She's Broken

Chapter Eight

Aria's POV
(Takes place soon after Chapter Seven)

I gathered Mike, Jason, Ezra and Noel together at my house. (Her parents are out of town)

"Aria, is everything okay?" "What's going on?" "Should we be worried about something?" "Did something happen?" Repeated questions filled the air.

"Aria, just has something she needs to talk about." Noel jumps in and flashes a small smile as I do in return.

"I-i don't know h-how to say t-this. S-so, I wrote these earlier, earlier today and I think you'll get the point if you read them." I say as I take the letters out of my purse and hand them to them.

Confused looks come from the three of them until their fingers stumble open the envelopes. I know that they'll be disappointed in me so I make my way over to the empty seat next to Noel.

Noel probably would like to know why Mr. Fitz is here but, I don't know how to really explain that I'm dating my former English teacher.

He seems to really care about what I'm going through and I don't understand why.

"Aria?" Mike calls out. I look up to him and see the tears splattered all across his face, his eyes blood red from crying.

"You could've told me you thought about this Aria, that's how it works. You help me with my problems and I help you with yours." Jason starts. His eyes also blood red with tears staining his cheeks.

I can't look at Ezra it will make it all too real. If Noel hadn't saved me I would be gone right now. --And Ezra would be free of me. I love him, I do. But I've caused him enough pain.

"Ezra?" I question his eyes remain on the paper as his tears slowly fall.

The first time he looks at me since I handed him the note was the first time that I saw the sadness in his eyes. The tears were flooding for his eyes and I knew he actually felt like I was broken. He won't let himself cry in front of anyone.

"What happened that was so bad that you wanted to kill yourself? Aria, you know that you can tell me anything and I will do everything possible to help and protect you. I'm supposed to keep you safe and I failed." Ezra says.

"I know you feel like it's your job to protect me but, it's not. It's not anybody's. I'm supposed to protect myself. I can't let you try and save me every time. I should be able to deal with everything that gets thrown in my way by myself without any help." I say.

"No, you're not. That's why you have people who are there for you. Aria, we love you and we're staying. You can't just shut us out." Ezra tells me.

"We're here for the long run." Jason states and it makes me slightly smile.

"The reason I never told Mom and Dad about Ezra is because I knew there is only so much that you could handle. Dads affair, Alison's death, that's just the cherry on the cake. Aria, I know you have the nightmares; I get them too." Mike starts and I glance at him.

"We were both there when it happened. We witnessed it, it's okay to talk about it. Aria, it wasn't your fault he was sick there's no way what happened was your fault. So, please never think that it was. I love you so much, I can't lose you. --You're the only person I can share anything with." Mike adds. I smile at him he really is the best brother in the world.

"I know that, I do but I've felt that guilty for so long it won't go away." I answer.

"Aria, Did you do this because of the girls? When we saw Spencer she seemed really angry." Noel suggests.

"It's not all about the girls, they're partly the reason but not completely." I answer.

"What is it then?" Jason questions.
"It's everything. You're the only people that I can trust and I know you'll help me but that's what I'm afraid of you're so worried about me, your not taking care of yourselves. Mike, you risked Mom and Dad hating you by keeping my secret. Jason, you went with me to Hanna's the night we were shot to help me. Ezra, you risked my Parents calling the police on you to save me. Noel, you risked your life by coming after me when I jumped. You've don't so much and I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you." I cry out.

"Aria, we did that because we care about you. We love you, you're not in this alone." Mike states.

"Well maybe I should be in this alone! If Noel hadn't saved me I would be dead right now and everyone's life would be better!" I shout.

"Aria, you can not possible think that." Ezra says.

"Well, you know what! I do! You can't protect me from everything, Ezra! It's not your job to protect me! So, just stop! You're going to get yourself hurt instead!" I shout in rage.

"Aria." Noel says taking my attention away from Ezra and to him.

"Calm down, remember what I told you." Noel continues I simply nod my head as a yes of the remembrance.

My phone lets out a beep and I reach into my purse for it.

Unknown number:
Watch out, Aria. Fitz might be getting a little jealous. What's going on between you and Noel? It better be nothing because remember you kiss, I tell. -Kisses, A.

I make sure I don't react to the message and play it off as if it was a regular text.

"Aria, can I see you in the kitchen for a sec?" Mike questions and the two of us make our way to the kitchen.

"What's up?" I question since whatever he needs to talk about couldn't be done in front of everyone else.

"I don't know, you tell me. What's going on between You and Noel?" Mike asks. What? Me and Noel.

"I don't know what your talking about." I state them cross my arms over my chest.

"Don't give me that crap, Aria. I know you and I know Noel. He's my best friend, something is going on. The way you two are acting around each other tonight. Look me in the eyes and tell my you don't have feelings for him, that you only have feelings for Ezra." Mike goes on. He stands awaiting my answer.

"There is nothing going on between Noel and I." I state. Mike just stands there.

"Okay then. But Aria one more thing." Mike says. I raise my eyebrows as if saying "what?" He pulls me into a tight hug and holds on to me like there is no tomorrow.

"Please never leave me, I love you." Mike mumbles into my hair.

"I love you too." I reply still holding on to my little brother.

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Hey lovelys 2 updates in 2 days! What?! I'm so exited to this story right now, I feel like I just needed a little time away and I got back into the spirit of writing❣ I love you all!😘