youth

(Chapter Two)

Aria saw him as he flashed to pick up the sprawled papers. His hair was curly and matted, but something about those lively eyes made Aria feel something she never felt before. Soon enough, it was replaced by a sinking feeling of regret. If Ali was in that situation, she would of left without looking back. Aria decided though, she rather be who she was and help the boy than leave him alone, especially with those intense eyes that seemed to look inside of you.

" Sorry about that," the boy Holden apologized, his voice just as attractive as his eyes. Aria shook her head as if, no biggy and handed him the papers. 

" No problem," she said smiling at him. Holden was about to answer her when Ali, Emily and Hannah came up, Ali in front, as always.

" What's going on here Aria?" she asked eyeing Holden.

" Just picking up some papers, no biggy," 

she said standing up and walking beside her. Holden stared at Aria with those intense eyes, then back at the group. He then nodded and chuckled.

" I should of known," 

he muttered so quiet only Aria could barely hear. Aria's heart sank. Holden looked at Aria one more time, and turned around, his converse squeaking down the hall, soon among the chattering crowd talking about the Summer behind them.

" Not bad," Ali noted, and the girls nodded. Holden was not really on Ali's bad side, to her, he was just a athletic geek, not half bad looking, and overall, not ruining her reputation. 

" You going to make out with him Aria?" she asked mocking her distant gaze.

" N-No," 

" Okay then," she laughed, and the girls did too. 

" By the way Emily, good luck on that swim meet later," Ali said. Emily nodded and thanked her back.

" Anyone going to be there?" she asked, eyeing Ali  hopefully.

" Sorry, I have tennis practice and coach will kill me if I'm not there," 

Spencer said pushing up their glasses, and shaking her head slightly, scanning her mind for where she had to be. 

" I'll be there Em, cheering you on," Hannah said smiling, getting a grin in return from Emily.

" Maybe, depends if Noel's there," Ali said applying more lip-gloss. Emily nodded and Aria could not but notice her fallen gaze.

" Don't be so sad Em, of course I'll be there, you are the best after all," It was one of those things that made you like Ali. Even though she could really pull your hair out, she still remembered. Emily beamed.

" Thanks Ali," she said.

" Can't sorry, got to go out with my parents with their friends and their son," Aria said sighing. They nodded in understanding while Aria quickly said,

" Wear your red dress," she said. Aria nodded and they walked to the cafeteria seeing Mona walking up to them. Her hair was put in two braids with her glasses strung on her face. She smiled encouragingly but Ali walked past her like she was a piece of trash. Her face fell but there was nothing Aria or the other girls could do about it. So they walked past her, watching her head fall down in defeat. They sat at their usual table while Ali went to the bathroom, re-applying makeup, no doubt. It was one of those times when they could talk in whispers before she came back.

" She can be so mean," Spencer whispered. Hannah nodded.

" Especially to Mona I feel bad..."

They saw her coming back, phone in hand, and shut their mouths in a heartbeat. She sat down and they immediately picked at their salads, looking down. Her face was worried.

" You okay?" Aria finally said. Ali nodded and put a fake smile.

" Fine, eat your salad." she said, putting her phone away. Aria obliged. As she forked her lettuce, she could not help but think about that boy Holden's intense eyes. She thought about the way he stared at her, the feeling as he knew her like a book. As she was doing this, she realized that Holden and her were staring at each other again. He smiled, turned away, and again walked out of her reach. 

" He is perfect for you," Hannah gushed. Aria felt red rush to her cheeks.

" No-no I just-"

" He is," Ali said smiling a fraction. Emily nodded and in unison they stood up to head to the next class. Aria could not help but think of those eyes, those beautiful eyes.

---

Aria stood in her room blasting The Fray while stepping into her red dress. Ali picked it for her, and she had to admit it looked pretty. It was informal, but still classy enough to wear at a restaurant. Aria dabbed some perfume, looked at the mirror one more time, and opened her door to get her purse downstairs. Ella smiled at her, her dad at the door.

" Finally!" he remarked. 

" You look beautiful," Ella said hugging her. 

" Where's Mike?"

" Right here," he said rushing downstairs, shirt unbuttoned and hair messily on his side. Ella sighed and fixed it. 

" Let's go," she said as they opened the door, leaving as a happy, healthy family.

---

The car ride was fast, and soon enough they came to the restaurant, a new Italian place that was buzzing with business in RoseWood. Aria stepped out of the car and entered it. It was fresh, clean, and new. Oak floor and wide windows gave you a tumblr feeling. 

" Reservations for Strauss," Ella said, saying the last name of their friends. Apparently their friends son just moved to RoseWood and was new. Aria was excited to meet him. As they walked to their table, her heart dropped like the Titanic. In front of her, sitting at her table was

The Holden boy

With those intense, lively eyes watching her.