Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed, and reviewed so far. I like reading your thoughts, whether they're good or bad. I know people get frustrated with storylines sometimes, but I hope you'll stick with me. Like I stated in previous A/N's, 'Ezria' will be endgame, but we need a little drama getting there. I apologize for the delay, but with my countless stories, it takes time to write/type up the updates and proof them. Also, my department has been short staffed so it feels like I work all the time with no time for myself. lol. Oh well. Anyways, here is the next update.

Fangirl2313: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you're enjoying the story!

Lafilleaushort: LOL, I laughed at your review! You're too funny! Jessica is definitely a pill and needs to go away. Unfortunately, she will create some more drama before things settle down. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story!

4 Ezria: Thanks for the review! I hear you, I can't wait until the drama goes away, but unfortunately, Jessica will be around for some time to create more mischief as well as her 'mystery' accomplice.

Chapter 13

(The next morning at the Montgomery household, Aria is in her room getting ready for school. She looks in her mirror and stares at the necklace she has around her neck. She sighs deeply and briefly looks down, yet her eyes make their way back to the heart shaped locket that is still around her neck. She opens the locket and stares at the picture inside it, revealing her and Ezra happily posing for the camera)

(She loved that picture. It brought her back to happier times. She raises her head and tries to fight the tears from coming. She was so torn on the whole Ezra/Jessica situation. She wanted more than anything to believe her boyfriend, to believe he would never cheat. In the past, he had never given her any indication he didn't love her or didn't want to be with her anymore. He also had never lied to her before-until last night, that is)

(Granted, it wasn't a huge lie. But for as long as Aria and Ezra have gone out, they vowed to never lie to each other. Given how a lot of people are against the relationship, it was especially important to be open about everything, even if it might make the other person mad. That was how they resolved their differences is by being honest and working it out)

(Aria knew Byron and Ezra didn't get along. That was obvious. She honestly didn't care what her father thought on anything. Ever since she and Ezra started going out, she had been at war with her father. It didn't help that Byron was always trying to turn her against Ezra. She was happy that at least her mother was willing to try seeing it from her point of view)

(Deep down, Aria always hoped her father and boyfriend would come to terms in the end, at least be civil with each other. She knew it probably would never happen. She also knew it hard for Ezra to have to deal with her father. Of course, Byron didn't help matters. But, what hurt Aria is the fact that Ezra lied to her about not being able to have dinner with her family)

(If Ezra would have been honest about how he felt and how Byron treated him earlier that day, she would have understood and gave Byron a piece of her mind. She hated how Byron treated Ezra and would have let him have it. Byron obviously had his own opinions, but to berate Ezra during working hours was unacceptable! She didn't know what the argument was about, but she was determined to find out)

(Aria finishes getting her stuff together for school when she hears a knock on her bedroom door. She turns around to see her father in the doorway and sighs deeply)

Aria: "What?"

Byron: "Are you okay?"

(Aria briefly looks around in confusion before facing her father)

Aria: "Why wouldn't I be?"

(Byron shrugs his shoulders and takes a few steps towards his daughter with a look of concern)

Byron: "Your mother said you didn't have the best evening last night. Everything okay?"

(Aria looks at him in annoyance before tilting her head)

Aria: "It's no secret that you don't like Ezra. Obviously there's nothing I can do to change your mind on your feelings." (folds her arms) "I have a question for you."

(Byron sighs as he looks at her)

Byron: "You're right. I don't like Ezra. I never have and I never will. And unfortunately, there's nothing you can do to change my mind on it." (clears his throat) "What's your question?"

Aria: "Last week, Ezra was supposed to have had dinner with us when he cancelled."

Byron: (nods) "Yes, I'm aware."

Aria: "He stated he had to grade papers instead and couldn't make it."

Byron: (sighs & shrugs) "Honey, I don't know what you're getting at."

(Aria's face turns to anger as she walks to her father, pointing at him)

Aria: "Ezra said he got into an argument with you. Or better yet, that you pissed him off by yelling at him over something and he didn't want to say something he'd regret at dinner."

Byron: (raises his eyebrows) "How very noble of him."

Aria: (spits) "What the hell did you say to him?"

Byron: "Sweetie, I don't like you using that type of language."

(That comment causes Aria to laugh before raising her hands and shrugs)

Aria: "Oh, you don't like that? Okay, how about this?" (raises her eyebrows) "What the fuck did you say to him, Byron, that pissed him off?" (tilts her head) "Better?"

(Byron shakes his head at her and folds one arms while pointing at her)

Byron: "I did not raise you to talk to me like this, Aria Rose Montgomery."

Aria: (sarcastically) "Oh, you didn't raise me to behave like this?" (angrily) "Well, I didn't think you were an asshole who got your kicks off of hurting other people! Now, answer the question, Byron!"

(He was tempted to show her who's boss, but he and Ella always vowed to never lay a hand on their kids no matter how mad they were. Well, in this case, Byron had to remember that vow. He clears his throat angrily and sighs deeply as he knew he needed to control his temper. He faced his angry daughter)

Byron: "You want to know what I said to him?" (shrugs) "Fine. I told him you deserved better than a cheater and a liar. That no matter where you two are in life, he will always be known as the guy who took advantage of a high school student while being a teacher at Rosewood College. I will never approve of what you two have and think it's a joke!" (scoffs) "That what you wanted to hear?"

(Aria stares at Byron in pure hatred. She never believed, in all of her life, it was possible to hate someone. She especially never thought that person she hated would be her own father. In that moment, she saw his true colors. It took a long time, but she finally saw who he had become. A spiteful, hateful man who didn't have a heart. She faced her father directly in the eyes)

Aria: (deep voice) "I never thought it was possible to hate someone as much as I do you." (shakes her head) "You are no longer my father. Not anymore."

(Aria walks away from him and gathers her backpack. She attempts to walk past him, but he blocks her path)

Byron: "No matter what happens in life, Aria, you will always be my daughter. Ezra will never change that."

(Aria faces him in anger)

Aria: "You may be my father biologically, but in my heart, I'm no longer your daughter. I may not be done with high school yet or be of legal age or whatever, but when I am, I'm gone. Mom and Mike will be a part of my life, but you won't. Now, get the hell out of my way."

(They stare at each other for what felt like an eternity before Byron moves over enough for Aria to leave. She exits the house and goes to school. Byron shakes his head and scoffs)

Byron: "This isn't over, Aria. As for you Ezra, you will be out of her life soon. I'll make sure of it. You don't deserve her."

(At Rosewood High School, Aria walks to her locker in a huff. She opens it and sees what she needs for class. She doesn't hear the voices of her friends)

Spencer: "Aria? Are you okay?"

Emily: (concerned) "What happened?"

(Aria angrily slams a book into her locker and quickly faces her friends)

Aria: "Two words: Asshole Byron!"

Hannah: (rolls her eyes) "Great. What did that son of a bitch do now?"

Aria: (laughs incredulously) "Oh, you guys are going to love this!"

Spencer: "Come on, let's go somewhere more private where there's not a crowd."

Aria: (nods) "Okay."

Emily: "Chemistry lab is open first period."

Hanna: "Sounds good."

(Ella is currently in her classroom grading papers when there's a knock in the doorway. Ella looks up to see who it is, revealing Mike)

Ella: "Hey, honey, what's up?"

Mike: "Can you talk or are you busy?"

Ella: (smiles) "Never too busy for you. Come on in."

(Mike walks in and rests his backpack at the closest desk to his mother then sits down. She can tell from his facial expressions that he's concerned about something)

Ella: "Okay, what's going on?"

(She places the papers she was grading in the corner of her desk and gives her son her full attention)

Ella: "Something is obviously eating away at you."

Mike: "It has to do with dad and Aria."

Ella: (sighs deeply) "Oh, boy, what happened now?"

Mike: (raises his eyebrows) "Are you ready for this? Things were heated between them this morning. They didn't know I was still at home."

Ella: "What happened?"

Mike: (shakes his head) "Let's just say, you won't be happy with dad after I tell you."

(Ella sighs deeply as she wondered what Byron did now. At Rosewood University, Ezra is at his desk grading papers. He is having difficulties concentrating due to the disagreement he had with Aria last night. He could kick himself at how he lied to her. They had always vowed to never have secrets. But he broke that promise because of Byron. Ezra vowed to fix his mistake and make things right with the love of his life)

(He looks at a photo of the two of them, posing happily. He was relieved by the fact that at least Mike and Ella were understanding of the situation, versus Byron wasn't)

Ezra: (angrily) "I will not let break us apart, you son of a bitch."

(Ezra wanted to call his girlfriend so badly last night, but tried to give her space. He decided he needed to hear her voice, so he pulled out his phone out of the pocket of his vest. He was about to dial her number when he received a text from her. He couldn't help but be nervous at what she said. He takes a deep breath and reads her text)

Ezra,

We need to talk. It's about Byron and what he did to you. I'm sorry about our fight. When are you free today? I'll come to your office."

Aria

(Ezra sighs deeply at her text. She wasn't furious and was willing to talk. He smiled briefly before responding)

Aria,

I'm sorry, too. I'm free after 6pm. Come to my apartment where we won't be interrupted. I love you."

Ezra

(Five minutes later, he receives a reply)

Ezra,

6pm is fine at your place. See you then. I love you, too.'"

Aria

(He closes his eyes and sighs as he is relieved they were going to talk. He was determined to fix his mistake. He and Aria loved each other and no one was going to come between them)

Ezra: "I love you, Aria Rose Montgomery. Always have, always will."

Chapter 13 Done

Thank you for reading. Please review so I know how I did on this update. Every writer likes to know what their readers like/dislike (what I can improve on). I know 'Ezria' had no scenes, so I tried to do something with them at the end. They will have scenes next chapter. Lots of drama in this chapter as you can see. Thank you for the reviews, follows, and favorites. Until next time!