I'm sorry that I didn't update sooner! This has been typed up since I posted chapter two, but as I mentioned in the AN I wanted more reviews…which I didn't actually get. So a big thank you goes out to those who did review, I really appreciate it! But…and I really do hate to do this, if I don't start getting reviews then I am going to assume that people don't like this story and I will stop writing. There is no sense in wasting my time writing if I don't get the feedback I am looking for. So with that being said I hope you like chapter three!

Chapter Three

Monday came to fast for my liking. It was already lunch and I was majorly stressing what I was going to do after school was out. "Aria? You with us?" Spencer asked, waving her hand in front of my face.

"Oh umm yeah, sorry. Guess I just kind of checked out there. What were you saying?"

"We were talking about Jenna. Toby says that they are still waiting for the test results to come back, but there is a good chance she's eligible!" Emily looked uneasy about this, but it was Hannah that spoke up.

"Jenna's scary enough with four senses; can you imagine her with five? What if she comes after us?"

"She still thinks we have Allie's tape though." Emily pointed out.

"Yeah, but we don't! And it will be much easier for her to figure that out if she can see!" Spencer said, her voice a harsh whisper.

"Well maybe if she can see we'll be safe? I mean if she is 'A' maybe she'll lose her taste for revenge?" I suggested hopefully. My remark was met with three incredulous looks and I put my hands up. "Wishful thinking."

The rest of the day went by too quickly for me. I didn't hear a thing that any of my teachers said as I slouched in my seat stressing my after school excursion. The final bell went, loud and demanding, and I slowly packed up my thing and headed to my locker. I was half way there when I saw Jason.

He met my gaze evenly, a friendly smile making its way onto his face as he walked over to me. Before I could do anything he grabbed my books. "How were your tests?" He asked, humor shining in his melodic voice. The sound sent delicious shivers down my spine.

"F-fine." I stuttered out. We reached my locker and I quickly opened it, taking my books and putting them in. Jason looked with interest at my locker door.

"That's a nice photo," He said pointing to the one of Spencer, Hannah, Emily, Alison and I. We were at the beach and all laughing together. It was a nice photo. Jason laughed suddenly and I glanced up at him. "The pink hair," He said, pointing.

"Oh, right." He took a lock of my hair, running it softly through his fingers.

"It suited you. Made you stand out even more." I swallowed harshly, unsure what to say.

"Umm thanks," I settled for. He nodded and I took out my keys. "Look I have an appointment I have to be at, I'll see you around." Jason nodded, letting my hair fall back in place.

"Of course, I'll see you around." Before I knew what was happening Jason swooped down and gave me a lingering kiss on the cheek before he turned and walked away. I have to admit it was nice showing affection in public. I turned to leave my locker and say my mom giving me an approving look. Before she could come tease me about it I ducked down the hallway and rushed to student parking.

The drive to Hollis was awful. I found myself wishing for backed up traffic, or a speeding ticket, even though I was driving slower than the speed limit due to my lack on enthusiasm at what was to come. When the campus finally came into view I let out a heavy sigh. This was it.

I walked to Ezra's office and heard giggling. I listened closely and recognized the sound as Jackie. I bit my lip as I saw the door open and Jackie leaving, tucking in her shirt as she went. Ezra appeared and gave her rear and light smack. Jackie giggled again before walking down the hall and disappearing around the corner.

To say it didn't hurt would be a blatant lie. It did hurt, but who was I to get mad. I had, technically, cheated, even if I didn't want to see it that way. Jason was right after all, if I really didn't want the kiss to happen I would have stopped it. I took a deep breath and walked to his door, which he had closed. I knocked lightly.

"Come in," Came Ezra's response. I let the door swing open and stepped inside, leaving the door ajar. "Aria!" His voice sounded slightly anxious. "I didn't know you were stopping by today. What can I do for you?"

"I just came by to talk…um I saw what just happened, with Jackie." His face closed off, but I could see the guilt swirling in his eyes.

"Aria…" It seemed he didn't know what to say, but then again neither did I.

"Ezra, I'm not mad, maybe a bit hurt, but not mad. I knew this was coming. Well maybe not this specifically, but something. We were losing us. I think it's time to stop living a lie. We fell out of love." I sighed and looked up, meeting his sorrowful gaze.

"You're right." I nodded, knowing that I had to tell him about Jason as well.

"I was coming here to break up, even before I saw Jackie. On Saturday Jason kissed me and I…well I didn't stop him. I could have, should have, but I just let it happen. I have felt retched ever since, and for that I am very sorry. It was never in my intention to cheat."

"I'm not mad. Since we're being honest I guess I should tell you about Jackie. She started showing interest in me a couple weeks ago. I resisted, pushing her away, but the harder I tried, the more she did to capture my attention. She caught me off guard, came to my apartment, and she kissed me. I guess I just went with it. I let it happen, and I'm sorry Aria. I wanted to tell you, I just had no idea how." I nodded, my eyes closed.

"So this is it then. I'm sorry it had to end this way." I stood up and touched his shoulder. "I hope you're happy, really I do. You deserve it." I started to the door when I heard him stand up.

"You too Aria. At that dinner at your parent's house I saw the way he looked at you. I think you guys could be happy together, and I wish you the best of luck." I nodded at him and slipped out the door.

..AJ..

I didn't feel like going back home so I texted Spencer asking if I could come over. She said she was free until six, when she was going for dinner with Toby. I drove quickly to her house glancing at the clock. It was just after four so I had enough time. When I got to Spencer's immaculate house I knocked on the door. Her dad, Peter Hastings, opened the door.

"Hello Aria."

"Hi Mr. Hastings." I smiled at him as he led me into the kitchen.

"She's in her room, go on up." With one last smile I went upstairs to the door I knew was Spencer's. I entered the room without knocking to find Spencer sprawled out on her bed.

"Hey," She greeted me with a smile. The smile faded when she say my expression, which was probably reflected on my mood. I was upset that things with Ezra didn't work out; he was my first love after all. "What's wrong?"

"Ezra and I broke up." I mumbled, walking over to her bed.

"What? Why?" She sounded sympathetic, but also a little relieved. It was no secret that she disapproved heavily of the relationship from the beginning.

"Well him and Jackie have been getting together." Spencer's face turned sour.

"He cheated on you?" She asked, outraged.

"Well technically. But it was over, before it was over. I knew we were growing apart. That's why I didn't stop Jaso-" I quickly snapped my mouth shut.

"What?" She asked sharply. "What did Jason do to you?" I figured keeping such a huge thing from her was bad, so I told her the story. From the dreams, to the kiss, to the breakup. I left very little information out.

Spencer spoke once I was done. "Aria! Jason's a creep! Surely you don't really like him! He may have killed Allie!" Her accusation made me mad.

"You mean like how Toby was the creep that 'may have killed Allie'? If there is one thing I have learned throughout this entire experience it is not to judge someone. I would have thought you of all people would too, considering who you're dating." Spencer looked upset.

"That's differ-" I was getting really mad now.

"Don't say it's different! Don't you dare! It's not different, it is exactly the same, and you know it!" I looked at her clock before speaking again. "You should get ready for your date." With that I left, my mood fouler than when I went in.

I was unlocking my car when I heard an unexpected voice. "Aria, hey!" I turned to see Jason walking towards me, a smile on his face. I sighed, this is not what I needed right now. I had just broken up with my boyfriend and had a fight with Spencer; the last thing I needed to deal with was Jason, the cause for both.

"Hi Jason." I mumbled, avoiding his eyes.

"What are you up to?" He asked conversationally. I mentally scowled.

"Just going home. It's Monday so it's my turn to cook." Great, another thing to my Monday suck. Could this day get any worse?

"Really? Do you think you could give me a ride? Your parents offered to let me come for dinner since my kitchen is getting torn up right now." My day just got worse.

"Sure, hop in." I sighed as I slid in the drivers. Jason sat in the seat next to me, and the car suddenly felt very small. I took a deep breath, but all I could smell was his cologne. It smelt fresh, but kind of spicy. It's hard to explain, but it smelt fantastic.

"So what are you cooking?" He asked softly, his voice washing over me like silk.

"Oh, I'm not sure yet." The menu was the last thing on my mind right now, what with Jason being so close, looking so ruggedly handsome, smelling so good.

"I could help. I mean your parents are letting me eat at your house, it's the least I could do."

"Oh, that's okay. You're the guest, you don't have to cook." I said hastily, trying to find an out. Jason leaned closer to me so he could whisper in my ear.

"I insist."

..AJ..

Dinner was a quiet affair. Mike stayed up in his room like usual, Mom and Dad ate at the other end of the table, quietly talking about their options with Mike. That left me to entertain Jason by myself. I silently groaned in despair.

It was getting increasingly harder to be around him. Now that Ezra and I are not together it didn't feel so wrong. It was easy to forget he was Allie's older brother, since she always used to say we would be cute together. I must have spaced out because soon there was a hand waving in front of my face.

"Aria!" Mom sounded exasperated.

"Sorry, what?" I asked sheepishly.

"I asked if you could drive Jason home, since he doesn't have his car. Your father and I will clean up.

"Oh, um yeah. Sure." Jason stood from his seat and offered me a hand to stand as well. I grudgingly took it, trying to ignore how warm it was, how bit it felt surrounding mine. We walked to the door and I shrugged on a jacket.

The drive was quiet, and Jason didn't seem to mind. I could see him out of the corner of my eye watching me carefully.

"The pictures should be done tomorrow. I haven't seen any of them yet, would you like to stop by and check them out?" Jason asked hopefully. My first reaction was to say no, but I was really curious. I hesitantly nodded.

"Great! If you go to school with your mom I can drive you. I'm going to be there tomorrow for counselling anyways."

"Great." Was all I managed. I parked in front of his house and waited for him to get out. I heard his seat buckle unsnap, but the door never opened. I looked over only to find that his face was close, very close, to mine. Our breaths mingled as he stared into my eyes.

"Thanks for dinner," He whispered. I didn't respond, I was frozen in place. "I'll see you tomorrow." He suddenly backed off and I wanted to smack myself for being upset that he didn't kiss me. This was getting to be too much. How am I falling for him so fast?" "Bye Aria."

"Bye Jason."

Okay, that was chapter three. Hope you liked I, and if you did please leave a review! Seriously I was really disappointed with the last chapter's review number, so let's aim for higher please!