In The Off Chance (A Jaria Story)

Chapter 7 -

Sorry for how long it took to update. To apologize for my little "hiatus" I'll be posting two, maybe three, chapters today. Thank you for all the nice comments and I absolutely cannot believe 1,000 people have read this story?? That's awesome! Also, I'm thinking of writing a new Jaria story as well, a song fic. It'd be based on the song "Is There Somewhere" by Halsey because I absolutely love that song. I sorta would wanna make a trailer for it, so if anyone knows how to save YouTube videos and any good apps for video editing, comment below please! Anyway, enough babblings, here's chapter seven!

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- Aria's Point of View - 

I sat at the bar in The Grille, sipping my pink lemonade. My head hurt from the events of today. Accusing Jason of stalking me, then him snubbing me, and then Ezra. Oh, Ezra. I can't believe I actually broke up with him. But then again, I did have good reason to. We couldn't be open as a couple, Jackie was all over him, Jason ... - Okay, no, our breakup had nothing to do with Jason. Well, maybe a little. Sure, maybe I was crushing on him a little but I already decided I was going to stay single. For now, at least. Unless Jason somehow manages to change my mind, which I highly doubt.

I picked up my phone, contemplating texting Ezra or not. I didn't even know why, I guess it was just routine to talk to him. 

"Mind if I sit down?" a sudden voice asked, making me jump. I looked up, seeing the face of Jason DiLaurentis who I happen to see everywhere.

"Uh," I stuttered, looking around.

"Ah, calm on, you're not still scared of me, are ya?" He asked with a playful tone. He let out a little laugh. 

I giggled awkwardly. "Of course not, here, sit." I reached out to pull a chair for him and he did the same. It was quick, but our fingers brushed together and a chill went through my body. I cleared my throat awkwardly, dropping my hand and letting him grab the chair. He pulled something about of his bag and held it out to me. Curious, I took it and studied it in my hands. A frame. With the photo of me sleeping that Alison took. "These are beautiful," I murmured, staring in awe.

"I didn't know Ali was so artistic," Jason noted. 

"I barely remember her even taking pictures?" I questioned. The photo was gorgeous, though. "It's ... strange. Still getting to know someone after they're gone," My heart began to ache, thinking of my lost friend. Ali was cold, cruel, bitchy but she was also the sweetest girl, an amazing best friend, and the only one who understood Aria the most. 

Sitting here with Jason made me antsy. Loops rolled around my stomach and I began nervously fumbling with a napkin, rubbing it in between my fingers.

Jason looked down. "Nervous?"

"Oh, it's just a bad habit," I quickly stuttered, dropping the napkin. "Look, I know this isn't an excuse but... my friends broke in because they've been through a lot," 

"I think we're all looking for answers. That's how I found this roll of film in the first place."

"How did you find it?"

"I was doing renovations in Ali's room and pulled up her floorboard and found a bow of her stuff."

I bit my lip, thinking. Ali did have a lot of secrets. There could be something in that box. "What else was in it?"

"Nothing special, girl stuff," He shrugged, shaking his head. 

"Then why would she hide it?"

"She hid things so much, it became second nature to her. You can take a look at the box, if you want." He offered. 

I smiled and nodded. "Okay, that sounds good. Thanks,"

He grinned back. "No problem. I'll give you a ride, come on,"

Maybe going with Jason isn't such a good idea. Spending time with someone only makes you closer with them. If I become closer with Jason, not only will my friends be mad at me, but ... I might start to fall for him more. But I need to know what's in that box; It could be important. So I followed Jason out to his car.

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Jason and I walked to his front yard together, our bodies dangerously close. Every now and then I could fell his arm touch mine as we walked. When he turned back and smiled at me, my stomach leaped again. "Actually, the box is in the wood shed. Follow me," he said, gesturing to the backyard.

Jason and I? In a close, tight-quarter wood shed where another kiss could happen? No way. I had to kill any sort of feelings I might have for him until I figure my feelings out. "Uh, I think I'll just wait here," I said, feeling uncomfortable at how awkward my voice sounded. 

"Suit yourself," He began walking to the back.

I waited for Jason, standing still as I waved my arms a little to entertain myself. Until I heard a car drive up. An all too familiar car.

"Ezra?" I stomped over to the car, confusion all over my face. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to get you," he exclaimed, slamming the car door shut and walking over to me. "Spencer thought that after you left the Grille - "

"Spencer?" I questioned. "You talked to Spencer?"

"She talked to me. And she admitted that she knew about us,"

"What? She told you about us - what we were - why would she do that?" I frantically asked.

"Because your friends think this Jason guy is dangerous. And I do, too," His voice seemed alarmed, protecting. But it's not his job to protect, especially not after today. "They told me about the photos,"

"He had a legitimate explanation for those. Jason's my friend, he's not a threat to me,"

"Well he is to me," Ezra admitted. "I don't wanna lose you. I love you, Aria. I always will,"

So he says this to me now, but not this morning. Not when Jackie was near. I loved Ezra but right now, standing near him, made me feel ... nothing. No love. No affection. No twisting stomach. "Ezra, I don't think you understand," He furrowed his eyebrows. "You already lost me. We're over, okay? And I appreciate you feeling like you had to save me like Jason was some kind of monster of whatever, but he's not. He's really not. And it's not your responsibility to save me or decide if I need to be saved. That's my choice. And I don't need to be protected here. And I don't need you to protect me. We're over, Ezra," I turned around and began walking towards Jason's house. Jason came out from the back, holding a beautiful wooden box in his hands. He looked at Ezra and his face turned cold. I didn't bother to turn around and see his reaction.

I heard the car door open, but not shut. "So you're not coming, Aria?" Ezra asked one last time. I closed my hands into a fist and squeezed. This will be like I was really letting Ezra go. But I think I was ready to do that.

"No, I'm staying here with Jason," I called. The door slammed shut and drove off. I gave Jason a small smile. "Sorry about that. Ex boyfriend."

He nodded. "I can see that. So, uh, do you wanna hang out here a little bit?"

"I wish I could, but the girls wanted to hang out later, so I should get going,"

Jason's face fell. "Oh," he replied, sounding a bit disappointed.

We parted ways and began to walk away. But then I had an idea. A crazy, stupid idea that could ruin my plan of killing any romantic feelings for Jason. But before I could stop myself, I turned around to face the blonde boy and smiled. "But, do you wanna hang out tomorrow night?"

His face broke into a wide grin. "Yeah, that sounds cool. It's a date,"

I nodded, feeling my cheeks turn a shade of pink. "Yes, it is,"

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I feel like this chapter was awful, but I can assure you that next chapter will probably be my favorite! And I have a pretty cool idea for how I want this story to end. I won't give anything away, but I will say that near the middle of this story there will be a time jump. So I'm very excited. :) 

-- Gianna