Tears. That's how it all began.
Before today, nothing had bothered Aria. The texts that she had been receiving from A had no impact – none that were this big anyway. But when she read this text, it did.
She felt the trembling of her lip, the pricks at the corners of her eyes as she read them, she was thankful that she was alone when reading this. But making her way to the bathroom to splash her face with water and to redo her make-up was down the main corridor and everyone stared. The toilets were near Ezra Fitz's classroom. He just so happened to look up from eating his lunch and marking at the same time Aria walked past with mascara sliding down her face. She saw him move and faltered slightly – he couldn't see her like this. Then he would really think her nothing more than a child.
Ezra walked to the door, he opened it and asked her to step inside, quietly, people were watching, she nodded slowly, trying to control the tears that were now taking her over. He locked the doors to his classroom and pulled the blinds down, knowing just what Aria would have needed right now. He wiped her eyes softly, caressing her face as he did. He managed to wipe the make-up away, a soft, innocent smile falling upon his cheeks. He sat in front of her on a backwards chair and watched her, she tugged at her skirt and looked down, she tried to keep herself busy. Ezra did the same, playing with the loosened tie about his neck.
Deep down, Ezra had figured out that this sadness plagued on the face of someone he adored deeper with every look was to do with the texts she had been receiving – Aria claimed she didn't know who, and Ezra believed her. He rubbed her knee softly, waiting for a response of any kind from her, but she gave none.
As Aria looked at him for the first time, it hit him how sad she really was. A sharp pain went through him as the spark of warmth had left her eyes. He knew silence was the only way to let her words come out, and when they didn't; he felt a tear spring to his eye.
The time passed quickly neither saying a word; Ezra had unlocked his doors, squeezing Aria's shoulder as he passed. He wanted to help; he just didn't know what to say to her.
Like many nights, he wished he could take everything away, wrap her in bubble wrap, and never let her face the world alone. It was too late for that.
Ezra knew he was making her face this world more alone than she needed. Their relationship made Aria more of an outcast than she needed to be.
She got up near the end of the lunch hour, not saying a word to Ezra as she moved towards the door, her stuff in place for the next two hours she would be spending with him. She only had one thing with her: her make-up bag. Ezra didn't say anything to her, just put their objectives on the board, he sat down, threw away his half-eaten lunch and waited for her arrival – and the arrival of everyone else in his class.
Halfway through the lesson, Aria hadn't come back.
