Ezra's POV

Being together was so easy. I had never experienced that before. It was always work for me to maintain a girlfriend. I think part of it had to do with the fact that Aria was my friend as well. After our day trip it felt like the summer had flown by.

"Hey," I said approaching the beach hut.

"Hi," she said, barely looking up from the paper she was reading.

"What's that?"

"It's a letter from school."

"What's it say?"

"I've be accepted to be a residential advisor this semester."

"That's great. Congratulations."

"Thanks," she said her tone not as happy as mine.

"What's wrong?"

"I have to leave before Labor Day."

"When?"

"A week from Sunday," she said. I was doing the math in my head.

"That's in nine days."

"I know."

"Well that's ok. It's not like you're going far. Plus I'll be in New York like six days later."

"I know, but it will be different. Here we're in a perfect bubble; the real world might not be as good to us."

"Are you getting cold feet about us?"

"No, I'm just going to be busier than I expected. We'll figure it out though."

"Yes we will," I said looking at her. I tilted her head up and noticed that she had welled up a little. I kissed her on her forehead and then on her lips. It wasn't an ideal situation but we'd make it work.

"Eww," I head a little kid say.

"That's my cue to start the next activity. Don't worry, we'll just make the most of the next nine days."

"I know. I love you."

"I love you too." I headed out the door and chased the kids on to the beach for capture the flag. We would make the most out of it. It's all we could do.

Aria's POV

The RA position was a great opportunity for me as well as a huge money saver but I wasn't ready to leave for the summer yet. Being together wasn't hard here. We could see each other every day, even while we were working. I know Ezra was trying to stay positive but things were going to change. He was going to be busy with work; I was going to be busy with school and now a job. I just didn't know what to do. Later that night I was lying on my bed waiting for Spencer.

"What's wrong with you?" Spencer asked as she walked into the cabin with Hanna.

"Yeah, you look really sad." Hanna said.

"I got the job as a RA at school."

"That's awesome Aria. You should be thrilled." Spencer said.

"I leave in nine days."

"Oh, that explains it." Hanna said.

"Yeah but it's not really a big deal. Ezra will be in New York right after Labor Day. It could be worse." Spencer added. She is always the practical thinker.

"Yeah but it will be different." Hanna said out loud, not really to anyone.

"Exactly. Our little bubble will be broken and we'll have to deal with the reality of life. We'll both be busy; we won't see each other every day either. I'm just not ready for that to be over."

"I know how you feel. Toby and I have similar issues to deal with." Spencer said.

"So don't Caleb and I," Hanna said making us turn and look at her. "What?"

"I thought you had an open relationship." I asked. Spencer was hanging on the edge of her seat.

"Not really. I'm not really sure how those rumors started but we didn't correct anyone. Makes us seem cool and sophisticated." Hanna said starting to laugh.

"Well it worked. I thought you guys were so mature to be able to do that." Spencer said.

"Well we're not." Hanna said.

"So how do you guys make it work?" I asked them both.

"Toby and I plan specific dates to see each other. We see each other twice a month. He visits me for a weekend and I visit him."

"Caleb and I do the same thing but he's transferring to my school so now we're thinking of getting an apartment together, so it will be different."

"See now that I'll be working I'm just not sure Ezra's going to want to stay in the dorm and I'll only be able to stay with him occasionally. Maybe I shouldn't take the job."

"You have to. It will look good on a resume plus you'd be a fool to not save the money on room and board." Spencer said. Her inner lawyer was out in full force.

"Spence is right Aria. You can't give up an opportunity for a guy, even Ezra. He'll understand and you'll make it work. Plus you guys could see each other during the week." Hanna added.

"You'll figure it out." Spencer said.

"I know we will. I think I'm just bummed I need to go back early too. Oh well it will all work out. I'll just have to make the most of my nine days left."

"We'll have a blast! Save one of those days to do girls night." Hanna said.

"I definitely will."

After talking to them and realizing how difficult it was for them to make their relationships work I knew it wouldn't be that bad. Ezra and I would be able to make it work. Plus they were right; I'd only be gone for a week before he came to New York so it really wasn't the end of the world. Hopefully a good night's sleep would put me in a better mood.

Ezra's POV

Aria was in a much better mood after giving it a day to sink in about the new job. We had a great time those last few days. I was sitting in the beach hut covering while Aria was running the sand castle contest when I hear my phone beep. It was a text message from Hardy, "Poker tonight, you, me, Mike and Dave." That actually sounded like fun but I needed to make sure Aria and I didn't have plans.

"How's it going?" I asked.

"Oh fine. They'll be done in about twenty minutes. How are you doing?"

"Fine, kind of slow. Hey, do we have any plans tonight?"

"No, actually I was going to talk to you about that."

"Why? What's up?"

"Spencer and Hanna want to do girls night tonight."

"That's great."

"Why are you so excited?"

"Hardy wants me to play poker tonight."

"Oh great then it works out perfectly."

"Yeah, it does. I'll text him back and let him know I'm in. What are you and the girls going to do?"

"Oh who knows?" She said with a laugh.

We finished up the day together and headed back to the cabins. "Have a great time with the girls tonight."

"Thanks. Have a good time playing poker. Hopefully you win. Don't drink too much; you still have to work tomorrow."

"What are you talking about?" I said with a laugh.

"Oh please, we've all heard about those games."

"Fine, I'll try to behave myself, and you behave yourself too." I said pulling her close to me and giving her a hug. She kissed me and headed to her cabin. We were both off to have a great night.

Aria's POV

Spencer, Hanna and I had a great night. We watched movies, ate snacks and drank wine. It was the perfect little party to end the summer together. When I woke up Thursday morning I felt pretty good and only had a slight headache. I got dressed quickly and headed to Ezra's. I hoped he was in as good of shape as I was but I highly doubted it.

I let myself into his cabin and froze. Ezra was lying in bed with Jackie. They both were sleeping and Jackie had his t-shirt on. I was completely shocked and didn't realize that a choked cry escaped my throat. At that point Ezra's eyes opened and he looked at me.

"What's wrong Aria?" As he said it he suddenly realized the issue. It was at that point Jackie put her hand on his chest, letting him know she was there.

"I have to go." I whispered.

"Aria wait," he called after me. But I barely heard him; I sprinted to the beach hut. I didn't have to open up for another thirty minutes. I locked myself inside and cried. How could this have happened?

Ezra's POV

"What the hell are you doing here?" I growled at Jackie.

"You invited me over after poker last night."

"I don't believe you."

"You were pretty drunk Ezra and pretty upset. You said you wanted to talk and one thing led to another." She said gesturing to the fact that the two of us were lying in bed together.

"So you took advantage of me while I was drunk?" I yelled getting up and grabbing my shorts.

"You wanted it just as much as I did."

"I highly doubt that." I hissed. "Now get out of my bed and get the hell out of here. You better be gone when I get out of the bathroom, because if you aren't I will physically remove you myself. You've been warned." I said heading towards the bathroom and slamming the door closed.

I can't remember anything that happened last night. I need to talk to Hardy, maybe he was in better shape than me. I really need to find Aria and talk to her, I'm pretty sure this can't be fixed though. Everything was going so well, I can't believe something like this happened. I was disgusted with myself. Maybe I'm not really reformed from my old ways at all. Maybe I don't deserve someone like Aria.

Jackie's POV

As I walked back to my cabin I realized my plan worked perfectly. I know I will never get Ezra back but being able to hurt Aria makes me happy. Luckily I caught Hardy bringing Ezra home last night. He basically passed out in bed. All I had to do was slid in next to him and let the plan unfold exactly like it did this morning.

Just because nothing actually happened doesn't mean I have to tell him that. Maybe he'll figure it out but it doesn't really matter the damage has been done. I warned Aria that it wasn't over and in the end it looks like I won. She should have known better than to mess with me.

To make things even better, one of her little friends just caught me coming out of Ezra's cabin. With any luck the rumors would be flying all over the place by lunch time. I stood a little taller and put a smile on my face as I headed to my cabin. I had a little time to catch a nap before I had to go work.

Ezra's POV

"Ezra," I heard my name being called. I turned and saw Spencer. I'm sure this wasn't going to be pretty.

"Hi Spencer. What's up?"

"You tell me. What the hell was Jackie doing here?"

"Honestly I'm not sure. Aria caught us in bed this morning and ran off."

"You're an ass." She said turning to walk away.

"Spencer, wait. I don't remember a thing from last night but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't do something like that. Especially with her. I really just need to get to the bottom of this."

"Yeah you do."

"I need to find Hardy and talk to him. Find out what time I got back. Jackie said she came home with me. I really just don't remember."

"Well you need to figure this out."

"Will you help me?"

"Why would I want to help you? My friend is probably bawling her eyes out in the beach hut as we speak because of you and now you want my help."

"Can you at least go be with her while I talk to Hardy?"

"Of course I can. If I were you I'd steer clear until you got some answers, even if they aren't the ones you want to hear."

"I know. You're right. I have to go find Hardy." I said shaking my head and walking away. A few minutes later I was banging on Hardy's door.

"What?" Hardy yelled opening the door.

"We need to talk," I said pushing myself through the door.

"Can't it wait, I still tired and hung over."

"No it can't. Aria caught me and Jackie in bed together this morning."

"What?"

"Yeah, so can you tell me how I got home last night? Did we meet up with Jackie?"

"Umm, let me see," he said scratching his head. I could tell he was trying to remember too. "We left Mike's around midnight. You were in rough shape; you drank a ton of scotch last night."

"Did we see Jackie?"

"No, I don't think so. I helped you into your cabin, where you basically face planted on your bed and then I left."

"Could I have let her in after you left?"

"I guess anything's possible but I really doubt it. You needed my help to walk and I'm pretty sure you passed out once you hit the bed."

"I think she's lying. I think she set the whole thing up."

"I wouldn't put it past her."

"How can I prove this to Aria?"

"I'm not really sure about that buddy."

"Sorry to wake you up. I have to go find her."

"Good luck," he called after me as I raced out the door.

I needed to get to work before I was late and I really needed to come up with something to say to Aria. Maybe I should listen to Spencer and leave her alone today. After we're both done with work I'll go and talk to her, somewhere alone where we can discuss everything. If Jackie knew what was good for her she'd avoid me today too. I'm not sure this can be fixed but I at least want to try. The thought of losing Aria was heartbreaking.