In The Off Chance (A Jaria Story)

Chapter One - "You know what I do remember?"

Aria's Point of View - 

If Mike isn't at the basketball courts, then where is he? And where has he been these last few months when he said he was playing pick up? I racked my brain to think of anywhere else he could be as a basketball came rolling over to my feet. I picked it up and my eyes met the shirtless Jason DiLaurentis. I still haven't gotten used to the fact that he's back in Rosewood. "Hey," I said quietly, trying hard not to stare down at his abs. But the sweat glistening off of them made this a much more difficult task. 

"Hey," he greeted back with his deep voice. He put out his large hands, gesturing for his ball.

I handed it over to him, our hands brushing against each other for a moment. I pushed a piece of dark hair out of my face. "You uh, you haven't seen my brother, have you?" 

His captivating green eyes looked around. "Uh, no. He give you the slip?" He seemed so calm, so cool. And to me, this conversation was all too awkward. But I'm not sure if he sees it that way.

"Something like that," I admitted. I caught myself staring at his abs again and mentally scolded myself. Way to make this even more weird, Aria. Good job.

Jason looked down at the ball, fingering it. "Yeah, I was always lying about where I was when I was his age. I don't remember a lot about that time actually. Most of what I do remember I wish I could forget." He looked me in the eyes again. "You know?"

I looked behind him quizzically. What was I supposed to say to that? What did he expect me to say? Because now he's made me even more wary of where my younger brother was. I bit the inside of my cheek, scared and worried for the location of my baby brother.

A tense silence hung in the air a few moments. "You know what I do remember?" Jason asked. He looked at the top of my head. "Your pink hair."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Really?" I'm always told now that the pink stripe that used to hang in my hair was weird. Thinking back to it, I wonder now how I could see that discolored string of hair as "cool" or "trendy." 

"Really." Jason assured me. "I thought it was cool."

"Really?" I asked again, more confused this time.

"Really. You always did the unexpected as opposed to me. Which I also thought was cool." I grinned and looked down. "Well, uh," He turned his back and began to walk away back to the basketball court.

I gazed at Jason's muscular back as he walked, drinking in the conversation. That wasn't flirting, right? No, no of course not. It was just a comment.

He turned back around. "Hey," I glanced back up at him. "I miss that pink hair," Jason smirked. I smiled broadly and Jason returned the grin. Okay, THAT was definitely flirting. But I don't think I mind. Actually, I think I kind of liked it. Maybe Jason being back in Rosewood was a good thing.

Maybe. We'll just have to see.

To Be Continued.

Okay, I know that part kinda sucked. But beginnings are hard, okay? Anyway, if you're reading this now and thinking "wow that was awful why did I bother wasting my time reading this" then i totally understand. But please, stick with me because I have a LOT in store. Oh, and this story will contain some Ezria. Just a tad bit. Also if you couldn't tell, this story mostly revolves around all the Jaria flirting in season 2 with a kinda surprising twist? well when we get to that twist, I promise it will be really cute. Okay, bye, and thank you so much for reading!

leave a comment if you have a suggestion about or enjoyed this story. :) 

- Gianna