Thanks for all the reviews, favorites and follows. I glad you all are enjoying this story. There are minor spoilers for the upcoming episode, so be warned. Here's the next chapter.

Aria

It had been three weeks since her reunion with Ezra, and everything was going smoothly. The two had fallen back into their old routine of takeout and old movies at either her house or his apartment, but they still had yet to go on their official, second, first public date. That was happening tonight. It was a celebration. After the cops caught Noel red-handed, with the gun that shot Ezra, he was arrested, and charged with attempted murder, even though they couldn't pin any real 'A' stuff on him, knowing he was going to jail was enough. 'A' was gone for good. To celebrate, they agreed to a movie and dinner at the Apple Rose Grill. She was anxious and nervous about being seen in public again, especially since the entire town knew about that night, that he saved her life and nearly died protecting her and her friends. Principle Hackett had questioned her and her friends a few times about why they were even together that night and about Ezra's abrupt resignation from Rosewood High. Fortunately for Aria, her mother finally intervened, demanding he stopped grilling her daughter over her personal life. Hackett wasn't pleased to not get the answers he wanted, but if her parents weren't concerned over the subject, he couldn't be.

Aria was glad she had Ella on her side in this. She may not have been all too pleased to know that her daughter was seeing Ezra again, but she knew that Aria would be eighteen soon, and didn't want to lose her. Byron on the other hand was livid at first, but seeing them together, at his house, as a couple made him realize that she wasn't his little girl anymore, and despite his original objection, he accepted that Ezra was back in his daughter's life.

Aria was finishing up her makeup when there was a knock at her door.

"Come in," she said to whoever was on the other side. Byron walked in and saw his daughter looking too mature for his liking.

"That's what you're wearing tonight?" he asked.

"Yeah, what's wrong with my outfit?"

She was wearing a skin-tight little black dress, that stopped just above her thighs, and had a v-neck collar, that showed a hint of her cleavage.

"It's a tad revealing isn't it?" Byron asked his only daughter who at seventeen, was getting ready for a date with her twenty-six year old boyfriend, who also happened to be his former colleague, and her former teacher.

"Dad, this outfit is no different from anything else I've ever worn a date?"

"I just don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about you."

"I don't care what anyone thinks, I love him, and I don't want to hide it anymore."

Byron knew she meant what she said, and a part of him was proud of the woman she was becoming. She didn't care what people thought about her and her relationship with Ezra, but he still worried what the gossip mongers in Rosewood would say about her.

"Just promise to keep your jacket on at all times tonight, please."
"I will dad."

Byron turned to leave, but then turned back and said, "The Super Bowl is Sunday, and I was thinking that you could invite Ezra over to watch with me and Mike."

A huge smile came across Aria's face after he finished. She was happy that her father was really trying to accept Ezra as a part of her life.

"I'm sure he'll like that."

"Good, tell him to bring that scotch he loves so much."

"Will do."

Ezra

Ezra exited his apartment and made his way to his car. He knew tonight was going to be huge for him and Aria. They had gotten back into a comfortable routine, and he loved the fact the she was finally letting her guard down. They were taking things slow. No intense make-out sessions, and no sex, but they were just enjoying each others company. They agreed to no more secrets and lies. He told her everything about his book, and his connection to Mona, Cece and Alison. She told him everything about 'A' and her friends suspicions of it being him. He still felt that there was something she wasn't telling him, but he didn't push it. After a while, he pulled into the Montgomery's driveway and shut off the car. He exited and made his way to the front door. After checking his breath and running a hand through his hair, he rung the doorbell, and waited. The door opened to reveal Mike, how shook his hand and invited him in. After calling for Aria, Mike turned and returned to the couch where Mona sat waiting for him.

"Hi Mr. Fitz." Mona said.

"Hi Mona," he replied, "You can can me Ezra you know." Mona nodded, and then returned her attention to the movie she and Mike were watching.

"Ezra, Hi," Byron stated shaking the younger man's hand.

"Byron, it's good to see you again."

Just then he heard someone coming down the stairs. He looked up and saw Aria, looking beautiful as ever, and opened his arms for a hug. She hugged him back before giving him a quick peck on the lips and then she turned to her father, who was watching the scene, with a glass of scotch in his hands.

"Bye dad. Bye Mike," she said before taking Ezra's hand as they made their way toward the door."

"Home bye 11:00, Aria," was all Byron said before making his way back to his office, leaving his son and his girlfriend to enjoy their movie date.
Ezra opened the door for Aria, waiting until she was all the way in before closing the door. He started up the car, then reached over and grabbed her hand, before backing out of the driveway and heading toward the movie theater. As they rode, Aria informed Ezra of her father's invitation for Sunday's football game. Surprised that Byron had invited him, Ezra agreed to attend. After pulling into the theaters lot, Ezra made his way over to open Aria's door. She thanked him and took his hand as they may their way to the entrance.

Once inside, he purchased the tickets and a medium popcorn and large cola for them to share, then they made their way to the auditorium. After taking their seats, Ezra wrapped his arm around Aria as she snuggled close to him, with her head on his shoulder. They turned their attention to the screen and watched the previews that preceded the movie. 2 hours later they exited the theater and headed over to the Grill. After ordering their meals the talked extensively about the movie they just finished watching.

Aria

After finishing dinner, they made their way over to the Brew for coffee, before heading back to her place. Aria waited outside as Ezra went inside to order their drinks. As she waited for Ezra to return, Aria was startled by someone behind her.

"Aria," a man's voice rang through her ears. Aria turned to see who this person was, and her jaw dropped after seeing who it was that called out her name.

"Riley, what are you doing here?" Aria questioned looking back to make sure that Ezra was still inside the coffee shop.

" My band was playing a gig in Philly, and I remembered you lived here and loved this coffee place, so I thought I would pay you a visit."

Aria hadn't seen or spoken to Riley since visiting Syracuse University soon after discovering Ezra's betrayal. She met him at a frat party, and after one too many drinks, she hooked up with him. They spent a lot of time together that weekend, before she returned home. Although she originally didn't regret anything that happened that weekend, after learning the true extent of his 'relationship' with Alison and after what happened that night, she soon felt guilty for succumbing to his advances.

"Riley, this isn't a good time," Aria said hoping he would get the hint before Ezra exited the shop.

"Is everything okay?" he asked somewhat concerned and not understanding why after their time spent together, that she would just blow him off.

Before she could answer, Ezra returned, coffees in hand.

"Here you go," Ezra said to her, not noticing the young man standing beside her.

"Thanks," she said somewhat hushed as Ezra looked up and saw Riley for the first time.

"Who's this?" Ezra asked, somewhat worried that he was bothering with his girlfriend.

"Ezra, this is Riley, a friend," Aria said quickly, hoping to avoid the awkward any further questions.

"Hey," Ezra said, not understanding why Aria never mentioned him.

"Hey." Riley replied.

"So, how do you know each other?" Ezra questioned, not sure he really wanted to know the answer.

Before Aria could intervene, Riley spoke up, "We met at Syracuse a few months back, and had a nice time together."

Aria looked down, with tears forming in her eyes. This was something she never wanted Ezra to find out about.

"What do you mean, you had a nice time?" Ezra questioned, looking down at Aria as he finished his question.

"We hooked up," Riley answered, not knowing that he was causing problems for the couple.

"Really?" was all Ezra said as he continued to stare at Aria, hoping that nothing more than a kiss happened between the two.

"Yeah," Riley began "She was having some trouble at home, and needed to cut loose, and one thing led to another and we slept together."

Aria let out a sob as Riley revealed the one thing she had kept from Ezra. Ezra's face dropped at Riley's confession, soon he made began to make his way towards his car. Aria gave Riley a death stare, before following behind Ezra towards his car. Aria noticed that Ezra made his way to the driver's side, without opening her door, she opened the door, and sat inside. Ezra started the engine, and drove off towards Aria's house, in complete silence. Once he pulled into her driveway, Aria turned to him, but he continued to stare straight ahead. Aria finally spoke up, "I had fun tonight." Ezra remained silent, and she took the hint. She opened the door and stepped out on to the concrete. She looked back at Ezra, and saw the tears forming in his eyes.

"Goodnight, Ezra," she said, hoping he would give her some sort of sign that everything would be okay between them. Ezra muttered goodnight, before pulling out of the driveway as soon as she shut the door. More tears began to stream down her face as she watched him drive off, completely heartbroken. Aria pulled her phone out and sent a text to her friends, asking them to come over immediately. After they all agreed, Aria entered her house and broke down. They promised to tell each other everything, and she broke that promise.

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