Aria's POV
I wake up in a cold sweat, recollecting the terrible details of last night. I shudder as I think about what Eric would have done to me, had Ezra not been there. Ezra is already in the kitchen when I finally drag myself out of bed. His eye is more bruised and swollen than it was last night.
" Ezra your eye." I say in shock.
" It got worse over night." He replies.
" I'm so sorry, I feel terrible." I say apologetically.
" Don't worry about it." Ezra says sincerely.
" Don't worry about what?" My mom asks as she enters the kitchen.
Ezra and I look at each other, unsure of what to say.
" Ezra, what happened?" My moms asks gesturing at his swollen eye.
" Did you do that Aria?" Mike asks as he enters the kitchen.
" No, of course not." I answer annoyed.
" Then who did this to him?" My mom asks confused.
" Eric Kahn." I mumble nervously.
" Why would Eric hit Ezra?" Mike questions.
" Aria, tell me what's going on now." My mom demands as my dad enters the room.
" Last night Ezra and I went out to dinner after I went shopping with the girls. After we ate I went to the car because Ezra forgot his wallet, and we needed to pay the check. I saw Eric Kahn standing on the street, he had obviously been drinking. Eric started to yell and blame me for his brother's arrest. Before I could do anything he pinned me to the ground." I say with tears running down my face.
" Where the hell were you when all of this was happening?" My dad yells angrily at Ezra.
" Relax, he came outside before Eric could do anything to me. That is how Ezra got his black eye." I explain.
" Thank goodness." My mom says as my dad lets out a sigh of relief.
" Rosewood is not safe for you Aria. There is way to much going on with Alison's case. I want you and Ezra to go back to California as soon as possible." My dad tells me.
" What? I don't want to leave, we just got here." I say whilst more tears begin to fall down my face.
" Your father is right Aria. As much we want you here, it's our job to do our best to protect you." My mother says.
" Can't we just have the police deal with Eric." Mike begs.
" Believe me we will, but there are still people around here that have close ties with Noel." My dad explains.
" I'll go pack." I say and exit the kitchen.
I call Emily, Spencer, and Hanna to tell them a tearful goodbye. We promise to call each other as much as we can, and agree to bond in New York at Hanna's wedding. I look around my empty room one last time. I think about all of the wonderful memories I have had in this room and leave sadly. The drive to the airport is quiet, and very tense. I look out the window, and observe every little detail of the small town I grew up in. So many things have happened here, good and bad. We pull up to the town's small airport and make our way to security. All of my family members hug me lovingly as we say our final goodbyes.
Ezra's POV
While Aria is saying goodbye to Mike and her Mother, Byron pulls me aside.
" What's up?" I ask nervously.
" Promise me you will look out for Aria. I know it doesn't always seem like it, but she is very fragile." Byron says to me.
" I promise I will." I say honestly.
" Thank you." He says and gives my hand a parting shake.
The whole plane ride Aria is silent. I can tell she is hurting, but I want to give her the space she needs. When we finally arrive in California, I drive Aria to her apartment near campus and kiss her goodnight. When I arrive at my apartment I realize it seems lonely without her presence. I climb into bed, wishing Aria was by my side. It's a struggle to fall asleep, but eventually sleep overtakes my exhausted body. A couple of hours later I hear persistent knocking on my door. I drag myself out of bed to see Aria standing outside soaking wet from the rain. Her eyes are red and puffy from crying, and her makeup is smudged all around her face. Even though she is a mess, she has never looked so beautiful to me.
" Ezra." She mumbles and embraces me.
" Aria, what are you doing here?" I ask confused.
" I'm sorry If woke you up. I just really need you." She says timidly.
" It's okay, I need you too." I say and wrap my arms around her.
For the first time, I see the fragile girl her father described to me. Aria is someone who needs to be loved, and nurtured. She has so much love to return, and so much to offer the world.
" Let's get you out of these wet closes." I whisper to her gently.
Aria and I walk into my bedroom hand in hand. She pulls one of my old shirts out of my drawer and puts it on.
" This shirt smells just like you." She says and makes her way to the bed.
I give her a gentile kiss in response.
" I'm sorry that you didn't exactly get the trip you were anticipating." I say to Aria.
" It's okay. I just am feeling homesick and we haven't even been gone twelve hours." She explains.
" I use to feel that way." I tell Aria.
" How did you get over it?" She asks curiously.
" Have you ever heard the expression home is where the heart is?" I ask her.
Aria nods her head in response.
" I found my home that day in the coffee shop when I met you because my heart belongs to you. I feel like as long as I have you by my side, everything will be okay." I explain.
" Even though pieces of my heart belong to my friends and family, a big piece of it belongs to you. You are part of me now, you are my first real love." Aria says in response.
" I hope I can also be your last." I say to Aria.
" You will be, I can't imagine living without you." She says and snuggles closer to me.
" Don't worry, you will never need to." I say in response.
Within a couple of minutes, Aria is sleeping soundly in my arms. I kiss her forehead and fall asleep for the second time that night.
Hello everybody! I'm so sorry I didn't update sooner. I've been traveling across the country for soccer tournaments and life has been very hectic. I hope you all enjoyed this fluffy chapter. Just so you all know, things are going to get very tense in the next couple of chapters. Please review, I really love everyone who does! Have a nice evening.