Let's go back to the start

5- Familiar Faces

Ezra's POV
I arrived back at the apartment bearing coffee and a variety of different bagels. I placed them on the counter and notice Aria asleep on the couch. I let a little smirk cross my face remembering the events that led to her being so tired. I walked over and placed a bagel and coffee in front of Aria and leant down brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Hey baby I come bearing coffee" I whispered softly into her ear.

"Oh your the best" she said sitting up yawning.

"I know I am" I smirked placing a kiss on her lips.

"Oh someone left a message while you were gone" she told me taking a sip of coffee.

I hopped off the couch and pushed the play button on my answering machine. I listened to the woman's voice before looking over to Aria for a response. It sounded like Jackie, the woman I was engaged to before I met Aria.

"So who's that?" Aria asked standing up.

"Er just an old family friend, I didn't even realise she worked at Hollis" I replied knowing full well I should have just told the truth. I grabbed my coffee and bagel and hit play on the DVD player before cuddling up to Aria on the couch. After nearly making it through the entire movie we both crashed on the couch.

I was awoken suddenly by a knock at the door. I looked at the time 1:03pm. Who the hell could this be, hopefully my neighbour Mrs Woods had baked me another cake. I opened the door coming face to face with my ex Jackie. I slowly shut the door behind me so we wouldn't wake Aria.

"What are you doing here Jackie" I asked curiously wondering why she' had shown up to my apartment.

"Hi to you too Ezra" she replied smiling brushing her long black hair from her face with her hand.

"I'm pretty busy right now" I said hoping she would leave.

"Well give me a call sometime. Let's catch up for a drink" she replied before turning around to leave.

"Jackie I can't. I'm seeing someone" I said quickly before she got too far away.

"It's just a catch up Z, for old times sake" she replied before turning around and leaving.

I made my way back into my apartment and notice Aria wasn't on the couch any more. She must of heard my conversation. I walked over to the bathroom door and knocked.

"You ok Aria" I asked.

"Yeah I'll be out in a second" she replied quickly. Maybe she hadn't heard my conversation after all.

Aria's POV
I had heard everything, I could feel him and this Jackie person were more than just family friends. Why didn't he just tell me? Why couldn't he just be honest? I made my way out of the bathroom to find Ezra sitting on the bed looking confused.

"Hey what's wrong?" I asked sitting beside him.

"Nothing let's just go out and grab some lunch" he replied not even looking me on the eyes.

"Sure let's go" I said grabbing my hand bag.

He walked over placing his hands around my waist "Aria do you know how much I love you" he said staring into my eyes.

"Yep but not as much as I love you though" I replied laughing trying to lighten the mood. I pulled him in close and softly kissed his lips.

We decided not to go anywhere that was going to draw attention to us after all it had only been yesterday that he left Rosewood High. We made our way into a quiet burger shop and ordered a couple burgers and fries and took a seat in a booth. Although I decided to sit beside Ezra. He seemed to be in a quiet mood and I knew exactly what he was thinking about. I thought I would try and lighten the mood. I ran my hand along his thigh under the table running little circle motions getting close to his crutch while leaning in breathing hot air on his neck.

"Aria" he said laughing grabbing my hand and holding it in his. "I'll be here all day under this table if you start that."

"Just trying to cheer you up babe" I said smiling while giving him a peck on the lips.

"Aria that female voice on the message was Jackie. A girl I used to be engaged to" he replied almost at a whisper.

"Oh you were married?" I replied a little shocked.

"No it never happened, I met her during collage and proposed. She wasn't ready" he said looking a little sad.

"So you still love her?" I asked nervously taking a casual bite of my burger.

"No of course not, I'm in love with someone else" he answered taking my hand.

"Was I just your rebound?" I asked curiously.

"No Aria, you mean the world to me. I didn't know what love was until I met you" he said smiling leaning in and kissing my lips.

I smiled knowing he was being completely honest. "I love you so much, thanks for telling me" I replied cupping his face and pulled him in for a more deeper kiss.

Ezra's POV
Why did I think Aria would act any differently? She took the news I had been hiding since the beginning of our relationship and pushed it aside believing a past is a past for a reason. I had one amazing girl and I was never going to lose her. After lunch we went to the grocery store and split up to find the things for dinner quicker. I was in the pasta aisle trying to find spinach pasta.

"Fancy seeing you here" I heard a voice behind me and quickly spun around, it was Jackie.

"Ah yeah just needed to grab a few things" I replied.

"So your cooking now Z. You've learnt some new things after me. Maybe you can cook for me sometime?" She asked staring uncomfortably into my eyes.

"Hey Ezra I could only find the garlic one" I heard Aria say walking towards me holding up sauce, she hadn't looked up and seen Jackie yet.

"Jackie this is my girlfriend Aria" I said pulling Aria in close to introduce them.

"Oh wow you look super young...nice to meet you Aria" Jackie replied looking a little flustered holding out her hand.

"Good genes I guess. Nice to meet you too" Aria replied taking her hand and shaking it.

"So we better push on, I guess I will see you on Monday" I said taking Arias hand and quickly left the aisle. Although I would have to go back later to find pasta. I'm guessing Aria picked up on who she was because there was complete silence all the way home.