10/10/2012

Hey guys! My prof was talking about Jude Law's scandalous affair with his nannie (shame on him), and it gave me an idea for an Ezria story (shame on me). Anyway, hope y'all like it!

Aria Montgomery groaned as her alarm clock rang shrilly, dancing frantically on her bedside stool. With eyes half closed, she hit the snooze button repeatedly but to no avail-the thing just wouldn't shut up. She had an urge to punch it, she hated it that much. There was no time for such thoughts anyway, she was running late for her interview. Sighing, Aria forced herself out of bed.

Everyone else was asleep, as normal people should be on a gloomy Saturday morning. After grabbing a hot cuppa and toast for breakfast, Aria made her way back to her room. Being a senior in high school, she hadn't had much experience with job interviews, especially when her first and only employer thus far had been her father, who was a professor. The especially nerve-racking part was that this was an interview for a field she'd never dabbled in and frankly speaking, knew nothing about. It was desperation that had led her to dialing the number on the flyer she'd seen posted at Rosewood High. Two days later, here she was, dreading an interview for a job she probably wouldn't get.

After much deliberation, Aria settled on a cashmere cardigan atop a blue button down and a high-waisted beige skirt. Glancing at the clock, she realized that if she left now, she'd have a minute to stand outside her employer's door and brave herself to enter.

Of course, this was the day her car decided to start acting up halfway, and she was forced to slow down, and subsequently show up late for the already anticipated dreadful interview. Parking her car in the driveway, Aria made her way up the front steps of the cosy home, taking in its neat exterior whilst practicing an apology speech.

It is with great sorrow that I regret to inform you that my automobile…no, no, I sound like I'm reading a eulogy. How about how about just apologizing with a sorry? No, too generic. Okay, just tell her you really screwed up. No, definitely don't do that. Do not say that. Aria, don't screw this up any more than you already have.

Taking a deep breath, she rang the bell. A tall brunette with gorgeous green eyes opened the door. She was clearly not impressed. (insert mckayla maroney meme hah)

Aria froze on the spot and said the first words that popped into her head.

"I really screwed up."

The woman, who looked to be in her mid-twenties, pursed her lips together.

"You did. Come in."

Aria followed her into the living room, slapping herself mentally as she did.

"Have a seat…Aria, is it?" She asked.

"That's right, Aria Montgomery. Pleased to meet you." She stretched out her hand and the woman shook it. She sure had a steady grip.

"I'm Jackie. But Miss Molina, to you."

Aria nodded, scoffing inwardly. This "Miss Molina" was quite a character it seemed.

"Now, to start off, I'll ask you a series of questions and then run you through a couple of tests." Jackie (no way was Aria calling her Miss Molina in her head) frowned, glancing at Aria's heels.

"I hope you've brought a change of footwear, some tests will require you to prove your physical strength via running laps and fitness exercises. I need to ensure that you'll be able to handle the tasks I provide you with."

Aria gaped at the woman. She had to be kidding.

"You mean like buying groceries and playing with your son? I am interviewing for a nannie position and not an assassin, right?"

Laughing, Aria searched Jackie's eyes for a trace of humour-there was none.

"I can assure you, you are auditioning for the correct position." Jackie told her with a straight face.

Auditioning? This was hilarious, Aria could barely keep it together. But for the sake of a college degree, she had to.

"Alright. So, what questions do you have for this auditionee? Fire away."

Jackie cleared her throat.

"First off, do you speak fluent English?"

Aria thought she'd lost it when she heard a hysterical laugh emanating from the walls, but it wasn't just her imagination. In walked a handsome man with a child on his shoulders.

The man set the little boy down and wiped tears from his eyes, his laughter gradually coming to an end.

"Jackie, I know you wanted to do this interview on your own, but I had to stop you. This is ridiculous!" He started laughing again.

"Ezra, please stop laughing at me. You are so immature! This is how all the celebrities do it." Suddenly the oh-so-serious Miss Molina transformed into a higher pitched, whinier version of herself.

"I know, I'm sorry Jackie, but seriously, I had to stop it before I died from extreme laughter disorder." The man had an amused smile on his face…a quite nice smile, Aria noted naughtily.

Up until this point, he had barely glanced at her. Shaking his head at Jackie, he turned to the poor girl she'd been interviewing. Aria's breath hitched as he met her eyes, something fluttering in her stomach.

Aria, she warned herself. He's a married man, you better watch it. Married to a complete cow, but nevertheless, married.

The curly haired specimen gave her a dazzling smile as he stretched out his hand.

"I'm Ezra."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Molina." Aria said in what she hoped was a neutral tone.

Ezra laughed. "I'm Ezra, and that's Ezra to you."

He gave Jackie a pointed look, who threw her arms up in despair.

"Anyway, we're not married. So I'd be Mr. Fitz, if you know, you wanted to call me that." He gave her a wink.

Aria smiled in response. Not married. Fantastic.

"We are, in a serious relationship, however." Jackie added quickly. "That ring is due any day now, right Ezra?" She gave a shrill laugh.

Ezra, for his part, didn't seem as enthusiastic about the idea. Or so it seemed to Aria.

Not married, has enough sense not to ask her to marry him. Fantastic.

"So do not get any thoughts." Jackie ended, once again with a shrill laugh.

Aria gave an awkward laugh. While her thoughts regarding Ezra were not pure, they were only playful. She didn't really entertain the idea of "getting any thoughts," because she knew there was no way he'd pay her any mind anyway. Jackie may have been crazy, but she was gorgeous and model-like. History has proved time and again that good looking guys always go for airheads. This case was obviously no exception in Aria's eyes.

"Alright, well I'm off to the hospital. Nurses save lives, you know." She said to Aria, grabbing her coat.

She's beautiful and a nurse? Yeah, I have zero chance.

Aria turned her attention away from her thoughts and to the present situation.

"Wait, is the interview over? And who's this little guy?" Aria walked over to the couch where the boy sat, bending down to meet his eye level.

"Hi, I'm Aria." She told him in a soft voice. "What's your name?"

The little boy had blond hair, much unlike Ezra's she noted. He seemed incredibly shy of her, smiling bashfully.

Aria decided to take a different approach. Lifting her hand up, she made a chicken.

"Hello," she said in a high voice. "My name is Aria. I'm a chicken. Pleased to meet you."

Aria heard a little giggle escape. "I'm Jordan. I'm a boy." He said, addressing himself to her hand.

"Impressive."

Aria turned around to see Ezra leaning against the living room door, arms folded and an amused smile on his face.

"He usually doesn't open up to people that quickly."

"Thanks." Aria smiled. "Did Jackie leave?"

"That's Miss Molina to you," Ezra said, wagging his finger mockingly.

Aria was surprised to hear Jordan laughing with her.

"Mother's a handful, isn't she Ezra? That's what Ezra always says." He explained to Aria.

Aria let out a shocked chortle.

"She's gone, you've got the job by the way. We didn't really have any other applicants, so I don't know why she felt the need to terrorize you like that. But that's Jackie for you."

"She's quite a character." Aria managed. She thought Jackie was a whole lot more than that but couldn't voice her actual thoughts for obvious reason, number one being mainly, that clearly this guy was one of those smart men whose one blindside was a gorgeous, stupid woman.

"I think you're free to go but if you like, you can stay for lunch. Jordan and I would love to have some female company, wouldn't we buddy?"

"Yep." Jordan had found a little book and was preoccupied with the pictures.

"That's his favourite book, he gets so engrossed in it. Every time. I could tell him the sky's falling right now and he'd say 'yep.'"

Aria giggled.

"I'd love to stay for lunch but I really should get going. My car's broken and

I'm going to have to make a trip to the shop." It was genuinely disappointing that she'd have to forego lunch with Mr. Fine but she had no choice.

"Do you mind if I have a look? I'm no car expert but it doesn't hurt."

"You must really want me to stay for lunch." Aria smiled coquettishly.

Oh no. Did I just really flirt with him?

Ezra laughed awkwardly, placing a hand on his neck.

"I'll just go have a look then." He said, walking out.

Aria walked over to Jordan in mortified silence.

I'm going to get fired for coming on to my employer. She had to fix this. Maybe she could explain that she didn't mean it in a suggestive way. No. No more explaining, no more talking. You've embarrassed yourself enough.

Sitting down with Jordan, Aria read through the book with him. By the time they'd finished, she heard her car starting outside.

Running outside with Jordan in tow, Aria clasped her hands in joy as the car woke to a start once again.

"All fixed." Ezra said, grinning at her.

Without thinking, Aria ran over and hugged him in thanks-only to realize he was shirtless.

The mortification was deep as she attempted to let go, only to find that he was hugging her back. Relinquishing in the moment, Aria closed her eyes and inhaled. Ezra smelled amazing.

Breaking off the hug, Aria gave him a brief smile, quickly diverting her eyes. Clearly he'd only hugged her back to lessen the awkwardness.

"Sorry about that, I got a little carried away." She told him sheepishly.

"No worries," Ezra smiled, rubbing his neck once again. He seemed a little off.

"Cool, you've got a Nerf watergun in your car!" Jordan suddenly called out.

Oh no. Aria thought.

"Is it loaded?" Aria squealed as a splat of water hit her clothes.

"Jordan!" Ezra called, running after him as the little boy chased Aria to the backyard. At this point Aria's clothes were soaked, and she'd given into Jordan's game, playing along.

"Jordan, I'm going to need you to give that to me." She heard Ezra say as she ducked behind the backyard tree.

"Fine." A grumpy Jordan replied. Aria came out of her hiding spot, thinking the games were over, only to be met with a fresh wave of water. Jordan shrieked with laughter as Ezra now chased Aria around the backyard, finally tackling her to the ground.

"Get her, Ezra!" Jordan encouraged him, pumping his fist in the air.

Unbeknownst to little Jordan, the scene was very, very inappropriate. There Aria lay, her wet clothes clinging as Ezra had his body on top of hers. As quickly as he tackled her, Ezra got up and began apologizing profusely.

"I really didn't mean to do that." He said, running a hand through his hair in embarrassment. "I mean…I did, but not in…THAT sense. You know what I mean?" He gave a nervous chuckle.

"Oh no, yeah." Aria said, unable to say much else.

"I wouldn't want to give the wrong impression, I was just…going with it, I guess."

A part of Aria died as he said that. She knew she had no chance, but for him to vocalize his complete disinterest…it hurt.

Brushing off his cutting remarks, she assured him that she understood before he could continue explaining just how much he wasn't into her.

Jordan walked over to the two of them with his arms held up in exasperation.

"Ezra! You had her, why'd you let her go?"

"I know, Jordie," He said, brushing off his jeans. "But I had to let her go. She bit me."

Aria gasped. "I did not!"

Ezra laughed, holding his hand out to her. He was very good at getting over awkward encounters it seemed. Declining, Aria got up on her own.

"Do you realize how bad you just made this for me?" She whispered to Ezra. "When he tells Jackie about all this, I doubt she'd be happy to hear that I grappled on the ground with you and bit you."

Ezra smiled and leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Don't forget that inappropriate hug." His breath lingered on her skin and she barely managed to breathe herself as he walked away.

"Let's go get a towel for Miss Aria, Jordan. And maybe a bandaid for that bite of mine. Did I mention it's on the neck?"

"Jerk." Aria muttered, following them in.

As Ezra and Jordan went to the bathroom to get a towel, she headed into the dining room. Taking off her cardigan, she held it up in front the fireplace.

"It's broken."

A voice called behind her. Turning around, Aria saw Ezra in the doorway, an amused smile on his face.

"You'll have to borrow an outfit from Jackie." He said, giving her a onceover. His eyes seemed to linger on her chest area and it was at that second that Aria realized her wet shirt was probably see through. On top of that, she was wearing a pink bra.

Her cheeks turning red, Aria casually folded her arms. Ezra walked over and handed her a towel.

"If you're trying to cover your chest, this might help a little more." He grinned.

Aria's mouth hung open as he winked at her, before heading into the kitchen to prepare lunch.

I need to get out of here. I can never look him in the eye again.

Aria thought of how she could escape before she exploded from any more embarrassment. Her thoughts were interrupted when Ezra stuck his head in the door.

"I left an outfit out for you in the washroom. I'm afraid Jackie has a lock on her closet and it's the only one I found lying around. I think she was going to wear it out to dinner tonight so it's a bit fancy."

"Thanks," Aria mumbled, her eyes focused on the floor.

"Did I make you uncomfortable, Aria? I hope you know I was just kidding." Ezra asked. He seemed a tad worried.

"No. I mean, I know you're kidding." She quickly replied.

"Then why won't you look at me?"

Forcing her eyes upward, she looked him dead in the eye. This time, he was the first to look away.

Clearing his throat, he told her lunch would be ready in five.

Taking a deep breath, Aria went into the washroom to change. In front of her, hung a deep red evening dress. It was stunning and clearly expensive. Her day just got worse, it seemed.

"Jackie is going to freak out when she sees me in her dress." Sighing she put it on without a glance in the mirror. Her hair had dried for the most part, and loose curls framed her face. With a touch of lipgloss, Aria made her way downstairs.

"Wow. You look very nice, Aria." Jordan exclaimed as she sat down at the dinner table.

"Thank you, sweetie." Aria smiled, before her eyes involuntarily turned to Ezra.

His gaze was intense and she couldn't look away.

"You look very beautiful." He told her.

"Thank you." Aria replied politely. Why did she have to look at him? He obviously felt obliged to say something because of it.

They sat down to eat the cheese burgers and fries Ezra had prepared.

"Mmmm." Aria murmured as she took a bite.

Ezra grinned. "Do you like it?"

"It's delicious, Chef Ezra." Aria smiled back.

"Only the best for you, my Queen." Ezra chimed in jokingly.

At that moment, a loud knock erupted at the front door.

Sighing dramatically, Ezra got up. Giving Jordan a knowing look, he went to answer it.

"Who is it?" Aria asked.

"Hardy." Jordan replied. "He's Ezra's friend."

"Can I ask you a question, Jordan? Why do you call your daddy, Ezra?" Aria asked. Now was as good a time as any with Ezra at the door.

"Because he's not my daddy." Jordan replied matter-of-factly.

By that time, Ezra had returned with another good looking male.

"Well, who do we have here?" He said, smiling at Aria. "Ezra, I think you'd better give me the number to this nannie service." He told him, winking at Aria.

Aria noticed that Ezra's face seemed to tense up for a split second before his usual smile returned.

"Do you want a bite?" He asked, changing the subject.

"I could eat." Hardy agreed.

Jordan and Hardy conversed between each other, with Aria occasionally participating in the discussion. Ezra was strangely silent.

"Whoa, Aria, you done already?" Hardy asked in amazement. "Now, I like a girl who can eat." He told Jordan, who giggled.

"Hardy," Ezra said quietly. "Stop."

"What do you mean, Ezra?" He asked, laughing lightly. "Stop what?"

"Stop flirting with her like that."

Aria stared at Ezra in astonishment. He could tackle her and wink at her for his own pleasure but no one else could? Who was this guy?

"You don't own me, Ezra."

"I know, I'm just protecting you, Aria."

"No, you're trying to dictate who flirts with me, and that was not in the job description."

"Aria-"

"No." Aria said, throwing her napkin down. "I'm leaving. Thank you for lunch."

"Aria, why are you overreacting?"

Ezra followed her into the hall as she retrieved her coat.

"Ezra, I don't know if you're trying to use me like men do with their hot nannies-not that, I mean, I know I'm not hot. And you're not into me in the least bit-"

"Aria, stop." He took a hold of her hand as she was about to put on her coat.

"I can't let you leave thinking I'm some kind of cheating…pimp." He told her.

"But I also can't say that I'm not attracted to you."

Aria felt her heart stop.

"I'm sorry that I behaved that way with Hardy. I just lost it for a minute. And I promise I won't act like that again. I'll be completely professional from now on."

Aria couldn't believe he was attracted to her. She was sure it was only a mild attraction, nothing that would harm his relationship with Jackie. But she knew that she couldn't stay on as Jordan's nannie. The truth was, she didn't want to be professional with him. She didn't think she could be.

"I can't be your nannie anymore, Ezra."

Ezra shook his head. "I can keep my feelings in check."

"I can't." Aria replied.

Moving past him, she went to hug Jordan goodbye and waved at Hardy before leaving out the front door. Ezra walked her out, hands in his pocket, shoulders slumped.

"I really screwed up."

"No, you didn't. This was just a mistake. I knew I shouldn't have even come to the interview."

"This isn't your fault, Aria. It's mine."

Aria sighed. "We can go all day blaming ourselves, but in the end, it doesn't matter. We'll probably never see each other again." She tried to laugh.

Ezra looked at her in surprise. "Yeah," he said slowly. "It's probably best that way."

Giving him a tight smile, Aria waved as she got into her car. "Goodbye, Ezra."

"Goodbye, Aria."

Is this the end? Only if you don't review. ;-) Jk…#ezriaforever