Here's the next chapter, I hope everyone likes it! I'm not sure how I feel about this story yet... I promise it'll pick up and start to differ from the show soon :)

Ezra sat at his desk, lost in thought, waiting for school to start. He had gotten to school early to prepare for the day. He knew it would be a hard one. Once again, he found his thoughts drifting back to Aria. He'd made a complete fool of himself, and for what? He held his head in his hands. Maybe Aria wasn't worth it. He was risking his entire future for a girl he'd spent one night with. Ezra silently vowed to keep himself in check. Besides, it's not like Aria was too thrilled with what happened, either. He wouldn't let his emotions get to him again. He couldn't…

The bell for first period rang loudly, breaking Ezra's chain of thought. He looked up to find Aria at his desk. "Mr. Fitz?" she asked nervously. He could see the pain in her eyes.

"Miss Montgomery, what can I do for you?" he replied. He had to maintain his composure. He had no choice.

Aria handed him a form. "I would like to transfer out of your class," Aria's voice was weak. Ezra's heart broke at the sound.

"See me after class," he countered. He knew this was hard for her. Hell, it was hard for him, but he didn't want Aria's education to suffer. He wouldn't let it.

Aria nodded and walked silently to her seat. She avoided his gaze as he gave the class their assignment. If she stayed in his class, she wouldn't be able to control herself. The only way to keep herself, and Ezra, out of trouble was to get out while she still could. Aria didn't think she'd be able to handle it if she had to sit in his classroom every day and pretend she didn't feel the way she did. She kept replaying their almost kiss in her head. She could feel his arms still wrapped around her waist. She could still picture his faces inches away from hers. The thought of it drove her nuts.

Seconds inched by, and Aria's nerves were rising. The more she sat there with Ezra's concerned glances showering over her, the more she started to think that maybe Ezra was worth the risk.

"Hello! Earth to Aria! Are you in there?" Hanna's words cut into her thoughts.

Aria smiled. "Yeah, sorry. You know how I get when I'm trying to think of what to write," she lied. Nobody could ever know what was really on her mind.

Hanna shot her a quizzical look. "I guess, but I swear, you looked like you were ready to make out with that notebook, or something."

Aria laughed. Hanna always knew how to ease her nerves, even when she didn't know she had to.


Ezra took a deep breath, readying himself for his conversation with Aria. 'Aria is your student,' he thought, 'Your relationship is strictly professional. Anything else is out of the question.' He watched Aria as she said goodbye to her friends and walked towards him. He knew things would only get harder from here.

"M-Mr. Fitz, you wanted to see me?" Aria stuttered. She was so nervous, Ezra wanted nothing more than to give her a hug.

Instead, he put on his best teacher voice, "Aria," he began, "I understand why you would want to drop my class, but I don't think it's in your best interest. This is the only AP English course offered at Rosewood Prep. Don't let whatever this is get in the way of that."

"I'm not sure that I can do that, Mr. Fitz. Will you please just sign it?" she pleaded. She looked close to tears.

Ezra searched her eyes for a reason to say no, but she had made up her mind. Reluctantly, he took the paper from her and signed it. "I'm sorry this had to happen, Aria," sorrow filled his voice as he handed the paper back to her. He really was sorry about everything. Student or not, he hated seeing her hurt.

Aria opened her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn't come. After a moment, she whispered, "Thanks," and left. Ezra felt completely alone, even as his students started trickling in for the next class.


Ezra began teaching as when he heard the door open and a paper slam on his desk behind him. He turned to see who it was. Aria. He watched her as she took her seat. Their eyes locked, but Ezra quickly noticed the whole class staring. He sheepishly resumed teaching.

When he sat back at his desk he grabbed the paper Aria had slammed on his desk. It was the class request from with a note attached to it: "Ezra, maybe I was wrong. Can we talk? –Aria." Across the top of the form the word "DECLINED" had been stamped in big, bold letters. A small smile subconsciously formed across his lips. He looked up to find her writing furiously, and silently thanked himself for starting with creative writing. It seemed like Aria really needed it.

A knock came at the door and all eyes turned in its direction. Ezra got up and answered it. His stomach churned. It was the principal and Aria's guidance counselor. He stepped into the hall and closed the door behind him, praying it was just a coincidence. "What can I do for you?" he asked, willing his nerves not to show. He felt like his heart was going to beat right out of his chest.

"Mr. Fitz, we would like to talk to you about one of your students," the principal answered matter-of-factly. Ezra swallowed hard, and nodded for him to continue.

The guidance counselor chimed in, "Her teachers have been saying that she's been distracted lately, and then yesterday she tried to drop your class. That's completely uncharacteristic of her. Several of us are worried, including her parents. Did she say why she wanted to drop your class?"

Ezra looked at the principal, the back to the guidance counselor. "No," he answered trying to remain calm. He had to keep reminding himself that technically, nothing happened while he was her teacher. Not yet. It all happened before.

The pair standing before him gave Ezra a sketchy look, but nodded. "Alright, well, if you hear anything, or if Aria talks to you about it, let one of us know." Ezra nodded and re-entered his classroom to a panic-stricken Aria.