So I've been writing on this site for a long time but this is my first foray into Pretty Little Liars FF so be nice. I'm still not entirely sure what I'm doing with this story but I know basic plots and that I wanted to bring all the girls together again after (or almost after) finishing college. Let me know what you think. All authors like reviews, whether they're positive or constructively critical. Thanks.

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.

Aria looked out the window as the cab she was in drove towards Rosewood. In the four years she'd been away at college, nothing had changed about the sleepy Pennsylvania town.

"Just visiting, miss?" her driver asked.

"I hope so," she sighed as he headed towards her parents' house. "I'm home for a funeral."

He clenched his jaw. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's okay," she murmured. "It's for someone I haven't seen in a long time."

When he reached the Montgomery home, Aria paid him and carried her leather duffel bag up the porch steps and made her way inside.

"Hi, sweetie," Ella greeted her solemnly, pulling her twenty-two-year-old daughter into her arms for a hug. "I'm so sorry you're home under these circumstances."

"Its fine, Mom," Aria assured her. "It's not like I was ever really close with Jason."

"But imagine how this must be for the DiLaurentis'," Ella murmured, walking to the kitchen. "Losing their only daughter and son seven years apart."

Aria sighed. "I know. I mean, Jason was twenty-seven. How many twenty-seven-year-olds die of heart failure?"

"Well, Veronica Hastings said Jason had a history of drug abuse," Ella stated. "That can't be good for a circulatory system in the long run." She looked at her daughter. "Have you spoken to the girls? Are they coming?"

"Yes," Aria confirmed. "Spencer and Toby are coming in from Connecticut early tomorrow morning, Emily came from Arizona yesterday, and Hanna drove home from New York today. We're meeting for dinner tomorrow after the funeral."

"I'm glad college didn't put distance between you four," Ella told her. "After everything you've been through, it's good you're all still so close."

"Yeah," Aria agreed. "I try to see Emily whenever we can, even though there are four hundred miles between us. And Hanna flew out during her spring break in March."

Ella smiled. "Good. So, any new boys since Christmas?"

"Uhh, no," Aria denied. "I've been more focused on graduating than dating."

"Well, don't drown yourself in schoolwork," Ella advised. "You only have a few weeks left and then you have another year of grad school to worry about. Having a life away from school keeps it from taking over everything."

"Mom, please don't," Aria warned. "I'm just not interested."

"Okay," Ella mused. "Well, your father is still at work and Mike is at work. I have some papers to finish grading so you're on your own for a bit."

Aria made her way back to the foyer for her phone from her purse. "I think I'll call Hanna and see what she's up to."

Across town, Hanna was seated at Hollis Pub & Grille, waiting for Aria to show up.

"Hanna."

She froze at the sound of that voice momentarily before turning around to find Sean standing behind her. "Hi."

"How are you?" he smiled, leaning against the barstool next to her. "It's been a long time."

"Yeah," she breathed. "I'm good. I'm getting ready to graduate from Parsons next month. What about you?"

"About the same, except I'm not graduating from fashion school," he chuckled. "Four years at Hollis have been hard enough; I don't need sewing added to that." He cleared his throat. "So, are you uhh, seeing anyone?"

"I'm not," she denied. "There was a guy in New York for a while but that ended back in November."

He nodded. "Yeah, senior year makes relationships a little difficult."

Hanna noticed the platinum ring on his left hand. "So you what, got married as a junior then?"

"Ahh," he muttered, fiddling with the ring. "Actually, yes. Her name is Savannah and she's really great. I think you'd like her."

"I'm sure she's perfect for you," Hanna replied. "You'd never settle for anything less."

His phone vibrated and he checked it quickly. "That's her. I'm supposed to get this food home soon." He took the bag from the bartender and stood up. "It was really good seeing you, Hanna."

As Sean was leaving the pub, Aria made her way inside, nodding hello to him on her way.

"Sean Ackard is married," Hanna said in disbelief as Aria sat at his vacated stool.

"I'm not too surprised," Aria shrugged. "Lots of people who prefer to stay virgins until they're married marry early; they think they're ready for it at a young age."

"He just wanted to get laid," Hanna smirked. "Well, good for him. She's probably some precious Jesus freak."

Aria looked at her friend. "Emily called me this week and said she ran into Caleb at a bar near school."

"I know," Hanna said softly. "She told me."

"Is that weird for you?" Aria wondered.

"Why should it be?" Hanna asked. "I haven't seen him in a long time."

"Well, you loved him," Aria murmured. "And despite everything the two of you went through, he definitely loved you back."

Hanna glared at Aria. "Can we drop it, please? I haven't seen you in two months and I don't really want to discuss past boyfriends unless you're ready to talk about Fitz."

"I'm not," Aria snapped. "How's Parsons?"

"Stressful," Hanna grumbled. "School has never been my thing so it's nice to study things I actually care about but it's still a lot of work."

"But it's paying off, right?" Aria wanted to know. "Spence said she heard through the grapevine you were offered a job with Betsey Johnson when you graduate next month. That's amazing, Han."

Hanna beamed. "Thanks. She's really sweet and I'll be learning from the best." She nudged Aria's knee with her own. "What about you? Have you decided on a grad school?"

"I actually got my acceptance letter to Penn last week," Aria confirmed. "It was a long shot but I hate being so far away from everyone and I got a scholarship so I figured, why not?"

"Exciting," Hanna smiled happily. "Emily's coming home after she graduates, too, so we'll all at least be on the East Coast. Reunions won't be restricted to Christmas and brief summer vacations together."

Aria laughed. "That's true."

They sat in silence for a long time before Hanna spoke again. "Look, I know you don't want to talk about him but are you at least going to talk to him? You know he's still teaching at Hollis."

"Why should I?" Aria demanded. "He made his decision when he told me three thousand miles were a few too many between us so why reach out to him now?"

"Well, you two were way more serious than me and Caleb," Hanna said. "I think you should see him."

"Hanna," Aria warned. "We're not doing this."

Before Hanna could respond, Aria's phone beeped with a text message from her mom.

There's someone here to see you at the house. You should come home.

"Cryptic," Aria whispered. "My mom said someone is at my house to see me. Want to come along?"

"Okay," Hanna shrugged, paying for her one drink. "Let's go."

When the two girls pulled up to Aria's house, both had been expecting to find Emily waiting on the front porch. Instead, Hanna's jaw dropped at the sight of Ezra.

"Oh, God," Aria breathed. "What's he doing here? I didn't tell him I was home."

Hanna shook her head. "It's not like I told him. Should I go?"

"I guess," Aria agreed, opening the passenger door of Hanna's black BMW—an early graduation gift from her still mostly absent father. "Thanks for the ride. I'll see you tomorrow."

Ezra stood as Aria approached. "Thanks for coming."

"Well, my mom didn't say it was you," Aria replied. "If she had, I probably wouldn't be here." She stopped several feet away from him. "Was she surprised you came here to see me?"

"I think so," he nodded. "I tried to make up an excuse but I doubt she bought it. I just had to see you."

"How did you even know I was home?" she wanted to know. "We haven't spoken in a year."

"I ran into Emily Fields at the grocery store this morning and she mentioned you were all home for a funeral," he explained. "But she immediately felt bad so don't blame her. I practically bullied it out of her."

Aria crossed her arms. "What do you want, Ezra?"

"I wanted to see you," he mumbled. "I miss you. I made a huge mistake when I ended things and I wanted to apologize in person. I've thought about flying out to California about a hundred times but I've always talked myself out of it." He took a tentative step towards her. "I love you, Aria."

She retreated backwards. "Don't. You don't get to come here and put on this face and tell me you love me. Not after everything that happened. I didn't come home for this."

"I know my timing is terrible but I had to take any opportunity I could," he said. "I'm sorry for springing this on you."

Aria was momentarily quiet before finding her voice one last time. "I can't do this right now, Ezra. I have a funeral to go to in the morning."

"Right," he whispered. "Well, I'd really like to see you again before you go back to LA. Is that possible?"

"Probably not," she denied, making her way past him towards the door. She stopped with her hand on the doorknob and turned back once more. "But we'll see."

Ella and Byron were seated on the couch when Aria made her way inside.

"Aria," Ella called to her. "Can you tell us why your high school English teacher was here to see you?"

Aria knew, at twenty-two, that there was nothing her parents could do about her former relationship so she decided it was time for the truth. "He came to apologize."

"Apologize for what?" Byron asked cautiously. "You've been out of high school for four years and he's been at Hollis for five. What could he possibly have to apologize to you for now?"

She took a deep breath and faced her parents. "For breaking my heart when he ended our relationship last year."

Silence filled the room.