11/10/2012
I'm baaack. Hope y'all enjoy, coming back to you with a long chapter this time. Thanks for all the reviews so far, they're all so encouraging. xo -J
"Order whatever you like, all expenses on me." Ezra told her rather generously.
Aria scoffed. "Ever the gentleman. Especially considering that the most expensive thing on the menu is seven bucks."
They'd managed to find a tiny diner on the corner of the street, where the burgers and fries were dirt cheap, and wholesome goodness.
Ezra maintained a straight face. "Exactly. Do you realize how much seven bucks is to the just-graduated-haven't-even-started-my-job-yet? It's about equivalent to fifty dollars in your daddy-pays-for-everything world.
Aria slapped him on the arm. "Hey! I'll have you know I earn my keep."
"Really?" Ezra raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realize interns received pay at Rosewood. Damn, those parents must be rooolllin'…they haaatin'."
Aria's pained expression made him laugh. "Please don't do that again, Ezra."
He held his hands up in submission. "Okay, okay. But are you sure? Because I can do a mean Eminem."
"Ezra," Aria laughed, reaching over to poke him playfully.
"You guys are just having a ball over here, aren't ya?"
They looked up at the waitress, a quirky blonde girl with a pixie cut and pretty blue eyes.
"Amie?" Ezra asked, looking up at her in wonder.
"Ezra," She leaned in to give him a warm hug. "I've been watching you for a while now, didn't want to interrupt your little laughing fit. Who's the lucky lady?" She asked, smiling at Aria.
"This is Aria," Ezra introduced. "Aria, this is my friend from college, Amie with an ie."
"Nice to meet you, Amie with an ie,'" Aria smiled. The girl definitely looked like a Amie rather than a Amy alright, you could tell just from looking at her, how incredibly cool she was. Aria felt a tad boring in comparison.
"Pleasure's mine, Aria." Amie grinned. "Now what can I get you two?"
"We'll have double cheeseburgers and fries." Ezra told her just as Aria opened her mouth. He flashed her a smile and held his finger up to her lips. "Shh. Don't think I didn't see you eying that cheeseburger."
Amie giggled. "Alright, two cheeseburgers coming up. On the house, Fitz."
Ezra shook his head, but Jamy silenced him with a finger on his lips. Aria knew it was a friendly motion but part of her wondered how Ezra could be into her with hot college girls like Amie around.
Oh right. Because he thinks you're in college. She told herself, before brushing the niggling thought away.
"So I'll leave you two alone." Amie said, walking backwards to the kitchen "Oh, while we're on the subject of houses though- party tomorrow tonight, my place. Bring your lady friend." Flashing her pearly whites, she sped off, not waiting for a reply.
"Am-" Ezra sighed. "It's a school night."
"Oh Ezra, don't be such a spoilsport. Let's do it." Aria told him, eyes bright.
"Seriously?" Ezra smiled. "Do you really want to go into Rosewood, hungover the next day, and face that scary librarian?"
Aria laughed. "It won't be like that, I don't even drink."
"You don't drink?" Ezra asked, disbelievingly. "What are you, sixteen?"
"Seventeen, but that's not why-"
"Sorry, what?"
Aria paused and stared at his shocked expression, and realized what she'd just blurted out.
"I can explain-" She began.
"You're seventeen. Seventeen." He swore under his breath. "How could you lie to me, Aria?"
"I never lied, Ezra. Look, if you just let me-" She reached out to grab his hands, but he pulled away. A shudder passed through her.
"No, I can't. I just…I can't-I gotta go." He rose and walked out of the diner in a daze. Aria remained, feeling tears welling up. She quickly wiped them away as Amie returned with two gigantic cheeseburger meals.
"Here we are. Where's Ezra?" She asked, placing the tray down.
"He left." Aria said simply.
Taking a careful look at her face, Amie pieced together what she thought had happened in her head-an Ezra breakup. She'd experienced one before, and felt for the girl. Amie sat down opposite her, and without a word, began munching on Ezra's fries.
Aria, who had by this time devoured half her burger, looked up briefly before resuming her meal. The two ate in silent understanding and at the end, Amie gave Aria a hug, telling her all guys were jerks and that she should still come to the party solito.
Aria knew she wouldn't, but took down geographic details anyway so that Amie wouldn't be offended.
"See you there, muchacho. Dress hot." Amie told her, waving as she left.
Aria waved back, deciding a sad romance movie and some alone time would do some good. She was right- crying waterfalls during Keith felt a whole lot better than crying for Ezra. Taking an early leave to bed, she postponed all thoughts of him to the morning-when she would have to face him considering it was the first day of school.
"It's the size of a boulder! I mean, seriously, on the first day? Why me?" Hanna moaned, holding a mirror close to see if the pimple had magically disappeared. "Maybe it's not as big as it looks. I mean, don't mirrors add like 10 pounds?"
"Hanna, could we please not talk about this right now?" Aria felt her stomach lurch as they neared second period-AP English. Taught by none other than E. Fitz.
"Why are you so jumpy, Aria?" Spencer asked. "Relax, you look great. Those beige knee highs are gorgeous."
Aria managed a small smile. "Thanks Spence. I'm just nervous for English, I guess. This is senior year, crunch time."
"Hmm. Look at that," Hanna said, squinting her eyes at the note on the door to Room 3B. "ENG400, meet in the gym."
"That's weird." Spencer frowned. "Ugh, I hope we don't get some eccentric poet who does yoga whilst simultaneously reciting Sylvia Plath."
Hanna stared at her blankly while Aria hadn't even taken in the little joke. Aria was too busy studying the note.
When the girls finally arrived in the gym, everyone else had already gotten there.
"Ahh, ladies. So glad you could join us. I'm Mr. Fitz. Please take a seat anywhere you like." He said, gesturing vaguely while his eyes zoned in on Aria. While the other two girls ogled at the hot new teacher, Aria pointedly ignored him.
"Alright, guys." Mr. Fitz called out, clapping his hands. "Welcome to English 400. Now, this is an AP course, and as such, I expect the best writing and creativity from all of you. To get your juices flowing, I thought we'd start with the introductory class with a little bit of dance. The period we'll begin with is the 1920s, during which the samba became a popular dance movement in the Americas."
A loud cheer erupted from the female portion of the class. Which girl couldn't appreciate salsa?
"Ladies, I know you'll enjoy this. Gentlemen, it's time to prove your manhood. Everybody get up and form a line, in male-female order. Make sure that you aren't standing with your friends, this is an activity aimed to get you to interact with other people."
As everyone got into line, a phone rang out where the bags were kept. Aria knew immediately it was hers.
"Okay, whosever owns that phone, please go turn it off."
Sheepishly, Aria got out of her place in line behind Noel Kahn and ran to her bag. On her way, she noticed that the phone stopped ringing just as Ezra placed something back in his pocket.
Did he just call me? Aria wondered. Why would he do that?
Heading back to her place in line, she heard Ezra call out.
"Miss Aria, please head to the back of the line. That cellphone should have been turned off." He reprimanded.
Aria stared him, furious. Are you kidding me? She thought. You called me, arse.
"Fine." She replied in a calm voice, disguising her anger.
"Thank you. Now, we have an uneven ratio of guys to girls, so Aria, you'll be my partner since you're at the back."
Aria felt her anger subside somewhat, and then rise again. So that's your plan, Fitz. Dump me, and then keep me isolated from all males except yourself.
As everyone else paired up, Ezra put on the video demonstation of the samba, and then walked over to Aria. The lights were dim, and the rest of the class had already begun.
"Let's go to a corner," Ezra murmured, grabbing her hand. With his hands on her hips, they began dancing to the rhythm of the demonstration song.
Ezra leaned in to breathe her hair. Aria didn't attempt to move away, which encouraged him to speak. "I hope you know that all this is is an apology to you. I thought, what better way to tell a girl sorry than through samba." He smiled at her, hoping for some kind of reaction in return. Aria remained stagnant.
"I was a jerk yesterday. To just up and leave you-it was…cowardly of me." He told her as he dipped her, staring into her eyes.
"You were right, you never lied. I assumed. And I made it hard for you to tell me the truth."
He twirled her around before bringing her close once again.
"You had no right to act like that." Aria finally said.
"I know-" Ezra began.
"Let me finish. I know we can never happen, I knew it then too. I just didn't want to admit it just yet-I was having a really good time."
"Me too. The assignments will count for a great portion of the mark." Ezra whispered back before loudly asserting the last comment as another couple passed their corner. When they had passed, he resumed back to the whisper.
"Forgive me?" He asked her.
She shook her head no.
He brought her closer, hips moving.
"Forgive me?"
Aria felt herself giving in. At the end of the day, his reaction wasn't completely out of line.
"You're standing really close to me, Mr. Fitz." She murmured half-smiling. "Very inappropriate."
Ezra gave her a look, stepping back. "I thought we were having a moment there."
"Well, we really shouldn't be having moments if this isn't going to work, should we?" Aria wished he would say that it could work.
"You're right." He gave her a small smile and squeezed her shoulder before letting go. The song wasn't over, but their moment certainly was.
The rest of the class went by excruciatingly slow, but Aria did her best to get through it. After the dance, they'd played two truths and a lie as an introduction game, where Noel Kahn let slip that his first time was in his parents' toolshed, after which he winked at Aria. Turning a deep shade of crimson, Aria was forced to explain to a class of twenty heckling teenagers and the man whom she had just danced intimately with that by "first time," Noel was referring to the innocent peck they had shared in the second grade. Despite damage control, Aria could barely face anyone, much less Ezra, for the rest of the period.
Aside from English, the school day went by faster than Aria had expected. She met her friends at Spencer's locker, ready to detail plans on project Noel Kahn Must Die. Unfortunately, they had other plans.
"Aria! Change of plans for tonight. Melissa's getting us into a college house party." Spencer told her.
Hanna positively squealed while Spencer noted the unpleasant expression on Aria's face.
"Aria, please. I need to go to this. If I'm getting into Stanford, I need contacts." She begged.
"And we need hot college boyfriends, hello!" Hanna exclaimed, pointing at Aria and herself.
"Guys, I'm really not up to it tonight. And, anyways, I have this…thing…tonight." She really needed to work on her fibs.
Hanna gave her a look. "Look Aria, whatever it is that's upsetting you, this party will solve all of it. Pinky swear." She held up her pinky.
Aria took a deep breath. "Okay, here's the thing. I've already been invited to this party by a girl who's friends with this guy I met and now we're not together. And I just can't go."
"Okay, whoa." Spencer held her hand up. "Why are we just hearing about this? And how do you know it's the same party?"
"Findale & Avonlea Road, right?" Aria asked.
Spencer tilted her head, mouth slightly agape. "You're avoiding the main question."
"So it is the same one." Aria affirmed.
Spencer gave her an impatient look while Hanna folded her arms, tapping her foot.
"Guys, it really was like a one day thing. We're not together, we never were. It's not gonna happen so let's just forget about it." She started walking towards the exit.
Spencer and Hanna shared a look. "Okay, Aria. It's obvious that it's still bugging you. I really think you need this night out." Spencer told her in a softer tone.
"And trust me," Hanna said, linking her arm with Aria's. "There'll be plenty of people there. You probably won't even run into him."
Aria raised an eyebrow at her friend.
"Okay, we'll disguise you." Hanna said.
Aria considered it.
"Come on, Aria. You know this is what you need." Spencer cajoled.
Her friends were right. A party was exactly what she needed.
"Alright. Let's do it." Spencer hugged her while Hanna opted for a first pump.
Later that night, the girls got ready at Spencer's house. After makeup and clothes, they set out to find Aria a disguise. The only wig Spencer owned was a Founding Fathers hairpiece she'd worn in a play in the 5th grade. Unfortunately, Aria had no other choice. Hanna told her it looked kind of cool while Spencer reassured her college kids dressed pretty weirdly and she would fit right in. The final touch was a pair of nerd glasses that nearly ate up her face.
Aria took a look at the finished product in the mirror and let out a giggle that soon turned into teary-eyed laughter as her friends joined in. Her outfit was absolutely ridiculous and she could not care less. The point was that she looked and felt like a totally different person tonight and this was what would save her from Ezra.
The house was packed with kids by the time the girls arrived, with many people spilling out into the lawn. Aria breathed a huge sigh of relief; the chances of running into Ezra were slim. Walking arm-in-arm, they squeezed through throngs of people to get to the dance floor. Spencer left them to socialize and "schmooze" as she called it, with the nerds who sat playing chess in one corner of the house. Hanna had a blast dancing with strangers, and was soon devoured by the crowd. Aria watched her with amusement from the outskirts of the crowd. It wasn't that she didn't like to dance, she just wasn't up to it today. Plus, her attention was directed elsewhere. As much as she tried not to, Aria couldn't help looking around, looking for him.
And she found him.
Slowly edging away the crowd, she made her way to the kitchen to escape. Catching her breath, she looked around for a Coke or anything non-alcoholic; Aria didn't drink. Finding nothing in sight, she opted for tapwater.
"You really didn't have to dance with me, Z. But thank you for that."
"Oh, don't mention it, Liz. Any friend would have done the same."
Aria started choking on the water. She had her back turned to them but there was no mistaking who that voice belonged to.
"Oh no, Z, she's choking!" The girl cried, holding her hands up to her face.
Ezra went over to the girl with the strange wig and lifted her up so he could do the Heimlich maneuver. She felt incredibly familiar. And then her wig fell off.
Aria's choking subsided within seconds of the wigloss and Ezra set her down slowly.
"Thanks," She said in a deep voice with her back turned, ready to make a quick get away.
"Wait, you dropped your…hair." Ezra said in a strange voice.
Making a face, she forced herself to turn around and took the wig from his hands.
Ezra stood in awed silence, not letting go of the wig.
The girl who was with him, Liz, gave him a funny look.
"Ezra, do you know her or something? You look like you've just seen a ghost. No offence." She turned to Aria, who was suddenly made aware of how pale she was.
"Hey." Ezra finally managed.
"Hello, Ezra. Good to see you here."
"You too. I didn't know you were coming."
She laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, it wasn't exactly my decision."
"Well, I'm glad you came." He said.
"Yeah, me too." She lied.
It was just such a formal and uncomfortable conversation, and neither knew how to get out of it nor how to continue it. Finally Aria made up an excuse about her mother calling her and gave Ezra an awkward hug goodbye.
"Great hair, by the way. Thomas Jefferson would be proud." He called after her as she left. She couldn't help a half smile as she went off to search for Hanna and Spencer.
Unfortunately, neither wanted to leave and Aria didn't know anyone else who could give her a ride home. So she stayed. Hanna could plainly see that her best friend was having an awful time, and dragged her out on the dance floor.
"Here," She shouted at Aria, handing her a Red Bull.
Aria looked at it suspiciously. "Spiked?" She shouted back.
"Bought it from home for you. Because I had a feeling this would happen. Look, the cap's still closed and everything."
Aria smiled, touched at her friend's gesture. One Red Bull later, she was having the time of her life.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Ezra standing by a couple of his friends. He wasn't dancing with anyone and he couldn't seem to take his eyes off her. But Aria did her best to ignore him. Now that she was out in the open, she wanted him to notice her. It was childish, but she felt that if she paid him no attention, he would want her more. But he never came over.
The Red Bull put her on a high for half an hour, and then she came crashing down. Telling Hanna she'd be back soon, she made for the door.
She was grateful that most people had gone inside or elsewhere by that time. Breathing in the fresh air, she lay down on the grass in the front lawn.
"Heyy there." A slurred voice called behind her. She looked up at him.
Great. She sighed. A drunk college boy is the last thing I need right now.
He suddenly flopped down on the grass beside her, and inched closer, touching her arm. Aria jerked away, suddenly feeling scared.
"Get away from me," She said in a shaky voice, getting up. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back down.
"Get the hell away from her." A voice yelled before she could scream.
Aria saw Ezra run over and grab the guy by his collar, pulling him up. She felt her heart beat fast. Ezra had never looked angrier. She could sense that he was about to knock the guy out, and thought about how excited he'd been to start teaching. It would all be over if he made a move right now.
"Ezra," She cried, "Just let him go. Please." She clutched his arm. "I'm okay," she breathed. "Ezra, look at me. I'm okay. Please, let's just go."
Ezra finally looked at her, and turned back to the scumbag who'd tried to harm her. With menacing eyes, he conveyed exactly what he wanted to do to him. Sensing the fear in the scumbag's eyes, he let him go.
"If you ever set a finger on her again, I will send you to the grave." He told him in a low voice.
With those final words, he walked Aria to his car. They sat together in silence for a few moments.
"Thank you, Ezra." Aria reached over and took his hand.
After a second of hesitation, Ezra held it tighter and looked up her.
Aria smiled to let him know she was really okay. His gaze remained intense.
"Can I take you somewhere?" He asked her suddenly.
"If you're not drunk," She said simply.
He let out a little laugh. "Only you." He told her, shaking his head. "You didn't give me any time to drink, you little minx. Running off on your own like that."
"Well, I don't just pay you to stand around and stare at me dancing." She joked.
"I wasn't staring at you…I was…" He couldn't come up with a clever retort, so he turned on the ignition instead. Aria laughed and reached for the radio knob.
"Let's put on some embarrassing music. I think we could both use a pick me up."
Ezra groaned but started singing along (horribly) with Aria soon enough. He decided to take the car cover off and soon Aria's hair flew in her face, causing an eruption of laughter.
"Oh crappity crap." Aria suddenly said. "It's the principal. It's the fricking principal walking on the sidewalk toward us."
Ezra, with no other option, ducked.
"Drive!" He told her. Aria shrieked as she took hold of the steering wheel and sped up. The streets were relatively empty, and she was pretty sure the principal saw her but soon enough, they'd passed him. Ezra let out a huge breath as he took the steering wheel back.
"Are you crazy, Ezra?!" Aria slapped his arm.
"I'm sorry, I blacked out." He rain a hand through his hair.
Aria started laughing, and he looked at her as if she was crazy. Which she was.
"That was such a rush, Ezra. WHOO. I feel alive!" She shouted, pumping her arms in the air.
Ezra chuckled, shaking his head once more. "You're nuts."
"Say it with me, Ezra. WHOO! Come on!"
Ezra kept shaking his head. And then, a "WHOO!" came out. They WHOO'd together and he realized she was right…he definitely felt more alive. Crazy, but alive.
Unfortunately, the liveliness had to be paused when Ezra realized they were running out of gas. They turned into the first station they saw, and Ezra got out to pump some gas, only to come back in.
"You've got to be kidding me." He said, inching down in his seat. "He's here." He told Aria.
"No," She chortled, unbelievingly. She looked around.
"I'm serious, I think he's following us." Ezra bit his lip.
So sexy. Aria thought. An idea popped into her head. Rummaging around her purse, she pulled out her Founding Fathers' wig and accompanying nerd glasses.
"Here," She said, handing them over to a wide-eyed Ezra.
He gave her a look.
"Quick, he's coming this way." She whispered, looking up.
Ezra quickly slapped on the wig and glasses. Aria giggled and snapped a picture on her phone before the principal actually made his way over.
"Aria!" He said, "What a pleasant surprise." He cautiously eyed her strange friend.
Aria managed not to let out a snort as she responded. "Hello sir, how's your night going?"
"Just, you know, getting some gas. This your friend? Nice to meet you, young…er nice to meet you."
Ezra coughed. "Hello." Came out the highest voice Aria had ever heard. She shook with silent laughter.
Mr. Harvey stared at him oddly for a couple seconds, before clearing his throat. "Well, I uh, I'll see you at school tomorrow, Aria." He nodded in Ezra's direction with eyes averted. "Good to meet you…friend."
Once he'd left, Aria bent over with restrained laughter. Ezra took off the ridiculous wig and put it on her head.
"Hey!" She protested.
"You suit Thomas Jefferson much better than I do. Real cute." He kissed her cheek unexpectedly.
Aria blushed. Thank God it was nighttime. "So what about the glasses? I need the whole look."
"I'm keeping those." He said, grinning. He looked like Superman in them, so Aria couldn't really complain.
"Now, let's hit the road and try to avoid any more staff. Although, knowing our luck, we'll probably run into a lunch lady or somat."
Aria snorted. "Let's go, funny guy. I'm itching to see this place of yours."
They played an intense game of "I Spy" the rest of the way. Aria was in so deep that she barely noticed when the car had stopped. But once it had, Ezra got out and went around to her side to hold open the door.
"Are you ready, my lady?" He asked, holding his arm out.
She took it graciously and looked around. They were on top of a cliff overlooking the city-only it wasn't tall commercial buildings or beautiful mansions they were looking at, but the rougher side of town.
"Wow." Aria breathed, looking down. The streets were alive with people dancing to a live jazz band and street vendors lighting up the paths, against a backdrop of empty restaurants and shabby apartment buildings. It was breathtaking.
"Come here." Ezra called behind her. Taking her hand, he led her to a tree.
"No place like the top." He said, lifting her onto a branch.
"Ezra, I'm wearing a dress!"
"I promise I'll close my eyes until you get to the top. Just don't fall." He placed his hands over his eyes and waited for her to get climbing.
Throwing off her heels and grumbling about what was to become of the state of her dress, she slowly climbed to the top. It really was worth the view. The air was crisp and gently blew against her skin, causing her to shiver.
"Are you up yet?" Ezra called, his eyes still covered.
Aria laughed. "Not yet."
"Okay. Well, tell me when. You're awfully slow, Aria."
"Oh shut up Ezra, I'm up."
"You little liar," He said, grinning as he uncovered his eyes and began to climb.
"Move over," he said, adjusting himself beside Aria on the highest branch. It was a little ways away from the edge of the cliff and sturdy, but there was just enough wind to scare them a little. Which made it a perfect opportunity for him to hold her.
"This is stunning, Ezra. Thank you for bringing me here." She turned her head toward his and their noses touched.
Together, they sat watching the scene down below, cherishing every moment before it all had to end-before they had to return to reality.