A/N: Thanks for all the positive response to the first chapter! :) I'm going to take this in a different direction; hope y'all don't hate me for it...

Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Little Liars or 'Same Old Lang Syne.'


Met my old lover in the grocery store
The snow was falling Christmas Eve
I stole behind her in the frozen foods
And I touched her on the sleeve

She didn't recognize the face at first
But then her eyes flew open wide
She went to hug me and she spilled her purse
And we laughed until we cried.

~Same Old Lang Syne, Dan Fogelburg


I didn't call her right away in fear that I would come off too eager; although, eager and anxious were exactly how my feelings could be described. Aria and I really hit it off when in the coffee shop, so this strange idea kept floating around in my head that she would actually call me. That's a stretch, though, because doing that would have Aria look for my information on her own time, when all I had to do was read the digits off the card she gave me.

It was about a week after our encounter that I mustered up enough courage to pick up the phone and dial her number. Aria answered excitedly, and we conversed with small talk for a few minutes until I nonchalantly asked her to dinner.

Her voice seemed to fall immediately at my suggestion, and I grew worried. I heard Aria sigh through the receiving end of the phone, then she explained that her magazine was really becoming successful and there was no way we could meet together within the next few weeks.

I frowned, but was thankful that she couldn't see my disappointment – even though I feigned happiness in my tone. However, after I urged her call me as soon as she was free, my heart did swell when she agreed to do so. I hung up soon after, content in hearing the sound of her voice.

The next month was silence from her; I didn't call in order to not interfere with her busy schedule, but yet I didn't hear any word from her in return. On a random night out of the blue, I grabbed my cell to talk to her, but all I heard was her answering machine.

"Hey Aria, it's me – Ezra – just wanted to see how you were and if your magazine is just as successful as I've heard it is. Give me a call when you can; I'll be waiting for it."

My message must've caught Aria's attention, because her name popped up on my caller ID the very next day. Our words were pretty much parallel to what we discussed a month before. Her magazine was still booming in progress, so she was either at her office all day or working at home into all hours of the night; meaning, no time for a social life.

Her several apologies of not getting back to me were all sincere, and she left me with her email address as a way of easier access to catching up. "My laptop is attached to my hip twenty-four seven, so don't be afraid to shoot me some mail!" Aria had explained with her tender, angelic laugh.

I had chuckled in response and approved with, "I just might take you up on that offer."

For the next several months, we chatted via email, and the messages were long and detailed within the first few. Unfortunately, life began to catch up with the both of us, and the conversations shortened greatly. Weeks would pass before the other would reply, and it wasn't long before the communication stopped all together. Our letters were soon far in the inbox folder to the point where they were no longer seen and easily forgotten.

Within those months, writing became a number one priority in my life, as my first novel hit stores with a bang. It wasn't as popular as The Twilight Saga or Harry Potter per say, but the admiration I received still gave me enough confidence to continue my passion. With my first book being a huge success, it made way for my second published piece – which was also famous within a few months.

Then I distributed a third novel and it was more accepted than my first and second books combined. Over the next five years, three novels turned into four, then four into five; and so on.

And over those five years, thoughts of Aria had slowly vanished.

Now, I'm a thirty- four year old man with nearly ten books as The New York Times best sellers, and am travelling the world as a result of those best sellers' fan base.

The current city I'm touring in would be none other than Rosewood, Pennsylvania. My publicist mentioned that visiting the small town I was once associated with would be good for business, but I on the other hand wanted to stopover with some old friends. However, she scheduled me at the local book store within the holidays; therefore, I am spending my Christmas Eve alone in a motel room with vending machine snacks and shitty cable.

I sigh in boredom and frustration, pressing the power button on the remote to turn off the television. I drop the remote to the floor with a thud, and willingly stand to grab my coat off the chair and leave the dreadful place.

You'd think with the money I've made off my books, my publicist would arrange me in a better establishment other than a motel.

I step out into the chilly, snowy air to make my way to the grocery store about a block away; I need something in my system other than year old Twinkies and Flaming Hot Cheetos. About eight minutes later, I'm making my way through the aisles, looking for something edible that I might enjoy. As I turn a corner to enter a different section of the store, my eyes find themselves something new to focus on.

There within the frozen foods is a young woman of twenty-seven years or so, scanning her eyes among the different varieties of vegetables. I can only see the side of her face, which doesn't answer the millions of questions screaming in my head at the moment. She adjusts the oversized purse onto her shoulder before turning her head to peer at the items located in her shopping cart.

My sharp intake of breath almost causes me to pass out.

These casual, uniting appearances are happening way too often for my liking.

I need to speak with her, even for the hell of it. Five years is a long time; so much has probably changed…

I absentmindedly begin to saunter in her direction while running a hand through my hair in the process. When I reach her, I lightly touch the sleeve of her bicep, causing her to flinch at my contact. At first, Aria Montgomery looks appalled at the fact that a stranger would lay a hand on her because her eyebrows furrow and her mouth opens in protest.

But once her gaze reaches my face, her eyes widen as big as possible and she nearly falls backwards in shock. "Ezra."

I stuff my hands in my front pockets and flash the award-winning smile that I'm known for. Aria beams at the sight of my grin and takes a step toward me quickly. However, as her arms fly up to envelope me in a hug, her purse slides off her arm and falls with the zip side facing the floor; all of her contents spill at the speed of light and hit the floor with a loud crashing sound. Even with the Christmas music playing from the speakers above, the emptiness of the grocery store makes the clatter seem ten times louder than reality.

Aria and I both lift our heads to look at one another; my hands are still in my pockets, while hers are still in the air to embrace me. Her face is pale with embarrassment, and I can't help but look away and attempt to swallow my laughter.

I then hear Aria giggle slightly, so I whip my head back to peer at her. Cheeks pink and eyes glowing, she's staring at me with the most gorgeous smile I've ever laid eyes on. "I'm sorry!" Aria apologizes in her fit of amusement.

As she bends down to gather her belongings, I follow suit by squatting. "It's alright," I assure in a light-hearted tone. I help her by handing her the items that are out of her reach and, all the while, we're still chuckling under our breath.

However, my laughter abruptly ceases when she lifts to her hand to wipe her eyes free of tears.

Right in front of my face is a ring…

…and it's placed on the third finger of her left hand.


A/N: Muahaha, so they never got to meet again after the coffee shop until five years later…it never seems to work out for them, does it?

Don't worry; the next chapter is a continuation and they will talk! BUT, it will also be the final chapter):

Please review! The response to the first chapter blew me away! DO IT AGAIN :D

Thanks and have Happy Holidays!

XxLadyStrengthxX