A/N - Many thanks for all of the amazing reviews. I'm so sorry it's taken such a long time to update, but I went away to stay with a friend for the weekend (which involved a nice, 800 miles round trip, driving the whole way) and then I got into work yesterday to find out that Ofsted are coming! Great! So, this chapter is only about half the length I would normally publish, but hopefully you'll enjoy it regardless. I'll try to update again at the weekend when I've got this week over and done with!
Chapter Three
Ezra placed two mugs of steaming coffee on the small table in front of Aria and sat in the chair opposite, just trying to keep a polite distance whilst not letting her see how much she was getting to him. She continued to read, her fingers lately tracing over the aged pages, her touch feather light. Ezra's mind began to wonder what it would be like to feel that touch on his face, on his chest, on . . . seriously! He gave himself a mental shake and picked his mug up from the table, cradling it in his hands as he tried to think of anything but the gorgeous woman sitting opposite himself.
It was only then that he realised he had called her a woman. Reminding himself that she was actually just a child, he slowly slumped back in the chair. He wanted to want her to leave but, if he was honest with himself, he could have sat and watched her for the rest of his life.
'What are you thinking about?' asked Aria with a smile as she glanced up and caught his eye.
'Nothing,' he said, shaking his head slightly, 'I was just watching you read. I didn't know anyone else read quite an intently as I do. You can borrow it if you like?' He posed that last part as a question, perhaps she wouldn't want to borrow his things, perhaps she would only want to read it when she came here. His mind was wandering again and he forced his concentration back to her.
'Thanks, I'd like that. Are you sure you won't miss it?' He just smiled, shook his head, and took another laboured sip of his coffee. Aria raised her own mug to her lips and he watched as she drew in the rich liquid, as let the flavour circulate before swallowing.
'Mmm, that's great,' she smiled. God, her smile was amazing! Ezra was staring again and he was sure she could hear his pounding heart beat.
'So, you like school?' he asked.
'Sure, I guess. My English teacher is ok, my French teacher is a nightmare. I'm going to be taking a couple of college credit classes next semester which should be good. What about you? Are you glad to be done with it?' She sipped at her coffee again as she turned her huge, almond eyes on him. He swallowed and struggled to think about anything other than her.
'I guess. It's a bit scary knowing I'm finally out in the real world, but I'm looking forward to getting a teaching post. Just gotta keep applying, I suppose.' A comfortable silence settled on them for a few moments, coffee was sipped as each stared at the other. Eventually, and somewhat reluctantly, Aria rose and took her empty mug to the kitchen. Just as Ezra had done before her, she used rinsing the mug as an opportunity to calm herself. She wanted him to kiss her, truly it was all she had thought about since she had walked through his door. His apartment was perfect, just as she imagined her own first apartment would be, full of literature and music. She sighed and turned around. He was behind her! Her heart leapt into her throat as he stood mere inches away from her. He reached towards her slowly before reaching around her and placing his own mug in the sink. He stepped away again. Was she mistaken or had there been a moment on indecision and then regret in his eyes before he stepped away?
'So I'd better be going,' she said quietly, before shuffling around him to gather her jacket and keys from the small kitchen table.
'Yes, I suppose,' replied Ezra slowly, trying to drag out each moment. 'I'll see you tomorrow though, won't I? At work?' Aria nodded before she moved towards the door.
'Thanks again, for dinner. I had a lovely evening.' Ezra stood next to the door, holding it open as she loitered in the door way. She looked up at him then, saw the battle that waged within him, saw the confusion flashing in his eyes. She reached up and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
'Goodnight, Ezra,' she whispered before she hurried away, down the corridor and stairs and out into the fresh air where she breathed in huge gulps of the cool night as her heart tried desperately to burst from within her.
Ezra stood for several minutes in the door way, the warmth of her gently kiss lingering on his cheek. Eventually, he closed the door and moved to sit on the sofa. It was then that he had noticed that she had left behind the book and he lifted it to his chest, taking slow breaths to steady himself. Jackie had never had this effect on him. She had made him smile, she had aroused him, but she had never left him shell shocked and gasping for air with a barely-there kiss. He closed his eyes and let his head loll back onto the sofa. Behind his closed lids danced images of Aria, smiling, reading, eating, staring. Aria. Aria. All he could see, all he could feel or hear, was Aria. What had she done to him?
Aria pushed her key into the front door and twisted it slowly. She really didn't want to be at home but she couldn't really put why she felt that way into words. She missed Ezra, which was ridiculous because she had literally only known him for a couple of days. As she stepped into the living room she could almost feel the tension within. Her mother sat, pale faced and red eyed, on the family room sofa, whilst her father leaned against the wooden support for the staircase. His face was almost grey.
'What's going on?' asked Aria instantly. The mood was hard to miss.
'Hey, honey. Did you have a good day? Did you eat dinner yet?' asked her mother, rising from the seat and moving to the kitchen.
'I ate at Ezra's,' said Aria, unthinkingly, 'Seriously, what is going on?' Aria's father looked at her mother for a long moment before he looked at his daughter.
'I made a mistake, Aria,' he said softly, regretfully.
'What sort of mistake?' she demanded, frustration beginning to win out.
'He's been having an affair with his grad student.' Ella's voice sent shivers through Aria, the anger and hurt so painfully laid bare that it tore through her.
'Mom? Dad? What the hell?' Byron watched her for a moment before his eyes fell to the floor. He turned away, picked his keys up and left quietly.
'So he's just leaving?' Aria's anger was all for her father, her mother's pain tearing her apart.
'He'll be back, he's giving me space. Don't worry, Aria, this is our problem to solve.' Her mother switched on the kettle and began to spoon instant coffee into a mug. Aria watched her mother who, so distracted by her own thoughts, put in three, four, five, six spoons of coffee.
'Mom, here, I'll do that.' Aria placed her hands over her mother's, lifting them away from the mug and starting again. 'What can I do to help, Mom?'
'Nothing sweetie. This is all on us. Please, just give us a little time.' She sat down at the table in the kitchen and rested her chin on her hand, staring ahead with unseeing eyes. Aria placed the mug of hot coffee on the table in front of her mother and then slipped upstairs quietly.
A loud bang startled Aria awake. She had fallen into a fitful and restless sleep soon after getting home but now, noise from downstairs had her sitting up and staring towards the closed door. As she began to truly wake up she could make out words, then phrases, and then the whole angry exchange that was taking place downstairs. Another bang. Oh God! Her mother was throwing things at Byron. Aria tried to lay down, burying her head under her pillow, but it only muffled the anger. Tears sprang into her eyes and squeezed themselves out from underneath her tightly closed lids. Desperate to get away, to not have to hear what was going on, she pulled on jeans and a sweater, before slipping into Mike's room and out the window.
Dark street after dark street rolled past Aria's window as she drove, no destination in mind. All she had wanted to do was get away but now she was out she knew she had no idea what to do. She could ring one of her friends, but they were probably all too busy or far away or . . . something was stopping her, whatever it was. She drew the car up to the side of the road and left the engine idling. Hot, desperate tears began to fall down her cheeks, and she swiped angrily at them. What had he been thinking? How could he do this to her mother? The force of her anger hit her suddenly, an anger she had never felt before. Tears fell more readily and loud sobs began to escape from within her. Several minutes passed before her breathing began to settle again and her pounding heart began to slow. Looking out of the window she tried to get her bearings. It was only then that she realised where she was parked. Looking up, there was still a light on and she took a deep, nervous breath. Switching off the engine and closing the door quietly, she began to mount the steps slowly. Her heart had taken over now, drawing her when her mind could no longer talk her out of it.
The light knock on Ezra's door almost went unheard. He had fallen asleep on the sofa, the book still clutched to his chest. He sat up, rubbing at itchy eyes, and looking around himself dazedly. Then he heard it again, a light tapping at his door. Confused, he glanced at the clock, it was just before midnight, late for any visitors. He rose and moved to the door warily before pulling the door open. What stood before him practically tore the heart from his chest.
'My God, Aria! What's happened? What's wrong?' The concern in his voice caused all of Aria's composure to crumble and the tears began to fall again. Without any thought for the consequences, for what his actions might mean, he drew her into his arms. She pushed her face into his chest and sobbed, her own arms slipping around his waist, holding on as though he was the only thing tethering her to the Earth.
Several minutes passed as they stood. Slowly, Aria's sobs began to ease and her hold on him loosened. Ezra's didn't begin to release her until he thought she could actually stand alone. Aria looked up at him, deep into his eyes. Her heart laid bare, her eyes seeking his, and Ezra's seeking hers. She reached up slowly, curving her hand around his cheek. His eyes closed briefly at her touch which sent shivers through him. Her touch was feather light yet it sent his heart racing.
'Thank you,' she whispered. Her eyes still bore into his, and he could feel her heart pounding against his chest just as his was against hers. Slowly he leaned down towards her, his eyes on hers until the very last moment, until the very second that their lips touched. The kiss, so gentle and new, sent sparks through them both and, as they pulled away, each one drew their own shaky breath.
'Come in.' Ezra took a step back from her, took her hand in his, and pushed the door closed behind them.
