Hey. I don't know if most of you just didn't like the previous chapter or if I have lost all those Aria/Alex shippers, but I was a little surprised by the lack of response. It's always a weird feeling when you see that a chapter has been viewed around 500 times and there were a few hundreds of visitors, but only three or four end up responding. I hope you still like the way this story goes and I am sorry for not going the way a lot of you hoped, but Sparia wins my heart. Still, I will try to incorporate Alex' character more. And I am always open for suggestions and comments, as well as critique! So feel free :)
Anyway, here is another chapter. I don't know how long this story will be, I guess it depends on the readers? Are you willing to bare with me for longer, or do you think I should come to an end soon? Please tell me :)
As always, Enjoy!
...
Aria's eyes fluttered open as she heard the shrilling sound of an alarm clock. She buried her head into her bed, groaning as the ringing sound didn't stop. She felt her bed move then and she furrowed her forehead in confusion. She opened her eyes fully then as she adjusted herself to the bright light shining into the room. That's when she noticed the silence; it was also when she realized it wasn't her bed she was in fact sleeping on, but rather a body. She looked up quickly and then soon relaxed when she saw Spencer looking down at her with a smile.
„Hey.", the taller brunette whispered softly and leaned down to press a kiss on her head that was still resting on Spencer's chest. „Mmmh.", she let out and turned her head to press her lips to Spencer's collar bone as the events of the night before replayed in her mind. She couldn't believe that they had finally talked and Aria hoped it was the first step of many to take into something bigger. Suddenly though, all soft feelings turned into confusion as she felt Spencer sat up.
„I am sorry, Ar. But I need to get ready." Aria felt Spencer's hand move through Aria's hair as she slipped out of bed only to bend down again and kiss Aria's cheek. „Sleep some more. I'll be back soon, okay?" However, Aria was wide awake by now and sat up in bed to catch Spencer's wrist before she was out of the room.
„What's the rush?" She hadn't intended for her voice to sound so small, but she couldn't help but feel that Spencer was trying to make an escape.
She didn't have much time to think about it though, as Spencer had sat down on the bed again, reaching out an arm to caress Aria's cheek.
"Hey.", she heard Spencer whisper softly. "I meant what I said last night. Every word. And I want you to know that I want this. You." She kissed her then, firmly as to prove a point and Aria couldn't help but melt into the kiss.
Aria pushed away softly. "So, why do you have to leave so early then?" She just wanted for them to finally be honest which each other.
Spencer sighed, not stopping her hold on Aria's cheek. "I have a job interview.", she rushed out and Aria turned her face so Spencer had to let go of her cheek.
"What?", she asked shocked and moved farther away from Spencer. "And you didn't think of telling me?", Aria let out hurt.
"I just told you!", Spencer remarked, probably waiting for Aria to throw a comeback at her, but she didn't. She just nodded. "Okay, then.", and Aria could see Spencer's confusion.
"Aria, I am sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but it's just an interview. I thought you didn't want me and I -" She looked away for a second. "I want you, Aria, but I can't stay in Rosewood anymore. It's killing me to be in that place."
Aria nodded, understanding where Spencer was coming from, but it didn't mean that it hurt any less. "So, now what? You're just going to stay here while I go back to Rosewood? How is that even going to work?"
Spencer sighed again, moving to her drawer to throw on her pants and searched for her white blouse. "Aria. Look, I would never force you to move away from your family, from our friends, so I won't ask you to move in. I won't. Not yet. Because you deserve to have what you want. And I know you are not ready to leave Rosewood. But just know that me getting a job isn't going to change how I feel about you. I know we can make this work."
Spencer managed to close the last button of her blouse and straightened it out a few times; Aira knew she was nervous. She got up from the bed then, walking over to the girl she had known since they were little kids and hugged her, resting her head against her chest for a while, enjoying the sound of Spencer's heartbeat. "The thought of you even considering for us to move in together sometime in the future, makes me so happy. It's real, isn't it? This?"
She felt Spencer's arms move around her waist, drawing her close. "It's very real. Now wish me luck and promise you will be here when I get back, ok?"
Aria laughed lightly at Spencer's request and stretched slightly, kissing her on the mouth. "Good luck.", she whispered against her lips, kissing them once more, before moving out of Spencer's arms and back to the bed.
"If you do good, I might have a price?", Aria smirked and she could see Spencer's eyes dance in desire, before letting out a deep breath.
"Don't tease when you know I am gonna have to be professional. See you soon. - Oh, and don't think we're done talking about the fact that you even knew where I lived and showed up here so drunk I had to literary carry you into this room, missy!"
Aria chuckled and saw Spencer grab her hairbrush and some of her make up to probably get ready in the bathroom and let her go back to sleep. "Make me proud.", she called out to her and Spencer turned briefly to wink at Aria and smile happily at her.
…
Walking along the streets of Washington, Spencer couldn't believe how her world had changed in just a few hours. Suddenly, she felt a new source of energy running through her body, a feeling of happiness and love and lightness that she didn't know she had missed so much until she had it back. Of course she wasn't naive enough to believe that everything was going to be perfect, and Spencer knew she and Aria had to talk about their relationship and how they were going to make a long distance relationship work if she ended up getting a job in DC, but all these issues felt small and manageable, because she finally knew that there was something real fighting for and she made a promise to herself that she wouldn't stop fighting any time soon.
…
The buzzing of Aria's phone made her sit up in bed and she reached sleepy for it to take the call.
"Hello?"
"Aria?! Thank god!", Hanna greeted her in a high tone and she could hear the relief in her voice.
"Is everything okay?", Aria asked worried and now fully awake again.
"That is the question I am supposed to ask here! I call you about 10 times yesterday to know where you are after all this blow up with Em and Ali; then you finally text me around midnight and tell me that you are somewhere in Washington, drunk off your ass, and you don't even know where you're going - only for then ignoring all my messages and calls for the entire night! So no! It's not okay! Don't you ever do that to me again!" Hearing Hanna's shrill voice and hectic words made Aria almost laugh because it was just so Hanna Marin.
"Relax, Han. I am fine. I am sorry about you yesterday. I ran into this frat party yesterday while looking for Spencer's place and this guy invited me in to have some drinks; it was nothing. I am sorry I worried you."
"Yeah, whatever. I am just glad you're okay. Where are you now anyways? God, don't tell me you slept with the guy! Aria Montgomery!"
Aria's eyes widened. "What? Of course not! I was there for only about an hour or two!"
"So – Where are you now? Oh! No way! You found her?!"
"Yeah. Long story."
"I want to hear it!", the blonde pleaded and Aria laughed, but gave in.
"Okay. Don't complain. So, at this party there was this frat guy's older brother who was our age and he had some friends with him, and guess what? One of them was a lawyer and finished his degree in Washington in the same class as Spencer did. So he knew Spencer briefly, but he didn't really know where she was staying - but I was just so desperate and pleaded with him to find something."
"Did you promise him something in return?", Hanna laughed out and I rolled my eyes even though she couldn't see it. "What? No. Gross. So, anyway, he contacted some people he went to law school with and boom – one of the girls he messaged was actually a good friend of Spencer in college. I called her myself then and asked if she knew the address, and she did. Turns out however, that Spencer rented the place for a couple of days only, so there was no "Hastings" label at the door.
"Shit! That sounds complicated! How did you even get there? You didn't walk there by yourself, did you?!
"I took a cab! It's fine.", Aria assured quickly.
"Okay, good thing your mind still functions a little bit with alcohol in your system."
Aria sighed. "Actually, the boys made me take one. But, yeah. It's fine. Don't worry. So I stand there and I have this nearly empty Tequila bottle in my hand and that's when I decided to ring one doorbell after the other. Of course, nobody wanted to let me in and I guess it's understandable given the fact that I must have slurred the words."
Hanna giggled amused "What did you even say to them?"
"I told them the truth! That I had to see the girl I liked because I screwed up!"
Hanna gushed into the phone, sounding happy for her. "That is so romantic! I wished somebody had filmed that! Spencer should see this! Wait! You're at Spencer's right?!"
"Patience, Hanna!", she joked and she heard Hanna scoff.
"Well, of course you are! You wouldn't sound so happy if you weren't. Hi, Spencer!", Hanna greeted through the phone and Aria couldn't help but laugh. "She is not here, Han. Let me finish the story, okay?"
"What? Where is she?", her voice alarmed now and Aria hushed her. "The story, Hanna!"
"But it's just so long!", Hanna started to complain but Aria was having non of that.
"I told you before! And you wanted to hear it! So suck it up and listen.", Aria demanded firmly but with a light tone and she continued before Hanna could interrupt her once more. "Okay. So I ring the door bells trying to get in, and then, suddenly, this old lady laughs at my request and opens the door! Saying that there was a girl going in into the apartment earlier that day with a suitcase opposite her house! She gave me the number and I rushed up the stairs, I think I needed 20 minutes to reach the top but I managed. And then I rang the door, waiting for Spencer to open and five minutes later she was there in front of me."
"Ohhh! That is so cute! Spencer must have been pissed though, right? I mean I were if it was me! Hell, I don't know if I would've let you in."
"Thank you very much, Han."
"I am sorry, Ar. You just really hurt us. Not just Spencer, you know?"
"I know. And I am sorry. But, it's complicated, okay? But I know what I did was wrong."
"You are not going to go back there are you?! To Alex I mean...", her friend trailed, off making Aria a little nervous and unsure what she could say to not make a big deal out of this.
"It's complicated.", she repeated herself, sighing deeply. "I know you don't understand. But just try and trust me, okay?" Aria was getting tired of having to explain herself to everyone.
"Aria, this is not okay - "
"Can we please not talk about it? Not now. I still have to have that conversation with Spencer, and its going to be a lot harder, so please Hanna?"
She heard Hanna sigh on the other line and she hoped it was a yes. "Okay." There was a short pause. "So, what's the deal with you two? Spencer didn't kick you out, I guess?" Aria noticed the shift in her voice and she couldn't blame her. She was just glad she hadn't hung up on her.
"No.", she answered, a smile resting on her lips. "She let me in, took care of me and then I sobered up and we started talking about our feelings and I know now that I want to be with her. I haven't felt this much in such a long time, Han. She makes me happy."
"Good. I hope you two can make this work. Just please, don't hurt her again, okay?"
"I promise."
It was then that Hanna laughed softly. "I am really happy for you, you know? And I am proud of you for finally admitting it and leaving Ezra behind. I know it has been hard for you these past weeks. Just know that I am here, okay? Whatever you need. Caleb, too, by the way. For both of you. He has a soft spot for you now, Ar." Aria giggled, remembering her and Caleb's rescue mission only a few weeks ago.
"Tell him I said hi, okay? And don't worry about me, Han. I am finally at peace. I think I just needed to realize what I wanted, and I did."
"I am glad. I will call later, okay? So you two can give me details about your new relationship!", she chuckled. "How did four of my best friends end up dating women?" Aria laughed, getting more and more comfortable with herself every passing day. "I know, right? Wonder, who's next. I hear Mona is single again?"
Hanna snorted in response, but Aria could hear the amusement in her voice. "She is. But I am happily married. We're still trying by the way. We talked to a specialist a few days ago."
Aria grew nervous, she knew that it was a big deal for Hanna and she herself had to deal with news that were heart shattering not too long ago. "And?", she asked nervously.
"Some new methods, some hormones, we will see."
"I do believe that it will happen, Han. You deserve it so much.", Aria said, trying to show faith.
"Thank you.", came the reply, and then Aria heard some rustling in the background.
"Call you later, okay? Caleb just got home. Love you."
"Yeah, talk to you soon. Love you, too. Tell the others I am sorry about the other day."
"Will do, bye."
…
She let herself in, closing the door behind her and put her purse aside. "Aria?", she called out and seconds later she heard the shuffling of socks moving through the apartment.
"Hey!", Aria greeted, approaching the taller woman with a smile. Spencer couldn't help but stare at her in awe. She was still not fully grasping on the fact that she was hers. She frowned. Was she though? Of course they had talked about wanting to be together, but did that mean she was her girlfriend now? Or maybe they were they just dating to see how things would go? Her train of thoughts was interrupted by Aria's hand that had reached around her neck and was now forcing her to lower her head. A moment later Aria had captured her lips with her own, snatching another arm around Spencer to deepen the kiss. It was moments like this that made the doubts fade away. The shorter one drew back slowly, holding her face still close to hers.
"How was the interview?", she questioned as she ran a hand over Spencer's neck and Spencer let out a content sigh.
"It was good, I think. They said they would call." She smiled briefly before taking one of Aria's hands, leading them to the couch. She sat down first, reaching for Aria's thighs to draw her closer. Aria obliged instantly, stepping in between Spencer's legs and running hands over her back and neck before dropping down to connect their lips once more. In between soft kisses and muffled moans, Spencer reached for Aria to inch even closer, grabbing her by her waist and moving her on top of her own body as she lay down on the couch.
"You have no idea how long I have wanted this.", she admitted, looking into Aria's shining eyes.
"Tell me.", Aria whispered, their faces just inches apart.
"I think that I've always found you attractive. But it wasn't that I knew something was off with my feelings for you until Alex told me her plans to hook up with you." Spencer's head turned then, not really wanting to talk about those memories, especially when she knew that Aria had been visiting Alex.
She could see Aria bitting her lip as she let her head rest into the crook of Spencer's neck. She searched for Spencer's hand to hold tightly in hers. "I am sorry it took me so long to realize.", Spencer heard her whisper and she felt her heart skip a beat as she felt Aria's lips press into the palm of her hand. "I am sorry that I went behind your back and that I started visiting Alex. And I am sorry how much I hurt you."
Spencer tensed under Aria's touch, not sure she was ready to have this conversation, but Aria continued to hold her hand, and intertwined their legs, so she couldn't move. "I am sorry. I am. And I wish I would've told you. And I know you and the others think I am insane. But all I want is for you to trust me. You don't have to understand, I get that now. I sometimes don't understand. Just trust me, okay? Please. I am doing this for me, too."
Spencer's heart started to speed up, her muscles tensed and she fought with herself to not push Aria off of her. She tried to calm down, to take Aria's words in and she finally relaxed a little, when she noticed that Aria was brushing her free hand through Spencer's hair. "Please don't push me away.", she heard Aria whimper and it made Spencer realize that despite everything that happened with Alex; that despite the fact that Aria had been visiting her evil twin sister in Philly without her knowing, Spencer couldn't hate her. She couldn't. And she didn't want to let go either.
Because in the end, Aria chose her. And she had promised herself to not let her go again. "I am not going anywhere, Ar. I don't agree with you but I will try. I will try to listen, okay? Not for Alex. But for you. Because I know it's important to you." She raised her hand that wasn't still clasped in Aria's to caress Aria's back, slipping it under Aria's shirt softly, wanting to feel her skin.
"Thank you.", she heard Aria say with a small smile. She looked down at her, the doubts creeping in slowly once again and decided she needed to say something.
"What are we?", she voiced the question she had not dared to ask before.
Aria's eyes squinted in confusion. "What do you mean?", she asked, not stopping to brush her fingers through her hair, and clearly trying to understand what Spencer was thinking.
Spencer sighed. "I mean. Are we dating? Do I get to call you my girlfriend? Do we keep this a secret, because you know my parents and - " Aria kissed her quickly, stopping her in her rush.
"I hope so. Of course. And whatever you decide." She kissed her again and Spencer smiled. "We don't have to tell people right now, Spence. I mean Hanna kind of knows but - "
"Wait, Hanna knows?", she interrupted confused and Aria explained the phone call.
"Okay. So the others will know, too", Spencer concluded. "What if I my parents find out?" She knew she sounded ridiculous. She was an adult now and she wasn't supposed to feel threatened by her parents knowing who she was dating, but somehow this felt bigger. She knew her conservative family and while Aria's parents might open up to the idea of them being together, Spencer just couldn't imagine her parents being too happy about it.
"They won't.", promised Aria, and took her hand to kiss it quickly before meeting her eyes. "We've kept secrets for years. I don't think we will have problems with this one."
Spencer chuckled, and then grew serious again. "I know. I just don't want you to feel like I am being unfair to you, to us." She didn't want Aria to think she felt anything less for her. She was afraid to upset Aria now that she wanted to keep this between them until she was ready to open up to her family.
"Spence", Aria began. "I know your family. I know why we are doing this. And it's worth it to me. I want this, us. It's the only way we can make this work and convince our families this is real - whenever we're ready to tell them." That said, Aria kissed her again, and Spencer couldn't help but smile. "Have I told you how lucky I am to have you?"
Aria laughed lightly. "It helps that you're hot!"
...
Good / Bad? Let me know with a comment! Always Love, M. :)