The final bell rang signaling the end of the school day. Everyone else in the classroom practically jumped over their desks in an effort to find the door. I was alone...with Mr. Fitz. Neither of us spoke. I simply shuffled my papers and books into my backpack and and made my way out into the hallway. Outside his classroom the halls were chaotic. Lockers slammed, kids chattered, and doors click shut. It was the normal sounds of dismissal. It only took ten minutes for the school to become silent. The halls were empty except for a few loose papers left behind by hasty students.

I remained in the hall outside of Mr. Fitz' classroom. He had yet to leave. I watched from my hiding spot in the hall as he walked around the room; rearranging desks and shelves. A vision of the small pink plus sign swam into my head. My baby's father...the man I thought I would never see again...was standing twenty feet away from me. I could not build up the courage to go inside. How do you tell a stranger that you're carrying their baby?

In my head I ran through a million scripts.

"Hey, Mr. Fitz..."

"You're the girl from Snooker's. Listen...we probably should not be seen together."

"I know, we should not. We both lied that night, but we have bigger problems. I'm pregnant."

Even the darkest corners of my imagination could not think up a response because the sad truth was that I had not even an inkling of how anyone would react in this situation. I was a stranger with information that could change his life. I knew that if I wanted to go anywhere and make any decisions about this pregnancy I needed to work up the courage to walk into that classroom and break the news.

With the same sweaty palms and racing heart that I had in the moments before the pregnancy test produced it's results I entered the classroom, stopping briefly at the open door to knock lightly. Mr. Fitz was in the back of the room combing over old books left behind by the room's previous occupant. His face adopted a panicked expression upon seeing me. He shook the look off slightly and offered me a welcoming smile.

"Hi," He said and gestured for me to enter the room.

I walked in and stopped at the side of his desk, awkwardly shifting from foot to foot. Mr. Fitz stared at me for a moment and slipped the book he was holding back onto the shelf. I watched as he made his way to the front of the room. Man, he was cute. His legs looked muscular even under his loose fitting khaki pants. He seemed to glide over the tile.

I sucked in a deep breath, which did little to calm me. Suddenly the room seemed to be closing in around me. The posters on the wall encouraging students to read seemed too bright, the colors clashed, making me dizzy. I focused on Mr. Fitz to center myself again.

"Mr. Fitz..." I started, but I clamped my mouth shut quickly. What was I supposed to say?

"Uhm..." He searched my face like he was trying to remember my name or if he even knew it at all.

"Aria," I told him, dropping my gaze from his haunting blue eyes.

In that moment, I decided that I should get to know him before dropping the bomb of my pregnancy on him. Maybe we could leave town and go on a few dates before I let him know that he was going to be a father.

"Aria, right. Well, Aria. I don't think we should see each other. It was a one time thing and it was clearly a mistake," He gestured to the classroom setting around us signaling that any other relationship would be inappropriate.

My heart sank to my chest. The proposal of a date was on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed the words before they could escape my mouth. Mr. Fitz looked at me for a moment, holding my gaze, then turned to look out the window. There was no way I could let him get away. He needed to know that I was pregnant with his baby. Not just for him but for our baby and me, too.

"No, respectfully no, sir," I swallowed. I had never spoken back to a teacher, although Mr. Fitz and I had a stronger bond than that of a teacher/ student relationship. "But I think we deserve to give this," I motioned to the space between him and I. "Whatever we are. It deserves a chance."

Mr. Fitz' blue eyes widened like he was shocked at the prospect of a student/teacher relationship, but he did not outright deny me. I gulped hoping he would say yes. I needed this date. With a quick peek out the door to be sure nobody was listening he nodded. "Okay," He said. "We'll go on a date. In Philadelphia thought."

A smile opened up across my face. My insides did somersaults. Step one: complete. With a quick look over my shoulder I made sure the coast was clear as well before wrapping my arms around Mr. Fitz to gather him for an awkward hug. "Tomorrow at 7? I'll meet you at Buster's Cafe?"

Mr. Fitz shared a small smile and a quick nod. "Okay," He agreed.

I turned on my small ankle-wedged heel and padded out of the room. When my back was to him and I was positive he could not see my face I let a broad smile crack over my teeth. In the hallway after I was several steps away from his classroom and the only sound was the click-clacking of my heels against the tile I punched my arms in the air rejoicing in my victory.