ARIAS POV:
"it's ok just come back when you.. I'll be fine Ezra. I'll see you when you get back." I looked away batting my eyes hiding the tears then finally I looked back at him and then he pulled me in tight. I let him go. he turned and walked away. I looked down as the tears tried to form. suddenly I felt two hands lift my chin and then one arm around my body as he kissed me. it was long. it finally ended. he took one last look at me and walked away. this time I couldn't hide the tears. I went home and cuddled in a blanket crying. I told him to go and find her. he's been distant due to it all. it was the least I could do. maybe once he's back he will choose her. maybe he will leave me. I don't know if I'll make it. he was with her for five years. how can I compare? I zipped up the dress crying more realizing he may never see it.
---
the next day I went and talked to Jason. we sat there and just talked and talked. he made me laugh again. I smiled. he stared at me for a long while. he kissed me. I didn't move for a moment but once I got caught up I jumped up and pushed him away.
"Jason... I can't... I'm with Ezra... and I just can't. I love him."
"I'm sorry I just got caught up in the moment."
"look I have to go." I said running upstairs to the loft. I sat on the couch and looked at my phone waiting for Ezra to text or call me. I stared long and hard at the wall. then it hit me.
**flashback***
"look I have to go Jason. this here is over." I said jumping out of the bed fixing my shirt and leaving him.
----
I looked down at my phone as I got a text it was from Ezra.
"aria we need to talk. soon? it's important."
in that moment I knew she was alive. I didn't know what to say or do. I called him. I heard his voice break.
"aria?" he questioned as it broke even more
"Ezra are you okay?" I felt as if I couldn't breathe
"honestly? I don't know. they found her. they did and I didn't know what I'm supposed to say to her... I'm heading to the hospital now aria I'm so sorry...."
"say everything. Everything you said in that book."
"I can't."
"why?"
"some of my feelings were for you in that book."
"Ezra look when you get back here I'll understand I will. I won't hold any of this against you. especially if you choose her. you were together then she disappeared you never got that goodbye. but now it never has to come. Ezra I'll understand if you love her more than you do me."
"aria look I-" his phone cut off but I knew... I knew what he was going to say.
a few days later I started to pack my stuff as I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. it shouldn't be Ezra he's not supposed to be home he'd call me when his plane lands. he came in. I walked in the living room setting my bags down.
"where are you going?" he stuttered. he looked so broken.
"Ezra look I understand everything that's happening..." I stopped for a moment as I saw him state at my ringless hand. I crossed my arms.
"Ezra just say it please..."
"say what? I love you? you're the one? I can't leave you .... aria I just needed that goodbye. aria I love you so much you're the one I want to marry and spend the rest of my life with." he said
"really?" I said so shocked
"really really." he said smiling at me holding his arms out. I ran to him and never ever wanted to let him go.
