Chapter 7
Aria's POV
Aria tried her best not to think of Ezra as she got ready for a Saturday outing with two of her friends from work, Staci and Mariah. They were going for Tacos at Manny's restaurant that was located just down the street from the Rosewood shopping plaza. She loved having her Saturdays' off. She could relax and have time for herself. She did her face up with a minimal of make-up, brushed through her growing long hair and applied a bit of raspberry lip-gloss to her lips, hooked in a pair of gold heart earrings, and then she walked back into her room. She put on a Teal-Atlantic Ombré Burnout Tank and a long gold heart necklace to match her earrings, a pair of blue denim high waist cutoffs, and then she stepped into a pair of Chinese Laundry rose gold flats and grabbed the matching purse. She then left out of room and walked downstairs, hoping not to run into Ezra. She didn't want to see him at the moment. She decided to keep her distance for the time being. She couldn't think straight when she was around him. She always seemed to make mistake after mistake when it came to him. She would always make a complete fool out of herself. She didn't like how he would have so many mood swings. She could never tell what kind of day he was having. Some days he would be nice, angry, and other times he was down right distant .She didn't like how pathetic she was around him, always falling into his arms at the slightest bit of attention he would show her.
She also didn't like how emotional he made her. She didn't like feeling down. She had always been a happy-go-lucky type of person. She couldn't take all the hurt he was subjecting her to. She didn't like the way he treated her at times. She didn't like him constantly pushing her way, or rejecting her in some form. She didn't need that in her life. She didn't need to deal with someone as complicated as him. She also didn't need to deal with someone who had a lot of unresolved issues. Someone like Ezra couldn't be in a committed relationship without seeking help to get past the things troubling him. She wondered if he was the same way with his girlfriend. She couldn't see how they didn't have problems. Maybe she just wasn't mature enough to deal with someone as damaged as him. Even though she hadn't known him for very long, she still got him. She knew that he wasn't capable of loving anyone until he loved himself. She didn't know if she was ready to be with someone like that. Yeah, she was attracted to him, but she couldn't keep putting up with someone like him. She refused to do that. She loved his touch and his kisses, but that couldn't erase the fact that he had major issues.
Aria thought about the scene in her bedroom last night between her and Ezra. It had been incredible, hot, and heavy. She hadn't known her body could tremble so much. She hadn't known just how great his lips, tongue, and hands were until last night. Hadn't known how such pleasure could consume her mind, body, and soul. Hadn't known just how wonderful his body could feel. She hadn't known just how many sounds could emit from her. Hadn't known just how big he really was. His erection had felt so amazing against her pussy as he had bounced her up and down on his erection. She had become so wet. She would never forget how he had made her feel in those few moments. She never felt such ecstasy, warmth, and power in his embrace. He had the ability to turn her body into mush, to make her forget her name. She had even been able to forget they were step siblings. She didn't think that it felt wrong when they kissed, touched one another, and was about to make love on more than two occasions. What they were doing didn't feel twisted or icky to her. She just felt like the timing wasn't right for them. He was obviously still in a relationship with his girlfriend Stephanie and she wanted there to be something more with them. She also felt like they weren't on the same page. He was the one who had the problem with their parents being married to pursue something with her, that she was underage and him being older, it feeling wrong between them, and him having a girlfriend.
She realized that she just didn't want the scraps he was throwing at her. She wanted something real and uncomplicated. Wanted someone who treated her right, made her laugh, and didn't make her cry or feel bad about herself. She knew that person couldn't be Ezra. She knew that she had to go out there and start dating. She didn't have to wait for guys to approach her; she could be the pursuer for once in her life. She could take a chance to see that there were other guys out there besides Ezra. She just had to pick the right one. She smiled to herself, feeling better about her decision as she left out the house and got into her car and headed off to meet her friends at Manny's restaurant. Her friends were already waiting for her when she pulled up, then she got out and greeted her friends with hugs, and then all three of them headed inside the small establishment. It smelled of tacos and salsa as they made their way through the less than crowded restaurant and found a table in the middle. They took hold of their menus and looked through them as they decided what they wanted to order. She ordered three tacos with everything, nachos, and a coke soda. Staci ordered a big steak and cheese burrito, French fries, and a coke soda as well. And Mariah ordered beef and beans with guacamole and sour cream, nachos, and a sweet Tea.
"So, how do you like your new step-brother?" Mariah asked as the waiter came back with their nachos. "You haven't said anything about him".
She shrugged her shoulder, before running a hand through her hair as she looked around at the other occupants in the restaurant. She didn't want to discuss Ezra. Why couldn't she just forget about him for one day?
"I mean there has to be something that you like about him, or don't like about him," Staci chimed in as she looked into her friend's face. She could see that her face was slightly uncomfortable when the subject of her step-brother came up. "Or, we don't have to talk about him".
"I mean Aria you get along with everyone, what's so different about your step-brother?" Mariah asked as she picked up a nacho and popped it into her mouth, not wanting to drop the topic. "Is he an asshole? Or is he nice?"
"Mariah, she doesn't have to talk about him if she doesn't want to," Staci said as she shot a glare at her other friend, silently asking her to back off the subject. "Besides, why do you care?"
"Excuse me for trying to be sociable," Mariah said tartly as she swept a hand through her long jet black hair, a tight smile displayed on her mouth for Staci. "I just remember her being so talkative before he got into town".
"Mariah," Staci warned, her pale blue eyes turning cold as she did battle with Mariah in Aria's defense. "Just drop it".
"Whatever," Mariah said sourly, turning her attention back to the nachos in front of her, before looking over to Aria with apologetic eyes. "We don't have to talk about Ezra if it makes you upset".
Aria gave Staci a smile of gratitude as their food arrived.
"What are we going to do for the summer?" Mariah asked the both of them as she scooped up sour cream with her nacho. "I'm so glad that we didn't have to work today. I really do need a break from that place, especially from the smell of that food".
Both Aria and Staci nodded in agreement as they thought of different places to visit together this summer.
"We could go to the Carmike Cinema, the beach or we could go to Cedar Point, or we could go to the bowling alley," Aria named, before biting into one of her tacos as the beef and sour cream got all over her fingers. "Then, there's also the swimming pool, the country club, and the roller skating rink".
"Or, we could take a few classes at Hollis," Staci suggested as she ate a couple of her fries. "I was thinking like drama and art classes".
"We could get babysitting jobs, or volunteer as camp counselors," Mariah added, not sounding particularly thrill on those ideas. "I honestly have no idea. I just don't want to be stuck hanging out with my parents this summer".
"Well, the summer just go here, so we have plenty of time to decide on some places," Aria said, finishing off her first taco, and then she reached for her second one. She was really hungry. "My mom and Scott are thinking of some vacations to take, but nothings definite yet".
"The only thing my parents are planning for this summer is my older sister's wedding," Staci said acridly as she flipped her long strawberry blonde hair back over her shoulder, before stabbing her poor fries with a fork. "It's always Candace this, or Candace that. I mean honestly it's like she can't do wrong in their eyes".
Aria and Mariah both give her sympathetic smiles. They knew how Staci's parents doted on their eldest daughter.
"There really are a lot of movies coming out this summer, and I heard that Cedar point is a pretty awesome Amusement park," Mariah said in thought, her fingers toying with her straw inside of her glass. "I just don't want to have a boring summer".
"We all don't," Aria said as her eyes caught Mariah's hazel ones, before she sipped some of her coke soda. "Let's just really think on it".
"I agree, we don't want to make any rash choices," Staci laughed, her pale blue eyes full of mirth as she stole a hand full of nachos form Aria's basket. Aria in return kicked her playfully underneath the table. "Ouch!"
"Then stay out of nachos," Aria said with laugher, moving her basket of nachos to the other side of her. "I paid a lot of money for these, and I'm not sharing".
"God, you're so bad at sharing," Staci said with a smile as she waved the waiter over to order her own. "I'll just eat my own nachos".
Aria stuck her tongue out at her as she made a crazy facial expression at the same time. Staci laughed, before imitating her. And Mariah just rolled her eyes at the two of them, clearly saying that they were acting like little children.
"How are you and Riley, Mariah?" Aria asked as she started to eat her third and finally taco. "I remember you telling me he went off for the summer with his family. Where did they go again?"
"Me and Riley are great," Mariah said with a smile on her lips, her pretty hazel eyes coming alive when Riley's name was mentioned. Aria couldn't help feeling a tab bit of jealousy. Riley was hot with the dirty blond hair, green eyes, and he was tall. Mariah was so lucky to have him. He was a great guy. She had seen the way he treated Mariah. Why couldn't she find a guy like that? He was also nice, respectful, and funny. "And him and his parents went to go visit his grandparents in Aspen".
"I love Aspen," Staci said brightly as she began eating her steak and cheese burrito. "It's a beautiful place. My favorite thing is riding on the gondola".
"I hate heights," Mariah said, shivering visibly as she drank some of her sweet Tea. "There's nothing anyone can bribe me with to get me to go on a Ferris wheel, roller-coaster, or anything else involving heights".
"You're such a scaredy-cat," Aria teased, licking off the cheese and chill that had come on her nachos. "I love that rush feeling you get when you be in the air".
"I also love heights," Staci said, flipping her long blonde hair once more as her eyes lit up with excitement. "I like feeling that pressure that drowns out all the noise and the drop I feel in my stomach when the roller-coaster drops down".
"Enough you guys," Mariah said with a hint of irritation as she put two fingers into her ears to block them out. "You guys are literally trying to give me nightmares".
Aria and Staci teased her some more, before backing off.
"What about you and Derek, Staci?" Aria asked, loving when her friends talked about their significant others. She would always live vicariously through them. Derek was also a great guy. He was also very good-looking with the black hair, scruffy, and had nice grey blue eyes. "You guys make a beautiful couple".
"We're hot together, intense. Derek is great and sexy and sexy," Staci grinned like a lunatic as gushed about her boyfriend. "The things he can do with that mouth, his hands, and other parts of him".
Aria just shook her head laughing, knowing how that could feel. Ezra made her feel pretty great too. Mariah gagged, not wanting to picture Staci and Derek.
"Honestly, Staci. Have some control, because that was too much information involving you and Derek," Mariah said as she made a sour face, still trying to clear the images of Staci and Derek out of her head. "And I thought you told us that you and Derek weren't having sex".
"Things change," Staci admitted as she gave a sly smile, pushing her plate away. "Me and Derek wanted to, so I saw no other reason to hold off. It was the right time".
"Are you and Riley also having sex?" Aria asked, her eyes connecting with Mariah's across the table. She didn't want to pry into her friend's private life, but she needed to know if she was the only virgin left among her friends. She had a sneaking suspicion that she was. Spencer, Hanna, and Emily were no longer virgins either. She was really was the late bloomer in the bunch. She pushed her food away, not feeling hungry anymore. She could feel both Staci's and Mariah's eyes on her, but she couldn't hide the crush look on face. She had never been able to hide her emotions. She was like an open book. She could see that Mariah was debating on whether to tell the truth or not. "Don't you dare lie Mariah".
She didn't need her friends lying to spare her feelings. She knew they meant well, but she didn't want their pity. It wasn't their fault that guys didn't find her interesting or pretty. Ezra didn't count. She still didn't believe him when he had called her attractive on more than one occasion.
"We are," Mariah confirmed, her eyes switching towards Staci, before coming back to Aria. "I just didn't think it was that important to bring it up".
Aria gave them a sad smile.
"You guys don't have to feel sorry for me," Aria said as she gave a soft laugh as her eyes searched theirs, before running fingers through her plush hair. "And you don't have to lie to me just to spare my feelings. I mean, it's not your fault that guys don't find me appealing".
"And you know that's not true. You're beautiful, Aria," Mariah said as she tried to boost her confidence. "Hell, I'm even jealous over the way you look, especially over your pale complexion and your hair".
"You just haven't found the right guy yet," Staci said as she wrapped an arm around her Aria's neck, hugging her tight before she released her. "I'm sure he's out there. Just give it time".
"I think he's already here," Mariah said cryptically, staring over their heads. "Aria, that cute guy over at that table with his group of friends keeps looking over here at you. At first I thought I was imagining things. He just walked in with his buddies".
Aria and Staci turned their heads at the same time, instantly finding the guy that Mariah had mentioned. He was cute. He had black hair and striking green eyes. He smiled at her, his smile reaching his eyes. She smiled back nervously, not knowing what to do think. Even though he was sitting down, she could see that he was tall and was of medium build. She forced herself to stop staring at him, and then she turned back around.
"He's coming over here!" Staci screeched, bouncing around in her chair.
"You're lying," Aria panicked, biting the inside of lip as her fingers fumbled with the straw in her glass.
"Just stay calm and act normal," Mariah advised, also feeling anxious for her friend.
Aria felt him beside her before he had the chance to announce himself. She was so nervous. Her heart was racing so fast. She couldn't stop her hands from shaking.
"Hi, I'm Kyle," He said as he extended his hand out to her.
"Hey, I'm Aria," Aria said softly as she took his hand, hating how it shook even more.
His hand felt great.
"We should go to the bathroom," Staci announced suddenly as she got up and pulled a resisted Mariah with her towards the restroom.
Can I sit down," Kyle asked politely, waiting for Aria to give him the okay.
She did.
"I just had to come over here and ask you out," Kyle said, his pretty eyes roaming over Aria's features. "You're really beautiful".
"Thanks," Aria said, not knowing whether to believe him or not. She knew that she wasn't beautiful. She didn't care what Ezra or her friends said. "So, ask me".
Aria couldn't believe she said that, her face showing her mortification. He just laughed, liking her boldness.
"I really didn't mean to say that," Aria laughed, loving his laugh as she ran her hands once more through her hair. "I'm usually not so bold".
"It's okay. I like it," Kyle smiled, his eyes holding hers so strongly. It was as though he could see inside of her. "I bet you have a lot guys that come up to you".
"No, I don't," Aria said quietly, hating the show of vulnerability. Kyle picked up on it, his hand coming up to sweep the strands of hair back from her face. Her breath hitched, the spot where he had touched her tingled in a nice way. "You're the first guy that has ever approached me".
"I'm glad," Kyle said as he moved his hand away, his eyes continuing to stare into hers. "So, would you like to go out with me?"
Aria was quiet for a second as she contemplated. She didn't know. She loved that a guy had finally sort her out first, but she couldn't get Ezra out of her mind. But then she started to think about all the issues surrounding Ezra and decided to just go for it. It was only one date for now. It wasn't like he was asking her to be his girlfriend.
"Yes," Aria said a little too quickly, fearing that he would change his mind. "Yes, I will go out with you".
"Great," Kyle said, before taking her hand in his.
They were done exchanging numbers when Staci and Mariah showed back up at the table. Kyle had already left with his group of friends. They chatted for a little more, then they paid for their meal, and then they said goodbye to one another and left in their own cars. She couldn't stop thinking about Kyle on the drive home. He had asked her out, had been interested in her. Had called her beautiful. Had touched her, had held her hand in his. He had her number, and she had his. It hadn't been a dream. He really had approached her. She didn't know what to think of Kyle. He was fun. She would only go out on a date with him just to get to know him better and decide if she wanted something more with him. She was still feeling high from her encounter with Kyle as she walked into her house. She couldn't stop smiling. It had finally happened. She ran into her mother on her way up the stairs.
"My, you're all smiles," Ella said with a smile of her own as she looked into her daughter's eyes. She knew. "Who is this lucky guy?"
Aria was about to answer, when Ezra came walking into the house, catching the end of the conversation. Her heart sped up a beat as her eyes met his briefly, before traveling down his body, and then she looked back up into his face. He was so good-looking, and so mysterious to her. Aria gauged his reaction. His was whole body went rigid and his face look like it was carved out of stone. She felt her heart call out to his silently. He really was damaged. She wanted to go to him, but she stopped herself. She couldn't. He would only push her away and say they couldn't. She had to at least try to make it work with Kyle. The way that Ezra treated her wasn't healthy. He really didn't know what he wanted, and she couldn't be the one to tell him. He had to figure that out all on his own. She suddenly felt better about going out with Kyle.
"His name is Kyle, and we're going out," Aria said, pulling her eyes away from his to look at her mother. "I met him when I was out with Staci and Mariah".
And with that she continued up the stairs, feeling Ezra's eyes boring into her. Just the feel of his gorgeous eyes on her aroused her, her body trembling all over as she gripped her thighs tight to quell the ache between them. She didn't look back at him. She couldn't. She knew that if she did, then she would crumble.
I'm really busy this week, so I thought I would go ahead and put this chapter up. I hoped you guys liked it. Please review and let me know what you thought!