𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒔, 𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂 𝒎. ¹

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱

ezra had been pacing since olivia and aria walked in. the second olivia mentioned pittsburgh, he stopped mid-step, crossing his arms as he studied his sister.

“you’re serious?” he asked, eyes flicking between olivia and aria.

“yes, ezra,” olivia sighed, settling onto his couch. “i’m going to see james.”

ezra ran a hand down his face. “liv…” he hesitated. “are you sober?”

she exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes. “yes, i’m sober.”

“you said that last time.”

“i mean it this time,” olivia said, her tone softer. “i haven’t smoked, i haven’t had a drink. i swear.”

ezra studied her for a long moment, and olivia let him. she knew he needed to see it for himself, to make sure she wasn’t falling apart again.

aria shifted beside her. “she’s really okay, ezra,” she reassured him.

he let out a breath. “i just… i worry, liv. you act like seeing james doesn’t mess with your head, but it does. and you never talk about it.”

“i am talking about it,” olivia pointed out. “i told aria everything.”

ezra’s gaze flicked to aria, something passing between them. aria just nodded.

after a moment, ezra sighed and sat down across from them. “so what’s the plan?”

“we’re driving to pittsburgh tonight,” olivia said. “i just… i need to see him.”

ezra rubbed his temple. “does mom know?”

“she knows i’m coming,” olivia admitted. “she doesn’t know i’m bringing aria.”

ezra arched an eyebrow. “you sure that’s a good idea?”

“i don’t care if it is,” olivia said simply. “aria’s coming.”

ezra sighed but didn’t argue. “just promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I will,” olivia promised. “and ezra?”

“yeah?”

“i’m really okay,” she told him. “for once, i mean it.”

ezra gave her a long look before nodding. “alright.”

olivia stood, and aria followed. “i’ll call you when we get there.”

ezra hesitated, then reached out, squeezing olivia’s hand briefly. “drive safe.”

she gave him a small smile before walking out the door, aria right beside her.

next stop: pittsburgh