Ezria

Ezria is the romantic relationship between Ezra Fitz and Aria Montgomery.

Season 1
In the "Pilot," Ezra meets Aria at a bar. The two start talking about college, traveling, writing and music, hitting it off right away. Ezra mentions that he begins his first teaching job soon. Aria lets Ezra believe she is a college student thinking of majoring in English. They go to the bar bathroom and make out next to the sink.



The next day, they are both shocked to find that Ezra is Aria's English teacher. The whole class stares at Aria wondering why Mr. Fitz reacted so strangely to seeing her. When they get a chance to speak privately, Ezra expresses that he felt Aria was dishonest, but Aria clarifies that she chose her words carefully and didn't lie. She says nothing has changed and touches his hand, but he says even though she's amazing, things have changed and leaves the room.

They see each other at the church for Alison's funeral. He apologizes for being a jerk and Aria says goodbye, thinking this is the end of something that never really began, but as she turns to walk away, he grabs her arm and kisses her.

In "The Jenna Thing," Aria asks Mr. Fitz to sign the slip giving her permission to transfer out of his class. He tries to persuade her to stay, stating that he can keep his feelings in check. The problem is she can't. He signs the slip for her. When the request is denied by the school, they glance at each other longingly realizing the only chance they had to be together just slipped through their fingers.



Aria runs into Mr. Fitz outside the movie theater where she is seeing It Happened One Night with her mom. Ella invites Mr. Fitz to join them. They sit next to each other uncomfortably for the duration of the film. Later, Ezra sees Aria walking home during a rainstorm. He pulls up next to her and opens the passenger side door. He drives to a secluded street and they give in to their feelings once again.

In "To Kill a Mocking Girl," Aria slips into Ezra's classroom between classes to ask what his plans are for the weekend. She suggests attending an opening at her mom's gallery, but he thinks it's a bad idea. She suggests meeting up afterwards; she can tell her parents she's attending Noel Kahn's party. Ezra suggests she actually go to the party so her friends don't think she is losing interest in them. She touches his hand for a moment and they don't speak until another teacher walks in the room. Flustered, they pretend Aria was there to talk about a homework assignment and she leaves. After a distressing encounter with Meredith at her mom's gallery, Aria shows up to Ezra's apartment. He gives her a much needed hug.

In "Can You Hear Me Now?," Aria and her friends spot Mr. Fitz riding his bike through town. She later mentions to him that her friends thought he had nice legs and that she felt embarrassed and awkward. He invites her to dinner at his place to talk and she accepts. Dinner doesn't go quite as planned though. They argue about Aria's way of dealing with the troubles in her parents' relationship. She accuses him of looking at her as a child and leaves.

The tension is evident in the classroom the next day when Mr. Fitz defends Aria's opinion related to the assigned reading to a student (Sperling) who disagrees with Aria, unprofessionally accusing him of not having attempted to understand the book. Later, at his apartment, Aria calls Ezra out on such unacceptable behavior, and he agrees it was not his finest hour. The two talk over leftovers. Aria leaves when she realizes she has to talk to her mom despite Ezra's desire for her to stay.

In "Reality Bites Me," Ezra invites Aria to a poetry reading, where he will be showing off his work. There, Aria meets Hardy, who can tell that she is there to support Ezra. Aria explains that she is his student. After his piece, Ezra is surprised to find that his old college friend Hardy in attendance. The three then hang out playing darts, eating French fries, and sharing college stories with Aria. Hardy is quick to pick up on Aria and Ezra’s scandalous relationship, warning Ezra that it could bring him more harm than good down the line.

Later, Ezra takes Hardy's comments to heart; he mocks Aria that she will find out what college guys are like when she gets to college after she asks if all college guys are like Hardy. They discuss their relationship, whether it is right or wrong and if it should continue. Aria convinces Ezra that when they're alone with no one to judge, it feels right. Ezra asks her to stay, but Aria has to get home, promising to cook him dinner tomorrow night. When she shows up at his door with groceries in hand, Aria learns that she accidentally left her phone there overnight, and he intercepted a message from "A." Assuming it’s a friend of Aria’s she confided in about their affair, he quickly puts an end to their relationship without allowing for an explanation.

In "There's No Place Like Homecoming," Aria is depressed over the breakup. Her friends come over to cheer her up, thinking she is depressed because her parents are fighting. She tries to talk to Ezra in the halls at school, but he brushes her off, late for a staff meeting. At the dance, Aria is assigned to the same booth Ezra is working. She tells him again that she did not tell anyone about them and that "A" is not a friend; that someone is messing with her. She nearly tells him about The Jenna Thing, but stops because it's not only her secret to share. When given to the opportunity to leave the booth, she takes it.

Later, Ezra sees Aria dancing with Sean and walks away looking disappointed. She spots him and follows after him down the hall away from the dance. She tells him that she knows it's over, but she can't stand the idea of him hating her. Ezra says he could never hate her. He regrets not being able to take her on real dates in public and is afraid he's asking too much of her. He admits to only coming tonight in hopes of seeing her. Things are left unresolved as they go their separate ways.

When flowers are delivered to Aria in "The Homecoming Hangover," she hopes they are from Ezra and is disappointed and a bit perturbed they are from Sean. Aria tries to get a hold of Ezra many times, but he is unreachable. She tries his cell and house phone, asks the substitute when he might be back and even goes to his apartment to check on him. She uses the key under the mat to get inside just in time to hear a message from a school in New York confirming a job interview. She sulks in her room reading a book he inscribed for her.

Ezra is nowhere to be found in "Please Do Talk About Me When I'm Gone," but Aria still thinks about him every moment. Hanna convinces her to go on a double date with her, Sean, and Noel Kahn, a guy Aria had a crush on years ago. Noel asks her about the boy back in Iceland Hanna filled him in on. Aria explains that she is still hung up on him, meaning Ezra, and is hoping things will work out, even though it doesn't seem likely at this point.

Aria has been getting closer to Noel lately. She turns down his offer for a date in "The Perfect Storm," but still sneaks away from the SAT with him to the music room where they almost kiss. Ezra returns from his trip to New York at this exact moment, soaking wet from being in the rain and looking dejected at the sight of Aria with Noel. They speak privately for a few moments. He explains he went to New York to deal with his "issues" and had time to think about the consequences of their relationship. He says things need to change. Aria says they already have and walks out holding back tears. Later, Ezra chats with Ella in a school storage closet. She says she is glad Aria has an adult in her life she can admire, causing Ezra to reevaluate his feelings once again.

{C In "Keep Your Friends Close," Ezra watches Aria talk to then kiss Noel. He asks if Noel plays football and Aria starts defending Noel, saying he's really smart and loves old movies. Ezra says she is entitled to be with whoever she wants to be with, but he is clearly not thrilled seeing her with someone else. "A" leaves a gift in Aria's locker - a book of poems with a note to read page 22. It is a poem by Ezra entitled B-26, referring to the song on the jukebox playing the day he and Aria met. She reads it with tears in her eyes then heads straight to Ezra's classroom to confront him about it. She is sick of his mixed signals and angry with him for letting her believe he didn't love her. He tries to tell her he was trying to do the right thing, but she won't have it. Noel catches the tail end of their conversation and asks what's going on. Aria says absolutely nothing is going on and walks out. Ezra asks if Noel has something to say to him realizing they are probably caught. Noel walks away and Ezra, in a moment of high emotion and frustration, throws the book of poems across the room.

{C While Aria is at Mona's birthday party, Ezra texts her, "I need to see you." He pulls up in the woods and Aria gets in his car. He tries to explain why he was looking for a new job. It wasn't to leave her, it was to make it possible for them to be together. When he saw her with Noel, he decided to let it be and give her a chance at a normal relationship. She calls him a jerk and tells him off for making decisions that weren't his to make. He asks her to forgive him. She refuses. He gets closer and asks again. She can't resist him any longer and the two kiss passionately. Little do they know, someone is watching.

The next day, in "Moments Later," Aria meets Ezra outside his apartment. He spotted the writing on the back of his car that morning and is understandably concerned someone saw them together last night. Aria insists it doesn't mean anything and wipes the writing away with her shirt sleeve. Later, Aria waits for him in his empty classroom. He agrees the writing on the window was probably nothing. They talk about their complicated relationship and discuss whether it would be better had they never seen each other in the bar that first day. Aria admits he makes her miserable sometimes, but not unhappy, and she would not go back and change things if she had the opportunity. He agrees. Ezra wants them to "move forward, together."

In "Salt Meets Wound," Aria admits she knows who is responsible for writing on the car - Noel Kahn. She tells Ezra Noel promised not to say anything about what he saw. However, later that day, Noel tries to extort a higher grade on his essay out of Mr. Fitz, threatening to get the principal involved if he doesn't change the grade from a C to an A. When Ezra next sees Aria, he tells her Noel doesn't seem to be keeping his promise. While discussing this, Jenna enters the room, needing a signature on an absence card. On her way out she says, "sorry to interrupt," as if she may have heard.

Noel threatens Mr. Fitz to change his grade again in "Know Your Frenemies." Noel comes this close to exposing his relationship with Aria until Mr. Fitz seems to give in, but when he returns to pick up his A paper, he finds it is still a C and makes it clear he will follow through with his threat. Noel mentions to Mike that he saw Mr. Fitz with a student and will be telling the principal tomorrow. Mike relays this information over the dinner table, freaking out Aria, who nearly exposes her secret with her dad standing right there.

She drives straight to Ezra's apartment and finds him drinking and looking disheveled. She insists on knowing what happened today. Ezra clasps her hands and says he refuses to change Noel's grade, but whatever happens tomorrow, she has to know how he feels about her. "Even though this doesn't look right, it has always felt right." Aria touches tenderly touches his face and says, "I love you," then softly kisses him. Later, she calls home and lies about spending the night at Spencer's. He lights a candle and she leans on him on the sofa, both hoping this isn't the last time they'll hold each other.

{C The next day, Ezra stands in his empty classroom preparing to resign. He exchanges a wistful look with Aria while walking down the hall. The principal, along with a security guard, is escorting Noel to his locker where the stolen answers to 3 midterms are found. Ezra looks beyond relieved and ducks out just before Aria and the girls receive texts from A, taking credit for setting Noel up. Aria is overjoyed, and strangely grateful to A for saving her relationship.

Aria's old babysitter, and published author, Simone, comes to Rosewood for a visit in "Careful What U Wish 4." Ella arranges for her to talk to the English classes at Rosewood high. Ella also arranges for her to have coffee with Ezra because he is "very single and very handsome." Aria doesn't love the idea, but she can't exactly object. She arrives unannounced to his apartment on a Saturday morning, with coffee and pastries, and finds Ezra reading Simone's short story. He is happy to see her, but distracted because it is almost noon and he has to meet Simone. Aria offers to stick around, but he basically pushes her out the door, making sure she leaves first so no one sees them together.



At the dance-a-thon, Simone and Ezra chat by the coat room. Aria walks up and Simone tells an embarrassing story about how Aria used to sleep with a cookie monster doll. Later, Aria sees them together again, this time on the dance floor, and jealousy takes over. She marches up to them and demands, "We have to talk." Spencer sees what is happening and intervenes, asking Mr. Fitz to dance, giving Aria a chance to cool off.

Outside, in the parking lot, Aria says that Ezra would be better off with Simone, who is smart, pretty, and accomplished, and sheds a tear. Ezra replies, saying that he is in love with someone already, meaning Aria. He moves in to kiss her, but backs up, knowing that anybody could see them in the school parking lot.

{C In "If At First You Don't Succeed, Lie, Lie Again," under the guise of asking him to "look over her assignment," Aria seductively confronts Ezra with two tickets to a gallery exhibit in Philadelphia tomorrow night. "A" intercepts the information and gives Hanna a ticket to pass along to Ella to ensure Aria and Ezra get caught. Reluctantly, Hanna complies. When Aria goes to Ezra's apartment, decked out in heels and a red dress, ready for their date, she can't find him. Then Ezra pulls up in a limo, commenting on how good she looks and why a limo is much better than the train. The driver opens the door for Aria allowing her to get close to Ezra in the backseat. The two spend a romantic outing in Philadelphia, pleased they don't have to conceal their kisses and hand holding in public. The next day, Aria tells Hanna it was one of the best nights of her life. Evidently, Ella never made it to the opening.

Parent-teacher conferences take place in "The New Normal." Aria tells Ezra he has nothing to worry about meeting her dad even though he is worried about the complexity of the situation. His meeting with Byron does not go well because Byron is under the impression Ezra may be interested in his wife. (Little does he know...) Ezra tells Aria he is sure her father hates him. Either that, or he's crazy. Another day, Ezra and Aria are alone in his apartment fooling around when Byron's voice comes over the answering machine, apologizing for the way he acted, inviting Ezra out for a beer, and decidedly killing the mood.

{C In "The Badass Seed," Aria ambushes Ezra with the idea of making her stage manager for the school play he is directing, called "The Bad Seed." Though initially uncertain, he is powerless against her persuasive arguments and agrees. He is also unsure about making plans with her father. She, however, likes the idea of them getting to know one another, hoping her dad sees how special he is. Aria mentions how she'd like her friends to see how special he is as well, lying that she hasn't told them about their relationship. He says they like him just fine; as a matter of fact, he just cast them in the play. Aria is excited she will get to spend so much time with him on and off-campus working on the play. Aria is a little too eager to help though, and slips up, calling him "Ezra" in front of everyone. She realizes her mistake and hopes no one picks up on it, but it's clear they do. This makes Ezra understandably edgy about their relationship.

In that same episode, Ezra goes for drinks with Byron. There Byron mentions that Aria is already "applying to colleges in California," giving Ezra pause, and that Ezra should consider teaching at the college level where he would have more time for his writing. Later, Aria asks how the get-together with her dad went. He mentions how Byron might try to get him a job at Hollis College. Aria doesn't see the need for Ezra to get a new job. He mentions eventually he will want to move on, just like she will.

{C Tensions rise when a conflict over scheduling causes Aria to admit becoming stage manager was not the best idea. She offers to find a replacement. Then they delve deeper into Ezra's comments earlier about leaving Rosewood. He says that their futures may not be linked, causing Aria to step back, bewildered. She explains she was only looking at one college in California, in Ezra's favorite city, where they could move together. She expects them to have a future, while Ezra is not as certain. She stops by his place later to make her feelings known - the future is uncertain, so they should enjoy what they have now. He seems to agree with the sentiment.

{C In "A Person of Interest," Aria walks in on Ezra talking to Jenna about a short story she is entering into a writing competition. Aria pretends not to know much about the incident which caused her blindness. She arranges to meet him at his place later to cook. When he arrives, Aria has already prepared dinner and is wearing a knockout purple dress which causes him to say, "Wow." He mentions why he was late and how he can't stop thinking about Jenna's story, which makes Aria uncomfortable and jumpy. She asks him to change the subject.

{C Aria talks to Emily who encourages her to tell Fitz the truth about The Jenna Thing if she trusts him. After two hours of pacing his block, she finally builds up enough courage to go talk to him. Tears trickle down her face while she explains that he may never look at her the same way again once she says what she's about to say. She tearfully tells him everything and, afterwards, thanks him for looking at her the same way he did yesterday. He says nothing she just said changes anything; he still loves her.

In "Someone to Watch Over Me," Aria accidentally sends a text meant for Ezra to her mom. Knowing Ella is watching, and that the cops might be searching her room, she gathers up all the mementos of her relationship with Ezra (except a book he inscribed to her - it's too special), and gives them to Emily for safekeeping. She doesn't tell him about the close call.

In "Monsters in the End," Aria catches up with Ezra in the hall to ask him about their plans for the upcoming Founder's Day Festival. Just then, Aria spots Ella walking by, so she purposefully knocks the coffee out of his hand and ducks down to avoid being seen. Both bending down to clean up the mess, she is able to (somewhat) discreetly whisper an invitation to Ezra to a quiet weekend together instead of going to the festival, but he does not answer definitively.

Later, Aria finds out that Ezra has an ex-fiancée named Jackie Molina, having seen a picture of the two of them on his laptop. Aria is quite shocked by the photo and thinks he may be leading a double, er, triple life. She asks her friends for advice, and almost gives in to stalking Jackie online, but instead decides to be direct and ask him about it. She feels that he knows everything about her, but he hasn't shared as much about himself. Ezra explains that yes, he was once engaged. They dated throughout college, he proposed in Italy, she accepted, but later broke it off. Aria is not thrilled to hear he wasn't the one to break it off, realizing they could easily be married right now. Ezra reassures her that Jackie is his past and she is his present. This seems to satisfy her and they continue their movie marathon.



Later, Aria decides to have some fun. She drew faces on some paper bags and has them wear them over their heads to pose for a photo. They, of course, cannot take real photos together, in case they were found. Aria gets a text from Emily and leaves in a hurry. We see Officer Garret standing outside Ezra's door, probably seeing Aria exiting his apartment. He knocks on the door and asks to come in, spying the paper bags and a girl's scarf strewn on the sofa. The episode then ends with Garret saying "I'd like to talk to you about one of your students." We then see an unknown person take the spare key to his house from under his welcome mat. Could this be the end of Ezria?

In "For Whom the Bell Tolls," Aria gets 10 text messages from Ezra saying that a cop was at his house and he needs to talk to her. Aria anxiously rushes to school to find out what's going on, fearing the worst when he says he just met with the principal. Smiling, he says he just turned in his resignation because "Hollis offered me the job." Aria punches him in the shoulder because she was certain they'd been caught. Ezra apologizes, explaining the cop was there to ask about Spencer, the trophy, props, etc. The real news is how happy he is he and Aria will be able to be seen out in public together, at a coffee shop, or a poetry reading - they don't always have to be looking over their shoulder anymore. He informs her that he'll be attending the faculty mixer at her house tonight. She offers to give him the tour, suggestively offering to show him her room.

At the mixer, Aria answers the door to face none other than Ezra's ex fiancée, Jackie Molina, who explains that she works at Hollis. Aria, taken by surprise, leaves Jackie standing at the door and storms off. Ezra spots her leave and sees Jackie at the door, realizing why Aria might be upset. Alone in her room, she tells him that she can't help but think that he still has feelings for Jackie. Ezra says that he didn't know she would be there; he hasn't seen her since last summer and she was just a TA back then. Aria points out that up until then, Ezra was the only guy who had never lied to her. Disheartened, Aria leaves him standing in her bedroom, speechless.

Season 2
Noel has returned in "It's Alive," much to all the Pretty Little Liars' chagrin. After the Pretty Little Liars return to school after the Ian-church bell incident, Ezra beckons Aria to speak privately in the classroom. He checks if Aria is alright and if she wants to talk about it, but she is uncommunicative. He tells her nothing has changed, he is here for her and still loves her. Ezra tries to apologize about Jackie, but Aria is mostly unresponsive. He asks if they are over, and Aria can't manage more than a "I don't know..." She leaves the room and he looks very upset.

That day after school, Aria does decide to make an appearance at Ezra’s place. There, shirtless Ezra assures Aria he believes she and her friends are telling the truth about the Ian incident. He offers his support to Aria. She says she feels like things have changed. Ezra says she can ask him anything and Aria is curious to hear more details about Jackie. He tells her Jackie wasn't ready for a commitment and assures Aria that she is not a rebound, but cannot bring himself to lie and say he wasn't still in love with Jackie when he first met Aria. He promises he was never thinking about anyone else while they were together. Ezra asks her to spend the rest of the day, like they usually do, but Aria declines. She tells him she's spending Sunday with her family and that she'll see him Monday. Outside, Aria receives a text, containing a picture of Ezra’s desk in his apartment. "A" claims something is missing and Aria instinctively looks under the doormat to find Ezra’s key gone. Will she let him know he needs to change his locks?

In "The Goodbye Look," at school, Aria is cold towards Ezra when he attempts to be friendly. She accuses him of not letting her know about his last day on the job being Friday, and not being clear enough about what to expect after he packs up his desk. He feels he's been perfectly clear about how he feels, but that they won't be able to figure things out before the next bell. She finally consents to meeting Ezra in his apartment the next day to sort out the complicated details of their relationship.

{C Later, Aria gets a call from Ezra, while waiting for him in his apartment, as per their agreement. Ezra is stuck in a meeting with his new employers at Hollis College, surprised by how the long the meeting has gone. Aria is frustrated, thinking that this should have been anticipated, but she agrees to wait for Ezra in his apartment a while longer until he comes home. After getting off the phone, Aria pulls out Ezra's diploma from her knapsack and replaces it on his desk. After waiting over an hour, she calls Spencer for advice, but gets none. Growing more and more impatient, Aria starts pacing Ezra's apartment trying to busy herself while she waits. She receives a text from him asking her to wait, and she rolls her eyes. After pacing restlessly for a while longer, she pens a letter to him explaining that she has decided that she just can’t make their relationship work. She leaves it perched in the typewriter's output and finally leaves his empty apartment.

{C The next day in English class, Ezra uses his last moments with the Rosewood High students to give a parting speech. It is given to the whole class, but the innuendo is clearly intended for Aria alone, telling what an unexpected sense of loss he feels leaving and that he'll never forgot their time together. The other Pretty Little Liars no doubt pick up on the subtext, as well as Aria, who sits somewhat uncomfortably in her seat.

After class, Aria does not approach Ezra right away, but silently broods over his words, remaining in school, while everyone else leaves. Suddenly, overcome with regret for letting him go, she rushes into his classroom, only to see it empty. She then catches sight of Ezra outside the window, packing up his car against the twilight. She chases him down, calls out his name running to embrace him, and the two kiss passionately.

In "My Name Is Trouble," Aria enrolls in an extension course at the college where Ezra works. While on campus, Aria and Ezra revel in the fact that they can outwardly show their affection for each in public. (Although, doesn't Byron work on campus at Hollis College too?) The two lovers share a kiss, not realizing that a stunned Jackie is eyeing them from across the way. Later, Aria grumbles about the fact Jenna is in her pottery class. Ezra, in a robe, just out of the shower, sits beside her and listens. He mentions maybe the universe is trying to tell her something, maybe it's time to bury the hatchet with Jenna they share an interest in art after all. He pulls her closer and gives her a kiss while she contemplates his advice.

In "The Devil You Know," Aria visits Ezra at Hollis. She sits perched on Ezra's desk, cluing him in on the details of discovering Ian's body. They are sharing an intimate moment, which is silently overheard by Jackie, who purposely barges into the office to break up their tête-à-tête. Ezra awkwardly introduces Aria as a former student, and she explains she just stopped by on the way to her dad's office. Jackie patronizingly calls Ezra by a nickname, probably to make Aria jealous and later remarks that "Mr. Fitz" should start letting "the girl" call him by his first name. After Jackie leaves, they discuss everything wrong with that little encounter. Aria's not crazy about the nickname "Z," mentioning how her family used to call her Pookie Bear and don't anymore, for good reason. Aria felt disappointed being introduced as a former student and Ezra felt demoted to a pit stop when she mentioned her dad. They agree in the future that he will introduce her as "a friend," and he just might have to start calling her Pookie Bear.

{C Later, when Ezra shows up to the church for Ian's funeral service, he is questioned about his attendance by Ella and Byron Montgomery. Ezra is at first forthcoming, admitting Aria invited him. However, he explains that it was to support his former students, all of them. Aria is rebuffed, especially when her father acknowledges the gesture towards the "kids." After the burial in the cemetery, Aria makes a comment about rounding up the entire student body so they can talk, chiding him for his earlier remarks. She wishes they could move forward and start being seen as a couple in public, but both know it's not the time or the place for a big step like that. Aria expresses her need for a hug, but all he can do is say he'll call her later.

In "Surface Tension," Byron gets the idea to invite Ezra and a plus one to their family dinner. Alarmed, Aria goes to Hollis to see Ezra. There she tries to talk him out of accepting her father's dinner invitation, but he has already accepted and feels inclined to go. He persuades her that it will finally be their opportunity to warm Ella and Byron up to the Aria and Ezra interacting in a way other than as teacher and student. It will be "a baby step," just like she wanted. Aria reluctantly agrees.

{C At dinner, Ezra comes over bringing flowers and scotch. He and Aria joke about the scotch, then Aria introduces him to her guests as "Ezra." Jason brings a similar gesture, and Aria's two suitors meet for the first time. Ezra notices Aria take a phone call upstairs. Later, when Officer Barry shows up to make the announcement of Mike's arrest, Jason and Aria exchange knowing looks, at which Ezra raises an eyebrow. Byron and Ella leave, to pick Mike up, along with the couple, who cannot wait to return to their newborn, leaving Ezra, Jason, and Aria alone in the house.

Ezra helps Aria clear the table and runs the dishwasher. He remarks how well he was doing tonight before they were interrupted. They joke about him practicing what to say in front of the mirror to impress her father. Ezra questions why Jason was invited tonight, expecting a more specific answer than he is Ali's brother, and Aria explains her mom and his mom are friends. Aria goes to the living room to offer Jason more coffee, while Ezra watches intently, wondering what the two are whispering about. A little later, Aria suddenly declares it's time for them to leave. She tells them both she'll call them tomorrow and says goodnight.

In "Save the Date," Ezra pops in on Aria working in the Hollis College pottery studio. He puts his arms around her and jokes about the pottery wheel scene in Ghost, but she's not in the mood. She flew past his apartment that morning in order to make sure her bowl gets put in the kiln. He asks, "how are things at home?" He tries to explain Mike's behavior by suggesting that Mike's friends put him up to it, but Aria informs him that he's broken into other houses too. She mentions him trying to break into Jason's place, and it dawns on Ezra that that was why she and Jason were privately whispering to each other at the failed dinner party.

Aria just nods and picks up her finished piece and sets it on the shelf of pottery awaiting the kiln. Ezra picks up Jenna's candle holder and compliments it. Aria lets him know who its artist is. He asks about patching things up with Jenna, but Aria has nothing to report. Ezra asks why Aria hadn't confided in him about Mike, and she replies because it was embarrassing. He reassures her she shouldn't feel that way around him because he's understanding. He invites her over for later that day, and she accepts the offer, telling him she'll call him. During their conversation up until this point, Aria's voice has been very subdued. Ezra is about to leave, but turns quickly on his heels and asks if Jason is a threat to him. Aria gives a little laugh and denies it. When he leaves, she doesn't bother to turn her head to watch him go.

Later in the hospital, Ezra stops by after Aria did not call him. In the waiting room, Ezra and Aria talk. He asks if there's anything he can do and invites Aria over if she could use company, but before she responds, she gets a call from Jason. Instead of picking up, she ignores it and tells Ezra that it is her dad. She tells him that she has to get home, then kisses him goodnight. The lyrics "breaking your heart was never my intention" play in the background.

{C In "Picture This," after having conflicting sex dreams about herself with Ezra and Jason, Aria saunters into Ezra’s office, trying to fix her relationship and wash away her insecurities. She removes some layers until her bra and black lace top is revealed. She props a chair in front of the door, then starts to kiss Ezra passionately. He mumbles something about having class in fifteen minutes, so Aria decides to make the best of the time they have. She wraps her legs around him, and Ezra surrenders; they move to the couch. Later, Aria is waiting for Ezra in his office with snacks and sodas from the vending machine. Ezra asks if anything is going on and Aria says she is just happy and wants to share the feeling.

In "Touched by an 'A'-ngel," Aria spots Ezra at the school college fair, but doesn't approach him because Jackie is with him and obviously flirting. Later, he spots her at another booth and approaches her, feigning a hard sell for Hollis College, specifying how "hands on" the teachers there are, but she doesn't play along. She assures him she's not mad at him, but she's frustrated with the "outside forces" which are threatening their relationship. He assures her that he does not have feelings for Jackie and there is nothing to worry about, but in the process of explaining her feelings, she blurts out that Jason kissed her. She doesn't get a chance to explain because Jackie walks up enlisting "Z" to get some brochures out the car. He walks away, still shocked and dismayed by what Aria just told him.

{C After Spencer approaches Ezra with the information that she believes Jason to be dangerous, he pulls up to Jason's house, where Aria is standing outside. He tells her he came to get her because Jason could be a threat. She assures him that Jason had a legitimate explanation for the photos. Even so, he believes Jason to be a threat to their relationship. Aria had been pushing for them to go public, and Ezra finally seems to realize it may be the only way to keep their relationship afloat. He says that he doesn't want to lose her and thinks they should inform her parents about their relationship and eventually go completely public. Aria is thrilled by the idea and they kiss. Jason walks out, hands her the box, and watches her get into Ezra's car.

Little does Ezra know that Ella finds the prospect of Ezra dating a student completely distasteful and an abuse of his position. Ella shares her thoughts with Aria soon after Ezra's declaration; it is unclear whether this development will change Ezra's plan to come forward to Aria's parents. Meanwhile, Jason now realizes who Aria was referring to when she called herself unavailable, and he looks disappointed.

{C In "Over My Dead Body," Aria shows up to Ezra's office with two cups of coffee, but does not enter because Jackie has beaten her to it. She overhears Jackie make an advance and Ezra tell her he is seeing someone and not interested. She leaves when her phone buzzes. A message from A instructs Aria to "get rid of Jackie" using a copy of the paper she is publishing and the article she plagiarized it from. She doesn't want to use this information against Jackie because she is afraid Ezra will never forgive her, but ultimately decides she has no choice. She goes to Jackie's office and shows her what she has on her, saying, "I think you should leave Hollis."

While getting ready for Tom and Isabel's wedding, the doorbell rings at Aria's house. Aria answers it and it is Jackie there to threaten to make Aria and Ezra's relationship public if she doesn't break up with him. Aria says, "you know that would hurt him much more than me." Jackie says she doesn't want to hurt him, but will if she has to.

{C Aria, Hanna, Spencer and Emily are arrested them on suspicion of murder because they were found with Alison's murder weapon. At the police station, Aria asks to make her phone call. She appears to call Ezra, crying, "I made a terrible mistake and I need you." Ezra shows up a little while later while the girls' parents are gathered around discussing what to do.

{C Byron spots him and wonders why he is there. Ella goes over to him and says, "I know why you are here." She says it is a small town and people talk. Ezra says, "I'm in love with her." Ella gives him a chance to walk away because "if Spencer's parents find out, they will ruin you." Ella still thinks Ezra is having an affair with Spencer. We won't know if he corrects her until after the break.

Aria momentarily bumps into Ezra in the Hollis College hallways of her father's office building in the prequel episode, "The First Secret," demonstrating that she had encountered him long before she officially met him.

One month after the girls' arrest, and after Aria finishes community service, Aria and Mike bump into Ezra on the street outside the bike shop. Things are clearly awkward as they talk about not having seen each other lately. She offers to return the book of poetry he loaned her, but he says there is no need. Aria asks Mike to throw out her empty coffee cup in order to get a moment alone with Ezra. She asks how he's been and he replies numb since she won't let him see her. Their conversation is cut short when Mike returns and they all exchange awkward goodbyes.

The next day, Ezra walks in on Jackie and Aria arguing in his office. After Jackie leaves, he finally learns from Aria why she broke up with him. Jackie had been blackmailing her and after all the trouble with the cops, Aria didn't want to drag Ezra into it. Ezra regrets not telling her mother the truth in the police station. Aria is about to leave, resigned to the futility of the situation when Ezra asks if she still trusts him. She answers yes and he informs her that there is something important they have to do that afternoon.

Later, standing before Byron and Ella in their living room, he and Aria finally come clean about their relationship, much to her parents' shock and anger. Ezra does most of the talking, explaining he's in love with Aria and admits it started before she was his student and that it continued while she was his student. Ella and Byron are both in disbelief. Before Byron can hit Ezra, Mike walks up and does it first. After a stunned silence, Aria advises Ezra to leave.

Back at work, Jackie tries to defend her actions to Ezra, but it falls on deaf ears. He angrily tells her in no uncertain terms that he does not want anything to do with her, that she will not do anything to hurt Aria and then kicks her out of his office.

Threats to Ezria

 * "A" - "A" threatens to spill after Aria kisses Ezra in the rain.
 * Noel Kahn - Noel threatens to go to the principle until "A" intercedes for some mysterious reason.
 * Jackie Molina - Ezra's ex who might be jealous and is trying to regain Ezra's attention.
 * Jason DiLaurentis - Aria had two sex dreams about him, and Jason even kissed her, but Aria backed off, admitting she is "unavailable." Will he stop flirting with her now that he knows he has competition?

Quotes
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