A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! Y'all are the best! Enjoy the chapter!
Oh and to the Guest who reviewed saying my writing was so "deadpan and blah" among other things, there's a simple solution. Don't read the story. Simple as that. Or at least log in and leave the review and don't just do it under a guest review.
Anyways, to those of you who are always so kind, Enjoy!
Ezra was just putting on his jacket, when he heard a knock on the door.
"Hey." He was greeted with her cheery voice.
Ezra was left speechless. Even in the simplest outfit, she managed to look so good. But tonight, that skirt she was wearing would drive him crazy. Aria simply smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck, and kissing him softly.
"You look amazing." He said truthfully, pulling back.
Aria smiled.
"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."
Ezra chuckled.
"Ready?"
Aria nodded eagerly.
"Yeah."
"Hey, are you ok?" Ezra asked.
Since they had arrived at the diner, he noticed Aria had been picking distractingly at her nails.
"Hm?" Aria glanced up. "Um, yeah."
"Aria."
"I'm just a bit nervous. What if he doesn't like me? What if I embarrass you?"
"Relax." Ezra assured. "Everything will be ok. There's nothing to worry about."
He placed his hand over her's.
"Don't worry, ok?"
Aria gave him a small smile and nodded.
"Ezra." They both heard a voice behind them.
"Hardy."
Ezra got up, giving him a hug.
"It's about time you show your face." Hardy laughed.
"I've just been busy." Ezra smiled. "Anyways, Hardy, I would like you to meet Aria, my girlfriend."
Aria smiled hearing him say that. It was something so small, yet to her, it meant everything.
"Aria, nice to meet you." Hardy gave her a sincere smile, holding out his hand.
"Nice meeting you too." Aria replied, grasping his hand.
Hardy took a seat across from them.
"So, how's life back in Rosewood been?"
"Great. Different than New York, but it's nice."
Hardy nodded.
"So Aria, tell me about yourself. Are you as much of a bookworm as Ezra is?"
Aria laughed.
"I am. I'm actually leaning towards English too. Both my parents are teachers, so i've pretty much grown surrounded by books and whatnot."
"Interesting."
"Yeah. What about you? Are you a bookworm too?"
"No. Not at all." Hardy laughed. "I'm allergic to them."
"I'm sure you are." Aria giggled.
The waitress took their orders, and shortly after, came back.
"So, does Ezra treat you well?" Hardy asked, popping a fry in his mouth
Aria squeezed Ezra's hand gently and smiled up at him.
"He does."
Hardy nodded, taking a sip of his beer.
"I still can't understand how someone as beautiful as you, would be interested in this geek right here." Hardy joked.
"Hardy."
"I mean, has he told you about his good old days?"
"Hardy, no need to recall those times."
"Why not?"
"Yeah, why not?"
"Did you know Ezra laughs in his sleep?"
"Hardy." Ezra warned.
"He laughs?"
"Oh yeah. We used to be roommates in college. Every single night, he'd wake up laughing. One time, this guy laughed when things were going really well with this girl, she didn't believe he always did that, and left. She left me hot and bothered. Still haven't forgiven you for that man." Hardy laughed.
"You seriously laugh in your sleep?" Aria asked him giggling.
Ezra simply nodded, his cheeks growing red.
"Thats really cute." Aria smiled. "And hot." She whispered in his ear.
Ezra gulped and took a drink of his beer. Soon, the time ticked away, and the more time they spent together, the more they got along. Aria was really enjoying this night. Hardy was a great friend, and she was glad Ezra had taken her out.
"You're a real cool person Aria." Hardy told her truthfully. " Ezra's a lucky man. We should definitely all get together again."
"Thanks. I loved meeting you. And yeah, we should."
"Are you ready to go?" Ezra asked.
"Yeah, I just need to use the restroom quick. I'll be right back." She said, giving his cheek a kiss.
Aria excused herself, and once she was gone, Ezra noticed Hardy glaring.
"Don't look at me like that." Ezra simply said.
"Ezra, come on, really?"
"I promised my Dad, Hardy." Ezra sighed. "I promised him."
"She doesn't deserve what you're gonna do to her. She's funny, smart, sweet, and she's beautiful, Ezra. The perfect girl. She doesn't deserve that."
"A perfect girl with a douchebag of a father. I have to keep my promise. That jerk wont get away with what he did so easily."
"But what has Aria ever done to you? She really likes you, I can tell. She'll be heartbroken. Revenge is never the answer. There are other ways to make him pay. You can turn him in."
"With what proof?" Ezra grew angry. "There's no proof to prove that he's the killer."
Hardy sighed, shaking his head.
"It's just not fair to her."
"I'm aware of that, Hardy."
"Then why don't you stop this before she gets hurt?"
"I can't stop. I made a promise." Ezra sighed. "A promise I can't break."
"It's pointless to argue with you." Hardy said defeated. "All i'm saying it might be better to put a stop to all this before you're the one falling in love, and it ends up being the both of you getting hurt."
"That will never happen. I don't believe in love." Ezra said.
Hardy simply shook his head.
"Can we not talk about this. I didn't ask for your opinion. It doesn't matter what I do, Ok?"
"Ok. I'm sorry."
Ezra sat in silence, thinking about what Hardy had said. How could he even think he'd fall in love with Aria? He didn't know what love was, and had successfully avoided falling in love in the past. There was no way a seventeen year old, would make him fall in love. There was no way, right?
Aria was heading back to her table, when she spotted a familiar face sitting at a nearby table. Anger filled her body within seconds. Should she confront her? Should she ignore her? Should she leave? Aria didn't know what to do.
How dare she follow them? First she judged their relationship, not even giving her the chance to explain, and now she shows up at the Diner? Was she planning on embarrasing her and causing a scene?
Aria was about to walk over to her, ready to scream and yell, but she stopped herself. She had a better idea. She would let Spencer confess to what she did, if she ever did, that is. She wouldn't let her know she saw her. She would play nice with her, act extra nice and understanding. She would make her feel guilty about what she did until she finally confessed.
"Hey." Aria smiled as she came back. "I'm ready when you are." She said quickly, trying not to sound too nervous or upset.
"Are you Ok?" Ezra asked, noticing her slight change in demeanor.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She assured.
"Ok. Well lets head out." Ezra said as he stood up.
"Aria." Hardy also stood from his seat. " Again, it was great meeting you."
"Likewise. We'll see you soon."
"For sure. Ezra, don't ignore my calls or texts anymore."
"I won't. It was great catching up."
"It was. Have a good night you two. And Ezra, just think about what I said Ok?." He whispered. " Bye."
"Bye." They both said
Aria was curled up into Ezra's side later that night watching reruns of That 70's Show. She reached up, resting her hands on each side of his face.
"Thank you for tonight. I had a lot of fun."
She placed a chaste kiss on his lips.
"I'm glad you had fun. What'd you think of Hardy?" Ezra asked.
"He's great!" Aria replied, settling back down. "I enjoyed meeting him."
"Hm. Great huh?" Ezra asked, a bit bothered.
Aria giggled.
"Is someone jealous?" She joked.
"What? No!" He quickly replied.
Wait. Was he actually jealous of Aria liking his best friend? No. He couldn't be, because in order to be jealous, you had to like the person, and he didn't like Aria, right? He quickly shrugged that thought aside.
"You have nothing to worry about." Aria assured. "I only have eyes for you."
Ezra smiled, pulling her closer to him.
"That's good to hear."
They soon drifted into a relaxing nap. It was the sound of Aria's phone that woke her up. She checked the time and it was past midnight. She had to be home soon. Careful not to wake up Ezra, she got up and gathered her stuff. She pulled the blanket up Ezra's body, and kissed his forehead. She debated what she was gonna tell him, not sure if she wanted to or not. But it'd been killing her for a while now. She had to let it out, but she didn't have the courage to tell him. But what harm could saying it now do? Afterall, he was asleep. She ran her hand through his messy curls, before once again kissing his cheek.
"I love you Ezra." She whispered.
She gave him one last kiss, and headed out, finally relieved she had let that off her chest. She loved him. She was completely sure of that. In the three months they'd spent together, he'd stolen her heart. She just wasn't ready to tell him, well at least not when he was awake. But what Aria didn't know, was that Ezra hadn't been sleeping when she told him that, and he was very much aware of what she had said.
A/N: So, first off, sorry for a later update and a bit of a shorter chapter. But I hurt my shoulder, dislocated it actually, and I couldn't move my whole left arm at all. It took me three days to write this chapter one handed, but here it is.
Hope you enjoyed it! What'd you guys think of it? Is Ezra falling for her? Please review! Can we do 10 again? Thanks!
Who's excited for PLL tomorrow? or today, depending on where you live.
twitter: CoffeeHighHale
