Hold Me Close: An Ezria Story

Please Stay

Aria's POV:

My eyes drifted open and I felt strong warm arms around my waist. Ezra. His embrace was so comforting and he was all I wanted. I wanted him to stay with me, I felt safe with him. I was pulled from my thoughts when I heard a familiar voice from the hallway and noticed the door was open. It was Hanna. And Emily and Spencer were probably with her. I don't know what made me do it but I shut my eyes tight and pretended like I was still asleep. I didn't want to talk about -A right now, or ever again.

Spencer's POV:

Emily, Hanna, and I had gotten up early to come and visit Aria before the fundraiser for school this morning. Hanna was blabbering about some article she read in a magazine as we walked through the open doorway of Aria's hospital room. I stopped in my tracks as I noticed Aria asleep, with Mr. Fitz cuddling up next to her.

I couldn't help but feel awkward that the three of us were just sitting here watching them sleep together, considering the circumstances of Fitz being our former teacher. A chill ran down my spine and I shivered.

"Hey, you okay?" Emily asked, placing a hand on my arm.

"Yeah I'm fine, just cold.." I said as I tried to rub away the goosebumps forming on my arms. This whole situation made me feel pretty uncomfortable, but we had to stay here for Aria. We needed to talk about -A.

Ezra's POV:

I woke up to the steady sound of Aria's heart monitor next to me. Aria was still asleep in my arms. All of a sudden I heard a voice from behind me.

"Mr. Fitz? Are you awake?" It was Hanna. I slowly nodded without turning around because I didn't want to disturb Aria.

But then Aria's eyes fluttered open and she let out a small sigh. I unwrapped my hands from her waist, afraid I was hurting her.

"Your friends are here to see you before they go to the fundraiser." I said as I stroked her hair along the side of her face. She struggled to shift and sit up, and I heard her let out a little gasp as she clutched her side.

"Hey, go easy, just lay back. I can move the bed." I said getting up off the bed and sitting in a chair. I gently pushed her shoulders back until she was relaxed again.

I pushed the little button that slowly started to elevate the head of her bed until she was a little more upright.

"Thanks." Aria said quietly as she fiddled with the little plastic piece attached to her finger.

I leaned back in the chair as Aria's friends surrounded her.

"So Aria, I was reading this magazine on the way here, and there was an article about a fashion show held in Paris every year. Only the bestest most gorgeous models get to walk and only the most genius designers get to design. It's very prestigious. And I've decided I'm going to attend one someday." Hanna said, holding her head high. I could tell she was trying to lighten the tension.

"That's great Hanna." Aria said with a small giggle. "I'll totally come with you." She said, smiling wide. She was finally starting to sound like the old Aria. My Aria.

But there was still something different about her. The sparkle in her eyes seems dull. Whenever I touch her somewhere unexpectedly, she nearly jumps out of her skin and her whole body starts to tremble. I could tell she was still scared to death because she wouldn't sleep unless I was with her.

I heard Aria let out a little gasp as her giggling faded, and I saw in her eyes how much pain she was in. I gently put my hand on her wrist and she flinched and quickly jerked her hand away.

"S-sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." I said as I grabbed her hand and looked at her worriedly. I could tell how scared she was. There was something she wasn't telling me.

I looked up at Spencer and she was giving me a we need to talk to Aria, alone, look. So I let go of Aria's hand and stood up.

"Well, I'll let you guys have your girl talk. I'm gonna go grab a coffee." I said.

Aria gave me a terrified glance and then looked back to her friends. Emily gave her a reassuring smile. Something was wrong. Why was Aria afraid to be left alone with her friends?

"Ezra... Please stay..." She whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek. What was wrong? Why did she seem so...scared?

"It's fine Aria. Ezra's been here the whole night. He deserves a break." Spencer piped in.

"I'll just be in the cafeteria. It'll take like five minutes." I said kissing the top of her head.

"Ezra please." She begged me with frightened eyes and brimming with tears.

"Just go Ezra. Give us a couple minutes. We'll take care of her." Spencer said.

I looked back to Aria to find that she was looking down at her hands resting on the blanket. I sighed and walked towards the door.

"Ezra...please don't leave..." I heard Aria saying behind me, gasping for breath between each word.

I wheeled around as I saw Aria gasping for breath with tears streaming down her face. I ran to the bed and stroked her hair. "Calm down Aria. I'll stay. Okay? I'll stay..." I said.

"What's happening!?" Hanna said with a scared voice as she backed up a little.

"She's having a panic attack. I need to calm her down, or the bleeding could start again..." I said.

I stroked her hair and rubbed circles on her shoulder until she finally calmed down and her breathing got a little steadier.

"You okay?" I asked her. She nodded and I kissed her forehead.

"Go take a break. I'm sorry." Aria whispered.

I smiled at her and stood up. "I'll be back in like five minutes." I said to Spencer as I walked to the door.

I left the room, leaving the door open behind me. Something about this didn't feel right...