Chasing Fate

Chapter 3

Ezra's POV

Gwen was over, and was making some sort of pie for us.

Pie... Aria loved pie.

We started off the night eating dinner together, and she insisted on making dessert. So now I sit here, left to my own devices, and I can think about nothing but Aria

Dingggg.

"Ezra, the pie is ready! I can't wait for you to taste it." Gwen said sweetly, taking the pie out of the oven.

"Mmmm, smells great." I say, trying to be enthusiastic. I look around the room and see memories of Aria everywhere. On the couch, on the bed, in the kitchen, at the front door, at the desk... Aria was everywhere, and I just couldn't shake her from my mind.

ººº

Later that night

Gwen and I had both eaten some pie and we have somehow found our way to the bed. She was kissing me passionately, and I was kissing her slightly less-enthusiastically. Her hands were running up and down my arms, while mine rested on her waist.

I wasn't in love with this girl. I had no feelings for this girl. What was I doing?

∆

Aria's POV

I found my way to Ezra's apartment and ran up the stairs. Desperate to see him, I immediately grabbed the spare key from under the carpet and unlocked the door.

And the sight that I saw on that hot June night when I opened that door made my heart shatter into a million pieces.

I saw Ezra and some blonde, making out on the bed. They were both very into it, from what I could tell, and there was a pie on top of the stove.

Pie was our thing.

Nobody seemed to even notice that I was there. Upset and disappointed, I ran down the stairs, slamming the door behind me.

Tears were now streaming down my face and I found my way to my car. Once inside, I threw my head in my hands.

What are you doing, I told myself, you told him to move on. Don't be selfish, just let him go.

∆

Ezra's POV

Both of us heard the door slam and stopped kissing to look up. I immediately knew it was Aria, as there was a faint smell of her perfume in the air– I immediately recognized it. The door was also definitely locked, and she was the only one who knew where the spare key was.

I immediately let go of Gwen and ran to the door, looking down the hall, desperately searching for Aria. With no luck, I ran to the window, where I saw her blue car pulling away from the complex.

"Aria!" I said, pressing my hand against the glass, desperate to see her.

 Gwen approached me, a look of confusion on her face

"Who's Aria?" she asked, slightly angry.

"Um, uh... Just a friend." I said, trying to sound convincing, but not succeeding. 

"Ezra, don't try to lie to me. I don't know who Aria is, but I know you're still in love with her. God, you still have her self-portrait hanging above your desk at work. I'm sorry but I can't be your rebound, I'm looking for something serious." she was now angry, grabbing her things to leave. When she reached the door, I didn't even try to stop her. She just rolled her eyes and slammed the door hard behind her, my belongings shaking in their places.

I sighed, confused at what had just happen. I lost Aria. I lost Gwen. I was such an idiot and didn't know what to do with myself.

ººº

It was 3 am and I couldn't sleep. I found myself thinking about Aria and all of our memories– the good & the bad. I regretted all the times that I didn't treat her like a queen. I adored her, and I needed her in my life. And I pushed her away. I missed her, but I thought I was doing what was best for her. I really did. But why was she at my apartment if she didn't miss me back?

∆

Aria's POV

I missed him. I still loved him, I loved him with every part of me. But I couldn't understand the pit in my stomach that I felt when I walked in on Ezra and that blonde. Was it jealousy? Was it disappointment that he had moved on so fast? I couldn't bring myself to address the feelings that I had. And even though I knew that Ezra had clearly moved on, I somehow had the urge to kiss him again. Even though I pushed him away, even though I had told myself that this was for the best.

It wasn't for the best, though, that's the thing. I was at my happiest with him, and without him I felt empty. And although our relationship did come with extra baggage, him being my former teacher and all, I felt complete with him, and I needed him.

I eventually ended up back at home, my makeup running down my face and still in my graduation dress. My prom was in a few days, and the dress lay on my bed, taunting me. All of my friends had dates to prom; Ali had this guy Lorenzo, Spencer had Toby, Paige was visiting just to attend Emily's prom, and Hanna had Caleb. I had planned to go with Ezra, and I had fantasized about it since the beginning of our relationship. But that wasn't going to happen, because he had a girlfriend.

I threw my stuff down and aggressively hung my dress and coat in the closet. The long red gown called my name, taunting me with memories of Ezra.