A/N Sorry again its taking me so long to get these posted, but I will have Season 1 done before Season 2 starts in 15 days. Oh wow, yeah, I'll get on that! Enjoy!

Thoughts That Count

Episode 3 Part 2

Ezra

I walked out of the bathroom and smiled absently at a student as I returned to my room.

I set my coffee cup down on my desk, feeling someone in the room behind me. I looked up and saw Aria standing stiffly in the doorway, "Hey," She said breathily.

"Hey…" I replied cautiously, "Are you here to ask about the… homework assignment?"

"Do you have plans this weekend?" She asked, completely ignoring my question. Well I guess that answered it anyway. Nope.

I scoffed at how forward she was, "I'm thinking we should talk about the homework assignment." I told her, sitting down. I had no idea what I was doing. We couldn't be here like this, somewhere so risky…

"So you do have plans?"

"I don't," I replied.

"Okay, well. There's… this opening at the gallerie where my mom works, and I promised I'd help out, so… If you're free…" she trailed off suggestively.

I looked down, shaking my head, "Do you think that's wise? Hanging with you and your folks? A parent teacher conference over free wine…" I was pushing her away, keeping her at arms length. I didn't know why I kept swaying back and forth. Last ngiht in my car, this morning, but now… I was lost.

"Okay, fine, it's a bad idea," She stepped forward and looked into my eyes, "What… if we met up afterwards," a smile spread across my lips. That was smarter, "I could tell them I'm going to Noel Khan's party."

I chuckled, "Well, maybe you should. Go to the party." Keep her at arms length. At least here…

"Why… would I want to do that?" She asked in a way that I believe was meant to be flirtatious but came across as a bit more clingy.

"So your classmates don't suspect you've lost interest in your peers," I suggested. Maybe I could get out of this, before it became complicated…

"Too late, "She slid her hand slowly on my desk to slip my pinky in between hers.

I looked down at our hands with a deep breath then up at her deep brown eyes. It already was complicated…

The door opened and I clenched my hand into a fist as Mrs. Welch came in.

"Ezra, wh- Oh sorry. Excuse me, I-I-"

"No, it's fine. Come, come in Mrs. Welch. Um…" I scrambled, grabbing my mug, then setting it down again and reaching for the first paper on my desk as I stood., "So are we clear about the homework assignment?"

"Yes… Totally. If I have any questions, I'll reach out to you."

"Great," I said with forced enthusiasm.

"Thank you Mr. Fitz."

I followed her to the door and just before I closed it we shared a dark look. She knew how close it was. Her eyes told me she knew how dangerous this was…

I turned back around with the door closed and smiled, "How can I help you Mrs. Welch?"

I really needed to become a better actor.