y'all better love me for this chapter ;)

Serendipity

Through the thin curtains, the light shone in hitting her eyes, but she had been awake – for perhaps an hour now – she didn't speak or do anything, in spite of knowing Ezra too was awake. She could feel him moving around but none of them uttered a word, not even a peep, almost as if they were afraid that someone said something it would snap them out of this, well, what felt like a day dream. He looked over at her and hesitantly, he wrapped his arms around her so that her body was pressed against his. To his relief, she didn't recoil instead she softened. He kissed her shoulder and she turned around, smiling, although weary of the way she looked.

"Good morning," Ezra said, softly.

"Morning," She replied, biting her lower lip.

"Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?" He asked, even in the morning she was absolutely stunning. It didn't matter that her eyes were smudged with black mascara, or that her hair was frizzy, or anything whenever he looked at her he saw beauty – inside and out – and it made her more attractive to him. For a moment, just a moment, it was as if she let her guard down. Her eyes softened and the way she looked at him was magical, he could live on just remembering that look for the rest of his eyes and it would tide him over.

Aria blinked, "Yes. But they usually say that before I am naked, not after." She said,

"I'm sorry but last night," And for a moment she thought he was talking about the two of them sleeping together, "About shouting at you, I didn't mean to hurt you like that,"

"What?" She questioned, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, "God, no, you didn't hurt me. I understand that you were hurt, and honestly I didn't take anything to heart." She touched his cheek, "Did you honestly think you hurt me? Because you didn't, you care too much,"

He looked at her and impulsively she leaned in. Once his lips met hers, it was all real. She had even considered that this was a dream but she felt him hold her, touch her, and a chill rushed down the back of her spine. She opened her eyes and looked at him, before she moved so she was straddling him. They both smiled through the kiss and her hands were on his neck, feeling the small hairs, and his were on her upper back. Then he pulled away, and she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"I don't regret last night," He said, abruptly, almost as if he were afraid of what would happen if he didn't say it. As if he were afraid of whether what she said would change his mind, so he just put it all on the table, "I don't regret any of it – I've wanted to kiss you, to hold you for so long," He gulped, "I've wanted last night to happen for so long,"

"Me too," She said, looking down at her hands, "But you're not allowed to say that – you left," Her voice was but a whisper, this was far worse than if she had been yelling or screaming, it showcased that she had no strength left in her to address this matter again and again, "You left me all alone, with just a letter, because that was how much I was mattered to you – just a piece of paper, with scribbled, quick sentences. After everything, after so many words of passion, you left me all alone."

Ezra sighed, "I'm sorry,"

"I wish sorry could fix it but it can't," Aria said, with a gulp, she removed his hands from her waist. He watched as she silently got changed, as she pulled up her panties after wearing her dress, and she searched to find her heels. He couldn't say anything. He didn't want to. Not now. "I'm going to go," She said, standing at the door frame.

"Stay," He got up and held her hands, "Please just stay for breakfast, we need to talk." She looked down, "Aria, I still feel the same way about you that I did seven years ago,"

"That's what I'm afraid of – in spite of the feelings you left, so what's to say you won't leave again," She looked at him, "Yesterday, you were an engaged man who claimed to be in love with his fiancée and now you're telling me you still care for me in that way. What if in five years or ten years I'm in Hayley's position and you decide that you still care about someone else? I can't trust you Ezra – as a friend, yes, but not as a – I am so sorry but I can't do this." Aria let go of his hands and walked out of the apartment, leaving him standing all alone.

He stared at the door, a helpless sigh escaped. He wished he could go back and change how he had done things but he couldn't. He was afraid that Aria wouldn't ever forgive him, that because of his mistake; she would hold it against him.

…

"Aria," A voice called, causing her to turn around, and see Hayley. "What are you doing here?" She asked, and watched Aria's face – which was filled with shock and guilt – and then she looked over at Ezra's apartment complex, putting two and two together. Her lips quivered and her eyes widened, "Oh."

"Hayley, I –"

"I invited you into my home," Hayley said, with a small laugh, "I invited you to my wedding. I encouraged you to be friends with Ezra again, but what I didn't do was invite you to my fiancé. How dare you? Was your boyfriend not enough that you had to do this? How dare you?"

"I –"

"No. how could you do this? Don't you dare make some excuse! Do you have no decency?" Hayley was filled with anger and pain, Aria could sense that, but her patience was wearing thin, "You can't just go around sleeping with engaged man." Her body shook as she spoke.

"But he's not engaged." Aria intervened, "You broke it off with him – I'm sorry if you were hurt or whatever, and Hayley trust me, I had no intention of sleeping with him, it just happened. And I appreciate your kindness towards me, honestly I do, but blaming me is wrong. Your anger lies with Ezra so please don't take it out on me – I really am sorry," She said, before walking off. She felt if she hadn't then she would've broken down in the middle of the street in front of Hayley.

Hayley watched as she left and immediately barged into the apartment complex, rushing up the stars, she banged on the door. Within a couple of seconds, the door was open, and she pushed past him. He had only his boxers on. "One night – one fucking night, yesterday I broke it off and already you fucked someone else,"

He closed the door, "Why did you break it off? What happened yesterday?"

"Don't change the topic," Hayley said, with her hands on her hip.

"This is – and should – be the topic. Please help me understand how we were fine last week, but then something happened,"

"Are you so naïve?" She asked, "We weren't fine. We barely talked, you always went home to your apartment," She couldn't believe that he was so oblivious to their problems, perhaps that was it. He didn't care enough to notice these patterns of, what was clearly, a bad relationship. She sighed and walked over to his couch, sitting down, feeling exhausted and he looked at her.

Ezra sighed, "I'm sorry I slept with Aria," He murmured,

"No you're not," Hayley shook her head whilst scoffing.

"I'm sorry I slept with Aria so soon after you broke our engagement off," Ezra said, walking over to sit next to her.

She laughed, "Yes, now that's more like it," She looked ahead at the television, whilst tears brimmed her eyes, "You want to know why I broke it off?" He nodded, "Because from the moment I overheard your conversation with Aria, I knew you were in love with her, but I deluded myself into not believing the signs – I pushed it to the back of my mind and god I was so glad when you proposed. I thought finally but I shouldn't have because I saw marriage as a solution. A solution to the way you were feeling about me. But it isn't. We narrowly escaped the biggest mistake we could've possibly have made," She used her fingers to dab the tears, "I've always wanted to be a wife, and a mother. Even when I was younger, before I was focused on my career, I wanted to be a mom. I just wanted to have children, and look after them, and with you it was feasible until now,"

"I'm sorry."

"Stop apologising. Don't you see? I shouldn't be settling for feasible – I shouldn't settle because someone seems practical or if the relationship is easy. I want passion, I want love," She murmured, her words coated with pain and frustration, she turned over to him with her tears spilling out of her eyes, "Why didn't you just tell me? Why did you have to string me along? And make me think that we – me – were something that you wanted, that you needed. If I hadn't called it off, you would've married me, right? Even if you didn't love me,"

His eyes softened, and were filled with guilt, "Hayley, I do love you."

"Fuck you," Hayley spat, "Don't tiptoe around this. I'm not talking technicality, but rather about how you fucking feel and you know the type of love I'm talking about,"

He nodded, "If you hadn't called the wedding off I would have married you,"

"Why?"

"I don't know. I didn't want to hurt you,"

She scoffed, "How dare you treat me like I'm someone you can control? Why didn't you tell me? I deserved to know and make my decision,"

Ezra shrugged, "I know I made a mistake,"

"Like hell you did," Hayley shook her head, "Because of your stubbornness you could've ruined my life."

"I'm sorry,"

"You should be,"

He looked at her, feeling her pain with every word she uttered, with the way she looked at him and stiffened, "When I first met you I was still in love with Aria," He said, honestly, and she raised her head, looking at him with confused eyes.

Hayley pursed her lips, "I really don't want to know."

"Just let me tell you please – the truth," He said, and she didn't stop him, "When I met you I was in love with her, I haven't ever told her that, and I had an array of short term relationships before you but you – you were different, I saw you as someone I could spend my life with. And I thought that I wanted to. You were amazing, funny, everything I needed."

She nodded, "Just not what you wanted," She commented, and he sighed, "I love you," She stated, "I really love you."

Ezra gulped and ran his hands through his hair, "I –"

A moment of silence passed and she looked over at him, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his, with her hand on his cheek. Hesitantly, he returned the kiss, and she pulled away, burying her head in her hands as a sob escaped her mouth, "You really don't love me, do you?" She asked, fully well knowing the answer, "That kiss – it didn't mean anything to you. At least, not as much as it meant to me," Her voice was muffled and he didn't know what to do or say but all he knew was that she was hurting.

"I wish I knew exactly what to say. I wish I was able to take away all the pain you are feeling," Ezra said, "Or that I could somehow take it away from you onto myself. But I don't know what to say and I can't take anything away from you. I made a massive mistake and I know sorry can't fix it but I want you to know that this relationship meant a lot to me – that you mean a lot to me, even if we're not together, I will always love you. And yes, it may not be in the way you want but I still do. I'm really, really sorry and I wish I could change things."

Hayley raised her head and leaned her head on his shoulder; he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her forehead. "I'm leaving for London next month. I requested a transfer and there was a vacancy available there, I don't know how long I will be there," He nodded, "And I want you to cancel everything, in terms of the wedding, and calling people. I-I can't."

He nodded, "Don't worry, I'll do it. I'll do whatever you need."

…

Aria sat in front of her boyfriend, he had made dinner for her in an attempt to apologise for cancelling dinner several times this month, but as she played around with her food, all she could think about was when Ezra had made her dinner on their first date. She remembered the cold and the dress she was wearing – which, after that night, last week she had thrown into a pile in the back of her closet not wanting to see it – and she remembered talking to him. Oh, how he made it so easy to talk about anything. And she remembered him holding her as they danced, and the way his lips felt against hers. All she could do was compare Will and Ezra, although she felt absolutely terrible about it.

He looked at her, sensing that something was off, "I'm sorry I have been so busy this month. I'm sorry that I-I cancelled so many times," He picked up his glass which was filled with wine, and watched as she played around with her spaghetti.

"It is fine," Aria replied, with a smile, and then looked down at her food.

"How's work?" He asked,

"Uh … good," She could remember when Ezra offered to help her out to find a job, "What about you?"

Will shrugged "You know, the usual; it's hectic." He said, chuckling, "So, about that wedding – your friend, Ezra's – uh I know you didn't ask and you probably have your reasons but well, I was wondering whether you wanted me to come with you."

Everything came back to Ezra, she thought, "If I wanted you to come I would've asked," She replied, harshly.

"What?"

Her eyes widened, "I'm so sorry," She said, immediately, and placed her hand on top of his, "I'm sorry. Uh, they broke it off. Ezra and Hayley are no longer together," She said, looking into his eyes, feeling guilt consume her entire body.

His eyes were filled with curiosity, "Really? Why? What happened?"

"I guess Hayley realised she didn't want to marry Ezra," Aria shrugged, pulling her hand away, and taking a huge gulp of her wine.

Will frowned, "Wow, imagine that," He muttered, "You spend so long with a person, think you are in love with them, and then suddenly they break it off – can you imagine how that must feel? The person you love, the woman you proposed to suddenly –"

"I slept with someone," Aria said, abruptly. Her eyes were wide.

He blinked several times, "When?" He asked, maintaining indifferent.

"Last week, Saturday night."

He nodded, licking his lower lip, "I was home last Saturday – I was free." He commented.

"What?"

"For the first Saturday, in a while, I wasn't working." Will looked at her, "In fact I was planning to go out with you. I called, but you didn't answer. When I called your landline, Noel informed me that you were out with – Ezra and I thought okay well I hope she has fun, considering I haven't been there for you for a while." He said, nonchalantly, "Who was it?"

"It doesn't matter –"

"Who did you sleep with?"

Aria felt a lump form in her throat, "Ezra, it was Ezra,"

Will nodded and took a sip of his wine, "Is that why Hayley broke it off?" He asked,

She shook her head, "No it happened after. I went to his apartment and it just happened." She said, apologetically, "I am so sorry,"

"Sex doesn't just happen." Will stated, "It's not like you were suddenly naked and he was too – you two wanted to fuck otherwise you wouldn't have done it. Now, please tell me something, uh when the two of you were sleeping together, did you happen to remember that you had a boyfriend or did you just push it to the back of your mind so you could enjoy it without any guilt?"

"I'm sorry." Aria shook her head, "I made a mistake, and I was impulsive and stupid."

He got up, picking up their plates, and cleared it into the bin before putting it into the sink. He walked back and picked up the candle, blowing it out. She sat and watched as he cleared everything up, she felt horrible. She stood up and walked over to him, grabbing his hand, "You should leave," He said, looking down at her.

"Please forgive me." She begged,

"How can I possibly forgive you?" Will scoffed, "You cheated on me,"

"I am sorry."

"Sorry doesn't change the fact that you fucked someone who wasn't me." He stated, "Was this the first time?"

Aria nodded, "Yes. This was the first and last time, Will."

Will laughed harshly "Why did you sleep with him? Do you have feelings for him?"

She didn't reply.

"You do," The realisation hit him like a bag of bricks and he gulped "Do you love him?"

Once again, she didn't reply.

"You should leave."

This time she didn't argue, she grabbed her bag and walked towards the door, but stopped. She turned around, "For what it's worth, I really enjoyed our time together. I enjoy spending time with you and I'm sorry for what happened. It was entirely my fault and I betrayed you. I really am sorry." She said and then left the apartment. She rushed down the stairs and out of the building; she got into a cab, and felt tears fall down her cheeks. In all her years, she hadn't felt as disgusted with herself as she did, right in this moment. It turned out she really was her father's daughter.

Once she arrived at Spencer's apartment, she knocked on the door, and it was opened by Hanna. Aria looked at her friend and a tear escaped her eye, "You were right." She stated, "I shouldn't have gotten close to him again, all it leads to is heartache," Hanna sighed and hugged her best friend.

"I wish I hadn't been," She said, honestly, "What happened?"

…

Aria lay down on the couch, with her feet on the hand rest, whilst she stared at the ceiling. She was surrounded by her friends, and Hanna had opened a carton of Chunky Monkey, which shockingly Aria hadn't even touched. All her friends looked at her, wondering what to say. Over the course of their dating careers, they had developed knowledge on how to speak when someone was suffering from a breakup, but this was a strange case. Never before had they witnessed someone being heartbroken over a former teacher.

"You were with Ezra during High school," Spencer said, still trying to process what had happened.

"Technically, they weren't together," Emily replied for her, thankfully, Aria was afraid of how her voice would sound, "But they did go on a date when she was sixteen and she lied about her age,"

Spencer nodded, "Right," She muttered, "Explain to me how everyone knew but me," Her gaze was directed right at Aria, who didn't as much as look over.

"Because when Em and I found out it was purely a coincidence, I found out because I put everything together, whilst Em found out because Aria was trying to make her feel better after Maya," Hanna clarified, "I'm sure Aria would've told you sooner or later,"

"And how exactly did this come about?" Spencer asked,

Emily parted her mouth to speak, but didn't know the specifics, so she looked over at Hanna who bit her lower lip.

"I am so sorry," Aria stated, "Those were his first ever words to me. And I'm sorry were his last before he left Rosewood. Over the last couple of years I've analysed his words so carefully, trying to flush out any hidden meanings – to understand he felt but I should have only focused on what was on the surface. He apologised again, and again. He was ridden with guilt, what we had – albeit feeling so right – was wrong. He left because he had to not because of anything else."

She sat upright; her friends looked at her confused, "To answer your question, Spencer, we bumped into each other in the library at Hollis and then again talking. He was the first person to listen; I mean truly listen, without any judgements and god, it felt like the best thing in the world. Ezra, he has this power, makes you feel like the most important person in the world and as if, every word you say is the most profound, coherent sentence ever formed, and it's wonderful so I fell for him. Not because he was older, handsome, or whatever but because, for the first time in my life, I found someone – a man – who listened and treated me right. Because, even though, it was wrong he never let me feel like it was my fault,"

"And falling for him never felt wrong. It never did. It was only the circumstances that were wrong, we weren't and our feelings most definitely weren't," Aria said, with a smile, "After Alison died, I begged for normalcy and he knew it and he left. I didn't realise until now, but he left because he listened to me. He fulfilled my wish, by depriving me of my greatest desire," She commented, with sad eyes. They all looked at her as she spoke and she gripped the edges of the couch.

The door opened, and from the corner of her eye, she could see Wren and Hardy. Her heart started racing, she half expected Ezra to walk in, but he didn't. She turned her face away when Hardy looked at her, she could hear their indistinct voices. It almost sounded as if they were fighting and that Wren was trying to stop her from doing something.

"He was doing fine," Hardy announced, Aria and the girls looked over confused, and soon it became obvious that this was directed at Aria, "He was good. He was fucking engaged, and you just had to ruin his life again, didn't you? Like last time wasn't good enough." He spat.

Aria furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "Excuse me?"

"You should be happy. You've ruined his relationship." Hardy stated, "Was that revenge for him leaving?"

"I didn't ruin anything." Aria stood up, "Don't blame me for something I didn't do. I don't know why it is you hate me but I assure you I didn't do anything. I didn't ruin his life last time; I was a fucking teenager, okay? Perhaps I was too strong but back then, I didn't hide my feelings. If I wanted something I went for it but even then, I knew it was wrong and I told him. Then he left,"

Hardy shook his head in disbelief, "That can't be it. He was a mess,"

"And, I wasn't," She questioned, "I was absolutely heartbroken. Fuck, I even thought about chasing him to wherever he was. I was willing to leave everything for him, but I knew it would do more harm than good. And I thought that perhaps I wasn't good enough – that maybe that was the reason why he left." She sighed, "But he is the one who left me, despite how humble his intentions were, he left me with a fucking letter. No goodbye, nothing. Just me in an empty apartment reading a letter that broke my heart,"

Spencer glared at Wren, "Leave her alone, Hardy. She's done nothing wrong."

"Hayley is leaving for London, she's not giving their relationship a second chance or even entertaining that idea," Hardy looked over at Aria,

"What?" Her voice broke,

"Yeah,"

Aria remembered seeing her the morning after, she remembered how broken Hayley looked, and suddenly she felt much worse than she had previously done. A sigh escaped her mouth, and she noticed everyone just staring at her. She grabbed her bag, "I need to go," She muttered, leaving the apartment.

…

"Ms Matthias is busy," The secretary reaffirmed, looking at Aria, seemingly judging her. Why wouldn't she? She thought, her hair was a mess, her makeup was smudged, and everything in her life was falling apart. "If you want I can let her know that you needed to speak to her, and perhaps you can book an appointment,"

She shook her head, "No, I need to see her, right now."

"I'm sorry, that's not possible,"

"Have you even asked her whether she could spare at least five minutes?"

The secretary sighed, "Ms Matthias doesn't want to see you, you're on her don't allow in list."

Aria's eyes widened, "She has a list like that?" She furrowed her eyebrows, "Who else is on that list? Wait, never mind. Well, I'll guess I'll just leave then," She said, and turned around, before quickly rushing past the desk despite the secretary's complaints. She could see Hayley in her office and ran over, opening the door, "I need to speak to you," She said, breathlessly.

"How did you get in?" Hayley looked up, confused.

"I ran," Aria clarified, "I know I'm on your weird list,"

"Ms Matthias I am so sorry, I've called security. They'll be here any minute now," The secretary said, glancing over at Aria sending her a death glare, whilst Aria looked anywhere but at her.

"Hayley, I understand you're busy. I just want to talk to you. It'll be two minutes," Aria's eyes pleaded her.

"Fine," She sighed, "Kate, call off security for heck sake," The secretary nodded and walked out of the office.

The two women looked at each other. Both of them were connected, perhaps to their despair. If it hadn't been for the small fact that they were both in love with the same man, they might have even been friends – close friends. They were kind, and friendly, and cared to a certain extent about each other. It was funny; really, that there were so many different possible outcomes of their platonic albeit not intimate relationship, but because of Ezra they would've never gotten close.

"Don't go to London." Aria begged, walking closer to her, and sitting on the chair, "I know what you and Ezra are going is really tough, but, uh you two will get through it, I know you will. You just have to give your relationship another chance."

"You slept with him," Hayley commented, amused, "So I'm sure you have some kind of feelings for him then why are you doing this?"

Aria blinked, she looked down, "Because seven years ago Ezra left to make me happy, and now I want to do something to exchange the favour,"

Hayley nodded, "And were you – happy, that is, when he left?"

"No," Replied Aria hesitantly,

"Then maybe he made the wrong decision,"

"But he did what was right, what I asked him to do," Aria looked at her, with a gulp.

"And you're not angry," Hayley asked,

Aria sighed, "I've come to terms with his decision." She replied, "Wait. Why are we talking about this?"

"Because I'm not staying – I'm going to London," Hayley stated, and saw her facial expression drop, "And I know you came here to convince me to stay for Ezra – because it seems like the two of you have signed some selfless pact – but I'm not staying. It's not because I don't love Ezra, it's because I do," She sighed, "If I stay here I'm bound to bump into him, or whatever, and I need to distance myself if I want to get over him," She said, with a shrug.

"Why do you want to get over him?"

"He doesn't love me, Aria, and before you say anything, I'm not saying this because I'm jealous but he doesn't. Do you honestly believe that he does?" Hayley questioned, and saw Aria's expression – one of genuine confusion – and she shook her head in disbelief, "He doesn't love me, Aria. He lov—" She stopped herself, knowing that it was not her place to say anything, "I don't know what is going on between the two of you. Perhaps you're confused, or unsure, but if I have any advice for you, it's this; stop caring so much." She stated, "About what people think, or who you think you may hurt. This life is only so short, and when you find someone whom you want to be with and who wants to be with you, grab onto them and don't let them go,"

Aria looked at her, "He apologises. For little things, things done out of anger which I wouldn't think twice about,"

Hayley nodded, "I've noticed that over the last couple of years. He doesn't want to turn into his father; he's frightened that he will become him." She sighed.

"Have you ever met him?"

"Once, but only briefly as Ezra practically dragged me away," Hayley replied,

"You may be one of the kindest people I know," Aria commented, "I am so sorry about everything,"

"It's not your fault, darling. After all, the heart wants what it wants," She said, with a smile, "I'm glad to have known you,"

Aria stood up, a lump in her throat, and Hayley did too, "I hope London is absolutely terrific," She said, and Hayley walked over, hugging her. "That you find everything you're looking for," She murmured, "And forget everything that causes your heart pain,"

"I hope so, too." She replied, "Good luck – with everything!" She said, Aria nodded and Hayley watched as she walked away. She looked down and wiped a lonesome tear. She smiled through her tears and thought of the adventures she could and would have. In spite of everything she wished her every happiness – she furrowed her eyebrows, unsure as to where this selfless side of her came from, but then laughed realising that perhaps she hadn't found her true love in Ezra but he had changed her. He had helped her become a better person.

…

For the first time in forever, Aria was alone in her apartment, and decided after everything that had happened she deserved a night of pampering. So, she lit up candles, drew herself a bubble bath and soaked in the warm water with a glass of champagne and a good book. She stepped out of the bath and threw on her robe. After cleaning everything up, not wanting Noel to shout at her, she walked out and towards her room but the sound of a knock on the door stopped. She turned around and opened the door, it was Ezra.

"Hey," Ezra said, softly.

"Hi," Aria replied, looking up at him, and allowed him in, closing the door behind him.

He looked at her, burying his hands in his pockets, staring at her. When he looked at her he could remember that night, the way she looked at him, the way she smiled, the way she spoke his name. For the first time in a really long time, they were together and they were happy, "We need to talk," He stated.

She nodded, "Yes. Yes we do," She twisted the ring she had on her finger, and whenever he looked at her, her eyes darted away from her.

Ezra looked at her, noticing she was just in a robe, "Do you want to get changed?"

"Yeah," She let out a laugh, "Give me a minute. Take a seat, make yourself coffee," She said, as she walked away to her bedroom. Once the door closed she breathed heavily, and she rubbed her eyes, before taking out a sweat shirt and leggings and underwear. She looked at herself in the mirror once she was done. Her hair wasn't combed and she didn't have an inch of makeup on her face, but he still looked at her as if she was the most beautiful person in the world. She applied moisturiser to her face and then left the room. He was sitting down on the couch. She sat down opposite him, gripping the edges on the couch whilst sitting upright.

They were silent, for a minute, just stealing glances and thinking about to say.

"Las –"

"I'm S-" They both spoke, simultaneously.

Aria's cheeks reddened, "You go first," She said, he nodded.

Ezra licked his bottom lip, "Last week, when I said I didn't regret anything, I was telling the truth. I didn't regret what happened; I regret that it was so soon after Hayley broke up with me, but I don't regret that it happened. I've wanted it to happen."

"I did too." Aria nodded, in agreement, "But I just wish it wasn't so soon after, well – it really must've hurt Hayley when she found out,"

He sighed, "We can't change that. I wish we could, but we can't," He paused, "I left Rosewood because it was too complicated – the consequences of what would have happened if someone found out were too high. You could've been suspended, your reputation would've been soiled – god I know how teenagers are – and your family, especially your mother. You wanted normalcy, it echoed in your every word, and desire, and I knew that leaving to allow that so I left."

"Hayley's right." She said, with a smile, "Your every word is based on the other person. You should think about yourself sometimes, not others."

"I did," He chuckled, "That night,"

She blushed, "I broke up with Will, or Will broke up with me – either way, we're not together anymore," She said, suddenly.

"Oh," Ezra tried to conceal his smile, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, and got up walking over towards him so that she could sit beside him, "I am, because I can do this now," She pressed her lips against his, it was a brief albeit passionate kiss, and when she pulled away he looked at her with a smile.

"Do you forgive me for leaving?" He asked,

"Yes, I do." Aria replied, "I understand why you did what you did, and quite frankly, I'm glad. It was the best thing you could've done, considering the circumstances," She placed her hands on top of his, and looked at him, "But I do think it's too soon to, you know, starting dating again – for the both of us,"

"I agree,"

"Tear filled eyes and quick words mean nothing, my love. They are solely words of passion, come to me when you are calm and have slept well, come to me when you are sane, come to me when you have thought it all through. And if the words are still the same then I'll come with you, my love." She recited, and he looked at her amused, "What? I read it somewhere and thought that it applied to this situation,"

He laughed, and kissed her again, "People can kiss without dating, right?" He murmured, against her lips.

She nodded, "Hm. Yes, they can do a lot more without dating, too." She stated, her eyes staring right into his.

"Duly noted," He stated, and picked her up; she let out a squeal and laughed as he walked into her bedroom. He kicked the door shut and let lust overtake his every action. Clothes were shed and they found themselves repeating the events of that night a week ago.

And once again, they were united in each other's arms. Only this time it wasn't wrong in any way, shape or form. It was just love.

SO? let me know what you guys thought

- TC