Aria got home just in the nick of time. Her phone read 6:57 when she entered her home. As she walked through the door she could smell dinner and hear the distant chatter of her parents. She walked into the kitchen, smiling softly at her mom and dad. "Hey, I'm here." Aria stated. Ella and Byron nodded and Aria made her way upstairs. She sat on her bed and pulled out her phone, texting Ezra telling him she was home. Twenty minutes had passed and there was still no response from Ezra, which was strange for him. Especially since his replies were almost automatic. She shook it off, and got in the shower.
Ezra looked at his screen. What was his ex-fiancé doing IMing him? They hadn't talked in months, why the sudden interest? Ezra suddenly felt sick. Aria didn't know about her. It wasn't like he was purposely keeping Jackie from Aria. It's just it never came up in conversation, and he didn't put things that didn't work out on the chopping block. Ezra debated telling Aria about her now that she was making her presence known. Ezra eventually decided against it, knowing how Aria reacted to things. The sound of Ezra's phone vibrating interrupted him from his thoughts, his screen read a message from Aria. "Hey Baby! Home and missing you. I love you. Do you want to do something tomorrow? Maybe Spencer or Em can cover for me?" Ezra sighed. He would love to hang out; he would love to text her back. But Aria knew him like a book and she could always tell when he was keeping things, he just couldn't risk it. Ezra took the cowardly way out and placed his phone on the coffee table, flicked on the news, and laid on the couch, leaving himself to his thoughts.
Sunday passed by slowly and without meaning. Ezra never had texted Aria back. Aria was beginning to think she did something wrong. Had she scared him talking about their future? Trying to further their relationship? Aria frowned. She lay in her bed, eating a bowl of "Chunky Monkey", watching "The Proposal." Aria planned to go to school early tomorrow and talk to Ezra. The night came to an end and Aria went to bed, preparing for the morning to come.
Aria got ready for school, making sure to look extra nice this morning. She pulled on dark-wash jeans, a long-sleeved lacy shirt, and black pumps. She did her usual make up and lightly curled her hair. She left early telling her mother she needed to help Hanna with an English assignment and was on her way. As she approached the school she couldn't help but feel uneasy. Saturday had gone so well, to her at least, and she couldn't seem to fathom the lack of communicating. She walked into the school and into the direction of her favorite teacher's room. As she got to the door, she took a deep breath and knocked on the door twice before entering the room. Ezra looked up. "Hi", Aria said dragging it out. "I was wondering why you never responded the other night?" Aria asked trying to not sound like she had been concerned since the text was sent. Ezra looked up with a solemn look on his face. "Look, I'm sorry, I just, I've had a lot on my mind. You know?" Aria looked frightened and concerned. "Are you alright? Are you okay?" Ezra chuckled. "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm sorry; do you wanna come by the apartment tonight?" Aria smiled, agreeing. "Yeah, of course! Right after school?" Ezra nodded, confirming. Aria left and headed to her locker gathering her books for the day. The day passed by slowly and Aria couldn't wait for the final bell to ring.
The day dragged by slowly and when the final bell finally rang at 2:30 Aria was placed with two new feelings; fear and anxiety. Aria hadn't helped but notice that Ezra was uncomfortable and seemed to be keeping something for her. Regardless of the cause, Ezra wasn't acting like himself. Instead he was acting squemish and guilty. She sighed and pulled out her phone texting Ezra to make sure the plans to meet up were still in place. He responded instantaneously saying that of course the plans were still a go and to head to his apartment.
Aria quickly walked to her car and drove the oh-so-familiar route to Ezra's apartment. She looked at her cell phone as she pulled in front of his apartment building. It was only 3:10. Ezra shouldn't be home for about fifteen minutes, so she figured she'd head in as usual, as Ezra had given her a key. She exited her car, shutting the door, and headed up the steps to get to her favorite apartment 3B. As she reached the door she looked down the hallway to make sure noone was around and let herself in. She went in and sat on the couch and leaned against the blanket that was tossed across the back of the couch. She inhaled and smiled breathing in the scent that was purley Ezra Fitz.
Aria could feel herself growing tired and figured she'd take a quick nap until Ezra came home. As she was about to be lulled into a state of unconsciousness she heard Ezra's phone ring. Aria didn't bother getting up to answer it as it was Ezra's home phone but she sat at full attention when she heard a female's voice, presumingly Ezra's age voice come onto the answering machine. "Hey Z.. I was just wondering why you never got around to answering me the other night..I was wondering if you wanted to grab a coffee or, you know, something. Gimmie a call.. I love you." Aria was in hysterics by the time the mystery girls message had ended. She picked up her purse and opened the door planning to leave when she saw Ezra.