Lost & Found-Ezria

Chapter 1

Ezra's POV

June 2015

I paced back in forth in my small apartment, my cellphone to my ear and the other hand running quickly through my hair.

"Come on, Aria, come on, pick up, pick up..." I repeated, desperate to hear her voice again.

I had no idea where she was, and I had been calling he for days. I missed her so bad. I missed her with every bone in my body, and I would do anything just do see her again, to apologize. I still loved her dearly, and I liked to believe that she did too.

I reached her voicemail once again. And for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, I left a voicemail.

"Aria, I'm really sorry. I know you probably have moved on but I miss you. I just need to see you again. Please call me, I love you. Still. " I said nervously, and hung up the phone.

Aria and I had broken up a few days ago because she thought it'd be best if she went to college single. She had explained to me that it was for her happiness, and it was best for her. I could never object to that, because my biggest wish was for Aria to be happy, but I missed her. I loved her so deeply, and it was all over in just a second. I was determined to show her that our relationship was worth it, and she would still be happy with me.

Eventually I had put my phone down, and went to bed. It was late and I had work in the morning. I was currently teaching at Hollis, as an English Lit professor. I had quit my job at Rosewood so I could be with Aria, but look where that got me. I had no idea where Aria was attending for college, but I wished that it was Hollis, so I could see her on campus. Aria had her prom yesterday, and she didn't take me. She had been talking about us going together for months now, and it was all washed away but her decision, which I still didn't understand.

ººº

November 2015

My life was a mess. I had no friends, no family that I talked to, and nothing to do with my life. I was still teaching at Hollis, but I hated it. I had nothing to live for anymore. I hadn't seen Aria for what seemed like forever, and in the small town that was Rosewood, it seems like no one else had either.

I missed her so much, and my life revolved around her image in my mind. I knew that she had moved on with her life, because I had found out that she had graduated with honors and was already in college. I hadn't seen Spencer, Hanna, or Emily either...

I was determined to find her and get her back. I missed her, and I needed her in my life. I was always thinking about her, and I was absolutely determined to get her to see what true love is.

ººº

I had been sitting at the Brew by myself for over an hour, contemplating my options of how to find Aria. I was at the counter getting a refill when a familiar face appeared.

"Oh, hi, Ella! How are you?" I asked casually, a coffee cup in my hand.

"Oh, Ezra, hi! It's nice running into you! Uh, I'm pretty god. Going through a bit of empty nest syndrome, though!" she laughed and smiled. Her smile reminded me so much of Aria's, and it made me long for her even more.

"Empty nest syndrome?" I asked, confused and hoping to get some answers.

"Aria didn't tell you?" she asked, a look of confusion and surprise on her face.

"No, tell me what?" I asked, now worried about where she was.

"Aria is in New York, she got into the Rhode Island School of Design." Ella said proudly.

"Aria got into RISD? That's the top art school in the country, god that's amazing!" I exclaimed, trying to hide the sadness in my voice.

Ella nodded and grabbed her drink.

"Well, I best be going, I have to pick up Mike." she said, smiling and waving goodbye as she walked out the door.

That's why Aria didn't want to continue the relationship. She was moving to New York! But she didn't even tell me that she applied... God, I was so confused.

I wandered around the streets of Rosewood for another hour after my encounter with Ella. I felt like I had some sort of connection to RISD, but I couldn't remember what.

As I reached the steps of my apartment complex, it hit me.

Wesley is studying at RISD.

I laughed to myself. Wes was never a great artist, but had always dreamed of becoming one. My mother must have payed her way through the acceptance process.

As soon as I got home, I grabbed my phone to call Wes.

"Come on, pick up..." I said quietly, hoping he was my key to finding Aria.

After three long rings, he finally picked up.

"Hello?" he asked. I could hear a girl in the background, giggling and calling his name.

"Wes! Hey! Uh, how are ya?" I said, trying to seem casual.

"Wes!" The girl cried from the background. I could hear her more clearly now, and she sounded exactly like...

Aria.

I shook my head. I missed her so much that I convinced myself that she was everywhere.

"Uh, I'm good, Ezra..." he said, something off about his tone of voice.

"Is something wrong? You seem... distant." I continued, still unsure of what was up with him.

"No, no, you're kinda just catching me at a bad time." he said, laughing at something the girl said.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I just wanted to let you know that I'm coming down to New York soon for a book thing and maybe you'd want to meet up?" I asked, lying.

"Yeah, sure. I'll let you know. Bye." he said, quickly brushing me off and hung up the phone.

I shook my head and began packing a suitcase full of stuff. I didn't know how long I would be gone for, so I just packed as much as I could.

I ended the night in bed with a book, content that I was finally going to see Aria again.