Let's go back to the start

10. Big City Lights

Ezra's POV
It had been over a week and every time I rang Arias phone it told me the number had been disconnected. I started realising that maybe it was over and she never wanted to talk or see me again. But why? what had I done so wrong.
I made my way into Professor Montgomery's office and took a seat. I somehow needed to start small talk about Aria without throwing off suspicion.

"Good morning Ezra. What can I do for you?"
He asked looking up from his book.

"Morning Byron, I'm just wondering whether you have a copy of 'catcher in the rye' I have seemed to misplace mine?" I asked.

"Sure check the shelf on the left over there" he replied pointing. I jumped up and grabbed the book from the shelf.

"Thanks. So how's the family?" I asked.

"Yeah their good" he replied smiling.

"How's Aria going with her new English teacher" I asked trying to study his expression.

"Um yeah ok I guess. She's going through a bit of a hard time at the moment" he replied looking a little upset.

"Oh hopefully nothing too serious" I said throwing back a sympathetic look.

"Just boyfriend drama. Some scum bag cheated on her. I tell you what though if I knew who he was-" he trailed off before finishing his sentence just shaking his head. "I mean he must of been someone special to her cause she's just been like a robot. She just seems to sleep, eat, go to school and spends her whole weekend in bed crying." He added glumly.

"Oh...I better head off I have a class soon" I added quickly leaving his office. I made my way back into mine and slammed the door. Cheated! Had she seen my kiss with Jackie? I knew I had messed up big time. But how could I see her to explain.

Arias POV
It was now verging on a month of not seeing Ezra. I avoided all my usual spots and on weekends I spent them curled up in bed. It was late Friday afternoon I had stayed back and helped Hannah and Mona with arranging some things for halloween. I wondered what my costume would be this year. I made my way to my car about to jump in when someone grabbed me shoulder from behind. I quickly spun around in a panic. It was Jackie.

"You scared me" I said angrily still trying to catch my breathe.

"Oops sorry Aria. What are you doing at school so late. Meeting up with another teacher perhaps?" She asked smirking.

"What are you talking about?" I shot back.

"Well now that Ezra and I are together I just assumed you would be seeing someone else" she replied letting out a small laugh.

"So you and Ezra are together now?" I asked as a tear slid down my cheek.

"Did you really think your school girl crush would last. He was only using you Aria. Now we are happily back together and getting married." She said smiling.

"Well good for you. You both deserve each other!" I yelled angrily before climbing in my car and speeding off. I should turn around right now and speed back over her like a speed bump I thought as tears dropped from my eyes.  I drove to Spencer's house and collapsed into her arms. She held me for as long as I needed.

"Can you cover for me this weekend? I really need to get away?" I asked  almost begging.

"Sure. Did you want me to come with you?" She asked already grabbing a bag.

"No I think I just need to be by myself for a while" I told her grabbing my hand bag and heading back to the car.

I drove back home and packed a few things into a overnight bag and told mom I was having a girls weekend at Spencer's to cheer me up a bit. She agreed that it was a fantastic idea. I drove to New York and checked in to a small dainty bed and breakfast. I pulled out the business card Dan had given me and sent a few of my lyrics to the email address in hope that he would like them and be paid commissions so I could leave Rosewood and start a new life.

I had a quick shower and threw on a red dress and heels and caught a taxi to a night club. I ordered drink after drink and danced the night away. A cute dark haired blue eyed guy made his way over to me. I had to take a second look to know it wasn't Ezra. How was I seeing him everywhere I went? The cute guy started dancing with me and before I knew it we were making out on the dance floor. We made our way outside into the cool New York air.

"I'm Riley" he said finally introducing himself.

"Aria" I replied smiling.

"Do you wanna get out of here?" He asked already hailing a taxi.

"Sure" I replied jumping in to the cab.

After driving for a while we pulled up to some gates. Riley pushed the buzzer and spoke to a voice on an intercom. The gate buzzed and opened. We drove up a long drive way to an amazing white colonial style mansion. It was beautiful.

"Do you live here?" I asked in shock. Who the hell was this man.

"Yeah one of my many properties" he said smiling.

We made our way inside and to what I presume was a butler placed drinks in front of us on the table. I took a large gulp to calm the butterflies in my stomach.

"So who exactly are you?" I asked.

"Riley Smith...I'm a land developer" he replied smiling.

"You seem pretty young" I said trying to figure out his age.

"Yeah a family business. I'm 22" he replied smiling taking a seat.

"So Aria you look young yourself. What do you do?" He asked staring into my eyes.

"Um I'm currently studying" I replied not exactly telling him the whole truth.

"So your in college then?" He asked.

"Can I use your bathroom" I quickly said changing the subject.

"Yeah of course. Down the hall third door on the left" he answered smiling and pointing down the hallway. I made my way down the hall and gently closed the door in the bathroom. I fixed my hair and make up and took a long deep breathe before making my way back out to Riley. I took a seat as the butler placed two hot cups of coffee on the bench.

"I think I should go" I told Riley taking a seat.

"Please stay drink your coffee and we can just chat. I'll get my driver to take you home or you are welcome to crash in a spare room" he replied smiling kindly. This guy was a breathe of fresh air just what I needed after Ezra. We finished our coffees and talked for ages. I decided to stay so he showed me to a guest bedroom and told me to choose some of his sisters clothes from the wardrobe. He told me how his sister was in an abusive relationship and how she would just show up at random times needing a place to stay so she always kept spare clothes there. I grabbed a pair of shorts and a shirt and placed them on before climbing into the massive king bed. I sent Spence a text letting her know I was ok even though it was late. I slowly drifted off to sleep.