A/N: I finally finished this chapter. I wanted to make it perfect, so it took longer then usual. I had to update, edit and improve this chapter. I hope ya'll like it. And again, thank you for getting this far!

Chapter 3

My head hurt.

I had just woken up to a throbbing head, slowly rubbing my temple. I let my body relax, falling back into bed.

Flashbacks of yesterday clouded my thoughts. Ezra's anger. My heart clenched, at the thought of Ezra.

Turns out he wasn't the person I had thought him to be. A part of me was glad for yesterday, at least I had seen the light before I did anything stupid.

Stupid? Like, move in with him. Wasn't that your plan?

Anger coursed through me. It was like suddenly I wasn't blind anymore. I was able to see Ezra how everyone else did, I wasn't blinded by my love for him.

The truth was I could never truly be happy with Ezra. He offered a life full of lies, stress and worries. Sure, I'll admit, we did have fun sometimes. But overall what had our relationship brought either of us? Because it sure as hell wasn't happiness.

Ezra deserved someone like Jackie, someone similar to him. Someone who could quench his needs as well as be his equal. Truth be told, we didn't have anything in common. It was just the thrill of the having a proscriptive relationship that made me strive to continue with their association. And, yes I admit, it was sort of selfish, but there was nothing to be done now.

He had always be way too attached to his work anyways. Sometimes, I doubt he even loved me. I mean, he had only said "I love you" when I had threatened to break up with him. He had only taken me out on dates when I was being moody or was upset. He had only bothered to come talk to me, after weeks and weeks of ignoring me, when I had started hanging out with Jason.

It's like, the more I think about it, the more obvious it is. Ezra doesn't love me. And as much as it hurts to say this, it's true; he doesn't. He never did.

I think, for him, I was just a rebound. He had given Jackie his heart and all she had ripped it apart. He had loved her. And I'm going to take a guess and say he still does. And, if so, I wasn't going to stand around being abused, being used because he wanted someone to take his feelings out on. This needed to end.

My hands shaking, I reached for my phone. No doubts, this was going to be painful. Because, even if he hadn't loved me, I still love him.

This is for your own good, Aria.

My subconscious mind was annoying. Though it was true most of the time, it was annoying.

Phone in hand, I entered in the text:

Ezra, I'm sorry, but I think we need to break up ~ Aria

Pressing send, I felt my whole body shake in relief. This relationship had ended a long time ago, I just needed to finalize that.

I waited nervously for what he might text back, or if he would even bother to. He was probably with Jackie, anyways. I thought bitterly before pushing myself off the bed and heading towards the bathroom.

After taking a long, needed, shower. I stepped out of the bathroom stalking over to my wardrobe closet. Flipping through my clothes, I finalized on a dark purple top, some black ripped jeans along with a pair of heavy black combat boots. To complete the look I pulled on a dark leather jacket. I did my makeup, putting on thick layers of eye liner; I was going for the dark, mysterious girl look.

Sneaking a look at the clock, I saw it was 6:45 am, school didn't start till 8:00. These days, things were a little tough at home. With Mike being all moody, mom giving dad the cold shoulder and dad trying to make things right between us. My house wasn't really a ball of sunshine.

Lately, I had been leaving the house hours early, in attempt to avoid my family. So, here I was at 6:45 all dressed up and ready to go.

Usually I would just go hang by the park by school, waiting for school to start, but not today. I needed to go see Jason. I needed to find out what happened, my memory was a collection of faded parts; I remember Ezra grabbing my arm, I remember him screaming at me, next thing I knew there was blood all over the floor, then everything went black. And here I wake up in my own bed.

I needed answers.

Slowly creeping out of my room, I wrote a quick note:

Mom, dad, I need to do a bit of research at the library for a history project, be back late. Love, Aria.

Leaving the note on the kitchen table. I grabbed my school bag and tip toed towards that door.

Jason's house was near to mine, at least a walking distance away. That was the good part about Rosewood city; it's a small town. You don't need to have a car to get around easily.

It took me about ten minutes before I finally reached the DiLaurentis residence. I had always loved their cozy little home. I loved the neat architecture, the way the colors all blended together perfectly.

It was only after Alison's death that I started seeing the DiLaurentis house differently; it became a sign of sorrow. Every time I even looked at it, old memories would flash by to the time Alison was still alive and well. It hurt so much to even think about her now.

Feeling a sudden downfall feeling, I slouched towards the house, thinking about how normal things would be if Alison had never been killed. Imagine life with no A.

Knocking on the door, I got a sense of déjà vo. Hadn't I done exactly the same thing yesterday?

How did that end?

Pushing aside my inner thoughts I l waited. Hearing

"Aria? What are you doing here? Are you okay? I mean, shouldn't you be resting? After what happened yesterday."

Spinning around, I saw Jason standing there, hands in pocket, shirtless. My eyes scanned across his body.

He sure is fit…

I shook myself out of thought. What was I doing? I was so not checking Jason DiLaurentis out, moments ago. What was wrong with me?

Looking back up to Jason's face, concern laced his blunt features. Clearing my throat, I answered his questions one by one.

"Um, yeah, about that. I'm fine, really. I just can't really remember much of what happened yesterday. I was hoping you could, um, you know…?"

Ugh, I cursed in my head. Why was I always so nervous around him? Why do I constantly stutter? And for God's sake, why are my palms so sweaty?

Jason looked at, sighing in partial relief, he walked towards me.

"Yeah, sure, let's go inside first."

I followed him as he led me down the corridor to the living room, looking around. Not much had changed since I last saw the tiny house. The walls were covered in old childhood photographs, you could see the young smiling faces of the whole DiLaurentis family. Wild decorations hung from the ceilings, Mrs. DiLaurentis had always been into crazy set ups.

Picking up my pace, I caught up to Jason.
"I don't see how you can still bear (A/N: Or is it bare?) to actually live here. All those memories of Alison. It must be terrible."

I stared directly into Jason's face, his eyebrows furrowed and for a second he looked vulnerable. As f he too was remembering all the happy memories he had with his sister.

"I guess it is unbearable sometimes, but it's not like I have much of a choice." Jason finally said, shrugging his shoulders.

We finally reached the living room. I had been here several times, though it was only with Alison. Back in those days, I had never really talked to Jason. I had watched Alison taunt him, I had helped her steal his things, I had helped her spy on him. But I had only helped her. I never really wanted to, it just felt… wrong. I mean, sure, I didn't approve of Jason smoking weed. But we had no right to invade his privacy and steal his stuff.

"So, Aria, you still on for tomorrow?" He asked me, a tinge of hope detectable.

"Yes! Of course." I said, maybe a little too eagerly.

"Oh, good," Jason breathed out. "I'm guessing you want to know what happened after Ezra showed up here, and why he was so angry?"

Thinking about it, I replied.

"Yeah, I mean Ezra isn't usually that angry, I was just wondering what got him all riled up?"

"Well, Ezra and I have a long history together. We used to attend the same high school back when I was still young," Jason said chuckling. "As you probably know, I wasn't really the goody-two shoes back in high school. I got into a lot of fights, I took drugs and I had a few friends who were part of a gang"

I remembered. Back when we used to do sleepovers at Alison's house, you could often see Jason sneaking out. And, all those days with Alison spent spying on him we had all seen a thing or two. Drugs, dangerous people, and alcohol seemed to be all Jason was into back then.

"Yes, I remember. So, why does Ezra hate you so much?" I asked, curious to find the answer.

"Well, let's just say that gang members don't take kindly to being ratted out by the high school nerd. Short story; I was part of the gang, Ezra was the nerd." Jason stated solemnly, but there was still reminiscence of a smile. As if he found the whole thing amusing, and I'm guessing to some extent it probably was.

"But seriously, the guy sure knows how to keep a grudge, it's been nearly four years now" Jason added.

"Wow" I said, slightly fascinated. Ezra had never told me about any of this.

"I hope this doesn't change the way you see me. I mean, I've changed. At least I made the effort to." Jason said quickly.

He was shifting around nervously, waiting for my take on the whole thing. It was the first time I had ever seen Jason even slightly shaken. My opinion of him must mean a lot.

"No, no, Jason. It's cool, that all happened ages ago, you're… different now." I comforted him, thinking by each word slowly.

"Are you calling me old? Age ago. What's that supposed to mean?" Jason questioned mocking being offended. Though I knew him well enough to know he was secretly relieved I hadn't started hating him.

"Oh, and Jason, I have um, one more question?" I said, nervous about what I was about to ask him. Was it a part of my dream.

"Of course, Aria, you can ask me anything," Jason answered soothingly.

Taking a deep breath, I felt my cheeks flush red.

"So, um, before I blacked out I remember hearing you say "I love you" and I was just wondering if, um, you–-." Pausing, I could actually feel my heart thumping in my chest. My face was now bright red; just like a big fat tomato. "You know what. Never mind." I eventually said. It was probably a dream or something, of course Jason doesn't love me.

Jason looked as if he really wanted to say something but decided against it. Or at least that's what I think was the case. He kept opening his mouth and then shutting it. He probably thought I was some sort of weirdo now.

That's just great. Good going.

Oh god, why did I bring this up anyways? I was such an idiot. Trying to make the situation a little less awkward I opened my mouth.

"Oh, it's probably just my imagination. Forget I said anything. I mean, I was half unconscious anyways." I said, smoothly, with a smile on my face.

Jason was staring directly into my eyes, not saying anything. It was killing me. I resisted the urge to scream "say something" at him.

It's not like you could make this situation any more awkward.

As if answering my prayers Jason finally spoke. "What you said. Do you want it to be a dream, Aria?"
His question took me by surprise; of course I didn't want it to be true. But there was a part of me that ached for this to be true. A part of me that wanted Jason's love. I couldn't deny that much.

I was confused.

So, I did the only thing I could think of in this situation. I grabbed my bag. Jerked up, and made a run for the front door. Quickly looking back, avoiding Jason's face, I yelled a swift; "I got to go, I'm going to be late for school."

Then I got the hell out of there.

You're such an idiot, Aria.