Frozen in Time

Chapter 10

After that interesting conversation with Jason, I needed to talk to the girls.

I practically ran toward Emily's locker hoping we could round up Spencer and Hanna together.

My wedges hit the tile and I could here my keys clinging in my purse as I ran.

I could see Emily walking toward her locker and I waved her over toward me. I couldn't keep this in one more second.

Ezra started to walk out of his class, briefcase in hand. Apparently I was standing right in front of his class room door and I didn't even notice.

"Aria."

I looked up at Emily walking slowly toward me. I made a split decision.

"We need to talk," I said biting down on my tongue.

"I agree, but not here," he pulled me into his classroom and shut the door.

"Look I-"

"Not here either," he stopped me, "here's my apartment address. Meet me after school. Please."

I held it in my hand for a moment in silence.

Apartment 3b. West oak avenue 3122.

"Yeah, sure I'll be there." I said feeling a twinge of happiness.

"Great! I make great pasta? You wanna have dinner?"

"I really shoul-"

"Come on, I've been thinking about things and I want to make it right. You and me!" He looked at me in the way he did that day in the bar. As if I was his only concern, his only thought, his only pleasure.

"Sure," I wanted to say no, make him hurt like he made me hurt. I couldn't say no to those eyes.

I walked out of that classroom and hoped for a perfect night.

"What was that about?" Emily asked.

"Oh my god, you scared me," I said gasping.

"You called me over here," she looked annoyed, "you were deep in thought huh?"

I nodded.

"So what was that about?"

"Oh just talking about books. He has some suggestions for me. Suggestions of books. Just books,"

"Okaaayy, so what was the whole 'get over here' thing about?"

"I just ran into Jason!"

"Jason? Like Alli's brother Jason?"

"What other Jason do you think I mean? It's not that big of a town,"

"Well what did he say?" she demanded.

"We need to get Spence and Han, I think he admitted to something,"

Emily started frantically texting Spencer while I called Hanna. It was lunch so they were either in the cafeteria or the library (well Spencer could be in the library, Hanna would be in the bathroom touching up her makeup.)

"Hanna! Where are you?" I asked

"I'm getting food! That's what lunch is for!"

"Well do you see Spencer?"

"Um," she paused. It seemed like she was looking around,"oh there she is, she's talking to Andrew,"

"Well get her! We need you and her to meet Emily and me outside pronto!"

"Okay okay!"

Then I hung up and started pacing toward the front door of the school.

"Come on Em, she said she's gonna get Spence and meet us outside,"

She followed me outside into the cool fall breeze. It felt so good on my face,
casually blowing my hair behind me.

Just then Spencer and Hanna came barreling through the door.

"What's this about? Andrew and I were studying American history of nineteenth century,"

"And Mona was the one Alli made fun of," Hanna said sarcastically.

"Alli made fun of all of us, Hefty Hanna," Spencer bounced back.

"You take that back!"

"Guys! Not now!" I said.

"So what's this all about?" Hanna asked.

"Aria saw Jason!" Emily blurted.

"What?" Spencer shouted.

"Not just saw him, I spoke to him. He went on about how small this town was and how not everyone can handle it."

"Seems like he's trying to tell you something," Emily pointed out.

"Yeah but why would he confide in you? We were Alli's best friends, we could easily go to the cops with anything he says," Hanna points out.

"Stop," I said

"What?"

"You said were, like she's gone for good. Alli may not be here but that doesn't mean she's gone. We're still her best friends!" I found myself saying.

"So even if she is still out there, wouldn't we find something by now?" Emily asked.

"I think we just did!" Spencer said.