Chapter Three - One New Message!

It felt wrong to lie to Ezra, but it also felt wrong being there. Aria sat in here car for a while a few blocks away to just think. Why did Noel have to show up there she thought... maybe she would've been able to listen to Ezra if he hadn't, she felt terrible for leaving him there after what he said but part of her had no feelings to the matter. What am I doing? What's wrong with me? Questions kept filling her mind, but she pushed them away. I'm going to the Kahn party tonight and I'm going to get to the bottom of my feelings she thought out loud. Aria put the car in drive and headed to Hanna's house. When she got there Hanna and Emily were watching a show on tv, she couldn't make out what it was but they turned it off when she walked in and looked at her.

"Soooo..." Hanna spoke first "How did it go?"

"What?" Aria asked kind of confused.

"How did he take it, you know... when you broke up with him?"

"Who?" Aria was really confused now.

"Ezra!" she exclaimed.

"I didn't break up with him Hanna!"

"Why not?" she quesioned.

"Why would I?"

"Ummm duh! Ezra was a total ass to you yesterday and then Noel come riding in on his white horse!" she explained getting way too worked up.

"No... Noel is nice, but I love Ezra, remember?"

"It sounds like your trying to remind yourself Aria, not us..." Emily said truthfully.

Aria didn't know what to say at that point, she just stood there silent. Did it really sound as if she wanted to convince herself she still loved Ezra? If she didn't love him anymore, when did her feelings for him change? Was it because of Noel or was it because their relationship had just been too rocky and just simply not working? I have to solve this she thought, and she pulled out her phone.

I'm sorry Ezra, but I just need a break, I think it's best for both of us until we figure out or relationship and I figure out what I want. -Aria

I don't understand... I thought everything was fine? Is something else going on Aria? - Ezra

Aria didn't want to tell him about Noel now, she just wanted to find out what was going on with her heart and her head first. Tonight she was gonna forget all about Ezra and focus on Noel, she wasn't gonna drink tonight. If she still had feelings for Noel when she was sober then maybe there was something there.

"Just give Noel a chance Aria! He's so hoooottt" Hanna said, interrupting her thoughts.

"You know what Hanna? I am!" Aria exclaimed with a smile.

The next few hours went by pretty fast. Hanna wouldn't shut up about what she should say to Noel, none of it was advice Aria was gonna take. The majority of it was take a pole dancing class, wear only your bra to the party, a really short skirt would get him or she would pick out clothes that made her look like a stripper. Aria knew she didn't have to try with Noel, he already liked her and wanted her, Noel was the one who needed to woo her. Aria just nodded at everything Hanna said to make her feel good, the more Hanna talked the more Aria wished Spencer was here to tell Hanna she was being crazy, Spencer was good at that. Spencer just had to be off looking at colleges, it was the summer for Christs sake, she should be here with us. Aria then realized it was Spencer she was talking about, Spencer was born with college pamphlets in her hand. It was only their junior year and she was checking out colleges, whatever makes her happy Aria thought watching Hanna switch to torturing Emily with clothing and tips on girls. What did Hanna know about dating girls? Aria gave Emily a sympathetic look and Emily gave her a thank you but that doesn't really help me look. I know how you feel Aria thought as she finished her make up.

"Are you ready yet?" Aria asked, directing the question to Hanna "I think Emily is ready"

"I don't know, I just think she needs a little extra, you know?"

"No, I don't know" Aria and Emily both said at the same time.

"Fine, I guess I'm done with dress up then" Hanna groaned.

"Thank god" Emily breathed gratefully.

"Lets just go guys, it's already 9:30" Aria mentioned.

"Your right Aria! We might miss something!" Hanna exclaimed as she grabbed her bag and phone and then proceeded to push Emily and Aria down stairs and out the front door.

Once they got in the car Hanna continued to talk about Noel and Aria, she kept asking questions like "Is he a good kisser", "Don't you think you guys would make cute babies" and "Did he feel you up". Aria just sat in the passenger seat and watched the trees pass. Yes, Noel was a good kisser. Yes, our babies probably would be beautiful if it came down to it, they had good genes. No, he did not feel her up. As Hanna asked she would answer, but only in her head. Would he kiss me again she thought? or would she have to make the first move to get to the bottom of her feelings? Aria decided quickly that she would play hard to get, I'm not going to look for him, he has to come to me, I'm not gonna kiss him first either she promised herself as they parked in the front yard of the Kahn's house. Noel was right they were having a party tonight, it seemed even bigger than last night and it wasn't even past midnight when most of his brother's friends would show up from colleges. As they all got out of the car, Aria noticed her brother Mike. Why is he here? I know he's friends with Noel but her my parents have been watching him like a hawk since they caught him stealing and smoking last week. I don't need him to see me with Noel, he always liked us together she thought, Noel was his friend. I couldn't hide from Noel last night so I probably can't hide from Mike tonight, even with all these people. Okay, Aria said to herself as they walked through the door, no alcohol, don't kiss him first and don't look for him. Noel will come find me she told herself, right? Hanna pulled her out of her thoughts, she pulled her into all the people.

"I love this song!" Hanna yelled. It was "Sexy Bitch" by Akon, the beat in it was great.

It didn't take long for guys to start dancing with them, a guy Aria knew from her third period last year started dancing with Hanna. Anyone that got too close to Aria she pulled away, she didn't wanna dance with any of these guys unless they were Noel Kahn. Where was he? It took him five minutes to find her last night. Was it really just the alcohol talking when he said those things to her last night? No... she thought, he was flirting at the Grille today.

Aria started to worry as more and more time passed, did he find another girl? One that wasn't taken by an English teacher? She checked her phone over and over for a call or a message but she didn't have anything new. This is terrible she thought, turning around to find Hanna, who was apparently gone, along with Emily. Yeah guys I'm fine go have fun she said to them in her head as she walked for the door. When she got outside she looked at her phone one last time. One new message!

Hey Finland, come to my room? I'm not feeling this party tonight - Noel