or S.O.S?" Those were their excuses' categories, and Aria chuckled lightly.
"I'm gonna let you choose." She smirked softly.
"Okay." Hanna pondered mockingly. "Hang!"
"Alright, then hang it is." Aria said, stuffing her books inside her locker and closing it. She thanked Hanna with a hug and turned around, walking away.
"By the way, you owe me a sleepover now!" The blond girl shouted. Aria waved without looking back and laughed softly. It was incredible the ability Hanna had to cheer her up with her way of being and comments. She began to feel better as she entered her car. However, when she turned the key in the ignition, she remembered what she was about to do now.
~~ o ~~
Aria drove all the way to Hollis College and parked her car. She took a sip of her water bottle and put it away, grabbing her purse from the passenger's seat and hanging it onto her shoulder. She opened the door and stepped out of the vehicle, locking it back and walking away from it. As she entered Charles Dickens Hall, the building where the English department of the university was located, she walked past a small group of female college students who seemed to be talking and giggling about how hot Professor Fitz was. Aria just shook her head and continued to make her way to Ezra's office. She approached the door and knocked hesitantly.
"Come in." He said without looking up, engaged in the papers he was grading.
"Hey." Aria greeted, slowly entering the spacious room.
"Aria!" Ezra was definitely surprised to see Aria there, it was a Friday and she used to go there on Thursdays. He stood up and walked over to her, cupping her face in his hands and leaning to kiss her. When they parted, Ezra noticed something was wrong. The brunette's eyes were getting wet and reddish, and her lips were curving downwards. "Are you okay?"
"Ezra… We need to talk." She said, her voice shaky and clearly holding back tears.
"Huh, okay. Aria-" He stopped for a minute and frowned very worriedly. "What's wrong?"
Ezra took her hand in his and carefully led her to the small couch that rested in front of a wall in his office, sitting beside her and looking at her expectantly.
Aria was trembling. Her hands, legs and voice were shaky, and she had a cold sweat. She didn't want to do this, she wasn't ready. What if he didn't want to talk or see her ever again? What if he left her? What if? Those were questions that insisted on hammering her mind, giving the girl a slight headache as a gift. But she had to tell him, he had the right to know. Aria closed her eyes and exhaled roughly, turning to open them and look Ezra deep into his eyes, spilling the news.
"Ezra- I-I'm pregnant."
A/N: Remember to click down here (;
