Chapter 4:

EZRA POV

It's true what they say. Time flies. It had already been two months since myself and Aria came home from Italy. Although we had sorted out our issues briefly, we were still more distant than ever. I wasn't sure what it was that was causing the frustrating separation, but if I was to try and put my finger on it, I would say that it was a combination of people's suspicion of us as a couple, and the existence of two new people in our lives; Ryan Callaghan and Ms. Anilom.

People's suspicion of Aria and I was starting to ease, but only because of the sacrifices we had made. Well, by we, I mean I. I made the sacrifices, but with good intentions. I had chosen to see Aria less, to talk to her less, to acknowledge her less, all so I wouldn't have to lose her. However lately, I was beginning to believe that all these sacrifices were just making things worse.

The worst part about this whole predicament was when we actually had a conversation, there was an almighty awkwardness between us, something which the both of us were not used to. I deeply missed the times when we could be ourselves around each other, but something was getting in the way.

Aria had been becoming quite friendly with Rosewood's latest addition to the swim team, Ryan Callaghan. Although he was a jock, he wasn't your average jock who would abuse a girl's trust and only date them because his hormones were flying all over the place like a deflating balloon. Trust me, I know what it's like. Ryan was quite tall, something which Aria could easily fall for. He had these piercing, dark chocolate eyes which would make any girl fall for him, and Aria wasn't an exception. It broke my heart to see her being so comfortable around him, like the way she used to be with me, but I wasn't the innocent party here.

While Aria spent more time with Ryan, I spent more time with Ms. Anilom, otherwise known as Kiera. It was outlandish how much we had in common, and I was almost beginning to think that she'd researched me before coming here, or something peculiar like that. It was as if she typed my name into Google and found out what I hobbies I had, what my favourite food was and even the cologne I wore. Obviously, it was likely that this wasn't the case, but it was just bizarre that we had so many of the same interests. Kiera was also insanely hot, and even though I tried not to be attracted to her for the sake of mine and Aria's relationship, I couldn't help but stare at her every time I saw her. She was tall, slim and had these insane brown eyes which I just couldn't do anything else but gaze into. Of course, Aria was stunning, there was no denying that, but right now I felt like mine and Aria's relationship was just speeding downhill, and it was probably why Kiera was appearing so attractive to me.

"Are you free on Saturday night?" Kiera asked me out of the blue as we ate lunch in the teacher's lounge. All I could hope for was that she wasn't asking me out on a date. I'm not really the type of guy who says 'No' to a girl.

"Umm.." I thought about what I was doing on Saturday night, and only then did I remember that I had in fact made plans with Aria. "Unfortunately I do have plans that night Kiera." I told her regretfully, but somewhat delightfully. Going out with Kiera would only make me more attracted to her, and that was the last thing I wanted to happen.

"Don't worry about it." she said, almost looking quite disappointed. "It's crazy how lonely you get when you move away from home."

"You live on your own?" I questioned what she had just said. I was not aware that she was living alone.

"Yeah. I just moved away from home for the first time, and it's pretty scary." I now felt sorry for Kiera. Her brown eyes were acting like puppy dog eyes, and she didn't even know it.

"I'd say that's hard. I live on my own too in a tiny little apartment. It was weird at first but you get used to it." I smiled and returned to eating my salad, hoping the subject would magically change itself.

"You're not the type of guy who looks like he would live on his own." she said while I almost choked on a piece of lettuce. I know Aria didn't technically live with me, but she was over most of the time.

"Well, I do live on my own. It sucks when you've no one else to pay the rent right?" I awkwardly laughed, praying the conservation wouldn't go where I thought it was going to go.

"No silly." she said while doing this cute little thing where she shook her head. Aria did it the same sometimes, it was so adorable. "I meant did you not have a girlfriend living there with you?"

"Oh." I barely laughed while trying to conquer this awkwardness. I couldn't let is slip that Aria and I were a couple. "No, there is no girlfriend living with me at the moment."

"So you don't have a girlfriend?" She was really grilling the questions now.

"Not really." I said and bit my lip. If Aria had heard what I just said she would be so mad at me. Well I presumed she'd be mad if she wasn't all smitten with Ryan. Ryan made me so angry and I barely knew him.

"Interesting." she exclaimed while eating her sandwich which was cut perfectly in triangles.

"What's interesting?" I raised one eyebrow, desperately trying to figure this woman out.

"That someone hasn't snatched you up yet." I wasn't sure where this way going. I took a large gulp and prepared for what was to come next.

Kiera was becoming extremely flirtatious at this moment. She leaned in towards me, and stopped when she got about 5 centimetres away from my face. There was no one else in the teacher's lounge as we were supposed to be in class right now, but it was like Kiera didn't care. She was only interested in me.

"Do you mind if I..?" she said, finishing the end of her sentence by moving closer towards me, hoping I knew what she was doing. I did, but I wished I didn't. I wanted to pull away, but something stopped me at that very moment.

Suddenly, Kiera placed her lips on mine, very gently. I closed my eyes, and followed her actions. I was normally the one who would make the move on a girl, but it was completely opposite this time. Her lips remained on mine for about four seconds. She then released, opened her eyes, and peered into my own eyes. Although something about this was extremely hot, I couldn't help but feel guilty. I had never cheated on Aria, and although our relationship wasn't picture perfect, it still meant something to me.

"Did you like that?" she asked flirtatiously. I didn't answer, but nodded slightly. The kiss was almost familiar, but I couldn't think of what it reminded me of.

"We have to get to class Kiera." I warned her, but both of us remained in our positions.

"The kids can wait." she said while placing her soft lips on mine again. I noticed that she had said 'The Kids,' and it suddenly struck me that Aria was a kid. A kid who was dating her teacher. It all seemed so wrong, and being here with Kiera, felt so right.

Without hesitation, I kissed her back, enhancing the passion that I was so familiar with from Aria. I wasn't certain, but I could have said the kiss lasted for a good five minutes until we were regretfully interrupted.

"Mr. Fitz?" a voice that was too familiar called. The door to the teacher's lounge had been left wide open, and standing in the gap was Aria. Now I really felt guilty.

I released my lips from Kiera's, stood up and stared at the broken face that was Aria's. She looked like she had just been stabbed in the heart, and that's probably what it felt like. She didn't wait long before running off into the corridors, and although I should have followed her, pleading for forgiveness, I didn't. Something stopped me.

A/N… Hey hey! Sorry I haven't updated in a few days, I've just been quite busy. Did you like this chapter? Can you believe what Ezra did? He's being such a jerk isn't he? A couple of you recognized that Ms. Anilom is Molina spelt backwards. I didn't think you guys would notice, but I'm glad you did. So yes, Molina is Jackie's surname. But don't go making any hasty presumptions just yet. Please REVIEW for more chapters. The last chapter got almost 20 reviews, and it felt so good to read them all. So please, if you are reading this, REVIEW. Or no more story for you. (It rhymes.) Oh, and I'm back to school on Monday, so updates won't be as regular, but please put me on author alert, story alert and all that shebang, and then you'll know when I've updated. Much love, Becky x