Chapter 24

Aria POV

Aria wondered if she made the right decision by moving in with Dustin. She hadn't wanted to hurt Ezra. She just thought it had been the best move for her. She couldn't be around Ezra when she was so desperately tempted to be with him in that way again. How was that a way to live? It wasn't that she didn't trust him; she couldn't trust her own self. She didn't like what he did to her, didn't like how he made her feel.

He frustrated her, confused her and made her lose control, and made her care for him all at once. Those kinds of feelings scared her, kept her unbalanced, made her unsure of herself. She had always been so confident until he came along. Like her father, he uprooted her whole life. She had always wanted him, had always been attracted to him. Even as a little kid she had known.

Even in her dreams he haunted her, forced her to remember all their moments together. The way he kissed her, the way his body felt against hers and the way he smelled, the way those beautiful baby blues stared deep into her eyes, and the way he touched her. The effects were mind-boggling. It frightened her. She didn't want him to have control over her, over her thoughts. She wouldn't let him disrupt her life anymore.

She refused to live underneath his thumb, to let him place demands on her. She could do what she damned well liked. She was her own person. There with Dustin, he had no real control over her, no power. She didn't have to fear his nearness, his gaze, or his touch. She didn't have to fight with him on everything.

It felt refreshing not to be under a cloud of mounting tension that seemed to surround them. With Dustin, she was in control of all her emotions. She and Dustin shared the same passions, wanted the same exact things out of life. She couldn't say the same for her and Ezra. They were too different, too confusing together. She couldn't see a life with him. And there was the age difference between them.

She felt pleased with her new life. It was a bit different, but she was still getting used to it. She wasn't afraid of change. She immersed herself in school work, with her art, and in her relationship with Dustin. It was amazing, not overly challenging. She was making a name for herself in the art community, following Dustin's lead. Art was becoming a huge part of her life, even more so than before. She loved every second of it.

She had to admit, she did miss Ezra. It shocked her how much she missed him. She missed seeing him every day, missed the beautiful color of his eyes and his quiet manner, the way he walked with a limp, and the way he looked. He had always been gorgeous to her. His age had never bothered her, not in the least. She even missed the way he would always apologize to her even though it angered her.

How long had it been since she had last seen him? Had it really been over a month? It felt so unreal. It didn't feel that long. It felt as though she had only left him yesterday. She really did care about him. She wanted to know if he was taking care of himself. She was too afraid to call him, afraid she would end up moving back in with him. That wasn't an option. She had to continue moving forward with her life.

Did he miss her? Think of her? She thought of him. She thought of him every day. She feared he wasn't doing so good, feared he was back in a state of depression. She hoped he wasn't. It had killed her seeing him that way. She hadn't been able to reach him. The thought of losing him had scared her. She couldn't lose him like she had loss her father.

Today was her birthday, she was seventeen years old. She didn't look different or feel different. She still felt like Aria. She chewed her pink lips as she concentrated on painting the beautiful view just outside as she gazed out the big window that overlooked the town of Rosewood. Rosewood was not only small, but it was a great sight to paint, to capture on her canvas. She easily balanced the paintbrush in one hand, in the paint pallet in the other as she experimented with different color textures. She had to get it just right.

Aria used the back of her hand to brush away wisps of long curly hair back from her gorgeous face. Her glossy dark hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, the soft tresses laid across one shoulder. She looked focused, like a true artist in a white cut-off shirt that sported paint smears, jean shorts, and she was barefoot. Paint covered different parts of her pale skin as her hand moved up and down, and then across the canvas, her strokes self-assured. She knew what she wanted, knew what she was looking for, and knew how it was supposed to look. It was about the outcome, what her client wanted. She loved taking different requests, loved challenging her artistic abilities. It made her feel important made her feel like a true artist.

Her paintings were displayed in the art galleries in New York City, Kanas City, and Rosewood. She was very happy with her small achievements so far. She still had a ways to go. Pretty soon, the whole world would know her, know who she was. She knew her father was proud. She couldn't wait to graduate high school, to apply to one of the best art schools located in New York City. She wanted to be a famous artist, to have her name out there. She knew she could do it, she had faith. She wasn't going to allow anyone to stop her, not even Dustin. The art world was very competitive, only a few made it to the top.

Aria sat down her paintbrush and pallet, stretched her sore limbs and cracked her neck. She was hot and tired, her hands complaining as they became cramped. She picked up the bottled water beside her and guzzled some down, loving how the cold water trickled down her cottoned throat. She hadn't known how parched she was. She burped and sat the bottled water back down on the small stand beside her, and then she reclaimed the paintbrush and pallet and resumed her painting. Dustin came from the kitchen and stood behind her, looking over her work with a critical eye as his arms wrapped themselves around her waist and draw her back into him.

She loved the way he smelled, loved his closeness, the way his hands ignited shocks of awareness throughout her body. She wanted him, wanted him inside her walls. She exhaled slowly, keeping her focus as he nibbled her ear and neck, his tongue coming out to lick up the droplets of sweat. He relaxed her, brought forth her best work. He had been in the process of making them dinner as a way to celebrate her birthday. He had gotten her a golden locket to go around her neck. She was wearing it now, it was nuzzled in-between her full breasts. She loved it.

"Happy birthday," he spoke against her neck, his nose and strands of blond hair tickling her. "I have to go out in get the ice cream and cake".

"Thanks". Aria's voice was husky, thick with want as her right hand poised in mid-air. "Okay, but don't forget I want cupcakes too".

He laughed deeply as he kissed the side of her neck, his fingers squeezing her sides.

"You're welcome," he mumbled as he kissed the side of neck for a second time. "And I wouldn't dream of it".

"You're amazing," Aria said as she turned her head to kiss him, allowing him to deepen the kiss between them as his tongue slipped inside her mouth. She moaned and shivered, stroking her tongue with his. After having her fill of kissing him, she broke her mouth away, before licking her lips appreciatively. "I'll see you when you get back".

"Okay". Dustin's grey eyes held hers for a moment, before releasing her. "I love you".

Her heart stuttered as those three words echoed in her ears. It was the first time he had said he loved her. It was nice. She didn't know what to say, to think. Should she say it back? Did she love him? She did. He was the person she wanted to be with.

"I love you too," Aria said after a moment's hesitation. "Hurry back".

He smiled in that special way of his as he grabbed his coat and car keys, and then he left out the door. Aria went back to her painting, mixing and blending colors as the real-life portrait of Rosewood came to life on her canvas. She stood back and admired her creation and hard work. She had been working on this painting for three whole days. She beamed with pride as she washed her hands off and tidied up her working area. She was still in a state of satisfaction as she went to answer the knock at the door, her big brown eyes shining brightly.

Aria almost slammed the door back closed as she spied the other person standing on the other side of the door. Ezra, the name played around in her head, taunting her as it did so. The smile left her full pink lips as her beautiful brown eyes widened in horror, feeling the fast pacing of her heart as she looked him over. He still looked the same, those gorgeous baby blues staring down into her defiant eyes as he looked her over as well. What did he want? What was he doing there? Was he going to force her to come back home with him? She wouldn't go. Legally, she was an adult now. Why was he staring at her in that way, in a way that said he wouldn't take no for an answer? Memories of them together came rushing back, nearly cripplingly her as she took a step back. Those baby blue eyes didn't leave her as he pushed his way into Dustin's apartment.

Her emotions were whirling out of control as she stood her ground. She didn't want to feel anything towards him. She had wanted him to keep his distance from her. It was for the best, for the both of them. She couldn't think whenever he was around her, couldn't control herself. She didn't want to lose control. An intense need gripped her insides, dampened her panties. She wanted, no, she needed him.

She needed him thrusting inside of her, driving all the way home as he buried his cock deep inside her. She shuddered at the unwanted images that filled her mind. His hunger mirrored hers. She didn't want this, didn't want any of it. Why was he doing this? Why was he forcing her to make a choice? He knew how much she came undone at the seams whenever he was around her? She took another step back. She wanted him to go away, to leave her alone. She didn't want to face the truth, didn't want to face the truth that she loved him. She didn't just love Dustin, but Ezra too.

She hadn't wanted to see it until now. Ezra loved her, she had always known. It had always been there, just underneath the surface. She had loved him ever since she was a little girl. A look of comprehension played along his face. He knew. Knew what she had been thinking inside her head. He wanted her to say it. Could she? Could she say it? Telling him would shatter everything she had ever known.

"Happy birthday, Aria," Ezra said as his baby blue eyes stole her breath. "I love you".

Some of you might hate the way this ended, but I wanted to appease both shippers by deciding on whether Aria chooses to stay with Dustin, or go with Ezra. The choice is yours. Please review and let me know who you picked! I have really enjoyed writing this story. It has had its ups and downs. Thanks for all the support. I hope to hear from you guys again :)