Ezra's POV
I thought it would always be me who walked you down the aisle. I thought it would always be me who was your handsome groom. I thought it would always be me who looked down at you, beautiful as ever, from the alter. Now I sit in a pew watching Liam be in the place where I was supposed to be. I cry inside as I watch your father walk your down the aisle. I cry seeing your smiling face look down at Liam the way you should be looking at me. I cry knowing you aren't mine and now your his. I cry knowing in a few minutes, I'll never be able to get you back. You'll be his forever.
"Hey" Someone said, sliding into the seat beside me.
"Oh hey Mike" I say to your brother.
"You still love her, don't you? He asked me and I nod.
"There will never be a day when I don't love her" I replied, shaking my head.
"I know she still loves you. This is your only chance" He says.
"I can't ruin her wedding. I'm not that bad of a guy" I say, shaking my head.
"It's not ruining it. It's just showing her that your feelings are still there and so are hers" He says, getting out of the seat. "But that's your choice. If you want to spend the rest of your life without her then let her get married. If not, then do something about it"
I watch as he walks away and takes his place in the front next to his parents. I watch as you stand hand in hand with Liam. Even the thought of his name in my mind, made me sick.
"We are here today to celebrate the bonding of Liam Green and Aria Montgomery" The pastor starts and I sigh, leaning back in my seat.
Your name just sounds so beautiful and you were so beautiful but I had no guts and no strength to tell you. So I sat silently in the back almost unnoticeable. I zone out on most of the stuff that's being said and soon enough before I knew it, You and Liam were walking down the aisle together, arms wrapped around each other. You look happy, smiling and waving to everyone. I looked over at you and you paused in front of me.
"Hi, Ezra. Glad you could make it" You say before pushing through the double doors of the church.
That's all you had to say to me. You didn't love me anymore. I was fooling myself if I really thought that you did.
"You had your chance" I'm reminded by Mike as he passes.
I follow him out the door and then we go separate ways. I go to my car where I pound on the steering wheel, sending a loud blaring noise fly through the air. I debate on going to the after party. But why would I want to see you and another man have your first dance? Why would I want to see you and another man kiss? Why would I want to see you with someone other than me?
"You coming?" Mike asked, pounding on my window and swinging the passenger door open.
"I told my parents I'd get a ride with you"
He jumps into the passenger seat and I put the car in drive. I guess I didn't have a choice then to see all the things I dreaded. We pulled into the small banquet hall. Mike got out first while I sat still. I couldn't move. I couldn't feel my legs. I didn't have the strength to move. My heart ached and I didn't know how to stop it when I was about to step into my worst nightmare.
"Let's go" Mike said after I pulled into a spot and parked.
I nod even though this is not okay. I don't even know why I came to the wedding anyway. This was worse than a nightmare. This was reality. A dream you couldn't wake up from.
We walked inside and I sat down at a distant table far away from the dance floor. The bartender came around and I ordered a scotch. I sipped slowly, watching you dance hand in hand with Liam and then your friends. Your curly long haired bounced to the music as you spun. You walked over to me and took the drink from my lips and set it down on the table.
"Hey stranger" You said, pulling me onto my feet. "Come dance with me"
"No, no" I say but you are persistent. I'm glad to see you haven't changed.
You spun around me as we danced to the beat of the music.
"How have you been? I haven't seen you in awhile" You asked, continuing to spin.
"I've been okay" I reply although that's not the truth. I've been no where near okay.
A slow song starts to play and you smile.
"Dance with me" You say, putting your hands on my shoulders.
"Isn't the first dance for husband and wife?" I ask, nervously looking around for Liam.
"Doesn't have to be" You reply "we can dance together as friends"
Friends. The word haunted me as my hands rested on your hips. That's all you thought of me. Friends.
"So are you and Liam moving away from Rosewood?" I ask, trying to make conversation. Trying to focus on something else then how your lips looked and how I longed to kiss them.
"No, I think we're gonna stay. I don't want to move far away" She said.
"That's good" I say, imagining meeting her for coffee and discussing book ideas although none of that could happen.
"I'm leaving Rosewood for awhile" I tell you although I had never thought of that until now. I couldn't be in the same town as her anymore. I couldn't see your face without longing to kiss it and I definitely couldn't see Liam and you holding hands, strolling through town, ordering coffee at my shop, or see you at all. I just couldn't do it.
"Oh okay, I hope we can stay in touch" You reply.
"Well I'm pretty sure Liam won't want you keeping in touch with your ex boyfriend" I want to say but "Yeah me too" is what I say instead.
"I gotta go, Liam is waiting" You say, giving a little finger wave to Liam. The same one you used to give me when we were across the room or when you were leaving for school or your job. The one that I thought was assigned for just me but I guess I was wrong.
"Bye, Aria" I whisper as she prances away into Liam's arms.
I grab my jacket off the back of my chair and walk out. I had to leave now. Not tomorrow. Not the day after that. Now. I couldn't think about her anymore and Rosewood was the wrong place to be if that was my plan.
