Chapter 10:
"Morning." Aria said entering Ezra's apartment with coffee and bagels. "I brought breakfast."
Ezra immediately rushed over to her. He had a bandage over his nose. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, worried.
Aria laughed. "Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?" she asked, examining his nose.
"Don't worry about my nose, it'll be fine. What happened yesterday?" he asked, concerned.
Aria shrugged. "I don't know, I just...needed to be alone."
Ezra watched her closely, debating over his response.
"Ezra, I'm fine, really." Aria said, forcing a smile.
Ezra sighed. "Aria, please don't shut me out. If there's anything, anything you need to talk about, I'm here for you."
"GOD! What is with everyone saying that I'm shutting them out! Like, can't a girl just want some time to herself without everyone getting on her case." Aria exploded.
Ezra flinched, surprised. "I didn't mean to-"
"Whatever." Aria snapped. "I'm going to be late for school." she said before walking out.
"Aria, wait." Ezra pleaded, running after her.
Aria turned around.
"Aria, I'm not trying to upset you, It's just that you've been so...distant lately. I'm worried about you." Ezra said, taking her hand.
Aria sighed. "I know, I'm sorry. It's just that everyone's been so protective and clingy ever since...the accident."
"I'm sorry. We've all just been really concerned about you. Aria, the day of the accident, when I saw you in that car I was so scared. I thought I might lose you." Ezra said, his voice cracking. "I was so scared and I just don't want to see you in any more pain."
When he said the last part, Aria's thoughts immediately flew to the marks on her arms. Ezra's hands were so close to her arm and if he knew just what was under the jean jacket she was wearing, he would freak out. Aria tried to push these thoughts out of her mind as she looked up at Ezra, hoping that he couldn't read her expression.
"I love you so much." she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and caressing his cheek with her thumbs. "And I know that you're just trying to help but I just need some time to myself. I'm still trying to adjust to life after everything that happened and there's parts of this that I need to do on my own."
Ezra nodded, pushing a stray lock of hair away from her face. "I understand. Just remember that I'm here for you, okay?"
Aria nodded and smiled. "Always."
*PLL*
Aria sat in English class, texting Hanna who was sitting on the other side of the room.
H.M: Wanna go shopping after skl with me and Em?
A.M: Nah, I think I'll pass. Next time.
H.M: Pls? I need to pick a dress for the dance.
A.M: Idk, I'm not really up for it.
H.M: Do u already hav ur dress?
A.M: Not going to the dance.
H.M: WHY?!
A.M: Busy
H.M: No way, ur going. U hav to.
A.M: Han...
H.M: No, my locker after skl.
"Miss. Marin could you please tell us what the difference between a metaphor and a simile is?" Mrs. Welch asked.
Hanna looked up from her phone. "Um...it's um..." she looked helpless, her cheeks turning red.
"Now if you would stop texting and actually pay attention, maybe you would know the answer." Mrs. Welch said sternly, giving Hanna a look.
"Sorry" Hanna mumbled.
"What about you Miss Montgomery?" Mrs. Welch asked, turning to Aria.
Aria smiled innocently. "A simile is a comparison that uses the words "like" or "as" and a metaphor is just a comparison."
"Very good Miss Montgomery!" Mrs. Welch said, beaming at Aria, who smirked at Hanna.
Hanna rolled her eyes playfully and mouthed "Nerd."
Aria stuck her tongue out at her friend, laughing quietly.
*PLL*
"I can't believe I let you drag me here." Aria said, rolling her eyes as Hanna tried on yet another dress.
"Quit complaining and try this on." Hanna said, handing Aria a short, strapless purple dress.
"But I'm not even going." Aria protested, trying to hide her panic at the fact that the dress didn't have sleeves.
"Yes you are!" Hanna and Emily said in unison.
"Guys, the dance is tomorrow night. I didn't even tell Ezra about it yet, he might already have plans." Aria protested.
"Let me take care of that." Hanna said, pushing Aria into the change room.
"Wait!" Aria shrieked, looking around wildly. "I want that one!" she said, pointing to an ugly brown dress with long sleeves.
Hanna scrunched her nose up. "No way! Come on, please just try the purple one on?"
Emily sensed Aria's discomfort. "Maybe we should look around some more?"
Aria nodded, relieved. "Yeah."
Hanna looked like she was going to protest but then Aria added "If I find a dress I like, I'll go to the dance. Deal?"
Hanna and Emily nodded, smiling.
So the girls began their search for the perfect dress.
*PLL*
"Ezra?" Aria called, looking around the apartment.
"Just a minute." Ezra called from the bathroom.
Aria set down her bags, taking off her coat. After an hour and many dress suggestions from Hanna and Emily, Aria had found a black, full-sleeve dress that Hanna and Emily approved of so she rushed to the cash register and bought it, wanting to just be done with the task. Now she just had to ask Ezra if he was up for the dance. Aria was actually starting to look forward to it. Her shopping trip with Hanna and Emily felt so normal, it had been forever since she'd gone out with her friends and she now realized how much she'd really missed them. She was starting to feel like maybe her life could be somewhat normal again, but she had to try.
Ezra came out of the washroom, his hair wet. "Hey." he said, coming over and giving Aria a kiss on her forehead.
"Hey." she replied smiling as she ran her hand through his wet hair, messing it up.
Ezra smiled. "You're in a good mood."
"Yeah, I went shopping with Han and Em. They were getting dresses for the dance tomorrow night." Aria explained.
Ezra nodded. "Oh yeah, isn't Mike going to be DJ-ing?"
"Yeah, that's all he's been talking about for the past week." Aria said, laughing. "So...I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go to the dance?"
Ezra looked surprised, but he smiled. "Yeah! It'll be fun!"
"Great! I bought a dress with Hanna and Emily, I actually brought it with me." Aria said, gesturing to the bags. "Wanna see it?"
"Do you even need to ask?" Ezra replied, laughing.
Aria grabbed her bag, and, giving Ezra a quick kiss she went to the bathroom to get changed. A few minutes later she called Ezra to come inside. "Could you get the zipper?"
Ezra stepped behind her, zipping the dress up before turning her around so he could look at her.
"Wow!" was all he could manage. It still shocked him how beautiful Aria was. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer and resting his forehead against hers. Aria giggled.
"I take it you like the dress?" Aria asked, smiling.
"The dress is fine, but I prefer the person wearing it." Ezra replied and Aria giggled, blushing.
"Your smile is the most beautiful thing in the world." Ezra murmured before he gently pressed his lips against hers. Aria wrapped her hands around his neck, deepening the kiss. Ever since the accident, Aria had felt unworthy of Ezra's affection and she'd tried to distance herself from him without making it too obvious because she'd felt that it wouldn't be right to leave him like that after everything they'd been through and all he'd done for her. But now Aria couldn't fight the longing for him any longer. She kissed him with all the passion inside her little body. Ezra kissed her back equally as aggressively, pushing her back against the wall as his hands slowly traveled down her body to the hem of her shirt before lifting it over her head. Aria unbuttoned Ezra's shirt, popping a few in her rush to rip his shirt off his body. Ezra picked Aria up, her legs wrapping around his waist, their lips still connected as Ezra carried her to his bed.
*PLL*
Aria woke up the next morning to feel Ezra's lips slowly making their way down her neck and to her bare shoulder. She turned her head so she was looking at Ezra.
"Good morning beautiful." Ezra said, bringing his face up to give her a soft kiss.
"Morning" Aria mumbled sleepily as she yawned, stretching. "What time is it?"
Ezra didn't respond. Aria turned to look at him. Ezra's smile had vanished and had been replaced with a look of pure shock on his now pale face. Aria followed his gaze, her own face turning pale when she realized what Ezra was staring at. Her eyes started to blur with unshed tears as she stared at her bare arm, which had been in full view for Ezra to see when she'd stretched, revealing the angry red marks that she had made just two nights ago.
Oh crap, Ezra knows. Sorry I'm not updating as often as usual, I have all kinds of projects and assignments these days, barely any time to write. I'll try have the next chapter up as soon as I can and for those of you that read "My Saviour" I'm hoping to have the next chapter of that up sometime next week. Review and let me know your thoughts, comments, questions, concerns, anything. I love hearing from you all :)