Aria's POV:
As I sat next to Noel guilt remained with me for the rest of the night. How could I just sit next to my date who believes I want to be there after I had just made out with my English teacher who may like me even more than Noel, my middle school crush who has confessed his feelings for me recently?
I and Ezra finally confronted our feelings toward each other and that huge weight on my shoulders flew right off. We both clearly discovered that there's no fighting what we have together...our encounter in his car proves that. After our last kiss of many may I add, Ezra asked if I wanted to see his apartment? I knew where this was going and I couldn't let it get that far so soon. As much as I would have loved to go and see his apartment that I've had so many expectations on, I couldn't just ditch Noel, more than I already have.
I denied his offer and I said I'd see him tomorrow. He restrained my leaving and pulled me back once again and proceeded what we were doing as if I hadn't said anything. I giggled as he kissed my neck up to my lips again. "Ezra I-I have to...I have to go" I struggled as he purposely shut me up with his perfect lips. He didn't want me to go but I had to! He stopped. "Are you sure? We're having such a good time and when will we ever get to do this again without any restrictions?" I thought about that ever so slightly and wondered about that too. "Soon" I said. "I promise." I didn't know when but I knew we wouldn't be able to stay away from each other for much longer. Ezra sighed but said he understood.
I blew a kiss as he drove out of the parking lot and into the subtle Rosewood streets. Not expecting him to notice in any way his car suddenly stopped, his two hands came together to make the shape of a heart as it appeared outside the driver's window. He drove away and asked myself if that had really just happened or if I had just imagined it. I came to realize that really did happen. I was afraid my heart was going to beat out of my chest right then and there.
I snapped out of it and checked the time. I've left Noel in the theatre by himself for Twenty five minutes! I frantically ran into the theatre. What was Noel going to say? He's probably reconsidering his feeling for me right now, confused and hurt.
I hope it wasn't too obvious that Ezra all of a sudden left the movie, then I leaving, me coming back and no Ezra to be seen. I entered the theatre for the second time now quietly to avoid the "be quiet" comments. Noel noticed my entry looking relieved but also looking slightly pissed. I sat in my seat. He looked over at me. Here it comes I say to myself. Here come the numerous questions of where my whereabouts were and what I was doing more importantly. "Want some popcorn?" Noel asked as easy as a breeze. Remotely stunned at what Noel said I grabbed a handful of the buttery popcorn and shoved it in my mouth; afraid if I didn't, I'd spill out everything that just happened. Spill out every amazing detail of what just happened.
"I had a really good time tonight Noel. I'm glad our love for old movies could be shared together." I lied. Yes I had a good time tonight...just not with Noel. I'm sure all the things I did with him tonight would be more enjoyable with a certain man named Ezra.
"I had a good time too Aria. And I'm very glad too! I mean come on, none of the guys from the lacrosse team would come with me tonight." He laughed. What was I to him? Going to the movie theatre with one of his lacrosse buddies? Ezra made me see the flaws in Noel, which made me feel about not turning the relationship we have into something more.
Noel hadn't even walked me to my door like any real gentlemen would have. I mean honestly, that's like first date 411 need to know. All those things we said to each other in his car before we said our goodbyes it seemed as though he had something he needed to say to me, but hesitated and said we could talk tomorrow.
I turned the doorknob into my foyer revealing my parents both reading their book or newspaper and sipping their coffee even though it was like 9:30pm. "Hey honey, how was your date with Noel? Your here awfully early." My dad said as he set his newspaper on his lap. "Uhhh...really good dad..." I didn't feel like talking about the date considering I spent half the time with Ezra.
"That's all you're going to say? What's the matter?" Ella always knew if there was something wrong which was a bit of a disadvantage at times when I didn't want to talk.
"Mom, Dad. The date went perfectly fine okay? I'm just a little tired right now to talk to you about the date." I walked over to each of them and gave them a kiss on the cheek. "I love you both. Good night!"
I left them and made my way upstairs to my room. Feeling the guilt with Noel was nothing compared to the guilt I had with my parents. Coming home and saying I had a good time with Noel when really I was Ezra in the back of his car. If me and Ezra continue what we have (and we most likely will) what would Byron and Ella say? Even though Ezra is an amazing guy they may not see that. They may see a hot young English teacher taking advantage of his minor female student.
Ezra's POV:
What was it about Aria? Was it the way she makes the room shine when she walks in? The way her smile and laugh are dangerously contagious to anyone? Or maybe it's the way she affects me and when we touch I automatically feel something I've never truly felt for someone. Aria still remains a mystery to me, and that was about to change completely.
"Good Morning class. Please take yourself and prepare to learn, so wake up" I said as I organized my papers into one neat pile on my desk alongside my coffee cup. Seeing Aria this morning didn't feel awkward or uncomfortable like I thought it would. Aria seemed to have the same feeling as I did today. As she came in I couldn't help but admire what I was seeing. How could I not after what we did last night? Aria was perfect in every way possible.
Last night we handled our feeling quite maturely...besides the car situation and until I asked her to come home with me. I wasn't going to sleep with her last night of course. But I did feel like her seeing my surroundings would give her an insight into my life. The books I read the music I listen to, the movies I watch, and the food I taste. That is why today at some point I needed to talk to her about how we could continue our growing connection by maybe her coming over to my apartment considering that going out in public wasn't really an option for us quite yet. I guess my progressing cooking skills would have to do the trick.
Aria was one of the first students to come in today alongside Noel. They didn't seem to be interacting the way they usually do in this class. Perhaps something had happened after I left the theatre last night. I and aria haven't spoken any words since yesterday but the ways we communicate with our eyes say it all. There are no needs for words.
Before I knew it the bell rang. That was perhaps the fastest class ever. Or at least it felt like it. That day I told Aria things wouldn't work out was a low point. And I'm glad everything is settled now.
"There goes the bell again." I said raising my hands up in disbelief. "Remember chapter 9 by Friday along with your written thoughts about the text. Prepare to discuss Monday. Have a great day guys!"
I waited till everyone was gone and glanced over at Aria. "Ms. Montgomery! May we talk about your assignment just for a moment?"
"Ezra, everyone's gone. You don't have to pretend to talk to me about an "assignment"." She smiled.
"I know I was just hoping I was in the clear to do this." I made sure the door was closed, walked over to Aria, and introduced my lips to her once again.
She pulled me closer. "You have no idea how much I wanted you to do that." She confessed.
"You have no idea how much I needed to do that." I said. "But I do have an offer. You. Me. My place. My cooking as bad as that may sound. What do you say?"
She laughed. "I say...7ish?
"Looking forward to it."
Aria's POV:
I was almost convinced my room had just faced battle, considering my whole closet was now spread across the room. I needed to find the perfect outfit to wear for tonight. I don't know why I was stressing this. Ezra already likes me so why am I trying to impress him even more? Despite my feelings I still wanted to impress him. I finally decided on my flowy pink lace top, black leggings and my favourite pair of gray suede knee high boots. I noticed it was quite chilly when I left school so I grabbed my scarf and black leather jacket to my ensemble.
Right as I was about to leave the voice of my mother from the kitchen interrupted me.
"Aria, where are you going?" Ella asked.
"Uhhh mom, I thought I told you I was going to Spencer's to study."
"Oh that's right!" she said. "But...where's your books?" Ella asked. Why was she acting so suspiciously towards me?
"The books are at Spencer's already. I asked her to take them from my locker today." I lied.
"Why didn't you just take them home?"
"Mom I'm sorry but I'm already late" I said.
"Okay sweetie. Have fun."
"Bye Mom love you!" I called as I scurried through the door.
I shut my car door and locked it as I looked up at the building in front of me, looking at the directions Ezra wrote out for me. This is just as Ezra had explained it. I buzzed but there was no answer. I tried again and again and still no answer. That's weird. I was positive Ezra said tonight! Since the buzzer wasn't working I tried opening the double doors into the building and succeeded.
After going up those torturous three flights of stairs I was now standing in front of apartment 3B. I knocked on the door, different emotions running through me like crazy. No answer. Knocked again. No answer. Is he even here? Then the apartment door flung open. He was definitely here alright. "Oh! Aria umm...you're early!" he said looking at his bare chest. This time there was no response from me. But could you blame me? There Ezra stood...half naked! Covered by only a towel from the waist down. Had I just interrupted him going into the shower? I didn't mean to stare at his abs but they were just so...perfect! I was speechless. Who knew that was hiding under all those sweater vests?
"Aria?" Ezra said interrupting my day dreaming.
"Oh right! Umm we agreed on seven right? Its 7:05" I answered.
"Aria it's only 6:15pm." he laughed.
"Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry Ezra, I lost track of time. I can leave if you want to finish what you were...doing." I said.
"None sense! Come in. How are you?" He said as I walked in he closed the door.
"I'm better now." I said looking him up and down gesturing at his towel. I winked and he wrapped his strong arms around me.
"I missed you today" he said letting go, adjusting his towel around him awkwardly. I pretended I wasn't looking but who are we kidding? Of course I tried to sneak a peek!
"Well Aria, I was in the middle of something so if you don't mind..." he was instigating he needed to finish his shower.
"Oh of course! Go finish what you have to do. I'll just...look around?" I questioned.
"Feel free." He said giving me a kiss.
Ezra's POV:
Answering the door half naked was never my intention. Aria was supposed to come 45 minutes after my shower was fully administered. Aria definitely made me feel good about myself. Seeing her ogling over my body when I answered was quite amusing and very flattering. I was now done my shower, fully dressed and was now fixing my hair...like any girl would. I left the bathroom and went in the living room where I spotted Aria looking through my large selection of books. I just watched her for a moment. Seeing her enjoying the same interests in me made me excited about our relationship. She still didn't notice my entry so I decided to sneak up on her a bit.
I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind and rested my head on her shoulder. "Find anything interesting?" I whispered.
"I have. I love your place. It gives me such a good idea of what we have in common, and so far there's so much." Aria said.
"Mission accomplished." I said. "So, I hope you enjoy pasta because that's the only dish I can actually make." I confessed.
"I love pasta. And how am I not surprised?" she joked.
"Ha ha very funny." I laughed.
Aria agreed to help me with the pasta and we cooked together. The most fun I've had cooking ever. Aria can make any situation fun. We made the pasta and ate it in the living room, the both of us sitting close on the couch. I even joked around a bit and left a strand of spaghetti hanging from my lips imitating the memorable moment in "The Lady and The Tramp". Aria put the other side of the strand into her mouth and continued until our lips met. She seemed to enjoy our cooking and said next time she'll do all the cooking. Not only was I happy I wouldn't have to cook, but aria also said next time. So hopefully she was hinting she's having a good time, wanting to do this again.
Travels, books, literature, views, movies, family, and past relationships were among the topics that came up. I learned that Aria was in Iceland not too long ago along. It was crazy how much we have in common. She also discovered a few things about me too. Like that my parents are divorced and me and my brother are quite close but haven't seen much of each other lately and that I laugh in my sleep. This stuff I'm telling Aria is stuff I would never share with anyone else in descriptive detail.
"Ezra, I'm glad you're sharing these things with me. I feel like we can talk to each other about anything." She took my hand.
"I'm glad too Aria. Just know you can tell me anything...anything you need to talk about, I'm here for you okay?" I squeezed her hand tighter as she nestled her head onto my shoulder. I kissed her forehead and she smiled. "Thank you Ezra. I know you'll be here for me."
"I will be...I promise." I guaranteed. "I know that if anyone was to see our relationship they'd base it on our age and nothing else. But being here with you right now is all that matters and I forget about the age...I'm sorry if I'm throwing out all these emotions at you. Tell me if I'm being too sincere."
"No please go on. Your perfect, did you know that Ezra? And I love all the sincerity your showing, keep it up." Aria said. She cupped her hand around the side of my neck and kissed me with such passion and force I thought about taking off all our clothes and taking it to the bedroom. But I've learned the hard way, sleeping with someone too soon complicates things greatly and I'm not making that mistake again I thought.
"Ezra I've had an amazing time tonight. The best time I've had in a while. But I better get home. My mom has been acting suspiciously lately and I don't want to answer more questions. Do you need help cleaning up before I go or...?" Aria said.
"No no I've got it. I want you to stay but I understand completely. I'll see you tomorrow." I gave her a final kiss goodbye.
"Bye Ezra." She said.
"Goodbye pookie bear!" I laughed.
"Hey! I told that to you in secrecy. Make sure that doesn't slip out during class or else we're both screwed." She giggled.
I closed the door behind her and scanned the apartment noticing an unfamiliar scarf. It must have been Aria's. I thought about giving it to her tomorrow but decided to run after her and give it to her but I was too late. She was already long gone out of the apartment. I would like to give it to her right now and see her again for a moment so I grabbed my car keys, the scarf and left the apartment.
When I reached Arias house I saw Aria and an unknown figure talking with her. It looked like it may have been a guy but I wasn't too sure. Then I for sure knew it was a guy when I felt my heart ache as I saw them kissing. Is that really Aria? It really was...and that unknown figure was identified...it was none other than Noel Khan... How could she do this to me? I pour my heart and soul out to her and here she is kissing another guy? I guess karmas a bitch.
Okay, so it pained me dearly to write this last paragraph and I apologize in advance. But don't worry about the fate of Ezria. They'll be perfectly fine. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding of what Ezra saw...or maybe not ;) Please review and tell me what you think. The more reviews I get the faster I update!