Chapter 8:

ARIA POV

Life was beginning to get good again. I had began to make a mends with Ezra, and even though it was painfully slow, I was enjoying every minute of falling for him all over again. I found myself anxiously anticipating each English class I had with him, hoping each time that we would re-connect that one bit more.

Of course, I was the one passing the opportunity of being with him again. In my head, I knew I definitely wanted to just go back to where we left off, but my heart told me to take things slow. My mom has always told me to listen to my heart rather than my head, and even if she wasn't aware of the dilemma I was in, I was adamant on taking her advice. Taking things slow was the only way I would be one hundred percent sure that Ezra would learn his lesson. It was the only way he would know that kissing Ms. Anilom was a mistake he will be damned to make again. And of course, it will only make him want me that extra bit more, which is a little bonus for me.

Ms. Anilom was still very much a threat. There was absolutely no denying that she was gorgeous. Her long locks of hair, her tall, perfect physique and her piercing eyes that could capture you in a heart beat were sure to make any man fall for her, and Ezra wasn't an exception.

However, there was something mysterious about her and I couldn't quite put my finger tips on it. Her name, for a starters was unusually strange. Ms. Anilom. I had never heard it before in my life. It sort of resembled a foreign surname, originating from the likes of Sweden , but she was very much an American girl. The other thing that was peculiar about Ms. Anilom was that she just appeared out of nowhere. Normally, when we get a new teacher it's at the beginning of the new school year, but Ms. Anilom had joined the faculty mid-semester. Highly strange if you ask me.

After a week of not talking, Spencer and Hanna finally apologised to me. They admitted that if in my situation, they would have responded the same way. And although they made it quite clear that they would never be in my situation, I forgave them. Emily was a great friend, but I needed the full crew by my side at all times.

As I sat on the window ledge in my room, looking out at the clear, starry skies, I thought about my life over the past year. I had gone from losing one of my best friends, to meeting someone who was inappropriately very special to me. From being kidnapped and almost murdered in Italy to being saved by my version of superman. From experiencing the anguish of being cheated on, to the desperation to forgive the person who had caused so much pain. My life was most definitely a rollercoaster, and I prayed that the loop the loops were finally coming to a stop.

I loved to reside alone in my room sometimes. Looking out at the black skies on a warm night like this was definitely something I would add to my list of hobbies. It was easy to imagine things from this perspective. However my gazing was soon interrupted by my cell phone ringing.

I stood up, walked over to my beside locker and picked up my phone. 'EF calling' were the words visible on the screen of my iPhone 4. Ezra hadn't called in weeks, but it would be a lie to say that I wasn't delighted he called.

"Hello?" I hesitantly said after answering the phone.

"Aria?" a voice called. It was evidently Ezra's voice.

"Ezra?" I whispered, knowing my parents were right down stairs.

"How did you know it was me?" he asked, laughing half heartedly.

"I still have your number!"

"Oh so you didn't delete it?" He sounded delighted.

"Of course not." I flirted, still wondering why he was calling me. "So how can I help you Mr. Fitz?"

"Aria!" He sighed. "Don't call me Mr. Fitz."

"Fine. How can I help you Mr. Fritz?" I laughed a little bit too much, making myself snort. Thankfully he laughed too at the anecdote referring to Mona.

"What's that I hear?" Ezra asked after the sound of pebbles belting off my window had just begun. I walked over, gazed out my window and saw him attempting to aim small stones at the rather large frame.

"You're in my garden?"

"Yes I am." he said and waved. I slowly waved back, shocked to see him.

"Bu- but my parents are right down stairs." Although I did find this incredibly romantic, I was scared stiff less at the thought of them seeing him.

"Aria, we spend way too much time worrying about the little things that will probably never happen. Come down to me."

"I'm in my pyjamas." I told him, ready to do a quick change over any minute.

"You're beautiful. Now get you're cute little ass down here. I'll wait at the top of the road for you." Before I could respond, he hung up and I had no other option but to meet his request.

I definitely felt like I was in a movie now. I used my escape skills from when I was a little girl to discretely climb out my window. Still in my pyjamas, I skipped down to the top of the road. I then saw him standing there. His messy hair, navy Canterbury baggy tracksuit bottoms and pink American Eagle t-shirt reminded me of one of the reasons I loved this guy.

"You look good." I told him, even though I didn't mean for the words to come out.

"So do you." He replied and gave me that wink that I was ever so fond of.

"Ezra, I'm in my pyjamas. I hardly look good." He paused, and the sound of crickets echoed our surroundings.

"When you're in love with someone this much, you look past the raggy clothes and the knotted hair. You see the beauty inside before the anything else." Wow was all I could think. Ezra really did have a way with words.

"Ezra, this doesn't mean -"

"I know" He finished the sentence for me. "I know we're nothing right now and I know I have possibly ruined the greatest relationship I have ever been in, but let me at least show you how much I regret what I did." Why did I have to listen to my heart?

"Can I lead you the way?" He asked me politely. I hesitated, but eventually put my hand out for him to grab.

"Of course you can." I said and smiled.

Ezra walked me down to the park which was not so far from my house. Upon entering, I saw that the pathway was lit up with white, fairy lights, clearly outlining the direction we were meant to follow.

"Ezra!" I said, shocked. "Did you do this? It is so beautiful!"

"Come on." He said, leading me further down the path way. There wasn't one person in the park, and each bit of pathway was lit up with lights. I was a sucker for a love story, and this definitely exceeded my dream expectations.

We then arrived at the famous arc that was in Rosewood Park. It was normally a dull lot of four pillars holding up an old arch, but this too was covered in fairy lights.

"Oh my god!" These were the only words that could come out of my mouth. My heart had just changed it's opinion.

"Do you like it?" he asked, letting go of my hand to walk over to the iPod speakers.

"Like it? I love it! Why did you do this?"

"I just wanted to make up for what I did to you. I have never felt worse over anything in my entire life, and it made me realise just how much I want to be with you." I was certain now, I did want to be with him. My heart agreed.

He pressed play on his iPod and 'Just a kiss' by Lady Antebellum began to play.

"This is perfect." I told him, slowly walking over to sit beside him.

"I'm sorry Aria." He once again told me.

"I know you are." I smiled. "I think I forgive you."

He stared at me intensely while I did the same. I leaned in closer and let our lips touch. Our heads bashed, our lips met and our tongues intertwined. I had never been in such a beautiful moment before.

"Are you sure you want to this? Are you sure you want to forgive me?" He asked, but I replied with no hesitation.

"I'm sure." I smiled and kissed him passionately again. "I don't know any guy who would go through this much trouble to say sorry."

"I love you so much." He told me, and I was more than sure that he meant it.

"I love you too." I replied, kissing him like there was no tomorrow. I loved him so much.

A/N… REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! Did you guys like this chapter? It was so darn cute wasn't it. I got so little reviews on my last chapter that I had no inspiration to write this chapter but now that it's written I hope you enjoy. Lot's of Ezria fluff in there because I think I have tortured you guys enough in the last few chapters. Let me know what you thought. Thanks for reading.

I have a very busy two weeks ahead of me. I am dancing in the World Championships this week and then I am going to Italy on Sunday. (I'm going to Bologna, the ice cream bar). So hopefully between all that and study I'll get time to write some more. REVIEW PLEASE! Drama is on it's way. Much love, Becky x