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thebrooklynmontgomery-blog · 10 years

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Harsh Reality ☀ Ezra & Aria

Characters: Ezra Fitz

Time: Monday morning

Setting: William McKinley Prep

Ezra: Grabbing the bit of broken chalk from the black board, Ezra scribbled his name in large letters across the board. Being his first day, he hoped to give a good impression. He was young, and new to the job; which he knew kids tended to take advantage of if it meant they could get out of school work. Running the chalk in a semi-straight line beneath his name, he then placed it back down and brushed the excess chalk dust from his fingers. With his gaze darting between the door of the classroom and the clock just above the walk way, he unbuckled the latch of his satchel, retrieving a few introductory papers he intended on handing out to the class. Fanning through the pages, he returned to the first page and read through them one last time as he awaited for his students to arrive.

Aria: Walking slowly through the McKinley hallways, Aria took her schedule out of her messenger bag to check what was her first class. English. Even though she enjoyed literature, English on a Monday morning was pretty rough. Putting the sheet of paper back in her bag, she made her way to the classroom. It was pretty early and the hallways were totally deserted. She'd actually planned this since this was her first day back and she wanted to avoid running into some of her old friends. The whole being back thing was a little overwhelming. She was deep in her thoughts when she walked in the classroom and saw Ezra, the guy she'd made out with at a bar her first day back in New York. She stopped in the doorway, her mouth wide open. ''What are you doing here?'' She managed to ask, as she saw his name on the black board.

Ezra: The sounds of light footsteps echoed throughout the empty hallway, nearing the classroom at a rapid rate. Ezra was nervous, to say the least. Though through it all, he couldn’t help the slight feeling of excitement at the thought of beginning his first day, teaching. It would all start as soon as the students piled in. What he wasn’t expecting, was the girl he’d encountered at the bar, made out with even, to step foot in the classroom firstly, let alone the school. He had gotten the impression that she was a college student when they’d met. How foolish of him. “Aria?” he blinked in utter bewilderment, taking a few moments to process her words. “I think the question is: what are you doing here? I’m the new English teacher…” he informed her, his brows pinching together worrisomely.

Aria: Aria wasn't sure what to say to him. Obviously they both knew what was happening and it meant nothing good. ''I'm a student here...'' She took a couple step in the classroom and bit her lip, not quite sure if she should go in or run back home and beg her parents to let her go back to Iceland. She took a deep breath and looked out the window, trying to avoid his eyes. ''Okay, this isn't so bad. It's not like we knew...'' She shrugged, not believing a word she said. This was bad. ''We kissed once, it could be way worse. We could be dating...'' She laughed awkwardly and shifted from one foot to the other.

Ezra: Ezra clenched his jaw, having to place a hand on his chair for support. “Er—hrm, I suppose,” he replied, his expression vague. The girl he’d met in the bar had been one he’d hoped to see again. Everything had become so messed up since then. This was so wrong. So, so wrong. Sure, they didn’t know at the time, but how foolish could he have been not to realise? “It is… though. You can see how bad this looks, right? If anyone were to find out…” he couldn’t begin to imagine. He’d lose his job, being arrested was highly possible too… He anxiously wiped his palm over his mouth, pinching at his chin before letting his hand fall to his side. “I thought you said you were a college student when we met?”

Aria: ''Mhm, I was mostly saying that to make myself feel better...'' Aria smiled apologetically. ''I do.'' She sighed loudly and shook her head. ''You don't have to worry about that, I'm not telling anyone. So, unless you decided to tell someone what happened, no one is finding out.'' She frowned and looked down at her feet, suddenly uncomfortable. She was hoping he wouldn't remember that part of their conversation at the bar. What she'd told him wasn't exactly a lie, but she hadn't been very clear either. ''You asked what my major was and I told you I was leaning towards English... And I am. Technically, not a lie.'

Ezra: “Of course I’m not going to tell anyone,” he muttered, his gaze falling to the floor as well. “But you’re not majoring in anything now; you’re not in college… that’s what I don’t understand. Why didn’t…” he couldn’t really finish the end of his sentence. This was too much. What a way to start the first day. The tension between them was overwhelming. “I… really like you, Aria. I do. I think you’re amazing… but…” he inhaled sharply, unable to find the words to express his array of emotions.

Aria: ''Okay, then...'' Hearing him say that was supposed to make her feel better, it meant she wouldn't get in trouble and he wouldn't lose his job, but it didn't. Ezra hadn't just been a random hookup, she'd left that bar hoping to see him again eventually. ''I didn't say I was majoring in English right now, I said I was leaning towards English. Granted, I didn't say I was in high school, but it wasn't a total lie either...'' Thank god she'd chosen to show up earlier, she couldn't imagine what it would've been like with other students around. ''Don't... do that. You don't have to explain, I get it.'' She wanted to tell him she liked him too, but she had a feeling that would do more harm than good. Whatever was going on between them wasn't going anywhere and talking about it would only make it worse.

Ezra: Ezra sighed, shifting uncomfortably and folding his arms across his chest. “Do you… though?” he looked at her incredulously, before letting his features soften as his gaze met hers. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think things would turn out like this,” he mumbled, turning to face the blackboard. He stared for a moment longer before glancing at Aria. “I can’t… go around acting like things are okay, Aria. Because they’re not. I’m your teacher… we… I dunno what to do.” However, he knew he would have to pull his act together for the sake of their reputations, as well as his career and life in general.

Aria: Aria crossed her arms, offended by what he was implying. ''I do. Do you think I'm going to go to my high school friends and gush over you?'' She licked her lips and looked away for a second, not wanting to get in an argument with him on top of everything. "Yeah, you and me both," she said softly, looking at the back of his head. "Well, you were already my teacher at the bar. Nothing has changed."Deep down, though, she realized everything had changed. "I'm still the girl you met at the bar, you know..."

Ezra: "I never said that..." he replied, attempting to tone down his irritation. He hadn't meant to get annoyed. It was the panic talking. "You're... joking, right?" he glanced at her, his tone taking a softer tone than he had initially intended. "Everything has changed, Aria. I mean, yeah... you're the same girl but... you're my student now." He frowned, running his fingertips down the plane of his cheek.

Aria: "You didn't have to say it," she replied quietly, looking everywhere but in his direction. She rolled her eyes and walked closer to his desk. "I get that. Look, I know it's not just me. What happened at the bar... It felt right. It still does." Aria wasn't the type of girl to hookup with randoms in bars. As soon as started talking to him, she knew he was her type. He was smart and had traveled and seen things. Everything boys her age weren't.

Ezra: Ezra had to bite his tongue, literally. It had felt right. That was the thing. He turned to face her properly, his expression one of uncertainty. "But it's not," he told her, firmly. As much as he enjoyed her company, as much as he liked her, they couldn't do this... could they? He averted his gaze.

Aria: Aria was happy he wasn't looking at her in that moment. The last thing she wanted was him seeing how hurt she was feeling. She nodded, looking at the floor once more. "You're right... Maybe I should just transfer out of your class," she suggested, even though she had no desire to.

Ezra: "What? Aria, no..." he began, as a protest. He didn't want her transferring from his class, despite not wanting things to be awkward between them. "You don't... need to do that, we can... work this out somehow."

Aria: "How are we supposed to work this out? We'll see each other almost everyday and we'll have to pretend nothing happened. Are you really up for that? Because I don't know if I am," she said, flustered. She didn't want to transfer out of his class, but if would definitely be easier for the both of them.

Ezra: "We'll see each other everyday regardless, Aria. In the halls, in the cafeteria... there's no avoiding it," Ezra explained, though emitted a weary sigh. "If it's what you want, or... what you think is best, then I'm not stopping you," he added. He knew she was right. It would be the best thing to do. It wouldn't be as difficult to keep his emotions in check, teaching in a classroom if she weren't in it.

Aria: "If you have a better idea, Ezra, I'm all ears," she sighed, knowing he was right. The only way she wouldn't see him was if she changed schools and, even though that option seemed kind of decent right now, she knew she would regret it. "It's not what I want, but I'm not sure what else I can do."

Ezra: Pursing his lips, he glanced at Aria unsurely. He had nothing to offer. There was nothing, he felt, that he could do about their situation. With a gentle shake of his head, he sat down at his desk, looking up at her. "I don't know what else to say," he sighed, "there aren't very many options left."

Aria: "Right. Well, I guess I don't have much of a choice," she heard footsteps in the hallway, probably students or teachers that were heading to their first class of the day. She glanced at the door, making sure no one was coming in. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry I lied about the college thing."

Ezra: Hearing the sounds of footsteps gradually increasing in volume, Ezra sighed, casting his gaze down to his desk before looking up at Aria. "Like you said, you didn't lie. It was all misinterpretation. Don't be sorry," he told her, his voice lowering considerably in case anyone had taken to the pesky habit of eavesdropping.

Aria: Aria scoffed, "If I'd just came out and said I was in high school, we wouldn't be in this situation." Smiling sadly, she heard footsteps, nearing the classroom. Turning around, she saw two girls walk in. She quickly composed herself and gave Ezra her most convincing smile. "Good luck on your first day, Mr. Fitz," she said, turning her back to him and walking to a desk in the back of the classroom.

Ezra: Before being given the chance to respond, a few students piled in and he suddenly became Mr. Fitz. "Thank you... miss Montgomery," he sighed, glancing over at her momentarily. As more students piled in, he straightened his posture, grabbing the bit of chalk. And once the bell went, class began.

#chatzy #ct: ezra 1

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