Thoughts That Count
Episode 1 Part 1
Ezra
I came into class on Friday thinking about the buzz of whispers floating around me, Aria's name drifting in with them, each time cutting me. I didn't know what it all was about but I wanted to be there, to help her through it, but more than ever, I felt like it wasn't my place, inside the classroom or out. I wanted that right back. I needed Aria to know she could count on me to help her through this; that she could tell me anything and I wouldn't judge her because I loved her, and as much as it wasn't my place to ask for this now, it would be just as much for me to judge her if she did give me the truth. I knew that.
When I came into class just after the bell, I looked to Aria's seat just long enough to receive a cold, yet uncertain look, before gibing up on pleading with my eyes and turning to the board.
On it was a hang man sketch with five dashes below it. L_AR_. I knew what it meant. I knew that as much as I wanted to demand that whoever had done it apologize to Aria and her friends immediately, I couldn't.
I sauntered over to the board, dropping my bag and picking up an eraser from the ledge, I began to rub away the cruel joke.
"Need some help with that Mr. Fitz?" The male voice coming from the doorway caught me off guard. It was a voice I hadn't heard in a long time, and frankly, had hoped to never hear again.
"You can take you seat, Mr. Kahn," I said politely, attempting not to show the shock on my face. The return of Noel Kahn was the last thing I needed right now. With him as a hovering danger, even just for a few more days, it would be that much harder to convince Aria that everything about us was right.
I heard various kids in the class welcome Noel back as I continued to clear the board. I knew before I even looked back, the only empty desk left was next to Aria.
That empty seat suddenly became the most threatening thing I'd ever been up against.