Define Ezria

Chapter 22

When Alison died a part of us died too. That one phone call in the middle of the night was a cruel awakening.

At  just fifteen years old. We were forced out of childhood and into adulthood so violently, we were sure we wouldn't survive.

But we did. Clutching each other dressed in black and staring with unblinking eyes at the closed casket our leader laid, we sed no tears. Because the situation was so unlikely.

Surely they had make a mistake. Surely it wasn't our best friend in the coffin. Surely that couldn't be happening.

But again it did. Because life is cruel that way you know? Because you might think it's not gonna happen to me but it does happen to you.

I think that's mostly the reason why I was standing now in Hanna's room with my three best friends in the world.

Because all that time ago, when we got back from the funeral in this exact same room and we finally allowed ourselves to let go and break down and mourn, we also realized how vital our relationship was to all our lives.

It might have taken one of us to go down to realize that our friendship was in fact single most sacred bond to get us through life. Family is there for you. It's inevitable. But friends? No. They choose to be there for you. Through thick and thin.

That was the exact moment we realized no secrets would be kept among us. Everything should be on the table among us four.

Actually I was surprised with myself if not disgusted that I have been lying to them for so long.

"Well?" Spencer raised her eyebrows impatiently, "We're alone as you asked so talk"

I looked around and gulped loudly. The reason why I had broken our promise and kept a secret was aside from the obvious importance to keep my relationship a secret, my fear at how they would react. I couldn't lose more of them. Especially now.

"I know" Hanna said looking everywhere but me and my jaw unhinged.

"Know what?" Emily demanded,clearly frustrated.

I ignored her and kept my eyes trained on Hanna who was now fidgeting on her bed. She still wouldn't meet my eyes.

"I swear it was an accident. I was at school earlier than usual because Lucas wanted to take pictures of me and Noel for the stupid yearbook, but he was no where to be found and when I heard the commotion in the hallway I thought it was him. By the time I got there however everyone was gone so I was about to leave when I saw two people in the English classroom" she trailed off and I could only imagine what she saw.

"What people? What is going on?!" Spencer demanded again and I broke.

"I'm seeing someone." I breathed,"I'm seeing Ezra!"

Dead silence was my answer and I had to look up to see Spencer and Emily giving me weird looks while Hanna was nodding silently.

"Who?" Emily said at last, disbelief clear as day in her tone.

"E-ezra. Ezra Fitz" I clarified.

"Hold on! The Ezra Fitz? Mr. Fitz? As in our highschool English teacher Fitz?!" Spencer's voice kept getting higher and higher so I could only nod.

"Mr.Fitz?!" Was all Emily said.

"His name is Ezra" I mumbled not liking the way they said his last name at all.

"Who the fuck cares what's his name Aria?! How could you?! How could you keep this from us?! Do you have any idea how dangerous this is and have k mentioned illegal?" Spence screeched and stood up.