A/N: Aria has a lot she needs to figure out and hard choices she has to make. Maybe the other Liars will help her with that, or maybe not.

Chapter 5

"Aria, earth to Aria. I've lost her again, guys." Hanna waved her hand in front of Aria's face at the same moment Spencer slammed her locker. Aria jumped and shoved Hanna's hand away. She looked around at her friends, they were all staring at her. "What is wrong, sweetie? You can't stay with us for more than a few sentences. Are we that boring?" Hanna's voice was a blend of annoyance, concern, and teasing. Aria knew she was right. She gave her friends an apologetic look.

"No, Hanna, none of you are boring, you know that. I'm sorry, guys. I've been spacey all day, trust me, several teachers are more annoyed with me than you are. I probably just didn't sleep well. I'll do better." Emily and Spencer spoke at the same time.

"You were fine in first period," overlapped with "Are you having the nightmares, again?" Both girls apologized to the other, and Emily insisted that Spencer go first.

"You were ok during English; did something happen after that? Is there something specific your mind keeps going back to?" Spencer was always one to get to the point as quickly as possible. If there's a problem, identify the source, analyze possible courses of action, pick a plan, execute it, boom! problem solved. Aria appreciated her clear, straight forward thinking, she helped Aria to see past the emotions and the doubts. But this was not that kind of a problem, and Aria couldn't explain it to her friends, even had she wanted to.

"What I think happened after English is my coffee wore off. And no, there isn't one specific thing on my mind. If anything, it's like my mind is searching for a specific thing to focus on." She thought about Ezra's hair, his voice, his scent. Her mind kept going back to the visions, the electricity, the head-spinning attraction. She was distracted by her feelings, Ezra's feelings, and Jason's feelings. So, there wasn't one specific thing, there were dozens of specific things. Spencer did not look satisfied. Maybe she didn't believe Aria, or maybe she thought she could help Aria push through to the real answer. Either way, Aria knew that Spencer would not be letting this go.

"Are you having the nightmares again?" Emily's question was sweet and caring. Aria didn't have to hide her answer to this, she genuinely didn't have one.

"I don't know. If I am, I'm not remembering them, but I do still wake-up every once in a while, in a cold sweat." Aria told her friends about the nightmares when they'd gotten really bad, a few years before. She'd woken up screaming while at Hanna's for a sleepover. Not even Alison teased her about it. They said they'd never seen Aria look so scared.

"Well, you never really remembered them, right?" Emily pressed. Actually, Aria remembered them quite clearly, but she couldn't discuss the details with anyone outside of the pack, so she told the girls she was just left with feelings and impressions. Aria accepted that she had to hide things from the girls for everyone's safety, but she hated lying to them.

"True, but I was always sure whether or not I was having them." Aria should just say that the nightmares were back and that was why she was tired/spacey. But part of her worried that saying she was having them meant she would have them. Aria would tell many, many lies to her friends to avoid that. Aria had nightmares that were similar to those of countless Wolves. She dreamt about being captured, being held prisoner in a pitch-black cavern or chamber. Sometimes she was a wolf, sometimes a human. When she was human she was always naked and freezing. A terrifying and burly man would appear once in a great while. He was the only thing in the dreams that Aria could actually see. He was built like a bear and his face was so scarred it looked like he wrestled bears too. He knew what Aria was and wasn't at all afraid of her. He would chain her, beat her, and taunt her. No one ever came to her rescue, she never escaped, and each time it felt like it was never going to end. There was no way Aria was going to do anything that might bring them back. Emily wrapped her arms around Aria's shoulders, much like Aria had done with her that morning, and gave her a comforting squeeze.

"Uuuggghhh! Can we please stop talking about nightmares? We, ladies, have a genuine dreamboat to discuss." Hanna nodded, as if agreeing with her own statement. Even knowing who Hanna meant and wanting to avoid the topic as long as possible, Aria laughed. Hanna could lighten up any situation. "So, my mom is having book club at our house, tonight. Not only did she say I couldn't have you guys over, she made it clear she'd prefer I stay with one of you. I think they're reading Fifty Shades, or something. I guess she's afraid all the sex talk might give me ideas."

"Ideas? You refused to read the second and third books because the first one was 'wildly inaccurate'." Aria loved that memory because it was one of the few times that Hanna spoke like Spencer, showing she was an expert in the subject.

"And in twenty years, I would love for you to tell my mother that story, but for tonight, can we go to your house? Your mom will be chugging wine and getting 50 Shades of raunchy with my mom." Aria's mouth dropped, and she choked out a laugh at Hanna's characterization of their moms' book club. Having played taxi for several ladies, several times, Aria couldn't argue.

"I'm sorry, my house is out, too. Mike is pretty sick and he's impossible to deal with when he's sick." The girls knew that Emily's mom didn't let her have friends stay over on school nights, so everyone turned to face Spencer. Spencer sighed but she nodded.

"Yeah, we can go to my house. My mom took Melissa to New York for a spa getaway, and my dad won't care." The girls rolled their eyes at "spa getaway".

"And why does the princess deserve pampering, this time?" It was evidence of how much Hanna disliked Melissa that she begrudged her spa treatments. Hanna thought they should be included in standard health care plans. Aria knew Spencer appreciated her friends' support, especially against the bitchiest big sister known to man.

"It's the anniversary of Ian skipping town after he was caught screwing Ali. Personally, I wouldn't draw attention to such a humiliating event, but I guess that's why I don't get the spa getaways." Hanna hugged Spencer, then pulled her towards the parking lot. Aria and Emily trailed behind, but before any of them reached the door, they heard a male voice calling from down the hall.

"Aria! Aria, wait up!" The girls turned around and waited as Toby Cavanaugh sprinted down the hall to them. Aria smiled brightly, she hadn't seen much of Toby, lately. He was carrying a large tube, like architects use. He reached the friends and held it out to Aria.

"Hey, Toby! Whatcha got there?" Toby twisted the tube and shrugged his shoulders.

"My dad was supposed to bring it to your house tonight, but my step-mom wants to go into the city. So, you and I get to play messenger service." Aria grinned and took the tube. She caught Toby glancing over her shoulder and knew he was looking at Spencer. Aria didn't understand why he didn't just ask Spencer out. Aria was pretty sure she'd say yes.

"Does my dad know about the change of plans, or do I need to tell him?" Toby didn't answer immediately, too busy trading glances with Spencer, and Aria wondered if she should repeat the question. But then he looked right at her and answered.

"My dad emailed him. Apparently, they're getting together this weekend, instead. Well, I should take off. Jenna's car is in the shop and I'm her ride home." Toby looked uncomfortable when he mentioned Jenna's name.

"I swear, Toby, you are a saint. Your step-sister treats you like you're her lapdog." Aria knew the comment would dig at him, but she was tired of that bitch walking all over her friend. Toby grimaced at the comparison.

"Don't worry, Aria. I won't let her put a leash on me. I'll talk to you later. Bye ladies, bye, Spencer." Toby turned and ran before he could hear whether or not Spencer responded. Aria, however, heard her whisper his name. Maybe she should push Toby to ask her out. Or push Spencer to ask Toby out. She wanted to see both of her friends happy, especially if it meant getting him away from Jenna Marshall.

An hour later, all 4 girls had snacks and beverages and were comfortably lounging in Spencer's family room. Spencer was certain her dad wouldn't be home till late, so they didn't have to hide away in Spencer's room to talk privately. The girls were shooting the breeze, talking about nothing consequential, until Hanna rapped on the sofa table with her shoe. Spencer shot her a disapproving look and Hanna made sure the shoe hadn't made a mark on the table.

"I vote we begin our discussion about the hottest teacher I have ever seen, one Mr. Fitz. Initial impressions: I wanted him to spend the whole class writing on the board so I could keep staring at that incredible butt. Spencer?" Spencer smirked but played along. Even Hanna knew that Hanna was the only one that really wanted this teacher evaluation, but she was always there to support whatever the other three wanted, so they were, mostly, happy to do it.

"My first impression of him was that he was very young, and way better looking than a teacher has any right to be." All the girls nodded in agreement. Aria didn't want to play this game. She had no idea if she could remain calm and blush free, discussing Ezra. Mmm, Ezra.

"The first thing that I noticed was his outfit." Emily threw out that comment and everyone turned to her in surprise. Hanna said what they were all thinking.

"Since when do you notice clothing? Especially clothing that a guy is wearing?" Emily tilted her head and looked at her friends, challengingly.

"Since our new teacher came in wearing the same thing Aria is." Aria's eyes went wide, and she struggled to look like she didn't know exactly what Emily meant. Clearly, Spencer and Hanna really didn't know what she meant. "Mr. Fitz was wearing gray slacks and a gray vest. Aria is wearing gray pants." She paused and Spencer and Hanna did not get it.

"They both had gray on? So, what? Everybody wears gray all the time." Hanna didn't understand that Emily was creating suspense, but Aria did. She was just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Sure, but how many people pair gray with lavender shirts? Because, Aria's top is the exact same color as Mr. Fitz's shirt." Aria should chime in, she should act surprised, at least. Instead, she started to blush, and she pretended she wasn't in the room.

"Aria! You're blushing! I guess she noticed it too, Emily. Did you and Mr. Fitz coordinate ahead of time?" Hanna would strangle as much amusement from the situation as she could. Aria had taken worse ribbing from her about Jason. She could handle it.

"Of course! We had a mani/pedi party and braided each other's hair. We thought matching outfits would be so cute!" Emily and Hanna laughed, but Spencer stayed quiet. She looked like she was thinking, which was not likely to be good news for Aria.

"Ok, well fashion twins aside, what was your first impression of Mr. Fitz?" Hanna wanted to get things back on track, but Aria was flustered and wasn't able to come up with an acceptable response.

"I…I…I don't know. He's fine, I guess." Hanna looked at her, disbelief painted across her face.

"He's fine. Fine like, 'Sure, Mom, meatloaf for dinner is fine'? Or fine like a fine wine, fine crystal, or his oh-so-fine body?" Aria's heart sped up as she saw that "oh-so-fine body" naked and tangled up with hers. Hanna crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Aria. Why did she look offended? She wanted Aria to be attracted to Ezra? No problem, but Aria couldn't admit to that.

"Hanna, what do you want from me? I don't pay attention to how guys look, I have a boyfriend." Hanna's expression told Aria that she would have to do better than that. Emily told Aria in words.

"Aria, I have a girlfriend, but I can tell you Mr. Fitz is gorgeous! You didn't notice his blue eyes, his silky curls, that strong jawline. Not to mention, that smile! I saw him smile directly at you, there is no way you didn't think it was amazing. Why are you having such a problem with this? I mean, it's not like we're going to tell Jason anything you say."

Aria wanted to scream. Emily's description of Ezra was enough to make her mouth water. She felt angry and possessive, jealous, frustrated, scared, and driven to distraction by images (memories?) of torrid, orgasmic sex with this incredible man that she had just met! "OK!" Aria's voice came out so loud she was almost yelling. The volume and vehemence caught her three friends by surprise. "You're right! Ezra is ridiculously good looking. Happy?" Aria tried to breathe and calm herself down. She should never have come over for this stupid discussion. She had no idea it would be that hard to act normally. Hanna, Emily and Spencer were exchanging looks and looking at Aria as if she was crazy. Today, she felt crazy. She prepared herself to apologize, but Spencer asked her a question that made the apology evaporate from her mind.

"Aria, how do know Mr. Fitz's first name?" What? She didn't…she did. She called him Ezra, again. Maybe all of her crystals were broken, because she certainly didn't feel balanced, or centered, or calm. She looked at her friends, they were all waiting for an answer. Spencer hated waiting, so she came digging for the answer. "Did he tell you when he asked you to stay after? Why did he want to talk to you alone?" Now the girls looked at Spencer like she was crazy. Her tone of voice had been unsettling. Aria felt like Spencer was about to pull out a doll, so Aria could tell her where the bad man touched her. Luckily, Aria had planned an explanation for Ezra wanting to talk to her.

"Ok, Spence, wherever your mind is headed, make a U-turn. I found out Mr. Fitz's name because he had some of his hiring paperwork on the desk. Ezra Fitz was written prominently across the top. It's an unusual name, it suits him, and I like it. He didn't tell me his first name, he didn't tell me to call him by his first name. What he did tell me was that Mrs. Mulligan mentioned to him that I was interested in starting a modern lit. club. He wanted to know what I had in mind, and how much work I was willing to do to make it happen, because his workload is going to be crazy trying to get up to speed. That's all." Aria had to squash any idea that Ezra had been inappropriate with her. Even a hint of a rumor like that could make his life hell.

"Well, in that case, there's really only one other explanation for how you're acting." Spencer's serious face dissolved into a teasing smirk. "You have a serious crush on our English teacher."

I don't know if you have ever experienced your friends teasing you mercilessly. Even if it isn't as momentous a topic as Ezra is for Aria, it can still be tough to handle. And, yes, Toby is a Wolf, and there will be a storyline of a possible Spoby romance. But, Spencer knows nothing, how will that work? No, Jenna isn't blind, let's just say that Alison had other things on her mind besides stink bombs. Plus, going after a member of the pack? (Toby) That would not be treated lightly. Thoughts? Comments? Reviews? Anyone, anyone? Bueller? Blessings to all.