Chapter One
Glancing up from my textbook, I almost instantaneously blush.
Of course, Ezra is looking at me, a small, playful smile about his lips. He doesn't even seem embarrassed to have been caught staring at me, a trait I seem to lack drastically in. Fluttering his eyelashes and shrugging his shoulders as if to say 'I'm not even sorry' he seems completely unfazed whereas I'd be red as a tomato and hiding behind my hair by now. I'm just about to giggle quietly in response to our private exchange when a voice from the back of the room interrupts.
"Mr Fitz, I'm done with chapter 13, should I move onto the next one?"
Spencer. Always ahead of the class. She's so far ahead in all her classes they might as well ship her off to college right away. I'm sure that's what she's secretly pining for anyway, knowing Spencer.
I dart my eyes back to my book. I'm only just finishing chapter 11. Ezra's class is always hard to concentrate in. I wonder, if he knew how much he'd be effecting my studies if he'd have let me transfer at the beginning of the school year to Miss Buckhemier's AP English class like I wanted?
"No, Miss Hastings, chapter 13 is all for today. Take notes on what you've read so far, on how the author portrays the emotion of sadness throughout," Ezra replies, looking from me to Spencer, speaking with smiling authority that all his students seem to respect and admire. Well, that, and his dazzling, dark blue eyes that are impossible to argue with. But, maybe it's just me who notices that.
"Of course, Mr Fitz," Spencer almost blushes, already scribbling away with her pen.
Nope, definitely not just me then.
I watch Ezra laugh softly before turning to write something on the blackboard.
My eyes flash back to my book before I can blush again.
Just before the bell to dismiss the class is about to ring, Ezra, I mean, Mr Fitz, begins handing out worksheets.
"Do both sides of the sheet, yes both sides Mr McGuire, before Friday's class. It also wouldn't hurt to add your own opinions of what we've read so far. Sticking inside the box won't get you into Ivy League now will it?"
Without even looking back I know Spencer is nodding admirably.
"So that's both sides of the worksheet plus extra opinions by Friday, any questions?"
Ezra drops a worksheet onto my desk, hesitating a little longer than with the others, brushing my arm softly before he moves onto the next.
Josh McGuire, the class idiot, per se, only on this AP programme due to his over-aspiring father who paid vast quantities to have him on it, raises his hand. Before he can even ask his question Ezra says,
"No, Mr McGuire, football trials do not give you a reason to skip this assignment. You will hand it in by Friday morning, just like the rest of the class otherwise you'll find yourself here on Friday evening until five thirty which won't be pleasant as I already have plans and do not want to be spending the first part of my weekend stuck here with you or anyone else in this class. Capeesh?"
Ezra taps his pen on his thigh, mocking impatience. He's smirking, but everyone knows he means what he says. The class remains silent. Josh sighs audibly. I stifle a laugh. Ezra is so hot when he's angry and those plans on Friday he's talking about just happen to be with me. Butterflies begin swimming in my stomach as the bell sounds, dismissing the class.
I take my time gathering up my books and pens, eager to see Ezra alone when the rest of the class have gone for lunch.
"Aria, are you coming to lunch?"
Spencer is practically bouncing in front of me, shifting from one foot to the other, clearly agitated about something. Probably a test she has to study for, 3 months in advance. I smile to myself.
"I'll be right there, I just have to see Ez- um, Mr Fitz, about the homework," I catch myself before it's too late. Spencer, being one of my best friends, knows about Ezra and I but there are still other students within earshot.
Spencer rolls her eyes.
"Well I'll catch you later then. Oh, and don't forget to meet Hanna outside Psych after school. She's been hassling me to remind you all morning,"
"I won't forget, Spence. I've had a zillion texts from her throughout the day, now she's got you personally reminding me too? Seriously, anyone would think I was the so-called airhead," I laugh, sarcastically, as does Spencer. The only airhead around here is our best friend, Hanna Marin and she and everyone else knows it.
"Oh and Emily wanted to know if she can copy your Trig homework over lunch. She had a long swim practice last night and didn't get to finish hers,"
Spencer trails off quietly and glances over my shoulder, waggling her eyebrows accusingly as Ezra approaches. I blush and swat her away with my purse as she laughs and heads off to lunch.
"Miss Montgomery, may I have a word please?" Ezra asks, politely as the last echo of students leave the classroom.
"Of course you may, Mr Fitz," I say, mocking his fake authority whilst twirling the end of his polka dot tie around my finger.
"The point you made about the author using the metaphor surrounding the curtains at the start of class was excellent. Anyone would think you'd been having secret meetings with the teacher outside of school," Ezra plays with a strand of my hair, his voice thick with seductive sarcasm.
"Oh, Mr Fitz. How ever did you know? Mr Hopeland's private tuition has been definitely worth it," I tease, ending my sentence with a swift kiss on Ezra's lips.
"Hmm? Private tuition? Is that what you kids are calling it these days?"
There's a brief silence and the word 'kids' hangs in the air.
I shrug it off and kiss Ezra again, longer this time. His arms begin to embrace me, pulling me closer before he pulls back abruptly and makes some distance between us.
"I get so lost with you, Aria, I forget where we are. It's going to get us in trouble one day," he says, quietly, disappointment in his eyes.
"One day, schw-on day," I mutter, pulling him towards me again.
Ezra smiles and kisses me, but the moment's over and he's tense. I sigh and begin to pick up my books.
"Aria, I'm sorry. I just, I could so easily lose control with you and here, I just can't allow myself to, you know that?"
Ezra places his hand on top of mine as I'm about to pick up my book, intertwining his fingers softly with mine.
"I know, I'm sorry too. Are we still on for Friday?" I smile, our previous disagreement forgotten already.
Ezra smiles back, hugely. "Of course we are. I'll pick you up from The Grill at 8?"
"Perfect. And then we'll go see that Romeo & Juliet play that's showing at the theatre in Philly and then, like you promised, you'll finally take me to your place so I can see your vast collection of literature?"
Ezra and I have been dating for over 4 months now, and I've still yet to see the inside of his apartment. I've been as far as the front door but never further. I don't usually bring it up, or complain because I know how much trouble Ezra would be in if ever a student was seen leaving or entering his home but I can't help but think about how perfect it would be to be completely alone with Ezra, rather than having either a movie full of strangers or a restaurant of diners surrounding us like we're used to so far.
"Yes, like I promised. You'll be disappointed though, I'm sure. I don't even have bookshelves. Just piles and piles of books against a bare brick wall. It's nothing special, Aria. Are you sure you still want to come? We can go to-"
"Ezra, stop. I want to see your place, really. It's not just your literature that I'd really like to spend some quality time with, you know that."
Ezra sighs, then smiles. "Of course, I know. You can be very persuasive when you want to be, Miss Montgomery,"
I laugh. "I've told my mom I'm staying over at Spencer's on Friday, so I'm covered for the whole night,"
Not only do we have to travel all the way to Philadelphia just to have dates, in case anyone sees, but our whole relationship is based on lies, usually on my part. Stories of where we were and when, when we were really just with each other are beginning to build and are constantly pressing at the back of my mind.
"A whole night with Miss Montgomery, huh?" Ezra smirks.
I blush and those butterflies start swimming in my stomach again.
"Yes, and I hope you know I'm missing Mr Hopeland's private tutoring session for you so you better make it worthwhile," I laugh, teasing him again.
A sudden knock on the classroom door startles us and I spring backwards away from Ezra.
"So yes, just those two questions may prove a difficulty, I'm sure you'll be fine, Aria. Spencer seemed eager to help you anyway," he says, walking towards the blackboard, in full Ezra Fitz, 24 year old AP English Teacher mode once more as Miss Buckhemier enters the room with a pile of papers in her arms.
"Thank you, Mr Fitz, and that's due for Friday morning right?" I reply, walking towards the door back in Aria Montgomery, 17 year old Rosewood High School Student mode.
"That's correct. Have a nice day, Aria,"
"You too Mr Fitz, Miss Buckhemier," I say before sneaking swiftly out of the classroom and towards my locker.
Throwing my books into my locker and taking out my lunch card, I catch sight of myself in my mirror. Blushing further at my rosy, red cheeks and ruffled hair I smile to myself. Already willing Friday to arrive faster, I slam my locker closed and head off to join my best friends for lunch, mentally preparing myself for the Spanish inquisition from the three of them over what just happened with Ezra.