Chapter 1

Ezra sat in his apartment staring at the front of a card. The picture of Hardy, his old college roommate, and his fiancé stared back at him. The wedding invitation was blaring up at him. It was times like these that he missed Aria more and more. As he stared down at the picture, he was brought back to when he introduced Aria and Hardy. His friend's reaction to them being together. The thought of himself in an orange jumpsuit flashed through his mind. He smiled gently at the memory but it soon vanished. Sighing, he tossed the card onto his coffee table and leaned back in the sofa. Hardy was getting married in two weeks and he was expected to attend as the man's best man.

Ezra looked down at his watch and sighed before getting up and heading for the door. Getting in his car, he drove to Hollis College. After parking, he sat in his vehicle and looked around him. He caught himself doing that a lot these days to make sure he didn't run into Byron Montgomery. One thing Ezra didn't need was to be reminded of what he had lost or to hear how she and Jason were doing. The last time he had talked to Byron and Ella, they had told him they disliked Jason. That something was off about him. Of course, it would be creepy if someone was putting up a privacy fence and covering the windows with newspapers. Apparently, Aria didn't see what her parents, friends, and everyone else in Rosewood could see.

Determining it was all clear; he grabbed his suitcase and made his way to his office. Walking on campus everyday always brought memories of Aria back. He had to walk the same path to his office as he did when he used to walk her to her pottery class. As soon as he passed the coffee car, the memory of her first day flashed in his mind. Her Hollis ID card. Holding hands for the first time in public. Kissing for the first time on campus. He missed her. Everywhere he went something reminded him of her.

Finally, he made it to his office. Sighing, he set his briefcase down on the desk and plopped down in his chair he leaned forward resting his elbows on the desk and hiding his face in his hands. Life was horrible. He ran his hands down his face and rested his chin in the palm of his right hand. He looked slightly to the right and saw the memory of Aria sitting there as she told him what it was like finding Ian.

His head spun to the door when he heard a knock. His eyes widened when he saw Jackie walking in. It was happening all over again. She smiled over at him. "Hey, Z!"

Ezra smiled.

"Some of us are going out for drinks after work. You want to come?" she asked. Ezra opened his mouth to protest but Jackie held up her hand. "Let me guess. You're not in the mood." Ezra snapped his mouth close and sighed. She nodded. "Are you okay? You seem different the past few months." It had been four months since he and Aria had broken up. The pain in his heart made it seem like only yesterday.

"I'm fine," he assured her. She nodded not quite believing him.

"If you want to talk I'm here." She smiled at him and walked out. Ezra's soft smile faded as she walked out. He sighed and clenched his jaw. He needed to get her off his mind but everything he tried failed. She was everywhere. Somebody was always bringing her up. Whether they meant to or not.

The day, like every other day, went by slowly. Ezra was grateful when it ended. He smiled at his students as they made their way out of his lecture hall. He knew that some of his female students were attracted to him. Some had even come up to him and told him. But none of them were anything compared to Aria. They're passion for Literature didn't even compare to Aria's. He and Aria thought about things the same way. It was easy to discuss these things with her.

Once he got home, he walked over to the cupboard and pulled out a glass and poured himself a glass of scotch. He downed it in one gulp and then poured him another. He closed his eyes and let the liquid make its way down his throat. He sighed. He fixed himself a quick sandwich before getting in the shower. When he got out, he fell on his bed and was asleep instantly.