Aria's POV

The flight back to Rosewood didn't take long enough. Before I knew it, the plane was landing. I didn't want to have to face my parents just yet. I know it was a short trip, but it was a much needed one. We needed to get away from people for a coulple days and just enjoy being together. The drive from the airport back to my house also passed by too quickly. Ezra was driving with one hand on the wheel, and the other one gripping mine firmly. I could tell he was nervous about taking me home. He probably felt like my parents were going to blame him for just taking off instead of me. The last thing I wanted was for him to be blamed. It was my idea, and my fault. I watched nervously as he turned onto my street and pulled up next to my house. I squeezed his hand reassuringly before turning to get out of the car. We both got out, and hand in hand started walking towards the front door. We were halfway up the driveway when my parents rushed out to meet us. My mother, who was first out the door, had a look of relief on her face. But now that she saw I had made it home safe, her relief quickly changed to anger.

"Aria, go inside. Your father and I need to speak with Ezra."

"Mom, I told you. This was my idea, not his."

"I don't care whose idea it was, I told you we would discuss it when you got home. Now go inside, we will be in in a minute."

"Ezra-" I said looking up at him, begging him to do something.

"Aria" my dad said finally speaking up. "listen to your mother! Go inside. Now."

Ezra squeezed my hand reassuringly, just like I had done for him in the car. He gave me a little nod letting me know it would be ok. Knowing that it was the end of the discussion, I dropped his hand and started running towards the house, already feeling the tears well up in my eyes. It wasn't until I was upstairs in my room that I let them fall. They were tears of anger. Why was I so angry with my parents? I didn't know for sure what they were going to say to him. Maybe they just wanted to thank him for returning me home safely. But why wouldn't they be able to say that in front of me? Oh, who was I kidding. They were going to tell him he couldn't see me anymore. Why was I so stupid? I knew the consequences of leaving, but I did it anyways. I guess I didn't think it would actually happen. Or realize that it would hurt this much.

Ezra's POV

When Aria's parents came out of the house, I didn't know what to expect. Ella didn't look angry at first, but she did by the time she reached us. Byron kept a straight face and I couldn't tell what he was thinking. I was trying hard not to think about what was about to happen. I couldn't even try to imagine my life without Aria. I need her. And even more than that, she needed me.

"Ezra-" she pleaded, staring up at me with those beautiful brown eyes that I loved so much. I squeezed her hand and gave her a slight nod. I wanted to comfort her and tell her that everything would be ok, but I couldn't find the words. That's when Byron spoke up. I heard him say something to her in a loud, angry tone. Before I knew it, she had dropped my hand and was running towards the house. I watched her go as the tears started forming in my eyes. I couldn't bear the thought that this might be the last time I saw her, at least the last time for a while. Any length of time away from her would be too long.

"Ezra" I heard Ella say, breaking me away from my thoughts. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again. It is very obvious that you care about my daughter."

"I do" I managed to say.

"Which is why we can't stop you from seeing her." said Byron.

"Well, not completely." Ella added. " But things are going to be different for a while. Aria's obviously grounded, but we haven't decided for how long yet."

"What we have decided is that we will allow you to come over for dinner one night a week so you can see each other." Byron said.

I didn't know what to say. I must have looked like I went into shock. I wasn't fully convinced that I hadn't.

"We figured that she will still get to see her other friends at school, so it would only be fair to let her see you too. Plus, I think she is very dependent on you and it would only make her worse if she couldn't see you at all."

I still wasn't sure what to say.

"Well, thank you." I said, then turned to start back to my car.

"Ezra wait." Ella said. I turned back around and she pulled me into a hug. "Thank you. I'm really glad that Aria has you in her life right now. What you two did was really stupid, but I'm not mad at you. She just needs to learn a lesson somehow, right?" she said, laughing now.

"Yeah, I guess." I chuckled back. "I really appreciate it Ella." With that, I went back to my car and started driving off towards my apartment building.

Aria's POV

Later that night, I was lying awake in my bed. I couldn't stop replaying everything that had happened over in my mind. I couldn't even believe how stupid I had been. If I would have just asked my mom first, she would have said no, and maybe I'd be at Ezra's right now. But no, I was grounded. Was it really worth it for a day and a half alone with him in Miami? I wasn't even sure anymore. At least my parents decided to only ground me for one month instead of two. I just wish I could hear his voice, or at least text him.

Aria,

We'll make it through this, I promise. It will go by quicker than you think. Stay strong. I love you with all my heart. –Ezra

This was the last text I had received from him. The words that I would be playing over and over in my mind until I saw him again.

Sorry about the bad ending. I promised a couple people an update tonight and it's getting late. I hope you liked it though! R&R! 3