As Ezra pulled into the Staff parking bay, he could already feel the looks he was getting from a group of juniors who were perched on a bench nearby. It was to be expected really, a man of his age teaching at a high school filled with young girls, eager for a distraction from studies. Because that's all he was to these girls- a simple distraction from school life. In a way, he almost felt sorry for them if he, Ezra Fitz, was their biggest thrill for the day. Didn't they know how unexciting he really was? How his idea of the perfect night was reading his favourite book, Tender is the Night, curled up on the couch next to someone he loved? He suspected that most of his students assumed he lived the crazy life of a young bachelor, picking up a new girl every night, frequenting the newest and loudest clubs and that his occasional lack of focus during lessons was due to his staying out at all hours of the night. Ha. If only they knew that the real reason behind this lay in the girl who sat in the middle of the fifth row back. She resented the fact that such a large number of students openly lusted after him, and he found this sweet.
"It's incredibly annoying Ezra! They fawn over you like they've never seen a grown man before,"
"What if I told you that I hadn't even noticed it?"
"I'd say you were being an idiot."
"Aria?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
Smiling, he put this memory to the back of his mind as he pushed open the door and stepped inside the school. His briefcase weighed on his side as he strolled down the hall scanning for Aria, until he caught a glimpse, standing by her locker with Spencer.
"Morning Miss Hastings, Miss Montgomery" he smiled, his gaze lingering slightly on the latter before walking past into his classroom.
It wasn't long after he had sat down at his desk that he heard his door open and then close again.
"Good morning Mr Fitz. You had a good weekend I hope?" she asked, raising her eyebrow slightly as she stood by the door, holding a stack of books.
"I had a really great weekend. There's nothing better than spending it with a very beautiful woman," he replied, noticing her face colour a little with pleasure as she set down her books on the nearest table.
He took this as an opportunity to take in her appearance this morning- a draped white dress, cut higher over her thighs to accentuate her legs, chunky nude boots and red velvet lips made Ezra long to cross the room and pull her into his embrace. God, she was incredible. And she was driving him insane wearing outfits like that, with her dark hair hanging loose over her collarbones, she was making it so much harder for him to stay platonic.
"You're killing me, you know that?" he sighed.
She looked up from the books she was sorting, with a frown.
"What do you mean?"
He laughed at the worried look she was now giving him and then became serious again.
"It's just that you've got no idea how much I wish I could kiss you right now. It's torture Aria, honestly."
She gave a half smile as she slowly began to walk over to his desk.
"Trust me…" she said, getting nearer. "I know exactly how it feels,"
She slid her hand across the desk til their fingers met and interlocked. He felt himself gulp as he looked up at her earnest face. Aria opened her mouth to say something, but at that moment, the bell for the first class rang, startling the pair out of their moment. He pulled away and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
"Why is it that we always seem to be interrupted by that thing?" he laughed bitterly.
Aria stalked back to her desk dramatically. "So inconvenient of this institution to do that to us!" she mock grumbled before quickly sitting and feigning interest in her Modern History textbook as the first of her classmates began to trickle in to the class. Ezra snuck one last smile at her before commencing the switch into 'Teacher Mode'.
"So as you all should be aware, we're starting our next book today. George Orwell's 1984 is a classic in its own right, set in a dystopian future where a totalitarian government controls and monitors all aspects of life, from your job to even your love life."
There was some mock horror and snickers at this from a few of the class members, and Aria rolled her eyes at the low level of maturity of her peers. Ezra caught this and chuckled before continuing.
"So, who can I be impressed with for having already read the novel?"
Silence engulfed the room, and after a moment, a lone hand rose.
"Miss Montgomery, why am I not surprised?" he smiled, trying not to appear too pleased. "Would you mind sharing your initial feelings on Orwell's text, seeing as no one else has bothered to prepare?"
Aria sat up straighter in her chair, and after some thought, responded,
"What I found the most interesting in the way the novel evolves, is the nature of the relationship between Winston and Julia,"
"In what way?" he questioned, leaning forward on his desk.
"I think it's admirable the way that the two fight for their love with such passion. They pursue their relationship in secret as the world would see it as wrong. They're forbidden to be together, but that never stops them, because they know…" she paused, never breaking eye contact with Ezra. "…they know that to them, their relationship is right. It feels right,"
The gaze between Ezra and Aria was palpable at this point, as he was aware of the deeper meaning she was referring to. He swallowed hard, before realising that the rest of the class was silent, looking questioningly at the two of them.
"Right. Erm, right, yes. Thank you Aria. That was.. very astute," Quickly, he changed the subject, setting a practice essay for homework. "Now seeing as the majority of you haven't even read the text, I would recommend you use the rest of this time to remedy this, if you want to be able to do the work I just set,"
As the class pulled out their books and the sound of concentrated reading filled the room, Ezra took the chance to cool off at his desk. He placed his head in his hands as he attempted to concentrate on marking. The vibration of his cellphone in his pocket interrupted him, as he looked around the class before pulling it out to check the message.
What are you doing Mr Fitz? I'm bored, entertain me?
He grinned and looked up to see Aria raise a singular eyebrow at him suggestively. He shook his head, still smiling as he promptly texted back.
And why are you using your phone during class Miss Montgomery? You know I could give you a detention for that…
He noticed her tuck a strand of hair between her ear as she gave a coy smile to the phone on her lap. He saw her begin to tap a reply as the bell for the end of the period rang, and he groaned inwardly as she stopped to pack up her things, her phone returning to her bag. Of course. Now he would never know what her response was going to be.
"Miss Montgomery, can I please see you for a minute?" he stopped her as the rest of the class retreated out of the room.
She stopped in the door way once every one had left, and he quietly asked,
"My place tonight? At 7?"
She nodded in response and gave him one last teasing grin as she turned and left, leaving him wanting more.
AUTHORS' NOTE:
Thank you so much for the reviews, I did not expect it at all and I'm glad you liked the first chapter! I really appreciated the response! The link to Aria's dress is on my profile.
