Ezra Fitz

Biography
Ezra Fitz was an Honors English teacher at Rosewood High School, however, he was no ordinary teacher. Ezra is in love with one of his students, Aria Montgomery, and maintains a serious illicit relationship with her. He is well liked by his fellow faculty members and by his students, who think he is "cute." He resigns from Rosewood High and is currently holding a position at Hollis, where he teaches an English course.

Season 1
Ezra appears in the "Pilot" when he meets Aria at a bar. The two start talking about college, traveling, writing, and music, hitting it off right away. When Ezra mentions that he's come to Rosewood to teach, Aria lets him think she's a bit older than she is. They go to the bar bathroom and start to make out. The next day, they are both shocked to find that Ezra is Aria's English teacher. When they get a chance to speak privately, Ezra expresses that he felt Aria was dishonest in her self description, but Aria clarifies that she chose her words carefully. He tells her even though she is amazing, nothing more can happen between them. They see each other again at Alison's funeral and though Aria seems prepared to say goodbye, he does not; he kisses her there in the church.

He tries to persuade Aria from transferring out of his English class, but she doesn't change her mind. It doesn't matter though because her request is denied by the school. Ezra decides to catch a movie one afternoon, one of his favorites, It Happened One Night. There he runs into Aria and her mom, who are seeing the same movie. Ella invites Ezra to join them, making for a very awkward encounter. Later, he sees Aria walking home in the rain and after hesitating a moment, he picks her up and drives to a secluded street where they kiss once again.

Aria visits him after class to discuss possible weekend plans. He encourages her to hang out with her friends instead. They have a moment, touching hands and staring into each others' eyes until interrupted by another teacher. 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.

Ezra takes a bike ride through town and gives a wave to Aria and her friends, who are checking him out. At school, he invites Aria to dinner at his place. During dinner, they discuss her parents' marital problems. He mentions that before his parents were divorced, they had come to an arrangement where they saw other people. He suggests maybe there is more to her parents' relationship than she is aware. They argue and Aria leaves angry.

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 named 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.



Ezra self-depricatingly invites Aria to a poetry reading, where he will be reading a short story, joking how if it doesn't go well, he might have to hurt himself; it could get ugly. After his piece, Ezra is surprised to find that his old college friend Hardy is also 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, privately 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. Turns out Aria accidentally left her phone at his place. He looked at it because it kept buzzing and unknowingly intercepted a message from "A". He thinks "A" is a a friend Aria confided in about their affair and when she shows up at his door with groceries in hand, he quickly puts an end to their relationship, saying she's obviously not mature enough to handle it.

Aria tries to talk to him at school, but he is unwilling to hear her out, claiming to be late for a staff meeting. At the homecoming dance the next day, Ezra is in charge of the bean bag toss booth. Aria happens to be assigned to the same booth. She takes the opportunity to try to explain about the text. Aria tells him she didn't tell anyone and "A" is not a friend, but doesn't seem to be getting through and walks away.

Later, Ezra sees Aria dancing with Sean and walks away looking disappointed. She follows 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. He even got a haircut for her. Things are left unresolved as they go their separate ways.

Unbeknownst to Aria, Ezra takes a trip to New York to possibly find another job. He returns during the SAT, which has been postponed due to bad weather. He walks in on Aria and Noel in the middle of an intimate guitar session in the music room, which turns icy upon Ezra's arrival. Noel heads back to the library and he and Aria speak in private. 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.

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.



Aria confronts Ezra over a poem he published entitled B-26. It is clearly about Aria and he never intended for her to see 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. Later, Ezra stays late to grade papers. He doesn't realize Noel is there watching him.

The next night, Ezra texts her, "I need to see you." He pulls up in the woods, nearby Mona's birthday party, 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, 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."

Aria later 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.

Ezra doesn't change the grade and Noel once again threatens him to change it. He continues to say no, until Noel comes extremely close to telling the other students in the class about his relationship with Aria. Coerced, he agrees to take another look. When Noel 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.

Aria shows up to Ezra's apartment to find 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 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.

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, not sticking around to give Noel a chance to hurl a single accusation.

Aria's old babysitter, and published author, Simone, comes to Rosewood for a visit. 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." Ezra reads and enjoys Simone's short story, then meets her for coffee, ruining Aria's plan for them to spend the afternoon together. 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, Ezra chats with Simone on the dance floor. A jealous Aria marches up to them and demands, "We have to talk." Spencer 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.

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. Ezra goes all out, hiring a limo for the date, as does Aria who is decked out in heels and a red dress waiting for him outside his apartment. He pulls up, 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, something neither of them is quite used to yet.

Ezra has lunch with his colleagues, including Ella Montgomery, a substitute at Rosewood High School. He invites them to meet an author they all enjoy. Paige's father, Mr. McCullers, storms into the cafeteria demanding to speak to the coach, who is supposedly taking opportunities away from his daughter and giving them to someone who doesn't deserve it to further a political agenda. Ezra calmly diffuses the situation, gaining Ella's respect.

Aria tells Ezra he has nothing to worry about having a parent-teacher conference with 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...) While Ezra tries to talk about Aria, Byron grills him on his taste in literature and generally makes an already awkward situation even more uncomfortable. Ezra later 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.

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.

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.

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 eventually 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, which Ezra falls asleep during.

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 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."

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, Ezra 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 he 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 escapes to her room. Ezra spots her leave, and sees Jackie at the door and realizes why Aria might be upset. Aria says that she can't help but think that Ezra 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
Mr. Fitz is not thrilled to see Noel has returned to school. He beckons Aria to speak privately in the classroom, checks if she is alright after the incident with Ian 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..." He looks very upset when she leaves.

That day after school, Aria makes 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 her 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 used to, but Aria declines and leaves. Ezra is unaware that "A" stole the key to his apartment and his Hollis diploma too.

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.

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. She replaces the diploma he never noticed was missing on his desk. She waits over an hour, then finally leaves a note for him perched in the typewriter's output ending things.

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. At the end of the day, Ezra packs up his desk and brings his things to his car. Aria calls out his name running to embrace him, and the two kiss passionately.

While on campus at Ezra's new workplace, Aria and Ezra revel in the fact that they can outwardly show their affection for each in public. 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.

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.

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." He sits next to them during the service. 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.

Byron invites Ezra and a plus-one to dinner. He feels that it would be nice to extend a hand to his teaching colleague who is still learning the ropes of Hollis. Byron points out that there is no conflict of interest now that Ezra is no longer Aria's teacher and that she should start to call him Ezra. He accepts the invitation. Aria comes to see him at Hollis to talk him out of it, but he 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.

At dinner, Ezra comes over bringing flowers and scotch. He and Aria joke about the scotch, then Aria happily 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. Jason and Ezra exchange stories about traveling and biking. 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. Ezra, Jason, and Aria are left alone in the house after Byron and Ella and their other guests leave.

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. Ezra is surprised and asks, "both of us?" Aria apologizes and says she will talk to him tomorrow.





In the kitchen, Ezra questions Aria about Jason, asking who he is. She answers that he is Ali's brother, to which Ezra responds that he knows, clearly expecting a more specific answer. Aria goes back out to the living room, where Jason is sitting, under the guise of wanting to offer his coffee. But Ezra isn't oblivious to the fact that the two are whispering privately.

While Aria leaves her two suitors together, Jason makes small take with Ezra and innocently asks if he had been Aria's teacher at Rosewood High. Ezra becomes reclusive; at that moment, Aria approaches and asks Ezra and Jason to leave before Mike's return home. Ezra is caught off guard when he realizes that Aria means Jason and himself. So, the two gentleman exit, making awkward eye contact on the door stoop before going their separate ways.

In "Save the Date," Ezra visits Aria in her pottery classroom when she is alone to engage her, but she is unresponsive. He puts his arms around her, but she asks him to wait until later. Hoping for some clarity, he mentions that she flew past his office building without stopping this morning, but Aria is silent. He asks, "how are things at home?" Then, not waiting for answer, he jumps into a rationale of Mike's behavior by suggesting that Mike's friends put him up to it. Aria speaks at last by informing Ezra that he's wrong: Mike's broken into his own friends' houses too. She also mentions that Mike had tried 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 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. While on the subject, he asks how the two are coping with a shared class, but Aria reveals that Jenna had dropped the class after their incident. Ezra then asks why Aria hadn't confided in him about Mike, and she replies because it was embarrassing. He reassures her not to 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.

That night at the hospital, Aria gets a text from Ezra, who she never called as promised. Aria goes to meet Ezra in the waiting room. There, Ezra invites Aria over, but before she responds, she gets a call from Jason. Instead of picking up, she ignores and lies to Ezra that it is her dad. She tells him that she has to get home, then gives him a demure peck goodnight.

In "Picture This," Aria has conflicting sex dreams about Ezra and Jason. Aria saunters into Ezra’s office and 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 class in fifteen minutes, so Aria decides to make the best of the time they have to wrap her legs around him, and Ezra surrenders. Ezra doesn't know how to keep up with Aria's changing moods, given her ignoring him th past week in "Save The Date."

Ezra sets up a booth for Hollis College at the Rosewood High School college fair, along with Jackie in "Touched by an 'A'-ngel." When Aria sees Jackie wrap some Hollis necklaces around Ezra's neck, she doesn't approach him. Later, Aria is still turned off from Jackie and Ezra smiling at each other in such close proximity and so keeps her distance, checking out other colleges. Ezra spots her and tries to win her over by making allusions to their relationship by praising Hollis and her teachers for being "hands-on." Aria gives him a half-smile, then walks outside. Ezra follows her, and Jackie is all too-attentive. With some slightly greater measure of privacy, Aria tells him that she is worried that other people are threatening their relationship because it is a secret. She accuses Jackie of being all over him and Ezra being oblivious, though, naturally, he denies this. She then lets slip her kiss with Jason. Jackie opportunely walks over, then, and asks Ezra to get something from the car. Ticked off, he agrees and turns.

After the college fair, Ezra slides into his car, and stares bewildered as Spencer slides into the passenger seat simultaneously. She quickly cuts to the chase and lets Ezra know that she is aware of Aria's romance with him. Ezra stammers a denial, but Spencer waves it off, even slipping in an "Ezra," alarming "Mr. Fitz" further. She lets Ezra know that she believes Aria to be in trouble. As they are sitting in broad daylight during school hours in front of Rosewood Highs school's building, Ella spots them while descending the steps, looking none too pleased.

When Aria goes to Jason, Ezra pulls into Jason's driveway. He reveals what Spencer told him and that he is there to 'rescue' Aria from Jason. Aria assures Ezra that Jason is not a threat in that way, but Ezra still does not like the situation for a different reason. Jason is a threat to their relationship, even if he isn't a threat to Aria's well-being, and Ezra wants to settle things by going public with their relationship, beginning with Aria's parents. Overjoyed to hear Ezra talk this way, she kisses him, and Jason finally comes back, just in time to witness the liplock. He watches as Aria gets into Ezra's car.

In Over My Dead Body, Jackie brings coffee to Ezra in his office, as he sits reclining on his couch reading some material. She tries to engage him by reminiscing about the way he used to lie like that when things were steady between them. Aria, who is also bringing coffee, stops short when she sees that Jackie has beaten her to it. She hides by the doorway, straining to hear which words Jackie has for her beau. Ezra firmly denies Jackie's advances and lets her know that he’s seeing someone, to Aria's relief. Jackie plays dumb to this and keeps pitching anyway, wanting to know what his answer would be if they were both single. But he shoots her down, reminding her that he is not single. Later that day, Aria sees an incoming call from Ezra and ignores it.

After the girls are bein detained, Ezra walks into the police station, where the parents are standing together. Byron wonders at his presence, and Ella goes to confront Ezra and give him the chance to leave, as this is absolutely an inappropriate time to deal with this issue. He says, "I'm in love with her." She then says, "If Spencer’s parents find out about this, they will ruin you." Ezra looks stunned. But we have to wait until after the hiatus to know whether he corrects Ella.

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.

Meet the Parents
Ella Montgomery meets Ezra early on in the series when they run into each other at the movies. She takes a liking to him right away, noting how "young" and "handsome" he is. The two become colleages and friends when Ella starts working at Rosewood High. She tries to set him up with Aria's old babysitter, Simone, and later, they go to a book signing together (along with other faculty members). Byron worries there is something going on between them, but it's all in his head.

Byron first meets Ezra during student-teacher conferences. Their first encounter was not what Ezra hoped it would be. Instead, Byron grills him about his taste in literature and awkwardly marks his territory when it comes to his wife. When Aria tells him he's misread the situation, Byron invites Ezra out for a drink. They go, and get along fine, though it's quite awkward, and makes Ezra think hard about his future with Aria. Byron mentions that teaching at the college level would allow Ezra more time for his writing. He later helps Ezra get a job at Hollis College and invites him to the Montgomery home for a faculty mixer.

During the second season, Ezra continues to have contact with Aria's parents. He is invited to an intimate dinner party at their home along with Mr. and Mrs. Partha and Jason DiLaurentis. Later, Ella spots him with Spencer Hastings in his car and gets the wrong impression. When Ezra shows up to the police station at Aria's request, Ella stops him, giving him the chance to walk away. He says he's in love with "her," which Ella takes to mean Spencer. It is uncertain whether Ezra will come clean about his relationship with Aria to her parents.

Quotes
