Hardy knew instantly Ezra was feeling different. His shoulders weren't hung, his face wasn't dull, he looked happy. Therefore, Ezra was immediately forgiven, and they drank, and they laughed and good times were had by all. Ezra walked home drunk smiling and greeting any person that walked past. For once he wasn't drunk to relieve pain, but to just enjoy the feeling. He didn't feel as if there was as much weight on his shoulders, which was probably stupid because nothing had actually been solved, just being with her like that had made him feel good.
It was Monday already. He was a little devastated his weekend had come to an end after the raging success that it was. However, going out of the ordinary, he wasn't dreading walking into Rosewood today. He didn't have even a slight hangover either. In fact, he almost felt a little excited. He hadn't seen her face since Saturday, and although it hadn't been that long, he could definitely go with seeing her.
He strode through the corridors. No hunched shoulders and no signs of sleep deprivation showing on his cleanly shaven face. His eyes weren't glazed with disappointment or pain, they were bright and clear. He smiled at students and teachers, and when he saw her he couldn't help but widen his smile a little more. He let his eyes linger on her face, before turning into his classroom.
He got to his desk when he heard his door shut. He turned to see her standing there in front of his door. She was becoming increasingly good at sneaking up on him like this. However, the way she was looking at him made his heart melt.
"Hey."
"Hey." he looked around her through his doors glass window. No one was really looking but I guess there wouldn't be a reason to. He still couldn't help what fell out of his mouth.
"Are you here to...talk about the homework assignment?"
The majority of him was playing, but there was a small part that knew that should be what should happen.
"I know I've asked this before, but do you have plans this weekend?"
This conversation was ridiculously familiar.
"Uh well I don't really know right now. It is only Monday Aria?"
"Well maybe you could make some early plans? I personally don't have any and I know that I wouldn't mind hanging out with a certain someone." She was smiling a brilliant smile at him, one that made his knees weak and a little short for words.
He was stumped. He didn't know what to do or say. He knew what he wanted to say, was desperate to say. But it wasn't what he should say. Before he even knew what to say someone barged in.
"Oh Mr. Fitz I'm sorry! Should I come back later?" it was another one of his students. Her name was Alex and she was terrible at most parts of English but excelled at creative writing.
"No it's fine. Mr. Fitz you talk to Alex, I need to get my stuff for my next class anyway. But um, I'd really love for you to think about the uh the offer I made with my homework assignment." she smiled shyly and turned on her heel out the door.
Oh man. She was going to be the end of him.
For the most part it was easy to concentrate on his work and the things he had to do. He could properly divulge himself into the work and really love it without having his self pity on his mind. He felt the happiest he had been in a while. He found his classes going by fairly quickly, noticing how it was true that the happier you are the quicker time goes by. He wasn't counting down the minutes and he didn't wish he had alcohol in his hands. He wasn't pathetic anymore.
Aria didn't push him any more on her offer for the weekend and she was just like a normal student in his class. He truly realised exactly how mature she was. She wasn't asking for his attention all the time or batting her eyelids at him, she was just a student who excelled at english and had a real passion for the subject. She was already his favourite student. Although her knowledge and passion for literature was in her favour, her big brown eyes and breathtaking smile may have made him a little bias. None the less, no one would ever know that and he would no matter what, treat her like any other student in all ways.
It was Friday. He was glad none the less, but the past week he found himself loving work and the people or person, that were surrounding him.
He was half expecting Aria to talk to him about tonight, but she didn't. Which was a good thing he guessed. A night to himself wouldn't be that bad before he met all the boys tomorrow night.
'All the boys'. Jesus Christ, what was he, 16?
Either way, his night would be spent with movies most likely. He found it slightly amusing the way people are disappointed with their Friday nights if they're spent watching movies alone. He did it by choice. In saying that, he wouldn't be complaining if someone was watching them with him, but he knew he wouldn't be able to be content with another girls company if it wasn't her. He knew it was stupid, maybe it would pass soon enough but at the moment he had learnt to just accept that that was the way things were for him at the moment.
He eventually began his night, preparing himself with some of his favourite movies and some he hadn't seen before. He had already decided he would avoid alcohol. Not because it was necessary that he stop drinking but because it also wasn't necessary for him to have it either.
His night was going plainly when he felt like he could write again. It was rare that he felt the inspiration to write, but he found himself becoming more inclined to do so since he had met her. He didn't write about her, but she still inspired him. He didn't quite understand it but he didn't fight it.
He stood up to go over to his desk when there was a knock at his door. Hardy drunk maybe?
He swung the door open to find the person he least expected. Her face was filled with emotions he hadn't seen on her before. Pain, embarrassment, nervousness, fear? He wasn't sure, but he felt sure that there was a definite pang of sadness filling her eyes. He hadn't seen this Aria before.
"Hey," he didn't really know how to talk to her when she was like this. He wanted to know what was wrong but didn't feel like it was his place to directly ask.
"I thought you were helping out at the gallery?"
"I was." she was definitely sad. He felt as if his feelings were reflected onto her. She seemed lost for words as well.
"Can I come in?" she blurted out.
Ergh. Why must it be this difficult. Why did every move and everything he said have to be thought over and considered. He knew she shouldn't come in. Nothing would come out of it that would be a responsible student teacher relationship. He knew it was hypocritical considering what had happened between them the weekend before AND the weekend of Ali's funeral, but he always had to at least try and be responsible. Even if it ended up failing.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea." He stuttered it out.
Straight away rejection flooded her face. He felt terrible. He didn't want to reject her. It was probably the very last thing he wanted to do, apart from doing anything that hurt her. However the next thing that flooded her face was hurt, and that nearly set him undone.
"I-I'm so-sorry. This was a mistake...I shouldn't have come here."
Her choice of words stung him a little. He didn't want it to be a mistake that she wanted him around and to possibly be the one to comfort her. He saw the tears start to fill her eyes and he just couldn't understand why. Did she really feel that rejected by him? He just couldn't imagine it.
"I just had no where else to go."
He was beyond confused. He had no idea what was happening with her that she felt she only had his apartment to go to.
"I'll see you on monday."
He didn't really want her to go. But the conflict he found battling inside himself was horrific. He wanted to help her, he wanted to know everything that was bothering her and see if he could make her feel better. But he shouldn't. Because it's not appropriate and when would whatever was happening between the two of them come to an end? This couldn't keep happening.
Before he realised what was happening she was walking away from him.
"No, wait."
He couldn't. He just couldn't let her leave like this.
He stepped outside his door frame to see her standing there looking ridiculously vulnerable. What the fuck was going on?
He shoved his hands in his pockets. Again, lost for words.
"A-are you okay?"
Pathetic. That was the best he could do? It was blatantly obvious she wasn't okay. He felt so stupid. He just wanted to help in some way or another.
"Do you need me to drive you home?"
She looked a little disappointed but still had the sadness in her face. She gave a short unhappy laugh.
"That's the last place I wanna be."
"Why? What happened?" he took a few steps closer to her.
He wasn't trying to be polite or nice now. He just wanted to know. He wanted to know what was making her so unhappy. Surely she wouldn't turn him down if she told him that?
She stalled for a while, maybe deciding where to start or what exactly she should say.
"Can-" she sighed and stepped a few steps closer to him before continuing.
"Can we just be here, for a minute?" her voice trembled. She looked so, so sad. She was looking up at him waiting and he looked at her sad brown eyes.
She needed someone. And a part of him was so happy that she went to him. Even if it was because she felt like she had no one else. He would probably hate himself if he left her like this and feel the terrible guilt he knew all too well from disappointing her. Also, what type of person would he be if he ignored the student/teacher thing to make out with her, but wanted to enforce it when she needed someone.
Besides, he would be lying if he said he didn't want to just pretend they were normal for a while. To just enjoy her company, even if it was just for a little bit.
He took the last few steps that would close the distance between them. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist, and pulled her in. She willingly accepted and wrapped her arms around his waist and reached up to his shoulders. He lent down and planted a soft kiss on the top of her head, and rested his head on top of hers.
He could smell the fruity smell of her shampoo in her hair and her perfume that he now recognised as her scent. He could feel the warmth of her body pressed against his and he felt so content. He could just stand there for a while and enjoy it. His responsible side started to creep in, but he felt her relax in his arms at the exact same moment, and the thoughts were pushed away immediately.
He wouldn't even allow himself to regret what he was about to say.
"Do you want to come in for a bit? I'm just watching a movie but maybe it will make you feel better?" he felt stupid. How would he know what would make her feel better.
She pulled away and looked up at him. The slightest smile formed on her face and she nodded. He grabbed her hand, deciding to enjoy her contact as much as he could for as long as he could. He lead her into his apartment and they dropped onto his couch. He turned the tv back on and started playing the movie again, letting it play from where he was up to. The apartment was dim from the lack of light but he didn't mind. For a moment it was awkward, he knew she didn't know if she should sit without being close to him. He considered it very quickly before realising, as long as they were here, they might as well just be. So he decided to pull her into him, so she could rest on his chest. She did so, and he felt her let out a sigh.
He felt so happy and relaxed. He hoped that he was making her feel better and that she might possibly be as happy as he was.
The movie droned on, but he was oblivious to anything that was going on. He tried to take in as much of her as he could. His hand was resting on her waist, and the warmth of her body against his was starting to drive him crazy. He wanted to kiss her more than anything. He wanted to feel the weight of her body on top of him and just forget everything. However, this wasn't the time. He wouldn't even try that with her, let alone while she was feeling like this.
This went on for a good hour. The both of them, sitting in his dark apartment watching a movie, Aria being comforted and Ezra going crazy. A phone went off and he realised it wasn't his. Aria slowly pushed herself off him and reached into her bag to grab her cell. She read it and let out a defeated sigh.
"Mm, I better get home. It's probably not fair on my mum."
"What's not fair on your mum?"
She looked a little conflicted.
"Maybe a story for another time." she grabbed her bag and started to walk towards his door. He forced himself off the lounge and followed her with his hands in his pockets.
He was sad to see her go, but he couldn't say it wasn't necessary, and maybe what was best. He didn't really feel as if he could do this with her for much longer and ignore his feelings.
"Thank you Ezra. I know I was pretty pathetic but I uh, I guess I just..I don't know."
"It's fine Aria. I'm here for you whenever."
It wasn't right, but he knew it was true. He would always be there for her whenever she needed him whether he liked it or not.
Another small smile played along her face. He looked down at her, feeling himself falling into a little trance. Before he realised what was happening she leant up and gave him a small, lingering kiss. Before he even registered it, she had pulled away and was walking towards the exit of his building.
He stood there motionless.
He was seriously in trouble.
Thanks for waiting guys! I'm so sorry, because of Christmas I've been at work nearly every day and I just haven't had the time or motivation. Once again, reviews mean more then you could know, and I don't really post unless I get reviews cause I'm annoying and need to know what people are thinking haha. Again, I'd love to know if there is anything you guys want to happen!