11. Tinted Cherry Chapstick
"Ezra," It was all she could say. She tried to form words, any words, but nothing came up. Instead, a genuine smile took over face and reached her eyes. "I don't know what to say, I can't believe we're here." Ezra watched her expression and it made his heart skipped a beat. She was speechless. It was the exact reaction he wanted and he was so glad he had been the one who caused it.
"Let's find a seat." He grabbed her hand and led her into the crowd.
There was a small table with two wooden stools available next to the dance floor, which was right in front of the band. They both took a seat and Ezra called for a waitress.
"I thought this place shut down," Aria said, still not believing where she was. Last time she was here, there were barely anyone and the place was quite run down. She still loved it though, the place drew her in. Especially with the memories she had in there. After her break up with Ezra, she had visited Rosewood and came here to see it one last time but it was already closed. She still remembered the feeling that had struck her as soon as she saw the faded 'Closed' sign and dusty windows. To Aria, it represented the end of her and Ezra's relationship. This place was the only thing she had left of their memories and she lost that. Now however, she could see that the place was a hit. The newly added live music and dance floor probably had something to do with that fact. They weren't there before, she was sure of it. Couples and groups of people filled the dance floor and moved to the music. The band was very good, and even Aria recognized them. Unfortunately, she couldn't remember how she knew them.
"Yeah, I found out a few days ago." Ezra had been reminiscing about his and Aria's relationship and came here to just stare at the old building only to find it open and scheduled for a live music Friday night. He couldn't believe it himself when he saw the place packed. He had hoped that Aria hadn't found out about it being re-opened so that he could take her there and surprise her. Thankfully, she hadn't and his plan went off without a hitch. There were more to come though. He just hoped they would be a success too. A waitress in the uniform of a black v-neck t-shirt, a black short skirt and black apron finally came with two menus tucked under her left arm and a note pad in her hand. She wore heavy eye make up and matte red lipstick, which actually looked good on her almost porcelain skin. A chewed up pen was tucked behind her ear, its cap tangled in some of her black hair, which was tied up in a ponytail. She placed the menus in the table and gave them a friendly smile as she expertly took the pen from behind her ear despite the fact that it was tangled just a second ago.
"Welcome to Snookers, do you want to order now or should I come back in a minute?" Her tone was cheerful yet not too much so that it wasn't annoying.
"I already know what I want, what about you?" Aria said after scanning the options. She knew the menu by heart, but still checked if there were any new additions, which there weren't.
"Same here," Ezra said after giving the menu a quick glance. Like Aria, he had the list memorized. "I'll have a beer and a cheese burger with fries."
"Make them two," Aria ordered. It was always what she had when she ate here. The waitress took the menus and left, leaving the two alone. The band ended a song and the crowd stopped dancing to applaud. The male lead singer grabbed a stool for himself and sat on it, taking the mike in his hands to say something.
"Do you know them?" Ezra asked, motioning to the band.
"I recognize their sound and there's something about them that's so familiar but I can't really put my finger on it. Did you by any chance see the name of the band when we came in?" She of course didn't see with a blindfold on, but maybe Ezra did. The band name was actually pretty hard to not notice since it was written in huge letters on a banner hung out front.
"They're actually a really famous band," Ezra said, not really answering her question. But before she could ask some more, the singer talked into the microphone.
"As some of you know, we don't really take requests but anyone that plays in Snookers has to so I guess we do now." He joked playfully, getting laughs from the audience. Snookers was apparently now a quite famous place and anyone who was someone played there. "First up is a request from Ezra." Aria raised her eyebrows at the man next to him and he gave her a meaningful smile. It said 'Just listen, you'll see why'. "His message was B-26, where have you been?" Aria smiled at this, softly chuckling. He had requested a song for her! It was so sweet. But from the look on Ezra's face, it looked like there was still something else. She racked her brain for any idea to what else he could possibly have up his sleeve but came up empty. Snookers, B-26; what else could there be? "Ladies and gentlemen, here's a song from my personal favorites." The first notes from the guitar played and Aria instantly recognized the song.
"Oh my god, it's them!" She finally realized who the band was. Believe it or not, she was as surprised about the band and the song as she was about Snookers being re-opened.
"What do you say to a dance?" Ezra said as he stood up and offered his hand to Aria. She gave him a shy smile and gave him her own hand, hopping off her stool and moved the leather jacket from her lap onto the table. He led her onto the dance floor, resting his hands on her waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her head on his chest as the first words of the song filled the room through the huge speakers. Happiness feels a lot like sorrow…
They both swayed to the music, listening intently on the words and enjoying the song. They just danced, lost in their own thoughts. None of them spoke but they knew that they were thinking about the same thing. The first time they met. It was right here, in this building. In the bar just a few feet away, sitting on stools they probably used just seconds ago. They still remembered the flyers stuck on the bulletin board and the book Ezra was reading. They still remembered the perfume Aria wore, and how it blended with the odor in the bathroom. It wasn't the ideal place to meet, but it was perfect.
Aria looked up at him, a smile on her face. She honestly couldn't believe he had all this planned out. Tonight was more than just flawless, thanks to Ezra. It made her wonder what was so bad that happened between the two of them that they broke up in the first place. She loved him, he loved her. What was the problem? Aria didn't know it but Ezra was wondering the same thing. Looking at her with the sweet look on her face, he was mesmerized. Like she was the only thing that mattered in the whole world.
"Ezra," Aria wanted to say the thing that had been on her mind this whole time. "I miss you." She said, really meaning it. He used to be the person she knew she could count on, someone to make her feel better at the end of the day when she felt like the whole world was crashing down around her. Spencer was right, Ezra was the one. She knew it in her heart, she could feel it. She always knew since that first day in this very building.
"I miss you too." Ezra really really did. Maybe more than Aria if it was even possible. When they were separated, Aria had Abby. She had someone worth living for, someone she unconditionally loved and cared about. Aria was that person for Ezra. So when he lost her, Ezra himself felt lost. He didn't have anyone in his life other than friends and family. He went out with some people but always ended up comparing them with Aria. How they didn't have her round hazel eyes or long dark hair. How they didn't laugh the way she did. Even how they didn't have ten rings on their fingers at a time or just one earring on.
"I'm here now, and I'll make sure I'm staying this time." Aria looked hesitant to believe him. He didn't blame her. He knew they were both broken after the break up, and they wouldn't survive another one. Since that day in the elevator, he could see that Aria had her guard up. The first time they kissed since then, he found out that she was terrified of breaking again. She might have said that she didn't want to jump into another relationship with him because she was worried that something might happen, and affect Abby's relationship with her father but he knew it was also something else. She was afraid that something might happen, period. Tonight was a way of telling her that he wasn't ever letting her go again. "I promise."
"I'll hold you to that." Aria would. If that promise was broken, so would she. Aria was sure of it. "That's a promise."
It was almost midnight and Snookers was getting smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. Aria could make out the writing 'The Fray' on the huge banner and couples walking out towards their cars.
"Thank you for tonight," Aria looked at Ezra, who had both his hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road. "It's been a while since I had something fun like that. It's not exactly easy juggling classes with a three year old on your hands."
"I can only imagine," Ezra still didn't know how Aria does it. "Thank god you have Spencer, right?" Aria nodded. She was so grateful that Spencer was always there to help. She honestly thinks that she wouldn't be able to get through half the things she did without Spencer's help. "You know that you have me too right?"
"I know," Aria gave him a faint smile.
"I can take care of her when you have classes, I would really like to spend as much time with her as I can." Ezra already told her that he wanted to be involved as much as he could but he wanted to make sure that Aria took what he said seriously.
"I know Ezra, don't worry. You can see her anytime you want. Just call before showing up on my doorstep to make sure Abby's actually there, okay?" Aria said chuckling.
"Promise I won't interrupt on any more girls' night," Ezra said, referring to the last time he came to see Abby and ended up joining girls' night with Hanna, Caleb, and Spencer. It was fun, but he didn't want to intrude.
Minutes later Ezra pulled up in front of Aria's building. He got out and jogged to her side of the car to open the door. She got out and balanced herself in her heels. Ezra stared at them, still bewildered at how easily women walk in them. He was pretty sure he would fall face first in the first step in them.
"I had an amazing time tonight," Aria looked up at him, even in her heels. She contemplated whether or not she should kiss him goodnight. Then she wondered if he would kiss her. Their last kiss on her doorstep was still in the back of her head, reminding her how good it felt.
"Me too, I'm glad we had fun." Ezra had planned to give her a goodnight kiss. It was mandatory after a good date, wasn't it? It didn't matter, he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to when they danced, and he still does now. He stared at her full lips, her lipstick a hint of pink. His eyes flickered back up at her eyes, catching her staring at his own lips. It was just a second before she looked back into his blue eyes, but he knew what he saw. He could feel their lips getting closer together, now just inches apart. He felt her breath against his skin before he captured her lips in his own. They were as soft and warm as he remembered, even though his memories didn't give her justice. He tasted cherry, like he always did whenever he kissed her. Aria moved her lips against his, resting her palms on the sides of his face. She felt his hand roam around her back, giving her even more shivers than the kiss and chilly wind already was. They finally broke apart after a while, taking a much needed deep breath.
Ezra moved a few inches away to take a look at Aria, who was clearly blushing even in the dark night. There were weirdly only two street lamps on tonight. Aria still felt her heart beating faster than it usually did, matching Ezra's own heartbeat.
"Goodnight Ezra," She said as she walked away towards the entrance of the building.
"Goodnight," He called after her, which caused Aria to look back and give him one last smile before disappearing into the building.
What do you guys think about the date? Tell me! And thanks for reading, please please please review. Even just a simple review would be great! Love you, xo
