Later that evening, the four girls are gathered at Spencer's house.
"So, how'd it go with Jason, Aria?" Spencer asks.
"Not great. He knows that you and Emily broke into his shed, and he's mad at me for asking him all sorts of questions.
"You told him that it was us!?" Emily freaks.
"Yes, I did. I needed to know why he had those pictures of me. He told me that Ali took them, and he found the roll of film in a box of her things. He was going to have them framed and give them to me."
"Yeah right, he just didn't want you to think he was a skeez," Hanna says, rolling her eyes.
Aria glares at her, "I believe him you guys. He told me about the equipment you guys found too. It was mainly Ian and Garrett filming people; Jason just did surveillance."
"You like him, don't you?" Emily accuses.
"To be honest, yes. I like Jason. I still love Ezra, but Jason and I have something that I can't explain. I talked to Ezra today. A never sent him that video, they just wanted me to hurt Ezra. So now he knows that Jason and I kissed and that I'm unsure about us. He told me to take some time to think."
The girls all look at her in surprise.
"I don't trust him," Spencer says.
"Me neither, nor should you Aria," Emily says.
"Well too bad you guys. I like Jason, and I trust him. You guys don't trust him because you don't really know him!"
"Oh, and you do?" Hanna asks.
"I know him better than you three do! He actually talks to me."
"Yeah because he wants to get in your pants," Spencer scoffs.
"You know what? I'm out of here," Aria storms out and heads towards her car. As she approaches it, she sees Jason sitting on his front porch. Hesitantly, she walks toward him. He looks up and sees her approaching, then looks back to the ground.
"Hey Jason, I just wanted to come and apologize. I shouldn't have been so insistent earlier with all those questions."
"It's fine," he mutters.
Aria shakes her head, "No, it's not. I'm sorry Jase, I'm not like Spencer. I don't normally push people and ask a bunch of questions. I just- I care about you and I didn't like what the girls were insinuating about you. That's why I came to you and asked."
"You care about me?" He looks up with a smirk.
She stutters, flustered at the look she's receiving, "Y-yes, I care about you. I always have. You've always talked to me, even when Ali was still here and barking orders at all of us to stay away from you. You've always seen me as a person and never treated me like one of your sister's bratty little friends."
"That's because you're not, bratty I mean. I never really liked all of you power puff girls. You and Emily were the most tolerable, but I liked you the best," he smiles.
She returns his smile, "So am I forgiven?" She asks hopefully.
Jason's smirk returns to his face, his thumb and forefinger coming to his chin in mock consideration. "Hmm. Well, you were pretty aggressive with the questions. I think you'll have to make it up to me."
"What can I do?" she asks coyly.
"Come give me a hug," he says mischievously.
Aria shrugs, "Sure," and she walks closer to him as he stands to meet her halfway.
Their arms wrap around each other, Aria's coming to rest on his back underneath his shoulders and Jason's resting on her lower back.
He pulls her close and their fronts are completely aligned. She gasps at the close contact but rests her head on his shoulder and sinks into the hug. He's so warm.
Jason's chin rests atop Aria's head and they stand there like that for a minute, basking in the feel of one another. Aria is the first to pull away.
"I told my boyfriend that I kissed you," she blurts, then jerks back in surprise at the words that just tumbled out of her mouth.
Jason's eyebrow quirks in surprise, "Really? And how did he take it?" Aria swears that Jason almost looks… smug.
Aria shrugs, "Better than I thought he would. He told me to take some time and figure out how I feel, what I want," she wraps her arms around herself protectively.
Jason nods, "I think you should too. I told you before to take all the time you need. I really like you Aria, and if someone else makes you happy I won't stand in the way. "But" he chucks her chin so she will look him in the eye, "If you decide you want to spend more time with me, I'd be great with that too." Jason smiles at her affectionately.
She returns his smile but decides to toy with him a little. "And what if I decide I don't want to pursue a relationship with anyone?" she quirks her eyebrow for effect.
He laughs and grabs her quickly, making her squeak as he pulls her into his chest again. "Then I'd say that I'm glad you're doing what makes you happy." Jason nuzzles her head with his softly. "That's all that I want for you Ar. You're amazing, and you deserve that much."
She literally feels herself swooning and her hold on him tightens to steady herself. Aren't you just the sweetest man alive?
"Thank you," she smiles.
"No problem squirt," he jokes.
Just for that, Aria decides to throw him off his game. "What if I told you I wanted to kiss you again? Maybe touch you a little?"
Jason audibly chokes, much to Aria's delight. The lilt in her eyes makes Jason see she's toying with him again. "You're going to pay for that Montgomery!" He lunges at her and she squeals while trying to get away, but he's much too quick for her. Before she can blink he's got her and is tickling her sides relentlessly.
"Jason!" Aria struggles to breathe at his prodding and can't stop laughing. They topple over and fall together on Jason's front porch with an "oof". He lands on top of her in a compromising position. Both are gasping breathlessly, and their faces are inches apart. This time, Aria decides to make a move.
She pulls his face to hers and kisses him softly, brushing her lips to his teasingly. Enough to make Jason groan and push further into the kiss to get more contact and soon their lips are moving together ardently. She feels his tongue trace her bottom lip and opens her mouth to grant him entrance. They both moan at the feeling and Aria can feel Jason's hand slowly tracing from her elbow where it comes to a stop by tangling into her hair. She's swept up in the moment, relishing in how good it feels to kiss him. His lips are soft and full, and he moves them against hers perfectly. His body is unconsciously moving against hers and she feels herself getting incredibly turned on. It's at this point that she knows she needs to pull away.
Relinquishing herself from his hold on her, she rests her forehead against his, breathing heavily. They stare at each other momentarily before Jason takes this as his cue to get off of her, and he helps her up.
Jason doesn't try to move away from Aria, but she knows she needs to put some distance between them so she can think clearly. She looks up at him warmly, "I need to get home. Text me?"
He nods, "Sure. Get home safe Ar," he hugs her one more time before seeing her off.
When Aria arrives home, she feels giddy and light. As she closes the front door, she lets her back fall against it. She reflects on the moment she just shared with Jason, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. Her mother finds her this way and can see that something is up.
"Hey sweetie, dinner is in the microwave. What's got you so happy?" Ella smiles and crosses her arms.
"What? Oh- nothing, why?"
"Uh huh, so you look like that for no reason then?" Ella arches her brow in amusement.
Aria is flustered under her mother's scrutiny but relents, she could use some advice anyway.
"Well, I kind of have a thing with someone. He's so sweet, and he's caring, and beautiful. But I'm not sure what to do about it."
"A thing? Is that code for something?" Ella asks.
"No, what I mean is that we developed a sort of friendship recently, but he made it clear that he likes me more than that. I think I feel the same way, but there are some things that would make trying something with him sort of difficult." Aria's shoulders slump as she sits on the couch with her mother.
"What would those things be?" Ella's curiosity is growing. Who is this boy?
Aria sighs, "For starters, he's Alison's brother." She looks at her mother waiting for disapproval that she can most certainly expect. Jason is older than she is, and her mother is aware of his struggle with addiction.
Ella sucks in a gust of breath, "Wow, Jason? I didn't see that coming."
"Why is that so surprising? He's a great guy."
"No, honey, I know he is. He's been great with the kids at school and with Mike. I just mean that you two don't exactly run in the same social circles. Jason is pretty reserved and keeps to himself."
Aria nods, "Yeah, he is. But since he came back to town he and I have been talking. It feels good to talk to someone about Alison and how things have changed since she… left. But he also just cares, you know?"
Ella nods, "I do. He's definitely changed his life for the better. I enjoy talking to him when we're at school. He is a bit older than you, though."
And here it comes, Aria deflates. "I know he is, but I don't think I can stop seeing him," she looks to her mother.
"I'm not saying that I disapprove, it's just that I know your father, and he won't be thrilled with the age difference. I personally think Jason is great, and the fact that he makes you as happy as you just were when you came home gives him extra points with me. If this is something you want to pursue, then I'll need to discuss it with your father, so he doesn't act like a caveman." Ella smiles.
Aria's face lights up, "Really, mom? You would do that for me?"
"You know I would do anything for you, honey. So, how about this? You and Jason figure out if you want to try at a relationship, and when you do, let me know and we will work out the details. I want you to be happy, and his age isn't a dealbreaker. But of course, you know that there will be rules," Ella reminds her.
Aria closes the gap between her and her mother and hugs her tight. "Thank you so much mom, it means a lot that you'd be okay with this."
"Of course. But don't forget that I'll have to placate your father, and more than likely so will you."
Aria pulls away, "I know. I appreciate you talking to me about this. I'm not sure what will happen yet, but it feels good to talk about it with someone."
"You know I'm always here for you. Don't you talk to your friends about this stuff? I figured I was at least the fourth person you told about him."
Aria shakes her head, "My friends aren't exactly on board with me being interested in Jason. They think he's shady. It makes it hard to talk to them about it."
Ella pulls her lips into a firm line, "I'm sorry Aria. Please come to me if you want to talk about anything, okay? You know I'll be there for you."
Aria smiles, "Thanks mom. I think I'm going to heat up dinner and then head to bed. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"
"Sure, goodnight sweetie," Ella says and then heads upstairs to go to bed.
Once Aria is settled into bed, she thinks about the events of the evening. She can't stop smiling. Maybe this is what she's been missing. Jason is so playful with her, and she enjoys that. Her relationship with Ezra has always been so serious, and how could it not be? He was her teacher, that doesn't exactly scream light and fun. Sure, they have a lot in common, but they can't go out in public together. They can't have a normal relationship that her parents will approve of. Besides, the thrill of sneaking around has long since passed. Maybe he and Jason are right, and she needs to figure out how she feels about Jason and if she wants to be with either of them at all. Her thoughts are interrupted by a text message.
Thinking about you, beautiful. Sleep well – Jason
Aria smiles and clutches her phone to her chest. Butterflies swarm in her stomach at his words. She knows that she has to see where this could lead.
Thinking about you too, handsome. Goodnight – Aria