A/N: A guest asked me 'Why do I obsess over rape and abuse stories' and I don't. I write them because rape and abuse are becoming a bigger problem in modern day society and more people should know about it.

Whether it be in the form of a story, film or play people should be told. I also write them because some people like stories like this and there aren't that many on fanfiction

. I know some people won't want to hear this but; Life is not fair or perfect like the lovey dovey stories out there, don't get me wrong I love those but it's not realistic.

Nobody has a perfect life and some people suffer this daily. As I have said before on my other stories, don't like don't read.

Now that we have got that over and done with please enjoy the story.

When Aria arrived home she went to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water before running up to her room, well it was more of a box room but it was home for Aria.

She dropped her bag on the floor and went to her desk to check her emails. Junk, Junk, Junk Aria said till she came to a stop. Her hand hovered over the email, she almost didn't want to open it.

Aria,

It's Alison. Duh. You probably knew that. Anyway where the fuck are you? You left Ravenswood? Why? Come on.

Was it because of Ethan? I mean seriously. You gave him your virginity then run off! How vain can you get!

The words blurred as tears brimmed in her hazel eyes. She clicked off the email and rubbed the tears away.

How could Alison think that? We were best friends. Oh right. Yeah. We WERE friends.

Something caught Aria's eye and she smiled just thinking of it. She stood up and walked over to her bookshelf picking up a pair of scissors.

She went and sat on her makeshift bed and pulled up her sleeve, cuts covered her skin like paint on a canvas.

She pressed the blade of them into her skin and sliced open her skin. Blood trickled out and down her arm as the cut seeped.

She let out a breathy sigh of joy.

Aria pulled down the sleeve and went to her hand bag which was strewn on the floor. She picked it up and took it to her bed she pulled out Ulysses and started to read relaxing as her head sunk into her pillows.

Around four p.m Jean and Sam got home, Jean was Aria's 'mum' and Sam was her 'sister'.

"Aria!" Jean called "Please can you help with the shopping?''

Aria jumped off her bed and walked downstairs to the kitchen.

"Arwia" Sam said eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Hi. Sam." Aria sang walking over to hug her.

After she had hugged Sam she went to the table and started unpacking the bags.

"Thanks Aria you're a star!" Jean exclaimed.

Aria blushed as she reached to open the overhead cupboards.

•••••

Aria was reading when Steve, Aria's 'dad' got home. She was sat happily on the coach with Sam right next to her "-And the princess lived happily ever after" Aria read before shutting the book.

"Isn't that sweet?" Steve spat sarcastically.

"Daddy!" Sam exclaimed leaping off the sofa and hurling herself at him.

"Hi, sweetie" Steve cooed his eyes softening on his daughter.

"Now Aria. Why were you reading that special book?" He asked anger clear in his tone.

"I… I…" Aria stammered

"I… i…" Steve mimicked.

"Don't get cwoss at Arwia daddy" Sam said sternly.

"And why not my sweetikins-" he glared at Aria "She read the book that we read together"

Sam stared at her dad and then at Aria "She better" Sam said before wriggling out of the hug and skipping off to the kitchen.

"So. MY daughter prefers YOUR reading does she?" Steve spat.

Aria looked to the floor "I'm sorry" she whispered.

"Sorry?. Haha You're sorry? Should'a thought of that before you stole my daughter away then!"

Aria's dyes brimmed with tears. ''I hate you" Steve growled "I wish we'd never adopted you, we should of left you on the streets to die!"

Aria stood up off the sofa and ran out the house, tears falling from her pale cheeks.

••••

Aria had no clue what the time was, nor did she care, to be honest. It was quite dark by this point the only lights she had were the flickering street lamps overhead.

She knew she was in trouble, she knew Steve would probably hit her, but for once she didn't care. She was free.

Aria heard footsteps behind her but she didn't think anything of it. However when the person behind her grabbed her arm her arm she got genuinely worried.

She tried to pull her arm out of his tight grasp but it was no use.

"Help!" she screamed which resulted in a harsh slap across her face.

The man that grabbed her didn't realise a car had pulled up beside them.

"Aria?" Aria looked up to see her English teacher sticking his head out the car.

The guy that grabbed her released her arm and sped off.

Aria collapsed to the floor crying and shaking, Mr Fitz got out his car and went to her.

"Are you okay" he asked "That man didn't hurt you did he?" he asked.

Aria shook her head "No Mr Fitz"

He smiled "Hey. We're out of school. Call me Ezra!' he said shyly.

Aria nodded. "Ezra. I like it" she announced. By this pint her shaking and crying had stopped.

Ezra smiled "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked again.

Aria nodded. "Yes. I'm sure" she assured him.

"Do you want a lift home?" he asked, realising how creepy that sounded he opened his mouth to speak when Aria spoke up.

"No thank you, my home is the last place I want to be" Aria muttered.

"Why? What happened. Sorry I don't mean to pry." Ezra asked.

"No, its fine. I just don't… my… my dad…" Aria trailed off not wanting to continue.

"I get it" Ezra said apologetically. "This will sound odd and paedophilic, but do you want to come to my place. Just till you want to go home?" he asked cautiously.

Aria smiled really big. "Yes please!" she exclaimed. Ezra stood up before helping Aria up.

They got in the car and drove the short drive to Ezra's apartment.

•••••

"This is a nice place" Aria said softly looking around the small apartment.

Ezra smiled "It's not perfect but it's home" he said looking up.

"Sit! Sit!" Ezra said gesturing at the sofa. Aria smiled and sat down. Ezra sat across from her.

"Sooooo…" Aria said awkwardly.

"Uh. So um. Tell me about yourself… if you want….?" Ezra suggested.

Aria nodded and looked up to the ceiling "Well uh. My mum is a teacher and my dad works at Hollis. We live in a beautiful house and I have my own library." Aria lied.

"I have a little sister called Sam and three cats; Buster, Lily nd Curly. Curly as in Curly from Of Mice and Men'."

Ezra nodded. "That sounds great" Ezra said hurt in his voice which didn't go unnoticed by Aria.

"What is it?" she asked.

Ezra shook his head. "To be honest my life isn't that great. My dad died when I was 14 and it made my mom depressed. He doesn't come out of her room often even now 13 years later!"

"Oh. Ezra I'm so sorry" Aria said tears brimming in her eyes. Ezra looked at her and saw he crying

"Oh! Aria I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you cry!" Ezra exclaimed rushing to her.

Aria shook her head and wiped away her tears "It's fine" she reassured him.

Aria looked to the floor as Ezra wrapped his arm around her. "You are so beautiful" He whispered.

Aria sat boot upright staring at Ezra. "Oh. Uh. Crap. It… uh…" Ezra stammered.

Aria laughed a delicate laugh "Ezra. It's fine" she said before leaning closer to his face. "Show me how beautiful you think I am" she said softly.

Ezra leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to hers and they shared a blissful moment, no worries, no past and no future they were just there.

•••••

Aria's forehead creased and she started to toss and turn. Sweat dripped slowly down her creased brow as her face convulsed with fear.

"No" Aria said softly. "Stop it!"

Ezra gently shook her awake. "Aria. It's okay" Ezra cooed as she slowly sat up.

She rubbed her hazel eyes and looked up at Ezra.

"What happened?" she asked.

"I think you were having a nightmare" Ezra said softly. "Are you okay now?" he asked.

Aria nodded and leaned against Ezra's chest. He kissed her forehead and rubbed her back lulling her into sleep.

A/N: Thank you for reading. Please review and give me any suggestions you have.