-Chapter 4-

After Ezra had asked me for about the hundredth time what was going on, I decided that I was not by any means going to let him in because I knew what would happen if I did.

"Nothing, alright. What was the homework?" I asked getting him off the topic.

"Did you really not hear anything I said in class? God aria, who are you?" He was pissed now.

"Not who you think I am. What was the homework?"

"Write a paragraph about what you did over the summer. I bet I know what you did." It sounded cold.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He wasn't just talking about me being in France here was he? He must have realized I had gotten into some bad stuff over there but how much did he really know?

"I'm not an idiot. You're a teenage girl and you spent a year without your parents. You know what, your exactly that- a teenage girl." He was screaming at me like I had never heard anyone yell before.

"Is that supposed to be an insult?" Of course it was but I wasn't going to admit that. I was, in actuality, a teenage girl, but I was so much more than that. Well at least I used to be.

Before he had the chance to answer, I get up, left the room, and slammed to door behind me.

I walked down the hall. What now? I wasn't about to ditch my mom's own class knowing that Ezra wasn't going to write me an excuse now. I guess I had to put up with my mom. Room 212. Well, this was it. I quietly opened the door and everyone looked in my direction. Including my mom whose mouth dropped open the minute she saw me.

"Sorry, I was talking to Mr. Fitz. He said he would write me a late pass but he must have forgotten." It was somewhat true.

"So, you and Fitz are still hooking up?" I heard from somewhere in the back of the room. When I looked up, the face was unmistakable. Noel Kahn.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, playing it cool. Now everyone was looking between us. Including my mom.

"We will talk about this later." My mom said sternly, mentioning me to take my seat. I went to the back of the class and tried my best to pay attention to the lesson but my mind was elsewhere.

What was I supposed to do? Ezra hated my guts, I had completely ignored my friends during 1st period, my mom had seen my outfit, and Noel Kahn was already trying to expose Ezra and I. Screw that, there was no Ezra and I to be exposed. By the time the bell had rung, my mom asked me to stay behind.

"Look mom, I got to get to class but can we talk at home? I really got to go."

"Oh, we will talk at home alright but I made the rule before you got to class that if you're late without a valid excuse then you get a one hour detention. I just thought you should know. Detentions tomorrow after school."

"Whatever." I mumbled before I turned and left making my way to science.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Lunch was an interesting event. My friends were pissed at me for leaving without telling and ignoring them during English and because they never knew about Ezra and I, I had no excuse for them other than that I was feeling dizzy. That wasn't too far off I guess. Finally they somewhat accepted my apology and flooded me with questions. A few cute guys had come over to talk to me and I flirted with all of them. The girls were a little freaked out I think but who cares? That's just me.

The minute I stepped through the doors of my home, I felt relaxed. I knew my mom would be home in less than an hour but that meant I had all that time to myself. I went to the back of my closet and sat down. I didn't know what to do. I had promised myself I wasn't going to do anything once I got home but I really needed something now. I didn't have any drugs and I wasn't planning on being drunk when my mom got here. Cutting was too obvious and that didn't leave me with much. I thought back to before I had left. My life was like a personal hell but I handled it so well. It felt like I had never had a day worse then today, but how can I say that's true when everyday was worse than today. I just knew how to handle it. But I wasn't about to run to Ezra's apartment and ask him to hold me until I stopped crying, nor was I going to sit down and pour my feeling out in a journal.

I sat there thinking about the first option. Ezra was pissed at me. That's for sure. But I could get him back if I really wanted to, I knew that too. He still cared about me. But he wouldn't once he realized how messed up I really was. I didn't want to be so messed up anymore but I don't even know how to live my life the way I want it to be. That's why I am this way. It felt like a never ending battle between good and evil taking over my brain. So far evil was winning but I wanted good too. I just didn't know how.

If Ezra could help me, I wanted the help. But, on the other hand, I didn't want to give into him. I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted and I didn't know how I would get any of it. Ezra was mad, but did he still want to know? Would he keep trying? Trying to help me? Trying to fix me? Something in me wanted him to. Hoped he would. But I didn't want to give in either. I was so confused and all over the place when I heard the door open and my name being called by my very angry mother. I was so not ready for this.

I walked down stairs and entered the kitchen where my mom was sitting. I didn't want to bring anything up that she wasn't going to so I kept my mouth shut until it was apparent that she wasn't starting this conversation.

"So, you're teaching at rosewood now? Why didn't you tell me? Spying on me?" I asked beating around the bush.

"Well, I didn't think I'd have to spy on you. You're not that kind of kid. But once I saw you dressed in that outfit the other day I realized that maybe you are. Aria, this disgusts me. First, I can't believe you're wearing that outfit to school. It's wrong on so many levels. Next, you lied to me about what you were going to wear. How am I ever going to trust you if you're not telling me the truth all the time? And lastly, what was that talk about you and Mr. Fitz?" Once she finished her mini rant, I let her breathe for a second before answering. Wow, she really had hit all the bases.

"There's nothing going on between me and Mr. Fitz. That's disgusting. He's my teacher. He just was asking me about help on my college essay but I turned him down. Lot's of kids had his help last year so he wanted me to know he was there if I wanted the help." It wasn't a complete lie but I still had it. The lies came naturally even though I hadn't needed to lie for a year.

"At least you're still planning on going to college," She mumbled under her breath, "And don't you have anything to say about what you're wearing or about lying to me?"

I thought about that for a minute. I didn't really have anything to say for myself so I answered simply. "No."

"Well, you're grounded for a month. I'm not going to take you're phone away from you but no going out unless me or dad approves, no computer unless for work, and no TV. Get it? Got it? Good."

"Whatever. Can I go?"

"If you have nothing to say to me then yes, you may go." She said and I left. I was not about to give her the satisfaction of an apology. She didn't deserve it but maybe Ezra did. I felt the urge to talk to someone and I knew that Ezra would be there for me but I just wasn't sure if calling him was the best idea. If I called him things could never go back to a normal student-teacher relationship, but I wasn't even sure it could go back to that anyways. Maybe a simple text?

When I got back to my room I took out my phone and typed out a text to Ezra.

I'm really sorry about the way I acted today. Thanks for being there for me. Can we talk? -Aria

Before I hit send I hesitated. Should I send it? What if he wasn't willing to forgive me? What then? But I wanted to talk to him. Like he said, he was just concerned about me like any teacher. The difference was he actually cared. Before I could change my mind I hit send. Now all I could do was wait.

Hey guys! I actually was ready to post this chapter on Saturday but I didn't have internet until right now so thanks for being patient. The next chapter should be up in the next couple of days. Keep reviewing and because no one told me weather or not they wanted A, I'm not going to include him/her unless someone tells me otherwise. So, if you have a preference, speak up! Reviews are greatly appreciated and criticism is too :) Thanks so much!

Lindsey