Disclaimer: I don't own PLL.
Chapter Twenty One
Ezra jumps up before I even have a chance to blink, I quickly snap into action and stand up, readjusting my dress so it's no longer bunched up around my thighs.
"Well? I'm waiting." I glare at her face before turning towards Ezra, deciding it was probably best if he spoke.
"Jackie, I..." Ezra snaps his mouth shut and shakes his head, trying to compose his words.
"Look, Jackie-"
"It's Professor Molina to you. And don't. I don't ever want to hear anything from you. You're just a dirty little slut." I bite the inside of my bottom lip, remembering she has the power and if I want to protect Ezra I'm just going to have to take it.
"Don't talk to her like that. Ever." We both turn to face Ezra, our mouths hanging open.
Jackie looks taken aback and I can't help but feel my heart swell at him defending my honour.
Even if I think he needs to just shut up, and realise his career is on the line.
"Excuse me?"
"You're excused," Ezra motions toward the door and I widen my eyes.
"Ezra, we can talk about this. Figure something out." I scoff and roll my eyes.
"Like what? Because if you think for one second Ezra will go running off into the sunset with you, you're sadly mistaken. Because it would be more like... running off into an abyss." She turns her sharp glare on me, and I curse myself for not holding it back.
"Ezra, it's not too late. You can still do the right thing."
"I'm listening," My head snaps over to Ezra and I feel my eyes water.
No.
He can't do this.
It's here in this moment, as I listen to those words spill out of his mouth, that I realise that deep down I'm too selfish to let him try and salvage his career and reputation if it means turning his back on me.
"Good. Now honey, why don't you run along and let the adults talk, ok?" I feel a single tear fall down my cheek and I promise myself that will be the only one.
I will not cry over this jerk.
So much for him being different.
"Still couldn't come up with any new material huh?" I raise my eye brows before snatching up my bag and waltzing out of the room without casting a glance back.
"Good, now you are never to see her again." I pause outside the door, out of view.
I feel my heart breaking, with every new word being spoken but I can't help but stay and listen.
"She's in my class."
"Make something up, get her transferred. I don't care, just do it."Jackie's voice hisses out at Ezra and I bite down on my bottom lip.
"Ok," I choke back a sob at his response.
I'm not worth fighting for.
"Good, now that she's out of the picture. You and I can finally be together." I hold my breath, waiting for him to reject her.
She's already taken enough from us; he wouldn't let her take even more.
He wouldn't ever let her have what's mine.
"Ok." Another couple of sobs rip through my chest and I turn to walk away, my hand reaching up to muffle my sobs.
Why does this hurt so much?
"And, don't try anything. Remember all it would take is me going to the Dean. It may be your word against mine, but I don't need proof, the Dean and I are very close. Besides, I'm assuming they would want to look over all her work... you know, to make sure she wasn't getting any kind of special treatment."
Bitch.
I reach into my purse, my vision clouded with tears. I clutch my hand around my phone and yank it out of my bag; I dial Spencer's number and place the phone to my ear.
"Hello?"
"Spencer. I need you." I hiccup through my sobs, exiting the building at Hollis.
"Honey, I'm so sorry." Spencer continues to rub my back as I sob into her pillows.
"I don't know why I thought he'd even be different."
"Aria, you know I'm one hundred percent on your side right?" I turn my head and nod slightly waiting for her to continue.
"But, this is his career on the line."
"I know," I whisper quietly, "But, he said he would never hurt me. He said he didn't regret this relationship. I thought I was worth the risk... but apparently I'm not. He didn't care enough to fight for me."
"I'm so sorry, Aria. Really. If there was anything I could do, you know I would do it right?"
"Of course I do. I know I'm being selfish but I really thought that... I don't know."
"How about some chocolate ice cream?" I crack a small watery smile and she jumps up and heads for the door.
"Wait!" She turns and around and raises her eye brows at me in question.
"He may not be willing to fight for us, but I am."
"Ok... Aria. Just one teeny, tiny question. How exactly do you plan on doing that?"
"I uh, don't know." I mumble, casting my eyes down to the bed spread.
"Uh huh."
"I just haven't figured it out yet." I release a large sigh, glaring at the bed spread, willing it to give me the answer I'm so desperately searching for.
"Anything?" Our gazes snap together when I utter that word.
"What?" She scrunches her brows together in confusion.
"Did you mean it? When you said you would do anything for me?" I raise my eye brows waiting for an answer.
"Yes..."
"Great, then call the girls. I have a plan."