Careful
Ezra's POV
It was the end of the period and lunch just started. All the kids practically ran out of the theater where class was held today. I walked up the aisle and stopped as something caught my eye. I walked up to a row of seats and bent down to find an old, loved, very used copy of Loose Leaf, asIgot back up with the book in my hand to see Aria looking around for something obviously distracted. "Is this what you're looking for?" I said walking a little inward the aisle I was in. She came down an aisle to meet me. "Yes, thank you so much. I have no idea how it got down there." She said smiling. I couldn't help but stare at her, she was beautiful; hazel doe-eyes, long brown wavy hair, with an enticing smile. I shook my head a bit and handed her her book. "I can see this isn't your first time reading this." I stated nodding towards the book. She smiled shyly, "it's my favorite, I love the idea of imagery and," she struggled for the right word, "excitement" I said with a coy smile playing across my lips. She nodded her head "yeah." We shared a smile then I spoke "Aria you did a really well today with your lines." She looked surprised yet pleased. "Really, you don't think it was too choppy or emotionless?" "No I thought you did an amazing job, you brought your character to life." She shyly smiled at the ground, "I was actually hoping, if you don't mind, could you read some lines with me tomorrow for the class so they can get a grasp on things?" I look down unsure what her answer would be, "sure, could…" I look up to see her nervous so I smile as she finishes "could we practice right now?" I smile even brighter which makes her smile and I just stand there in awe of her beauty.
Aria's POV
As he stood there staring at me I couldn't help but scream inside my head. I was overjoyed he asked me to help him. When he handed me my book I kept peeking glances at him, at his dimples, his curly brown hair, and gorgeous bright blue eyes. He was impeccably beautiful. I smiled at him then asked "what are we going to read?" the second I spoke it's like I brought him out of a trance, which only made me slightly blush to think I was making him stare. "It's only a page or two but I was thinking we could read something from Romeo and Juliet." I smiled and stepped closer to him in the aisle, "I love that play." He looked pleased, "good you've read it before." He said and took out a few papers, "I only have one copy, would you mind sharing?" I shook my head and smiled, "no that's fine." I started to walk closer to him so we could leave the aisle and go to the stage. I tripped over his bag on the floor, and started to fall so I closed my eyes not wanting to see the end results. To my surprise I opened my eyes as I felt a pair of strong hands around my waist. "Careful," his hot breath breathed on my face, which was only inches from mine. My hands were twisted around his neck to steady myself, "thank you" I breathed out. Our bodies press to each other, his hands fit perfectly around my waist, this felt good to be in someone's arms. No, this felt right to be in his arms.
*** As they looked into each other eyes, it was like a spark crackled through the room. The pair slowly stepped apart mumbling their apologies, then Ezra went first out the aisle followed by Aria. They made their way to the edge of the stage and sat. Ezra brought the papers with him, and held them up. "I'll start with act II and we can go from there." Ezra said as he looked at Aria and smiled, "is that ok?" He asked with a smile looking into Aria's eyes. "Yeah that's good." She answered with a node of her head and an added smile. He held the paper out, and moved closer to Aria so she could see. "Can you see it?" Ezra asked with a smile. "Yeah you're fine." She replied realizing the double meaning. She slightly blushed again, Ezra was lucky to catch her double meaning and her growing red checks. He hadn't noticed he was blushing at the sight of her, until he saw Aria's smile turn into a devilish grin. This made him aware of their not-so-subtle-flirtatious act. He quietly cleared his throat as she slowly inched closer to him. Aria started to speak, but stopped when she heard an all too familiar voice.
Ella's POV
"Yeah we'll be home in a few minutes." I said walking down a long aisle in the theater speaking to Byron on the phone. I listened to his response, and then talked back. "Mmm hmm, I've found her. Be there soon, bye." I closed my phone as I got to the edge of the stage by Aria and Ezra. By now they were separated and standing up on the stage. "Aria, Byron's cooking dinner. Hi Ezra how are you?" Ezra came down the stairs Aria closely behind. "Good, Ella thanks for asking." He said with his boyish smile shining bright. "What were you two working on?" I asked nodding my head towards the papers in Ezra's hand. Aria spoke up "lines, for tomorrow." I nodded in response then smiled thinking of a great idea, "Ezra would you like to come over for dinner. We have an extra seat tonight. Mike's gone on a lacrosse trip." I looked to Ezra who was watching Aria's expression. She seemed to be pleased at the idea, so he said yes. I smiled at myself then headed towards the exit. "Oh Ezra, could Aria go with you? I have some boxes in my car." He nodded and both of them seemed to be quizzically happy. I walked to my car satisfied with myself. I know you aren't suppose to help your daughter when it comes to her having a crush on a teacher, but with him sending it back this could either be fun, or uncontrollably dangerous.
Ezra's POV
Aria, Ella, and I walked outside to a light sprinkle and soft blue, cloudless sky. "See you at home." Ella smiles as she walks to her car. I lead Aria to my car, and unlock it as she walks to the passenger seat. We climb in then follow Ella. I park my car by the curb, and sit there looking at her house. It suits them, The Montgomery's. Aria and I get out and follow Ella up the front walk to the door. Ella opens the front door to the smell of a home cooked meal. I can't remember the last time I had a real meal. "Here I'll take your coat." I hear Aria's sweet voice say. "Thank you." I smile as I hand her my jacket. She hangs it up then turns around to me. I start to help her, so she steps closer and I undid the last button at the top. I grab the edge of her coat as she turns around and slide it off. I slightly stumble when I finish hanging her coat up. She puts her left hand around my waist and right hand around my neck as my hands find her petite, perfect waist. She shoots me her devils grin, and breathes out "careful." I coyly smile down at her again, tightening my grip around her waist as she slowly intertwines her fingers in my hair. Our faces are closer to each other's then last time. Aria smiles up at me with her hazel doe-eyes, and that electric twist of lighting shoots through the room. A cough came from the kitchen and Aria and I shoot apart. I look around to see nothing. Not a single pair of eyes on us. Thank god. Aria walks into the living room and I closely follow her. "Aria, dinner's going to be a couple minutes. Why don't you give Ezra a tour of the house?" Ella calls from the kitchen.
Ella's POV
I smile at myself as I toss the salad. I see Aria show Ezra around the living room, as he looks at family pictures and she studies his reactions. I pick up the plates and walk to the table to set it for dinner as I notice they are walking up the stairs. I place the plates so Byron and I sit on one side, and Aria and Ezra sat on the other. I walk back to join Byron in the kitchen.
Aria's POV
"That's Mike's room, then my parent's, then the bathroom, and mine." I pointed to each room in a counter-clockwise direction. Ezra smiled and slightly walked towards my room, pointing. "This one's your room?" He asked as I nodded and opened the door. I'm glad I cleaned it yesterday. He entered and slowly turned around to see everything. "Do you like it?"I asked after a few seconds. "Yeah, I do." I was pleased and smiled to myself. Ezra walked over to my desk and picked up a picture of all of us. The one of Spencer, Hanna, Emily, Alison, and I. I walked over to him and lightly touched the opposite corner he was holding. "Do you miss her?" he softly asked and looked up to see my eyes brimming with tears. Although he didn't know Ali and has only been here for about a year and a half, I'm sure he's heard enough about Ali and us around school and town to understand if we ever have a bad day. I nodded my head and he set the picture back down on my desk. Without any question he wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders and lay my head against his chest. I could hear his steady heart beat, and felt his chin rest on the top of my head. "It's ok" I heard his whisper, and then spoke against his chest "thank you."
Ezra's POV
I held her delicate body in my arms. She seemed so fragile and soft like a feather. With just one push she could fall to the ground. She looked up at me still intertwined in my arms, "I don't know how it happened so suddenly. She was so happy and untouchable. I thought no one could hurt her." Ezra looked down at me, "You were close." He stated with a tiny smile. "Very. We all went through tough situations together but that's what made Alison less mean. Sure she was ruthless at points but she was also sweet when you peeled back the layers." I stepped away from him then looked at the picture. "She knew what was best even if you didn't like it. I should have listened to her." I let out a long held in breath then went over to my bed. I looked to Ezra who seemed confused. "What's…what's wrong? What do you mean you should have listened to her?" I took in a shallow breath and looked up before I spoke. "I…" I looked to the door making sure my dad, scratch that my mom, wouldn't walk by any time soon. "About year and a half ago Alison and I were walking home, and to get away from dorky Mona we ran around to a side ally," he held up his hand, "wait dorky Mona?" I shook my head, "that's a whole different story." He nodded then I continued. "After we ran around the side I saw my dad's car parked by some big bushes, making out with one of his students from the University." Ezra's face contorted into a mix of distain and discomfort. He looked to my opened bedroom door and back again, in a quieter tone asked, "Why the hell is she still with him?" I twisted one of my rings around my finger, "'Cause I never told her." He took a step towards me. "I know I should have, Alison told me I should have, but when I came home after an hour of crying in the little kid section of the library, my dad was in my room. He convinced me not to tell her. He said 'it's better if she is here Aria, if we're a family' I wanted to tell her but I didn't want to be the one to break her heart." Ezra came and sat down next to me, "this isn't your fault Aria, its your dad's." I nodded, "I know, I just hate, knowing that I could have done something about it, and I didn't."