Thoughts That Count

Episode 2 Part 3

Ezra

I walked down the sidewalk that weekend, on my way to the rosewood theatre, where they were showing one of my favorite movies. It Happened One Night. It was always a favorite of mine. I hoped maybe, going back to the past, To a time before Aria saturated my life, I could clear my head.

But as I rounded the corner I saw a familiar dark head standing outside the theatre. Aria with her gently curled dark hair, standing alone. I tried to stop myself and take a step back, but I carried myself forward feeling an undeniable buzz. I smiled excitedly and said "Aria!"

She turned and smiled when she saw me. My smile only grew. Just seeing her made me happy. She stuttered for a moment and looked over her shoulder, "Hey uh... Mr. Fitz! Hi, this is my mom, Ella," She told me as her mom walked up behind her.

My smile dropped a little. This had gone from a happy moment to a very bad situation in just a few short seconds. I tried to call my smile back as her mother spoke.

"Oh, Mr. Fitz, the new English teacher," she recalled.

"Yes," I reached out to shake her hand, "Its a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Montgomery," Although I really wish we weren't meeting under these circumstances. Awkward...

"Oh please, call me Ella. We're a very informal family,' She told me.

"Ah," I replied with a nod, not sure what to say. The situation only felt more tense by the second, though it didn't seem to touch Mrs. Montgomery.

"Are you going to see the movie?" She asked. Aria scratched her head and looked down. I could tell she wanted out just as bad as I did.

"Yes, I am," I said, looking up at the sign board, happy to finally break eye contact with Aria's mother, "It's-its uh one of my favorites."

"Oh, Aria's too," Mrs. Montgomery said perkily, "she's told us a lot about you," my smile suddenly dropped at her words. How much?, "Although you forgot to mention the... you're very young part."

Young enough to date your daughter and then find out that, oops, she's my English student. Great Idea Ezra.

"Uh- I- I was just-" I started, but Aria also sped to cut the conversation short.

"Well... wel- we should get going... the movie's starting,' Aria said urgently, looking between me and her mom, and grabbing her arm.

"We'll see you inside," Ella nodded as they walked away.

I looked down shaking my head, but caught one more thing as the entered the theatre, "And you forgot to mention the really cute part."

I downright dropped my head in my hands. I needed a drink.