CHAPTER THREE

EZRA

Ezra's first week of teaching couldn't have gone any more horrible. When he thought things couldn't get worse, it was if he had sent out a dare to the universe, enticing every day to one up the one before. He'd had to endure late assignments, failed quizzes, a phone call from a parent, even a physical fight in the courtyard; hell… he was starting to think he'd gotten a degree in teenage drama rather than education. When he parked his car outside his condo Friday afternoon, therefore, it was with the greatest feeling of relief. He was now convinced that Hardy's party on Saturday might be just what he needed (though he'd never admit to that).

Gathering his leather satchel and keys, Ezra dragged his tired body from his car and slowly made his way up the sidewalk towards his home. He'd just gathered his mail from the mailbox nailed outside his door when he heard someone struggling behind him. Turning, he caught sight of a women he'd ever seen before juggling a couple of grocery bags in one hand as she made her way up the walk. Her face was hidden behind the bags of groceries, save for a mess of dark brown hair and the tanned skin of her arms that mirrored the little boy's beside her. Noah skipped happily along at her side, holding her one free hand and messily eating a popsicle from his other.

"Eza!" Noah called out upon catching sight of him. He eagerly waved and ripped his grip from his mother's so that he could race towards him. The sudden movement caused the woman to drop the bags she'd been struggling to hold onto.

"Noah! I told you not to run!" The woman yelled towards her son. Noah, however, was yards ahead of her, already reaching Ezra's side.

"Hi, Eza! I got a posicle at ta store! Want sum?" He eagerly thrust the blue, melting concoction up towards Ezra who couldn't help but to laugh as he set his things down and turned to head down the path towards his mother.

"Thanks, Buddy. I'll pass though."

Noah shrugged in response before turning to push his way inside his own home, soon disappearing out of view.

Kneeling on the ground next to the unnamed woman, Ezra reached for stray cans of green beans, corn and various other vegetables.

"Here let me help you, Ma'am," Ezra said politely. Reaching for a package of cookies, his breath suddenly hitched in his throat as his hand grazed hers. He lifted his eyes to meet the surprised gaze of a young woman, probably around his age. The instant connection between the two crackled through the air as if ignited by a live wire, full of electricity.

"Thank you, thank you so much. My son- he seems to have a difficult time listening to me at points," she replied quietly. A soft smile graced her face as she straightened, allowing Ezra to take a bag of groceries from her arms. "I'm Aria. It seems you know my son already, Noah?"

"Ah, yes," Ezra chuckled. "He's a great little guy. It's nice to finally meet you, though, Aria. I was actually wondering when we'd cross paths."

Ezra reached out a hand, gently clasping Aria's in his own. They hesitated a moment longer than usual, taken aback by the physical attraction rippling through the air between them. Aria snatched her hand away, a blush filling her cheeks at the awkward moment. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind one ear, she shifted her things to one hip. "Well, he's been going on about his new friend, Eza, so the pleasure is all mine. He's usually pretty reserved so I'm happy he's made a new friend."

Ezra smiled is response and, after a moment, turned to follow Aria up the steps towards her own abode, making a left into her flat instead of a right into his own. He followed her into the kitchen and deposited the bag of groceries next to her own on the counter. Ezra's breath was knocked from him when Aria turned around. She had to be at least six or seven months pregnant.

"So do, you uh- live here by yourselves then?" Ezra asked nervously, scratching the back of his neck as he looked around.

Aria nodded quietly, suddenly avoiding his gaze. "It's a long story but Noah and I have been living here, just the two of us, for a little over a year now."

Ezra nodded himself. "Well, I'm just next door. So if you should ever need anything, just knock." The sudden blaring of his radio from his place through the brick walls reminded Ezra of his plans for that evening. "My friend… Hardy… he's insisted on throwing a party tonight actually. You're more than welcome to join. There'll be lots of food, drinks-"

"Thank you, Ezra," Aria answered, cutting him off with a soft smile. "I think I'll pass though. Can't really drink, ya know? And I probably shouldn't leave Noah by himself."

Ezra nodded in response, shoving his hands awkwardly into his dress trousers and rocking back onto his heels. "Well, if you change your mind… you know where to find me," he answered, shooting her his own smile in return. Pointing behind him, he continued, "I should probably get going, before Hardy burns the place down or something. I'll run into you again, though?"

Aria smiled at him and nodded, following him to the door. "Bye, Ezra."

With the soft clicking of the door behind him, Ezra finally released the pent up breath he'd been holding for the last fifteen minutes and slouched down to retrieved his things from where he'd dropped them. If Aria was anything like her son, he couldn't wait to get to know her.

ARIA

"I'm so happy! Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof! I'm so happy!"

Running a hand exhaustedly through her once neatly styled hair, Aria wearily looked towards the designer clock hanging above her fireplace. The piece had been a lavish gift from one of her best friends, Hannah, so Aria was forced to display it, whether or not she agreed with the price tag surely associated with the clock. She watched in displeasure as the midnight hour rang in with no sign of the pounding bass next door quieting. Maybe she should go say something? She hoped against all odds that the party wouldn't wake-

"Mommy?" Noah cried tiredly from his room. Aria sighed in defeat before pushing to her feet and making her way to her son's room. This looked to be a very long night.

"Hey, Buddy," Aria answered quietly as she gently pushed open the door to Noah's room. "Can't sleep?"

Noah shook his head as he tried to focus his tired gaze on his mother. Aria sat down on one end of the bed, reaching forward to run her hand through her son's hair. She pulled his blankets higher up towards his chin and leaned forward to press a soft kiss to his forehead.

"I'm going to run next door really fast and ask Ezra to turn the music down, ok? Try to go back to sleep," Aria told him. Noah nodded once before closing his eyes and hugging his stuffed giraffe tighter to his chest.

Aria let the soft click of Noah's door fuel her tired body to make the trek to Ezra's front door. She didn't even bother throwing on shoes. Reaching his door, she hesitated only a moment before rapping a quick couple of times against the dark wood.

"I've got to answer the door! Jeeze, just put a pause to the damn game!" Ezra yelled from inside. Aria rolled her eyes as she listened to him unlock the door and met his surprised stare when he threw it open a moment later.

"Aria! You come to join the party! I need a new partner for Euchre! You in?" Ezra asked excitedly. She could tell by the way he gripped the frame of the door that he was fairly drunk, barely able to stand.

Shaking her head, she answered, "No thanks. I, uh, actually came over to-"

"Ezra! What's taking soooo longgg?" A blond haired girl asked, coming up beside Ezra to cling onto his side. Another brunette followed behind a lazily draped herself across both of their shoulders.

"Sorry, Aria, this is a friend from work, Maggie, and her friend Andrea," Ezra introduced. Aria, having no interest in meeting his 'friends' ignored the two girls and continued with why she was there.

"Yeah… I just came to ask you to turn down the music. You're keeping both my son and I awake," Aria snapped after a silent moment. She'd had enough. She didn't know Ezra well, but by the look of things, he suddenly didn't seem like someone she was too keen on befriending.

Ezra instantly sobered up at Aria's harsh tone. He pushed the women away from him so he could address her. After a few muttered gripes, they were left alone. "Absolutely, Aria. I am so sorry. We've gotten out of hand over here, please forgive me."

Aria just stood there for a second, taking in the messy apartment behind Ezra and the throng of women and men that just barely fit into the crowded space. Shaking her head, she turned back towards her own place. "Whatever, Ezra. Just turn the music down. Thanks." With that, she left him to return to what appeared to be a scene straight out of a college frat house.

Uh, oh. Looks like Ezra's gotten out of hand with his party and Aria's not too happy about it! How do you think this will impact their relationship seeing as how they just met? As always, let me know your thoughts!