Chapter 1

Monday Morning

Blue skies, warm weather, singing birds, and the smell of freshly cooked pancakes consumes Aria's morning. It was safe to say she was in fact a morning person. She enjoyed waking up early in the morning and knowing she had a whole day to conquer; it was even more refreshing knowing she got to conquer it at college. She had recently graduated from Rosewood High and was starting Hollis. She hadn't intended to go to Hollis College for a number of reasons, but her final year had been so hectic that it had left her with no choice. She did not see it as a burden though; she believed that there was a path her life was destined to take. An optimist was definitely a word used to describe Aria Montgomery; the glass was always half-full in her eyes.

Then there was Ezra Fitz. He rubbed the sleep out of his dreary eyes and was greeted by the same box-like room he had spent the past few years in. Another year at Hollis sounded dreadful to Ezra. He snooze the alarm that made his head pound; drinking the day before classes started was definitely not the best idea. He looked up at the underneath of the mattress that was above his and heard Hardy's, his college roommate, snores echo through the room. A lazy devilish grin grew on his thin lips as he raised his leg to kick his top bunk. Hardy instantly shot up into sitting position, letting out a groan before pathetically attempting to hit Ezra from the top bunk as Ezra crawled out from bed with a smug grin.

Monday Morning meant two completely different things for Aria and Ezra. For Aria this Monday morning was one full of new opportunities, new people and potentially a new life, but for Ezra it was like groundhog day. It was safe to say that being 22 meant that he felt as if he had out grown college life, he was tired of the parties and being patronized by professors when he was now an adult. He wanted to break free, find a job, rent an apartment, and be respected by those around him as an equal. He had no doubt that his intellectual level was equivalent to those of his professors being that he was possibly the highest achiever in his grade, yet that didn't stop them constantly talking down to him. He thought college was going to be his time to mature when he felt like he was still in high school.

Aria, who had yet to experience college, saw it as her opportunity to flourish in her own way. She didn't see it as a restraint from the real world, she saw it as preparation and she knew for certain that being thrown in to a job at the age of 18 wasn't something that interested her. She was nervous, curious, but most of all she was excited. She had been disappointed she wasn't going to be staying on campus since she lived merely minutes away, but she knew she'd make the most of the time spent there. Her parents, whom had always encouraged Aria to express herself, had agreed that they wouldn't keep a tight leash on her as they too wanted her to have a normal college experience.

There she stood, in the parking lot of Hollis College, she felt like an infant starting elementary school. Everyone around her were so adult, she almost felt self-conscious of her 5 ft. 2 stature as she eyed the model-like girls who strutted past her with books clutched to their chests. She glanced over to her father with obvious worry in her face, he smiled to her in an attempt to calm her nerves and somehow it had worked. She was almost thankful he would be there for her to support her even if that did mean she wouldn't be experiencing the full independency she deeply craved.

She strolled on to the campus and watched intently as college students rushed past her, not even batting an eye lid at her presence. She let out a calming breath before searching her handbag for her cell phone and calling Spencer, her best friend, who was also attending Hollis with her. Spencer was much more disappointed than Aria upon the discovery she had to attend Hollis, she was prestigious and expected to be attending the best colleges in the states, but their last year at High School had been a messy one to say the least which meant that they had been left with little to no choice. Aria had come to accept it better than Spencer who mourned the death of her childhood dreams of attending the top colleges in the country.

"Where are you?" Aria asked her as soon as she heard Spencer answer the phone.

"Right behind you." Spencer replied with a slight moan evident in her voice. Aria could hear Spencer's voice behind her as she turned to greet her with a gleaming smile and a tight hug. "I don't belong here." Spencer sulked.

Aria rolled her eyes as she released her friend from the hug. "Stop being such a snob, Spencer Hastings." She warned with a pointed finger.

"I'm sorry. What do you expect? You said it yourself, I am a Hastings." Spencer joked; causing Aria to let out a laugh that was short lived as they realised it was time for their first ever lecture in English Literature.

Ezra strolled through the too familiar halls of Hollis on route to his favourite professor's office to hand him his essay. He had been working on it the whole of summer break and would be lying if he said he wasn't anxious to hear Professor Montgomery's response to his hard work. He knew the likeliness of it being a bad one was very small, but he couldn't help but worry. Ezra was a worrier. He tapped on the door with his knuckles before entering without waiting a reply; he had a good relationship with Byron meaning that waltzing into his office wasn't seen as disrespectful, he was just comfortable with him.

He swung the wooden door open and froze instantly as he noticed he had company. It wasn't just company of anyone, but of a young, beautiful woman. He grabbed the attention of both of them as they looked over to him. He couldn't seem to respond to the expected look Professor Montgomery gave him as he became fixated on the woman. She had the most beautiful hazel eyes he had ever seen, they almost sparkled in the artificially lit, dull office. His eyes roamed her perfectly structured face: her cute button nose, her parted plump lips, her long dark eyelashes, her long brown curled hair, and her blushing cheeks. She had noticed his staring. Professor Montgomery too had noticed his stares as he cleared his throat to get his attention. Ezra responded with a blush as he shot his eyes up to Byron and cleared his, suddenly dry, throat.

"Sorry. I- I um I wanted to give you my essay." He stuttered as he avoided the girl's eyes on him, watching him with evident amusement. He strode over to Byron, who stood behind his desk, and handed him the essay.

"You know, this isn't due for another week, right?" Byron said with humour in his voice. He knew Ezra was embarrassed that he had been caught staring at his daughter, the usual protective Byron would have been furious, but since it was Ezra he found it humorous.

"Right. I finished it a while ago though and I was really apprehensive for you to read it. I couldn't wait another week." Ezra told Byron as his famous boyish grin rose on his lips causing Aria's breath to hitch in her throat. She was thankful it went unnoticed by the men before her, especially Byron.

She was undeniably attracted to this stranger who stood merely a meter away from her. He ticked all of her boxes. His hair was dark brown and curly, his eyes the most beautiful shade of blue and his smile one that was beyond perfection. She couldn't believe he had stared at her- her, the stumpy, baby-faced girl. She watched him as he spoke to her father, seeing how he avoided her eyes on him as his blush remained present on his perfectly structured cheeks.

She looked down at her watch and realised it was almost time for her next lecture. She waited until there was enough silence for her to speak, not wanting to rudely interrupt their conversation. "Bryon, I have a lecture in like 10 minutes so I better get going. Nice meeting you…" She trailed off, waiting for the gorgeous stranger to be named.

"Ezra." He told her, nerves evident in his voice.

"I'm Aria." She smiled. She hadn't found him not asking for her name to be rude, she could tell he had been nervous. She didn't understand how someone as handsome and articulate as Ezra had seemed to be lost for words because of her presence.

"Nice to meet you too, Aria." He returned her smile. Aria, what a beautiful name Ezra mused.

She then span around and left the room, giving one last wave to Bryon. His eyes not leaving hers until she had become completely out of his sights. His eyes still lingering over the place she had stood. Byron playfully rolled his eyes at the stunned Ezra before lightly hitting him over the head with his own essay.

"Didn't your mother teach that it's rude to stare?" Byron joked as he sat down at his desk whilst Ezra dazedly rubbed the back of his head where Bryon had hit him.

"Didn't know you allowed your other students to call you by your first name, Professor Montgomery. And to think I thought we had something special." Ezra teased as he took a seat on the chair opposite Byron. Bryon laughed at both Ezra's statement and his naivety. A devilish grin growing on his face as he prepared to inform Ezra that this girl whom he had been drooling over was in fact his daughter.

"I don't, but I let my daughter." Bryon nonchalantly informed Ezra as he began scanning through his essay; Ezra almost chocked on his own saliva.

His eyes bugged out as he stared at Bryon, looking to see if he could find a hint of joking in his face, but there was none. Ezra immediately stiffened and he was once again at a loss for words. "I am so sorry, Professor. I had no idea. I- I mean she was really pretty. She must get her looks from you, sir." Ezra nervously stammered out, rambling on like a child who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Bryon raised his eyes to look at Ezra's worried expression and a light smirk rose on his lips. "Are you calling me pretty, Mr Fitz?" Byron teased causing Ezra to give out a sarcastic laugh as he was overcome with relief. He honestly thought that he was done for. "You're lucky you are you, Ezra. If it were anyone else checking out my daughter they would be in for some trouble. Needless to say, that doesn't mean you have right to date her. She is only 18 after all." Byron warned Ezra, all humour gone from his voice. Ezra nodded feverishly before standing up from the chair and preparing to exit the office.

"I'll see you Friday, right?" Ezra called from the door.

"Right." Bryon smiled to him as he gave a curt wave and watched Ezra leave the office.

As soon as Ezra did so he let out a breath of relief. He was relieved to have escaped that awkwardness, but wasn't relieved at the fact that he had been instructed not to date Aria. Every bone in his body told him to. As soon as his eyes met hers he knew that it wasn't going to be another usual Monday morning and for the rest of the year no morning will be the same. He needed to get to know her, even if it is forbidden.

It was finally 12 o'clock and she was finally free to roam Rosewood streets in search for food that her stomach protested for. She texted Spencer who had been attending a respective lecture to Aria, hoping she could meet her so she didn't have to eat alone. To her dismay, Spencer Hastings had been a let-down. Since when was meeting Toby more important than spending lunch with her best friend? She groaned aloud as she walked out on to the parking lot of Hollis. It seemed her Dad had already left for lunch as she saw the vacant spot where her father's car had initially been parked.

"He left you stranded, huh?" A relatively familiar voice questioned from behind her. She turned to see a grinning Ezra. Her frown instantly fading into a gleaming smile.

"Let me guess, you're going to be my knight in shining armour?" Aria sarcastically remarked as she batted her long eyelashes at him playfully.

"I might just be." He chuckled; his voice was so mature that it shocked Aria. He sounded like a man, yet his looks were youthful. He didn't sound like the high school boys she had been surrounded by, but she just assumed it was because she was in college now. "Do you want a ride? My car is parked a little further down." He offered as he gestured to the end of the parking lot.

"There's not really a point, I don't have anywhere to go." Aria Montgomery knew exactly what she was doing and hadn't cared how obvious she was being. She didn't want Ezra to just disappear from her life. He had expressed obvious interest in her and Aria was always one for seizing the day.

"I was just about to head to The Brew, if you wanted to join me? It would be nice to not eat alone." He grinned as he shovelled his hand into the pockets of his jeans to fish out his keys.

She loved his look. She loved the navy sweater, the dark blue jeans, and the converse. She loved the way he held himself with such great posture. He seemed beyond his years. He thought the same about her.

She followed him as they walked to his car. He led her over to a silver car that wasn't anything fancy, but she was impressed nonetheless. He opened the door for her and guided her into the car; his charming ways causing her to blush as he closed the door and made his was to this driver's side of the car.

"What's your major?" He asked her as he began driving to The Brew, constantly glancing over to her as he drove.

Every time he looked at her he was almost rendered breathless, she was beautiful. He felt guilty for going against Byron's rules, but he was always one to act on his impulses even if the consequences were vast. 18 years old meant nothing to him; 16 years old probably wouldn't have fazed him if it concerned Aria. He wasn't in to younger girls, but he was into Aria, a lot more than he thought he could be into someone after knowing them for 2 hours or less.

"English." She nodded as she continued to look at him, her attention never wavering as she watched him driving so nonchalantly.

"Same with me." He shot her another glance.

Silence consumed the car and Ezra mental scolded himself for allowing it to grow so abruptly. He sat at a traffic light, tapping his impatient fingers against the steering wheel as he searched his brain for a conversation topic. It was as if, when around Aria, his mind was blank. Admittedly, Ezra wasn't always the greatest when attempting to flirt or get to know a girl whom he found to be attractive, but with Aria it was a whole different story. His sweaty palms and restless movements said it all. She scanned his obviously uncomfortable movements and let out a small giggle. His attention shooting over to her, catching a glimpse of her flawless smile. His heart raced fast.

"Maybe a little music?" Aria suggested as she reached over to the radio and turned it on, acoustic music flowing through the speaker. Aria leant back against the car seat and relaxed as she swayed her head to gentle music.

Dumbfounded- Ezra was completely dumbfounded. How could a girl much younger than him be so confident? Whilst he sat as nervous as a child at the dentist. Ezra did not want to take his eyes from the relaxed girl who sat, losing herself in the melody that surrounded the car. She was astonishingly beautiful in every sense of the word. He was knocked out of his admiring when the car behind him had honked his horn, his eyes shooting to the road in front of him as he placed his foot gently on the accelerator. He heard the soothing sound of Aria's harmonious giggle and his cheeks turned pink, she had caught him staring again. Aria was just so stunning that Ezra couldn't seem to help himself.

"Here we are." Ezra announced as he finally pulled outside The Brew.

Aria's eyes snapped over to Ezra; surprised that the car journey she was enjoying so fondly had come to such a sudden end. Her lips pouting slightly, making Ezra want nothing more than to kiss it away. Aria had seen how Ezra's electric blue eyes glanced to her lips, hovering over them a little longer than social acceptable.

"We still have the journey back, I guess." Aria shrugged in her cheery tone. She shot him a gleaming smile as she jumped out of his silver Toyota Camry. Ezra sat there, frozen as his remained staring at the empty space where she had been seated. Did she know that I wanted to kiss her?

Soon enough, Ezra had joined her at the entrance of The Brew. Being the gentleman Ezra had prided himself on being, he pushed the glass door open, allowing Aria entrance as she walked in ahead of him. She smiled him a thank you and he followed suit behind her, his hands slightly holding her waist to ensure he didn't tumble atop of her due to the closeness of their bodies. She felt a shiver travel down her spine at his touch. She knew he was basically a stranger, but she found herself oddly comfortable in the presence of the handsome blue eyed man.

"Can I get you anything?" He sheepishly asked as he gestured over to cashier who happened to be Emily. Aria was shocked to see it Emily stood there in her usual work attire, apron and all. It wasn't that she hadn't been working there for almost 2 years, but that she hadn't expected to see her on the first day of college.

"Aria!" Emily excitedly exclaimed as she walked round the counter and over to Aria, pulling her into a hug that Aria promptly responded to. Luckily, the only person waiting to be served was Ezra who watched on patiently as the girls shared an embrace.

"Emily, what are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to start college this morning?" Aria questioned, her face showing sheer confusion as they released their hold on one another.

"I start Danby next week." Emily smiled, although her smile showing her obvious nerves.

"You have no reason to be nervous, Em. You'll do great." Aria comforted Emily and Emily gave a thankful smile.

"Anyway, who is this?" Emily asked as she gestured over to Ezra, widening her eyes on Aria with a suggestive look.

"This is Ezra Fitz. He attends Hollis." Aria introduced Ezra to Emily, she too had only just met Ezra meaning that the introduction was a bit vague, but she didn't have much information to give. He was merely just an acquaintance of Aria's.

"Hey." He awkwardly greeted Emily with a small wave. Aria found his shyness endearing.

"Hi, I am Emily, Aria's friend. I really should actually be taking your order right now, so I am going to do that." Emily chuckled and both Aria and Ezra joined with her as she maneuverer herself round to the other side of the counter. "What can I get for you?" she politely asked; her smile ever present.

"I'll have a cheese burger and an Ice Tea and she will have…" He trailed off as he eyed Aria, waiting for her to give her request.

Instead, Aria shook her head at him and waved a dismissive hand. "I'll get my own, thanks."

"Consider this me repaying you for not leaving me to eat on my own." Ezra shot Aria his boyish grin that Aria had never before been on the receiving end of. Her heart raced fast in her chest and a lump formed in her throat. Emily smirked at the sight of Aria as she noticed her swooning over the man before her. Ezra, however, hadn't caught on as he stared at her expectedly.

"I'll have the veggie burger and an Ice Tea, please." She hoarsely told Ezra, he smiled with pride as he looked over to Emily whom had already tallied up their order.

"That'll be $22.95, please." She smiled as Ezra handed her the money. "Take a seat and I will bring you over your order as soon as possible." She told him. Ezra thanked her and made his way over to Aria, Emily wiggled her eyebrows at Aria and she blushed as a reply before following Ezra over to an empty table.

They sat and engaged in small talk. Ezra was so intrigued by Aria. She told him of her time she had spent in Iceland over the summer break and he too told her of his time spent abroad. They exchanged stories and they were both thankful that they found each other to be funny. Ezra and Aria deep down both knew they couldn't date someone who didn't make them laugh, no matter how attracted to them they had been. Soon enough they were brought out of their conversation by Emily who had returned with their orders, gaining a 'thank you' from each of them.

They proceeded to eat their food; their conversations had died out as they devoured their burgers and fries. Ezra had assumed that Aria had been a vegetarian and felt almost guilty for eating meat in front of her, yet she didn't seem to have a care in the world. Not long after they had received their food, they had finished, clearly they were both hungry. Ezra knew he was starved being that he hadn't had time to grab breakfast that morning with him running late. His mind was then flooded with memories from the previous night as a headache returned. He scrunched up his face as he waited for the pain to subside; Aria stared at him with a mixture of confusion and amusement.

"Hangover." Was all he said and Aria nodded in understanding. "Do you drink?"

"From time to time. I have yet to experience the famous college parties everyone has been telling me about since high school." Aria laughed, joined with Ezra. He couldn't believe this womanly girl was just coming out of high school, she looked to be in her 20s and she acted like it to. He knew 18 weren't far behind 20, but at Aria's age he certainly didn't act so composed.

"I'll take you to one, if you want? This Friday? I can be your first." As the final words slipped his mouth he threw his hand over his lips as if to try to catch them. Aria almost chocked on her Ice Tea as she fell into a fit of laughter. Ezra was at first frozen in embarrassment until he found her laugh so contagious that he couldn't help but accompany her.

"I would love that." Aria gave a content smile as both of their laughter died off.

Ezra was so grateful that Aria had been so relaxed and carefree, if it had been any other girl they would probably have been mortified. He knew that the likeliness of Ezra being her first was pretty unlikely anyway, which may have been why it was so humorous to her. He found her attractive to say the least, but he didn't have any intention of jumping into bed with her, especially since her father was Byron Montgomery.

They then left The Brew, saying their goodbyes to Emily as they did so. They jumped into his car, clumsily and both were completely elated. Aria felt as if she was drunk, she felt as what she had been drinking hadn't been Ice Tea. She loved that feeling, the feeling of being on cloud nine merely in the presence of someone else. Ezra brought out this carefree, confident side of Aria and she loved it. Ezra too loved how Aria made him feel, with Aria he wanted to stop being the responsible, adult that he had been for the past two years and wanted to just throw caution to the wind.

Ezra began the drive back to Hollis, both of them enjoying each other's company throughout the journey as they playfully teased one another and mucked around. The journey had been filled with echoing laughter, Ezra loved it when once in a while her laugh would come out in snorts and momentarily her cheeks would burn red with humiliation until she realised that Ezra didn't care at all.

Aria then hushed him as she listened intently to a song that began playing through the radio; her head fell back against the head rest. Her eyes closing to the sound of the music. Ezra too became aware that he knew the song, very well actually. It was one of his favourite songs. He pulled up in the Hollis parking lot, but Aria's eyes did not open as she basked in the music.

"God, I love this song." She let out in a breath. Ezra turned in his seat to face her as he watched her with adoration. Ezra couldn't help but wonder where this magnificent woman had been his whole life.

"Happiness by 'The Fray'." He nodded to himself with slight pride. Aria's eyes instantly springing open, staring at him as her breaths became laboured.

Aria's hazel eyes gazed into Ezra's blue ones. The music becoming muffled as the only sound being heard was the beating of their own hearts. Ezra edged closer to Aria, leaning over the console, hoping and praying that Aria would meet him half way so their lips could collide. Both of their eyes were flickering from their lips to their eyes that each portrayed deep want. Aria finally leant across the console, their lips centimetres from one another. They could feel their hot breaths fanning each other's faces, the sounds of beating hearts echoing louder when suddenly there was a loud tap on the windshield, bringing them both back into reality. Their attention shot to Hardy who stood above the windshield making inappropriate movements causing Aria to hide her face and blush and Ezra to glare at him with anger evident in his eyes.

As soon as Hardy got the hint and disappeared, Ezra turned to a bashful Aria. "I am so sorry, that was my imbecile of a friend, Hardy." Ezra apologetically explained. He wanted to kiss her so deeply, but it was clear that the moment had passed and how perfect that moment would have been.

"It's fine." Aria uncomfortably chuckled, as she waved a dismissive hand. It clearly wasn't fine, but Ezra didn't really know what else to say to her. "I better get going, I'll see you around." She shyly smiled as she placed her hand on the handle of the car. She was about to exit the car when she felt Ezra's strong hand on her forearm, she turned to look into his pleading eyes.

"Are we still on for Friday? I could pick you up from your dorm?" He sweetly offered. Aria couldn't help but allow her lips to curve up into a smile at how caring he was.

"Yeah, but I don't exactly live on campus." Aria told him. The revelation didn't exactly shock Ezra as he had known she was Professor Montgomery's daughter, but he was still slightly disappointed. He would have loved to see her around campus after classes and sneak around with her like Hardy had done with countless girls throughout their time spent there.

"Of course you don't. I would pick you up from your house, but it's clear your dad doesn't want me to approach you." Ezra awkwardly chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck. Aria's brows furrowed at this new found information as she settled back into the car, closing the door as she did so, her eyes asking him to elaborate. "After you left his office, he told me I didn't have right to date you since you were only 18." As he explained he saw Aria became progressively livid.

"Only 18? Who does he think he is? He promised me that he would let me have a normal college experience! I am fed up of him and his protectiveness." Aria ranted on, her hands swinging all around the car, Ezra just watched her with the slight glint of enjoyment in his eyes. She was hot when she was angry. "I can take care of myself." She convicted, suddenly a silence fell over them. Aria was breathing heavily as she calmed herself down before turning to face Ezra. "How old are you anyway?" Her voice was completely calm, just curious.

"22." He nonchalantly replied. Her eyes widened at his reply and Ezra instantly stiffened. He didn't see the big deal; it was only 4 years after all. "What's wrong?" He concernedly questioned, convinced he had completely blown it.

"Nothing." She let out a calming breath. "I just didn't expect that, I mean I was thinking 20." She explained with her voice slightly shaky with nerves. "Like you're basically a man. It's just a bit intimidating." Aria shrugged. He appreciated Aria's honesty, but he wasn't the intimidating type and she knew that.

"Aria, you just spent an hour with me and we laughed and joked, did you find me at all intimidating then?" He seriously asked her, his eyes searching hers. She shook her head at him. "Then why is now different?"

"I guess it's not." Aria weakly smiled to him, running a hand through her dark brown tresses. "I'll meet you on campus at 6." Aria instructed Ezra as she readied herself to leave the car once again, noticing she had a lecture in merely 5 minutes.

"Wait the party doesn't start until 8." He hurriedly told her.

"We'll find other ways to preoccupy ourselves until then. See you around, Ezra." She leaned across the console to give him a chaste kiss on his cheek before she jumped out of the car and sprinted to her lecture hall.

Ezra sat in his car for a while after, in complete awe of what had just happened. His fingers slightly tracing the skin where he could feel the phantom feeling of her lips still lingering there. He had met the girl of his dreams and he wasn't going to let her slip just because of a few rules. Ezra had never been a rule breaker, but for her he was going to be just that.