Long Distance

Dealer.

[Ethan]

I couldn't stop replaying last nights events in my head. After Aria left, I contemplated whether or not to chase after her and decided not to. But now here I was, unsure of everything. Hoping that even the slightest chance of her reciprocating my feelings existed.

I couldn't stop wondering why Aria just ran off like that? I finally admitted my feelings to her and she just ran off. It definitely wasn't the reaction I wanted but I guess it's understandable. She was engaged-to an asshole at that- but she was engaged nonetheless and having another guy tell you that he loves you probably isn't the best thing to hear.

I sigh and get out of bed, changing into some jeans and a white fitted shirt. I needed to find Aria and talk to her about what happened. I needed to know how she felt. Normally I would talk to Rachel before doing these things but she was with her parents today.

The car ride to Aria's house is short since she doesn't live that far from me. I park in her driveway and take a deep breath before walking up to her door.

Before I can knock, the door swings open revealing Mason with his suitcase in hand.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He questions, more confused than angry at seeing me. I couldn't tell him that I was here to see Aria. One, he would be majorly pissed and two, by the looks of things Aria wasn't even home.

"I'm here to talk to you." I lie.

"About what?"

"That night at the bar," I think of on the spot. I guess that was something him and I could talk about considering that I saved his ass.

"What about it?" He huffs as he steps out onto the porch and closes the door behind him. He crosses his arms across his chest and leans against the door.

"Who was the guy?"

"That's none of your business," he snaps.

"Well considering I'm the one who kept him from beating the shit out of you, I'd say it kinda is my business."

He gives me a glare before he sighs and speaks up.

"He was a dealer." He mutters with a look of pure shame on his face. If I was being honest, I wasn't surprised. This asshole would go back to smoking behind Aria's back regardless of the good reputation he's made everyone believe. "You can't tell Aria," he states, his look of shame morphing into one of worry. I knew Aria would be pissed at him even more if she found out.

"Alright." I agree to keep his secret. This was really weird. Edwards had just shared something major with me, his nemesis. A part of me wanted to run to Aria with this newly found information so that they'd break up, but I was above that. I wasn't the type to destroy a relationship, which is ironic considering I've made them fight the most they ever have. "So where is she anyways?" I ask referring to the girl I was initially here to see.

"She's uh," he hesitates. "She's in the hospital."

"Why?" I try to keep my cool in front of her fiancé but I'm panicking. I swear if he did something to her I was going to rip his head off.

"We were arguing and she passed out," he tells me. "She's in a coma."

My heart stops at his words and I want to tackle the asshole to the ground. He put Aria in the hospital. I manage to contain myself, but I needed to check on her.

Before he realizes how affected the news made me, I speak up.

"She'll be alright man."

"Thanks," he gives me a slight smile. "And thanks for saving my ass the other night."