Okay, I first off. I wanted to say that I did in fact spell check this. And it took me three tires to do it. My internet kept on logging me off. I don't know if it's the program I'm using or what... But it started to drive me krazy, and than I was going to do a grammar check, cause I know how you guys are with grammar, but I was already nuts... So this is what you guys got...
It' been exactly two weeks and counting, it's the final week that Ezra has left here. And the only thought that I have, is that we are finally over. As much as I would love to say, thank-god, Ezra has the chance to go out and date someone else. Someone his own age, or someone that he could go out in public with. Deep, deep down I feel like my heart is going to explode. He hasn't even called, text or email me his thought's on that letter. He hasn't even called on me in class, or say anything school related.
Spencer, Hanna and Emily. They all have been supportive, but secretive all at the same time. Like when I asked Spencer and Emily, why Ezra would keep them after class. They just told me it's something to do with their book reports, or Spencer's Essay. Hanna, has Ezra third lesson and when I ask her how class went. She would just shrug it off and talk about Caleb every time.
My mother on the other hand, would wait for me at my car after school. She and I would talk for a bit and she would ask me how I was doing with the drive in and out of Philly. She asked me if I wanted to get an apartment closer to the school, but I said no. That would just cause more heart break., knowing I'm closer to Ezra and wasn't able to get his response to the letter.
As I walked into class this morning, Spencer and Emily were already there along with Ezra. They all stopped talking when I walked into the room, I knitted my eyes at them and gave them a look as to tell them I know you were talking about me.
"Aria? You're here early?" Emily looked at the clock to know that it was about twenty minutes till the bell would ring.
"I'm right on time, Em" I looked at Ezra and then at Spencer. "What's going on here?"
"Nothing" Spencer said plain and simple. "Were just talking about current event's."
"You're lying, Spencer." I hissed "If you can't tell me that's fine, I just thought we were friends. I never thought you'd turn my back on me. Now I know how Hanna felt, when the three of us went behind her back." I spat and walked out of there. I heard Spencer and Emily calling out my name, but I didn't bother to turn and look at them. I just walked out and into my mother's classroom.
Ezra's POV:
"This is killing me you guys, I can't do this to her. Did you see Aria's face, it was pure heart break" Emily spoke up first.
"I'm not telling you guys, to chose sides. You're very much welcome to tell Aria, what is going on" I said and sat down behind my desk
"Then where's the surprise in that?" Spencer commented "She'll love what you're doing. Beside's that all she want's, and I'm pretty sure you want the same."
I smiled and looked at my phone. I flipped it open and saw the picture that I had taken when Aria, was asleep on my bed in my apartment. These were the memories that I want to keep, these are the memories that I try so hard to remember. But it feel's like each passing day goes by and I forget what we have. The love that we both had shared as we stared into each other's eyes, and know that for a fact we are in love.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." I mumbled and looked up at the time, I had another two minutes before the bell and I prayed to god that Aria will come back.
As student's started to file in Spencer and Emily took their seats and I took roll call. I then told everyone to bring out their books and I started my lesson. During the whole lesson, I would find myself taking a look at the door, or looking at Aria's seat to see if she would just sneak in at some point and I would find her sitting there. But nothing absolutely nothing, and when I looked at Emily or Spencer they would gave me a concern look. I believe I mirrored that same look. "Alright class, I know you're all bored with this book. And would rather talk about the ball that's coming up this weekend. So I am going to give you guys, the rest of class time to just talk among's yourselves. But please try and keep it down." I called out loud and took a seat behind my desk I brought out my phone and texted Aria... After waiting a few minutes Aria, had finally text me back. "Fuck off" She said and nothing else. I opened my eye's wide, not ever has Aria swore at me for anything. I think seeing her two best friends and me together talking in hush tones set me off into the deep end.
""that's the bell, I will see you all later." I announced and watched as everyone went into different directions.
"What did she say?" Spencer asked desperately. "I know she texted you, you had that face. As if say WTF"
"WTF?" I questioned. "Okay, it said..." I told them and showed them what Aria had text me. "She's really upset, how are you going to even get her to come to the ball?"
Aria's POV:
"Thanks mom" I said standing up from the very back row. "I just don't know how to express myself anymore." I said sadly as I walked up to the front.
"Aria, I know how you feel. I was cheated on too"
"Yeah, but dad didn't cheat on you in our house. Ezra, cheated in his apartment. The apartment where we shared so many memories."
"Have..." I shook my head "Thank-god"
"Not in his apartment mom" I mumbled and looked at my feet "It was in Philly a couple of weeks ago..." I trailed off.
"Are you pregnant?" That question came out of the blue.
"No, why are you?" I retorted.
"Okay, okay. Point taken. But you need to talk to Ezra, just come to terms with him" She preached and I sucked in a breath.
"Fine, I'll give him a call."
"I think at lunch would be a good time as any."
As lunch rolled around, I saw the girls sitting at our usually table. They waved me over and I just shook my head and walked over to the teachers table that was in the corner of the cafe.
"Hey mom, do you mind if I steal Mr. Fitz away for a while. There's something that I need to talk to him about." I made my speech and watched as Mrs. Welch looked at me concern.
"Sure sweetie." She looked over at Ezra, and titled her head toward me. Ezra excused himself and followed me outside into the court yard.
"I'm sorry Aria." Ezra started first and I just shook my head.
"I know this is hard on both of us. But I think I stand by what I said, it's not right for the two of us to be together." I whispered and waited for some of the lingering students to walk past us. "I just want us to be friends."
Ezra sighed "Really?" He shrugged his shoulders "That's not going to work with me." He stated and walked away, when he was a few feet in turned around and looked at me. "Are you happy?" He asked and I turned to face him. "Being apart. Does it make you happy?"
I sighed and shook my head sadly "Not a minutes goes by, that I don't think about you..." Ezra turned around and I blurted out "You haven't said anything about the letter?"
"I didn't think I needed to explain myself, You know where I stand and you know how I feel." He said and walked away...
I threw my hands up in frustration, was this really the memory that I want to keep locked up? No, this is not how I wanted to remember Ezra, I wanted to at least be friends with him. But I guess that I couldn't.
Ezra's POV:
I walked into the hallway and stopped just by the door, thinking what the hell am I doing? I walked back out into the court yard and as Aria place her face into her hands. She started to wipe her eyes and my own eyes started to water. I walked back up to her and bent down so we were eye level.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to walk out on you." Aria looked up and shook her head sniffling a few soft cries.
"I didn't.." She stopped and sucked in a breath of air "I thought, it would be best. But I just keep on ruining everything." I shook my head and wiped her fallen tears.
"It's not your fault. Aria, it's mines'. If I hadn't cheated, none of this would be happening." I looked around and noticed we attracted a few students. "Maybe we should leave."
Aria looked over my shoulder and nodded her head "Yeah, I'd like that."
I stood up and watched as the crowd got bigger and bigger. Spencer, Hanna and Emily walked into view and gave Aria a group hug. "I'm sorry Aria" I heard Spencer and Emily say at the same time and then they all pulled away.
"What the hell are you all looking at. Aria, just lost her grandmother. Wouldn't you all feel depress?" Hanna yelled and blew out a breath of frustration "Get the hell away."
"Ms. Marin. That tone, is competently uncalled for." I said playing the roll of teacher, but all I really wanted to do was laugh.
"Thanks guys." Aria sniffled out a smile and I motioned for her to walk first.
I closed the door to my classroom and everyone looked at each other in silence. All you could hear was the sounds of breathes, from each and everyone. "Alright, this is what were going to do." Hanna said looking between everyone. "First, The three of us are going to leave. And then Aria, you stay and talk with Mr. Hottie" She winked at me causing me to roll my eyes.
"Hanna" The girls voices echoed within the classroom. Causing everyone to laugh.
"What? Ezra is hot, can you blame me? Every girl wants him" She smirked and winked at Aria.
"I have to go. ." Aria looked at her time and jumped off the desk.
"Where?" Spencer asked stopping Aria. "Where are you going?"
Aria stepped back "You guys don't tell me anything. Why should I say something?"
"We're sorry about that" Emily spoke up. "We want to tell you what's going on, but right now we can't."
Aria nodded and looked over at me "What about you? Can you tell me or is it a big secret too?" I looked at the girls, as if asking them to tell me what to do with my eyes. "Don't look at them, you have a voice use it." Aria yelled.
"I'm sorry, I can't." Aria huffed
"Figured." She stated and walked out the door.
"Damnmit" I yelled and kicked my desk. "I can't keep doing this to her." I all but cried.
"Dang Fitz, your wiped." Hanna joked and Emily, Spencer slapped her. "That hurt." She yelled rubbing her arm.
"Yeah, well your mouth hurts more." Spencer told her and looked at me as I walked over to the window and watched as Aria just walked out of the building.
"Who is that?" I asked, when I saw a guy walk up to Aria. The girls ran up to the window and looked out.
"Dan" Emily mumbled. "Guys, we have to..." Emily stopped and looked at me.
"What about Dan?" I asked with a slight of anger. Everyone looked at each other and than I got more anger "Well?"
General POV:
Ella Montgomery, was just getting ready to leave for the day. When Hanna, Emily and Spencer walked into her classroom and closed the door. She looked at them with worried eyes, only thinking the worst.
"What's going on?" Ella exclaimed concerned inched in her eyes.
"We need your help Mrs. Montgomery" Emily asked as she sucked in a breath of air and looked over at the two girls. "With Aria." She finished and waited for someone else to talk.
"Okay?" Ella, asked. She really didn't know what they wanted, but knew they would never do anything to hurt Aria. "What do you need?"
Spencer, Emily and Hanna all looked at each other and let out the breath they were holding. "Tonight, is the masquerade ball. We need your help in getting Aria there." Hanna started.
"We already, have a dress that Aria, would agree on. But since she's kind of upset with us, because we've been so secretive. That's where you come in" Spencer told her.
"What can I do?" Ella asked with a genuine smile.
Aria's POV:
As the day was wining down, my mother called and asked if I could meet her at the Edgewood rose court. I thought for a second that she was insane, but than I ended up going there Anyways. Just to see what she wanted, when I pulled up into the parking spot in front of the room number that she had given me. I took in a deep breath and thought about what happen earlier today. I thought Ezra, and the girls and how they all been keeping their distant.
I sighed once more and got out of my car. I walked up to the door and knocked a couple of times before my mother swung it open. "What are we doing here?" I asked confused.
My mother chuckled and moved aside to allow me in. "Your my date to the masquerade ball. Your father can't take me, and I knew you'll only be at home. With a pint of Ice cream so I thought why not."
I laughed and shook my head. Thinking maybe this was a joke, but when she frown I stopped and gave her a shocked expression. "Your serious? I was going to Dan Farren and I have nothing to wear, so I have to run to Philly and pick up something" I explained
Ella nodded "Oh." She said opening up the closet door and bringing out a garment bag.. "I saw this and said it's so you."
I opened up the bag and it revealed a Black and Red stripe dress "Wow, this is beautiful." I gushed and smiled up at my mother. "Are we really going to do this? Are you really tagging along with Dan and I?"
Ella nodded "Yes, I am. I really wanted to go to something like this, and if your father can't come with me. Than what better person to hang out with? plus it's just for appearance, I will give you and Dan a chance to mingle."
My mother and I shared a quick hug before she pushed me into the shower, I giggled and thought maybe this would be good for me. Over the course of the last two weeks, I really haven't done anything. I wake up drive over to Rosewood, go to school and then drive back to Philly. I have spent all my night's alone, wondering what happen to me. I wondered if I could ever get my life back on track by myself, without the help of anyone. But that's not the case. The case is that I do, I do need people around. My friends, family and most importantly I need Ezra, just as much as I denied it.
As I finished up my shower, I wondered what Ezra would be doing right about now. I wondered if he was thinking about me, or if he had moved on and found someone that would love him just as much as I do... I know what Ezra, told me in the court yard. About knowing how he feels but the truth is, I really don't know how he feels. I don't know anything anymore, he doesn't express or open up to me. My own friends doesn't even talk to me, unless it's to ask me how I am doing. They spend all their time with Ezra, as if they were the one's dating him.
"Aria, are you done?" My mother yelled from the door. "We need to do your hair and make up"
I rolled my eyes, and looked at myself in the mirror. I picked up the underwear that my mother brought with her and put in on after wiping myself down. It was a simple black lace thong and a strapless bra. I had to look in the bag twice when she handed it too me, it's not something that she would normally pick out.
I opened the door to the bathroom and looked at my mother in shock. "Black lace panties?" I questioned with a little smirk.
"What?" She looked at me confused until I held up the bag. "Oh, I just figured it was something you'd wear." She looked at the door just as someone knocked. "I'll get that."
"Surprise" Three voice sang. "We can't have you going to a dance, without the us." Hanna laughed and walked in with two duffel bags. Followed by Spencer and Emily.
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked them and shifted my towel.
"Well, we knew you didn't want to go. And we really wanted our best friend to be there." Emily smiled.
"I brought the dress and shoes." Spencer said dropping her bag "And Emily picked out you lingerie. And Hanna here is going to do your hair" She finished.
I turned to my mother "Are you still my date?" I bit my lip.
"Only if you want me to be?"
"Yes, mom. Of course" I nodded with a huge grin on my face.
Ezra's POV:
"Thank's Hardy." I said when he showed up to my new apartment, just outside of Rosewood. "I can't thank you enough for this."
Hardy nodded "Dude, I can't believe your about to unmask yourself." He shook his head and sat down on the stool next to the mirror. "But I can't judge you for this. Your love for Aria, is one that I have never seen before. Unless you count Beauty and the beast." He chuckled.
"Thanks, I guess I'm the beast?" I rolled my eyes, and fixed my tie. "But Aria, is sure my beauty. I love her, and if I have to man up and expose our love for each other. Then that's what I'll do."
Hardy nodded "I hope there's single hot mom's there, cause I'll kill you." He patted my back and fixed his tux's. "How do we look?"
"Nervous." I mumbled. "But a good kind of nervous." I finished.
"Yeah, we better get going..." Hardy walked over to the coat hanger and grabbed his coat. "I wished you picked something a little closer to Rosewood, instead of outside of it."
"It's closer to Aria." I answered and grabbed my coat and keys. Ella, told me this afternoon that the girls came up with a plan, and that she rented a limo. Regardless of how late we would be getting home, or how things go down. She didn't want either of us driving. So she called around and had gotten the last limo in Philly.
"Let's go" I opened the door and looked around my new apartment, that I hope to be sharing with Aria, one day. After a few seconds, Hardy and I were off. I drove my car there and Hardy would be taking it afterwards.
I drove by the hotel just to see if I could get a glimpse of Aria... All I know is that Hanna said she would be in a black and red swan lake kind of dress. Just like the invitations, that were handed out. I saw the limo and the door to the Hotel room open. Spencer, Emily and Hanna walked out, then I saw Aria. But what I didn't expect to see was Dan Farren walking up to Aria, with a single red rose.
"What the-" I cut myself off and looked over at Hardy. "She's going with Dan Farren. Aria, told me she told him no" I said with a slight hint of anger.
"Maybe we should just go. This is a bad idea, we could go to the bar and hit up some woman for me" Hardy chuckled.
"Are you fricken nuts? That's my woman." I yelled and put the car in drive.
Once I had gotten to the Banquet hall, I gave my car to the valet and took the ticket. I put my mask on and walked over to Hardy as he did the same thing... At this point I started to shake and think maybe Hardy had a good idea about hitting up the bar... I thought about what this could do, to our relationship if Aria, went along after it.
Just as I was about to walk in the doors, I heard a few people laughing. I saw couples walking in the doors. Arm's linked, hands clasped together and me standing there thinking that's what I want with Aria. To be able to hold her hand, to say that I love you with every fiber of my being. To be able to kiss her, and not have one care in the room but our two hearts beating as one.
"Let's go dude." Hardy patted my back and pushed me a little. "Aria, is going to be here soon."
"I know." I said just as my phone buzzed.. I picked it out of my pocket and saw a text from Hanna.
'Small change in plans. Aria is going with Dan Farren' I rolled my eyes and texted her back and simple I know. But that doesn't change anything.
A few minutes later Hanna, texted me back telling me she could see me. I turned a little to look over my shoulder and saw Spencer getting out.
"Let's go. Their here" I mumbled pushing Hardy this time.
"Who the hell is that? She's hot" Hardy squealed like a girl.
"Who?" I questioned.
"The girl that came out of the limo first?"
I chuckled "Spencer Hastings."
"Ah, is she your student?"
"Yes, and no I will not hook you up. What kind of person would I be?"
"A great one, but I'll just show her my mojo" He winked at me and I turned into the garden area that they had set up.
There are two more chapters left after this, I am sorry if this chapter was a little or more jumpy. I hope you forgive me for that.
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