Let's go back to the start

14. Last Dance

Arias POV
After a few dances with Riley I started feeling a little hot and light headed. I excused myself and made my way out the doors of the gymnasium and grabbed my flask from my hand bag taking a quick drink. I walked around the side breathing in the much needed air. I leant back against the bench seat taking another sip from my flask. I looked up at the stars wondering in that moment where my life was heading. I was almost 17 and felt like my life had gone around in a circle already then came to a complete standstill.

"Hey" I heard a familiar voice say from behind me. I turned around.

"Ezra... what are you doing here?" I asked shocked to see him.

"Ella asked me to chaperone but I needed some air" he replied staring into my eyes.

"Yeah me too" I smiled looking at the ground.

"How have you been?" he asked walking over and taking a seat on the park bench.

"Yeah getting there I guess. Heard you were getting married" I said taking a seat beside him.

"Where did you hear that?" He said letting a laugh escape his lips.

"Jackie" I replied immediately looking into his eyes for answers.

"No way Aria...never!" He took my hands into his and continued "I never slept with her not until we had broken up and I thought you were never coming back.  Biggest mistake of my life"

"But what about the Friday you flew back from New York after Tainbridge I saw you in bed with her and the kiss in the Brew?" I asked confused.

"Aria I was never in bed with her. It wasn't me. And she kissed me at the Brew and I pulled away. I would never do anything like that to hurt you. I'm in love with you" he replied with only honesty in his eyes.

"Your still in love with me?" I asked gripping his hand tighter.

"Yes I've never stopped. It's always been you" he replied staring into my eyes. I leant in and kissed him. A kiss that made sparks run through my entire body. I pulled back.

"So who was in bed with Jackie in your apartment then?" I whispered a little confused.

"I'm guessing she knew where the spare key was, I've changed my locks since" he replied before pulling me back in for a kiss.

"Can we go back to yours?" I asked starting to get cold shivers.

"I promised your mom I would stay till 10pm and help or I could just say I'm not feeling well" he replied smiling.

"No that's ok" I said smiling planting another long hard kiss on his perfect lips. He stood up and I watched him disappear back inside. I took one last gulp of my flask before making my way back inside.

Ezra's POV
I made my way back over and stood by the punch bowl excusing Mrs Welsh for a break. I watched Aria come back in a join her friends on the dance floor.

"Hey Ezra have you had time to talk to Aria yet?" Ella asked standing beside me.

"Yeah we had a chat outside just before" I replied smiling.

"Does a chat involve kissing...and a lot of it at that?" She said sternly.

"Um Ella, I'm so sorry it just kind of happened" I replied feeling my heart sink.

"Honestly you aren't her teacher anymore, but you are reasonably older" she said in a low flat tone "I like you Ezra but just remember she has just gotten out of a bad relationship and is vulnerable. So please don't hurt her." She added.

"Ella I would never hurt Aria" I replied honestly.

"Thanks for doing the chaperoning tonight. If you and Aria start dating make sure she brings you over for dinner one night" she said smiling before disappearing into the crowd. I can't believe Ella had caught us and been ok with everything.

Mrs Welsh made her way back over and grabbed a cup of punch. I watched Aria dance with her group of friends and just smiled as her eyes kept finding mine across the room. She made her way over to the punch bowl and grabbed a drink.

"So who's your date?" I asked curiously.

"Riley he's just a good friend" she replied smiling. "Who's yours?" She asked pointing towards Mrs Welsh as we both burst out laughing.

I took the punch from her hand and placed it on the table as the band started playing 'Lady Antebellum Just a kiss goodnight'. I led her to the dance floor and placed my hands on her waist. She looked at me shocked, but wrapped her arms around my neck as we slow danced together.

Arias POV
Holy shit. Ezra had asked me to dance in front of the entire school including my mother. But I loved being in his arms. I looked around expecting everyone to be staring but not a single person was.

"Ezra what if my mom sees" I asked nervously looking for her.

"It's ok she knows about us and gave me her blessing to date you" he replied smiling.

"Really?" I asked completely surprised.

"Yeah she caught us outside kissing and said she was fine with it" he replied cupping my face and planting a long kiss on my lips. I nestled my head against his chest and listened to his heart beat as we danced slowly to the music. I had never felt more love and protection then I had right now. The whole world stood still in that moment. After the song finished Ezra placed a kiss on my lips and made his way to his punch bowl duties. I notice my mom near the front doors staring.

I made my way over trying to engage her response to what she had just seen.

"You two look happy" she said smiling.

"Mom it feels weird kissing my old teacher in a school he used to work" I said smiling.

"No one noticed sweetie and I'm just happy he can make you smile again" she replied giving me a big hug. "You may want to talk to your date though. He seemed a little upset and left" she added releasing me.

"Oh no I forgot about Riley" I said before walking out the door. I looked outside and found the limo already gone. I tried calling him but it just went straight to message bank. I sat down on the cold steps and thought how I had told him I could only be friends but maybe I had led him on asking him here to be my date. He was such a nice guy and I never meant to hurt him like that. I was deep in thought when I felt someone place a coat over my arms and sit down beside me wrapping his arm around me.

"You ok? Let's go home" Ezra asked and I nodded as he grabbed my hand and led me to his car.