"Ms. Montgomery, maybe you would like to summarize the plot of Austen's Pride and Prejudice for us", Mr. Fitz said. He was looking at Aria, trying to keep the emotions out. Aria was zoning out, her mind was completely out of the classroom discussion. Ezra's voice and stern look put her back to the classroom. He looked worried. He looked like he would sell his kidney just to be able to walk over to Aria and embrace her, there in front for everyone, in front of the other students. But he has a reputation to hold on to. "Aria, please, concentrate", he said, hoping that Aria would sense that he hated to act like this around her.
"Yes, sure, I am sorry. Well, if put really simply, Pride and Prejudice is about Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth dislikes Darcy, but eventually falls in love with him. It's about how people might not always be what they seem and that the first impressions might be false", Aria said and started to think about the words she just spoke. If Ezra knew about everything that had happened, about Allison, about Jenna, he would probably see Aria in a whole new light. In a light that would probably make him think about his love for her. More than anything, Aria wanted to be honest with Ezra. For the first time when she actually felt that she has found a guy she can trust, she cannot trust anyone, not even herself. She knew that A is lurking around every corner. It was almost like A was in her head, reading her thoughts and knowing about all the actions and decisions she was going to make.
As the class ended, Aria tried to pack her books as slowly as possible. She wanted to stay alone with Ezra. She knew that touching him, kissing him, inside the school was off-limits. But just seeing him smile at her, the way that he always smiled when he looked at her, his eyes sparkling, meant so much to Aria. "Aria, is everything all right", Ezra asked as he saw the last student leaving the room. "Yeah, everything is fine Mr. Fitz", Aria said and smiled for Ezra. Ezra smiled back, but there was still worry on his face. He felt that he really needed to talk to Aria. But he knew that now is not the time and place for that. Aria turned around and started to walk towards the door. Suddenly she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. Her heart beating, she took the phone out, but sighed heavily when she noticed that the message was from Ezra.
"Pizza or Chinese? Come over to my place at 6. "
Aria turned around, gave a last final smile to Ezra and walked out of the classroom. Maybe everything would be fine. Maybe if Aria kept quiet with Ezra, A would not care about it. Maybe A would let this pass. Aria started to walk towards her locker and saw Emily, Hannah and Spencer already standing there. They all looked concerned, worried. Right away, Aria knew A had something to do with this worry on their faces. But what Aria did not know was the fact that they were not worried for themselves. They were worried for her.
"Aria, you have to see this", Spencer said and gave her phone to Aria.
"Have you heard that Mr. Fitz is giving extra credit hours outside the office time? Sign up for Aria Montgomery."
"Aria, the whole student body got this message", Hannah said.