Chapter 6
Aria's pov
Caleb and I walked out of the bridal store with all the dresses and suits for everyone. Spencer and Toby had transferred the money for everything over to our debit cards, now we just need to figure out if either of us need to get anything else now. Switching my bags to my free hand, Caleb took them from me and I gave him a look.
"Aria?"
Turning around, I saw a petite brunette woman in light pink scrubs, staring at me. It was like she was hoping that it was me she called out to. Something about her seemed… familiar to me somehow, like I've seen her before. But I don't recognize her face at all.
"I thought that was you! Hi, I'm Nicole Gordon… Ezra's girlfriend." She exclaimed.
Hearing her say her name, I felt my stomach knot up. This cannot be happening right now, I'm not ready at all to meet Nicole! Damn it, this needs to be a dream… well a nightmare. I'm just glad Oliver is over at the Brew with Ezra, oh god… what if he met her already?
"Ezra has told me so much about you! I know this isn't how you probably imagined us meeting, but I saw you and just had to come over and meet you." She said.
"Is this your boyfriend?" She asked, motioning to Caleb
"No, this is my friend Caleb." I said quickly.
"Why don't we grab some lunch soon? I'm sure you'd like to get to know me before I meet Oliver, I'd like us to." She suggested
Before I could say anything, something in Nicole's pocket beeped. She quickly pulled it out as I managed to glance over to Caleb and he sensed that I'm not okay. This is the worst place for this to be happening right now.
"I'm sorry, but I have to run. But I'm so glad I got to introduce myself." She said and quickly pulled me into a hug.
The knot in my stomach reached my throat, as I watch her run off. Caleb quickly led me to a little sitting area and sat me down. I pulled my phone out and quickly sent Ezra a text as I felt the tears brimming my eyes.
'Just met Nicole, she seems great.'
Caleb wrapped an arm around my shoulders as I sobbed, unable to hold back the tears. I gripped my phone as I felt the pain in my chest throb, breaking my heart even more. Why did this have to happen today, of all days?
"You're going to be okay." Caleb whispered, rubbing my back.
"Tell that to my heart, it's broken in like thirty million tiny pieces." I choked out.
"Why don't you fight for him?" He asked, as I started to compose myself.
"If I do and he chooses me; he could end up resenting me for it. Caleb, he sent me off to New York by myself so I wouldn't end up resenting him or our relationship. How could I not do the same for him?" I asked.
Caleb didn't seem to know how to respond, or maybe he didn't want to upset me more. Sighing, I dropped my phone back into my purse just as it started playing Spencer's ringtone. Fishing my phone back out, I quickly answered.
"We got everything, is there anything else you need us to get?" I said before she could say anything.
"Forget about that right now. I know when you're upset, what is it Aria?" She said.
"I don't really want to talk about it right now. Text me if you want me to get anything else." I said, hanging up.
"Would now be a bad time to tell you that she probably thinks you're lying about us?" Caleb asked, and I rolled my eyes at him.
"If anything, she would've thought that if it was Toby. Back in junior year, Ezra thought there might be something between Toby and me."
We found a little sitting area and sat down, I sighed and Caleb looked at me. So far, Caleb has been I've been the most honest with about all of this. Do the girls know I'm lying about my feelings about everything and just letting me take my time? Why can't I just all this lying and just talk to them about this?
"Around the dance a thon, my old baby-sitter Simone came to town and I became insanely jealous of them. But at the same time, Ezra was just as jealous of Toby."
"Wasn't this when he said he loved you back?" He asked and I nodded.
"Well after the dance a thon, I thought he was going to dump me… you saw how I was that night. Anyway, we ended up arguing and all the jealousy from both of us came out." I said.
"Then the little Squirt came." He finished, and I nodded.
…..
Later that night
I walked up the stairs to Emily and Maya's new apartment with Hanna and Caleb as Ella reminded me that the kids will be alright. Caleb had told me that no one invited Ezra for some reason, but keeps avoiding telling me what the reason is. I just hope they don't plan on shutting him or Nicole out from group activities, it might confuse the boys even more.
"Just don't give Oliver any sugar before bedtime, I mean it mom. Otherwise, he'll be up way too late and you won't be able to get him to sleep." I said.
"Honey, you seem to forget I myself have raised kids. Don't worry, I'm planning on sugaring him up before you come pick him up in the morning." Ella said and hung up.
"Han, do you know why Ezra weren't invited?" I asked, receiving a head shake in response.
"Nope, no idea." She said quickly, as if there was something, she wanted to tell me.
Walking up to the apartment, Maya opened it right away before I could even knock. She pulled us inside excitedly and hugged Caleb. Spencer ran up to me and ushered me towards the side, where no one could hear us.
"Are you okay?" She whispered.
"Can we please talk later?" I asked and she nodded.
I walked over to Caleb and Chloe, who were sitting at the kitchen table. Both of them wanted to see the photo albums that I've been working on ever since freshman year. I started my general NYU one when they sent me my official acceptance letter, then I stated my Zeta Nu Phi Delta album as soon as I had started rushing and met Lauren.
"Did you bring it?" Chloe asked and I nodded, pulling both my albums out of my tote bag.
Sitting down, I opened one to the first photo of Caitlyn and I with all our sorority sisters together. Even though I do want everyone to support Ezra's new relationship, I'm kind of glad they weren't invited tonight. Especially since there's already a lot happening, with Chloe and Caleb hanging out for the first time and the fact Nicole ambushed me at the mall earlier. I'm not sure how much I can handle right now.
"Oh my god, that's so adorable. Who are the older kids?" Chloe asked.
She pointed to a photo of everyone on Halloween. Oliver and Rosie were in front with Layla and Levi, Lauren's younger siblings. Those four loved playing together during meetings, when they were able to come.
"Layla and Levi, Lauren's younger siblings. Their parents died around the time Caitlyn moved in with me, and Lauren was the only living relative they have." I said softly.
"She was going to drop from the sorority and possibly from school, but we all rallied to help her out and to make sure she knew we were there for her. Even if she dropped out, we would all still be there. That's how the Zeta Nu Phi Delta sisters are, sometimes it was insane." Caitlyn said walking over.
Just as I turned the page to one of the winter formals, Ezra walked in… with Nicole. Faking a smile, I waved to them when they saw me. Chloe looked at me and I nodded when they weren't looking. Ezra started introducing Nicole to Spencer and Toby, and I silently took a deep breath. Even though I knew it was a matter of time before Nicole would meet everyone, I wasn't ready for it… I wasn't read to meet her this morning!
"That's Nicole." I whispered to Chloe.
"They started dating AFTER he found out Aria's pregnant." Hardy whispered, joining us.
"Let it go, Hardy M Pierce." I said, a bit louder than I intended.
Everyone else looked over at us confused, and Nicole seemed to know we were talking about her. I avoided looking over at towards them as they walked over to us with Toby, and Spencer looked at me worriedly. Why are they even here? I thought they weren't invited… did someone invite them? But why was I told that they hadn't been invited… what the hell is happening?!
"How was California Caleb?" Chloe asked quickly.
As the words came out of her mouth, my left eye started twitching. Lying to her about Caleb being in California was easier when we were on the phone or texting. But now that we're in person and she still doesn't know the truth, I'm just so tired of all these lies and secrets. But I know that it has to be Caleb who tells her, not me.
"It was good… Aria, you okay? Your left eye is twitching." Caleb said, noticing my eye.
"Probably just an eyelash, I'll be right back." I lied, and quickly got up.
Hurrying to the bathroom, I stared into the mirror. Even though Caleb needs to tell her now, I understand where he's coming from. But why the hell is Ezra here? And why didn't he tell me that he was bringing Nicole with? Gripping the sink, I took a few deep breaths and heard a soft knock.
"Hey, you okay?" Maya asked softly, poking her head in.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I lied.
She looked at me as I tried to hold up my poker face, but she seemed to see right through it. Closing the door, she took my hands in hers and looked deep into my eyes. Something flashed through her eyes, like something in Hanna's voice earlier… like there was something they both wanted to tell me.
"I met her earlier, she had ambushed me at the mall. Why the hell is he here, and with her?" I asked, trying to keep myself from crying.
"Hey, you're the strongest person I know. Somehow… someway, you'll get through this. Aria, you're going to be okay." She said.
"People keep telling me that, but I can't believe that yet." I told her.
I followed her out of the bathroom to see Ezra and Nicole sitting at the table, leaving a single chair for me…. Between Nicole and Chloe. Maya sensed I didn't want to sit next to Nicole, she sat down as Caitlyn walked over to me.
"What dies the M stand for?" Nicole asked Hardy
"He won't tell anyone." Ezra answered.
"Maverick." Caitlyn and I both said.
Ezra looked at us in shock. Hardy only told us because we wouldn't leave him alone about it, and he just wanted us to shut up at the time. But he likes to claim that he only told us because he likes us so much.
"How come they get to know before me?!" Ezra asked, insulted.
"Easy… I like them more." Hardy answered shortly.
I walked over to the fridge and grabbed a water for myself. Closing the door, I saw Hardy next to me and handed him my water as I went back in for a beer for him. Now is not the time for him to be acting like this to Ezra.
"Be nice." I whispered, switching his beer for my water.
"I'm always nice!" He exclaimed, offendedly and I raised an eyebrow at him as Nicole glanced over towards us.
"Riley." I reminded him.
Glancing over at Ezra and Nicole, Hardy took a swig of his beer. I internally sighed, he can be way to protective of me and Caitlyn if we introduce him to any guy friends that we have. And after Jake dumped me, it seemed his protectiveness went haywire or something… especially when he met Riley and we weren't really dating yet.
"I don't live in California, and haven't since sophomore year." Caleb said, standing up.
"What? I don't understand, if you haven't been living in California then where have you've been?" Chloe asked.
"New York. To be honest, I made Aria promise not to tell you… or anyone for that matter." Caleb told her.
As everyone absorbed everything, Caleb's phone rang. Seeing who was calling, he stood up and looked apologetically at everyone. I knew I kept lightly pushing for him to tell the truth, I just didn't realize it'd be tonight that he comes clean about it.
"I have to take this; I'll answer any questions you guys have." He said and quickly made his way towards the front door.
"Chlo, I wanted to tell you ever since I found out. But it wasn't my place to tell you, he had his reasoning for keeping it a secret." I told Chloe as she turned to look at me.
"I'm unsure of when I'll be coming back Rebecca, early July at the earliest. Call you tomorrow." We heard Caleb said.
Watching Chloe's face, I could see the heartbreak in her eyes. Rebecca must be his girlfriend, but he hasn't said anything to me about dating anyone. Maybe he was worried how I would react to him dating, with how it had ended between him and Chloe. Sometimes being Chloe's cousin makes things a bit difficult for Caleb and I to talk about anything.
"Why didn't you tell me you transferred?" Chloe asked as he came back.
"Everything happened right after we broke up, I didn't know if you would speak to me at the time. Plus, I needed to become the man you deserve." He told her.
We all watched as Chloe stood up and walked over to Caleb. I caught Emily's eye and we shared a smile, after the past three years they're finally getting back together. They just need to, no one else could make either of them as happy as they make one another.
"You've always been that man Caleb, and more." Chloe said.
Caleb lifted Chloe's face and as he slowly leaned down to kiss her, she slowly turned her face away before looking up into his eyes.
"What is it?" He asked her as her soft smile turned into a concerned frown.
"What about Rebecca?" Chloe asked quietly
"She's just a co-worker, who does have a small crush on me. But that is all one sided, I've told her multiple times that her feelings could ever be reciprocated. Because someone else already has my heart." He assured her.
As her mouth curved back into a smile, his lips met hers. Watching them reunite, it hurts knowing that I couldn't have the same reunion with Ezra. Both Chloe and Caleb turned to look at us and glanced back at each other.
"Why is everyone watching us?" Chloe asked, looking around at us.
"Because like with Spencer and Toby, I've been there since the get go of your relationship. I get to help Toby propose and get to watch you two get back together." I told her.
…
I got up from my spot between Toby and Emily, and went to go grab another water bottle. Noticing Ezra was following me, I knew that I was going to have to tell him that Hardy knows about the baby. Hopefully he won't say anything about me meeting Nicole.
"I'm sorry you had to meet her that way, that's not how I wanted you to meet her." He whispered, looking into my eyes.
"It's fine Ezra, I was gonna have to meet her sooner or later." I pointed out, avoiding asking why he brought her here.
"You shouldn't have been ambushed, that's the last thing I wanted." He said softly.
"I know. And before you ask about Hardy, he knows that you and Nicole started dating after you found out about the baby." I whispered and he sighed.
"Ar, you know I never-." He started to say, before I cut him off.
"I know Ezra. You told me yourself, that's what I care about. Also, I'm not the one throwing a fit and I thought the only fits I was going to have to deal with were Oliver's." I said quietly.
"So, I need to know what Hardy did to this Riley guy." Ezra said, changing the subject.
"Sophomore year, Riley was dressed like Superman for a party… Hardy took a handful of blue pop rocks candy and threw them at him. YOU'RE lucky he took that well." I said looking at Hardy.
"After what happened with Jake, I didn't trust any guy." Hardy said defensively.
"Oh my god, he broke up with me because I cancelled a date! You need to chill." I said looking at Hardy.
…..
I sat with the girls as we talked about some of our best memories from college. It honestly feels like forever since I've been with all of them, even though we were just all together at Spencer and Toby's the other night. Glancing over to Ezra and Nicole, I caught her taking his hand in hers as he talked about some entitled customer that came into the brew the other day.
"You guys remember how Caitlyn came to live with me in October, freshman year? Well, she came around the time when I thought… I was pregnant with Grayson's baby." I said.
As the words left my mouth, the guys and Nicole all looked over from the kitchen. Even though we had invited Nicole to chat with us, she wouldn't leave Ezra's side for some reason.
"Told you that guy was sketchy!" Toby called from the kitchen and I rolled my eyes.
"Wait… what?" Spencer asked.
"I ended up hooking up with Grayson October sixth, then a few days later all his stuff was gone… along with him and Izzie." I said
"How come you didn't tell me this?" Ezra asked, turning all his attention on me.
"I couldn't." I said.
Looking away from him, I picked up a carrot stick despite not being hungry at all. Sometimes I wish my hookup with Grayson never even happened, but Caitlyn may never had moved in if we hadn't. Because of it, Hardy and I have Caitlyn and Oliver has Rosie.
"You know you could tell me anything Ar." Ezra said, walking over and sitting next to me.
"How was I supposed to? I thought I was pregnant with another guys' baby! How do you think I felt?" I said, hoping he would drop it.
"You said you weren't going to hook up with him. Ar, why didn't you tell me?" He asked again.
"I had been missing you like crazy at the time Ezra! What could I have said huh? 'I miss you so much that I ended up hooking up with my roommate and now I think I'm carrying his child.' Is that what you wanted to hear?" I asked annoyed.
Quickly standing up, I realized I just said that in front of Nicole and hurried towards the kitchen. Toby held out a beer for me, as I walked into the kitchen and I shook my head. Even though almost everyone else knows about the baby, I'm not sure how Toby will react about it with Ezra being with Nicole. It's hard enough with Hardy wanting to kill Ezra over it. Sensing I needed something else, he handed me a water and I gave him a small smile.
"Okay… I'm bored, we should say who we would hook up with. Toby and Aria, quit making out and join us." Maya called.
Toby and I looked at one another before looking at Maya, who could clearly see us. Rolling our eyes, we walked back to the living room and I sat down between Caitlyn and Spencer. Ezra was watching me, and I felt award now that he knows about Grayson. Maybe I should have told him, there's the other thing too… But I don't ever want to hurt him with it, but I know he deserves to know.
"Let's say we're all single and in another universe, who would we all want to have a drunk hookup with. Aria and Spencer, you cannot pick Ryan Reynolds or Jake Gyllenhaal." Hanna chirped from her chair
"I'm hooking up with myself, this is too weird for me." Ezra piped in, taking a sip of his beer.
"That's not a hookup, that's a masturbation session." Hardy pointed out, getting me and Caitlyn laughing.
"Go ahead and tell us then, who would you pick Hardy?" Toby asked
"Well, I'll take one for the team and pick Aria." He said.
"No." I joked as Ezra said it aggressively.
Caitlyn and I both looked over to Ezra, while Nicole seemed a bit uncomfortable with how quick Ezra was to shoot it down. Everyone seemed to look around then at what was happening in front of them, I wish I could do the same.
"It's a parallel universe, you don't get a say in it." I told him, and Nicole seemed to relax a bit more.
"As long as you don't make out with Cait beforehand like last time." Hardy said.
AN- Don't hate me too much for this cliff hanger, I'll be posting the next chapter as soon as I can. But the secret between Aria and Hardy is officially out- there's still more to it. What do you think will happen? Let me know what your theories are! And I'm going to be letting you guys help me, more to come on that soon.
