Not like this...

AU: Sparia - Spencer Hastings enrolls on an art course at Hollis despite opposition from her parents. New teacher Aria Montgomery instantly catches her eye.

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Chapter 1:

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Spencer sighed, checking her watch again. It was the first day of her new class and the teacher was late, well not officially, but Spencer preferred the teacher to be present when she arrived, not just to show up when the bell rang like they didn't even care.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting." A young woman breezed into the room, pausing as the bell rang. "My name is Aria Montgomery. Welcome."

Spencer watched with interest as she moved around the room, hanging her coat and placing her purse on the desk. "I'm really excited about this term and getting to know all of you." The woman smiled warmly and Spencer found herself smiling back even though Aria wasn't even looking directly at her. Something about her drew all the attention in the room and Spencer was captivated. When their eyes did meet Spencer felt an unfamiliar pull in her stomach causing her to quickly duck her head. Before she could work out what was going on, the teacher had turned her back and was scrawling her name on the board.

She tried not to think too much about it, after all this class was to be her escape. She worked too hard, spending all her time studying words and numbers. She needed something more and a little extra credit to add to her college applications. She was, of course, a model student and high achiever. It was the least that the Hastings family expected and she'd done her best to live up to those expectations. The idea of making pots and plates had been met with laughter by her Mom, but she persisted. She knew her college applications were excellent, but pretended she needed something more and once the phrase 'exceptional student' had been added to the mix the fee had been paid willingly.

Tapping her pencil on the desk, she listened to Ms Montgomery talking about design and creation. Her eyes never leaving her teacher, she couldn't look away because the woman in front of her lit up as she spoke in a way that Spencer thought was bordering on hypnotic.

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"Hi." Aria had set them all a task and was now making her way around the room introducing herself personally. Spencer had been so engrossed with her work that she'd not realized it was her turn or that it was already nearing the end of their one hour slot. As if on cue the bell rang and Aria looked at her with a sad smile. "you can finish if you want, I'm working on something so won't be leaving just yet."

"Thanks, I'm not sure it's worth my carrying on though." Spencer looked at her work disparagingly.

"Today is about getting used to clay and...um..." Aria pursed her lips as she looked at the wheel. "Well, I'm not expecting a master piece on day one, next week, however..." Aria laughed and the sound filled Spencer's ears, she knew she was probably staring like a dork right now, but Aria was too busy examining her class list to see. "Spencer?" Aria looked up, a humorous look still in her eye.

Spencer stuck out her hand before embarrassedly pulling it away the second she realized it was covered in clay. "Spencer Hastings."

"Pleased to meet you." Aria offered her hand. "I don't mind the clay, kind of my thing." She joked and Spencer awkwardly shook her hand, a light blush lingering on her cheeks. Even with clay coating her palm she could tell Aria had the softest hands and with that thought, she quickly pulled her hand away.

"OK." the teacher turned around walking back to the front of the class. "So, I'll see the rest of you next week unless you all want to stay and help me clean up?...my emails on the class sheet if you need anything."

The rest of the class filtered out of the door, a soft chorus of voices filled the air and Spencer quickly returned her focus to the piece she'd been trying to make with little success. When she next looked up she noticed her new teacher was watching her curiously.

"I got it on my face didn't I?" Spencer stood up and rushed to the mirror, but there was nothing there.

"You're still at high school?" Aria asked as she began to clean up.

"Yeah, I'm a senior, it's crazy..."

"It's a pretty tough time." Aria sucked a breath between her teeth at the memory. "Do you really have time for my class too? I expect my students to be...focussed."

"I've got time." Spencer replied with conviction, she didn't want her teacher chasing her out on day one. So what if she hadn't mastered clay just yet, she was sure she could.

"Good." Aria replied with a smirk. "and I'll let you know if I think you're slacking."

Spencer's eyes bulged, she wasn't sure if the woman was serious or not, but then she saw the mischievous glint in her eye, she pursed her lips, trying not to smile back at her, but knowing she'd failed. She already liked the woman opposite her and was struggling to hide it.

"I'll see you next week. Perhaps you'll be here before the bell like I was?" She responded.

"I like you already Ms Hastings." Aria laughed, clearly not perturbed by her pupils spirit.

"Maybe I'll bring you an apple next week." Spencer smiled, holding Aria's eyes for a second and feeling that pull in her stomach again.

"Hey." A male voice broke the stare off. "you want to get a coffee?" he coughed embarrassedly when he realized they weren't alone. "oh sorry I didn't...um." Spencer looked at the man as he ducked his head, a slight blush on his cheeks that she believed to have more to do with being in the presence of Aria Montgomery, then to do with interrupting her class.

"It's okay, we're just finishing up. Spencer, this is Ezra, he teaches English here."

"Hi." Ezra smiled. "and that's not an easy task when you're Dad is on my back everyday." The man grumbled and Aria laughed, the sound was beginning to hypnotize Spencer, but now this guy was here giving Aria puppy dog eyes and she figured it really was time to go. "So what's your major?" he turned his attention to Spencer.

"Oh, Spencer's at High School." Aria explained before Spencer could open her mouth. She couldn't help but feel awkward and Ezra had clearly no further interest in her. She watched his eyes linger on Aria, but she was almost certain Aria didn't even realize that he was crazy about her.

"I should go, today was...thanks." She waved goodbye to Aria and ducked her head as she grabbed her bag and made her way to the door.

"Have a great weekend." Aria called after her, but she didn't answer. She could hear Ezra's voice booming down the corridor as she made her way to the parking lot. Clutching her folder to her chest, she couldn't help but smile. It looked like this art class was really going to be the perfect escape from her High school life.

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"Art history? I thought it was just a pottery class." Emily took the book from Spencer's hand, reading the cover and giving it back with disinterest "What have you done with my friend?"

"It's fun, I figured I should read up a little, get a better understanding of how the subject is taught and..." Spencer replied a little too defensively and instantly knew that Emily had picked up on it.

"I want all the details, who is he?"

"Who?"

"The guy on this course of yours that's got you all hot and...oh yeah." Emily laughed when she saw the color of Spencer's cheeks.

"There's no guy. I like art. what's the big?"

"The big what?" Hanna sat down next to Emily, stealing a handful of fries.

"Hey, get your own." Emily slapped her hand away "and the big, is Spencer has a crush, but she's not spilling."

"Oh come on Spence, I need some interesting gossip, things are so dull lately." Hanna ignored Emily's waving hand and helped herself to another, smiling cutely at her success when she put it in her mouth.

"Emily is making up stories in her head. I'm doing an extension course at Hollis and it's kinda cool." Spencer shrugged and watched as Emily nudged Hanna conspiratorially. Food theft forgotten.

"Kinda cool...oh yeah you got someone!" Hanna laughed.

Sometimes Spencer hated having these two as best friends, she couldn't keep anything from them, but there really was nothing to hide here.

Yes, Aria was stunning and Spencer had been thinking about her all week, but it wasn't a thing. She wasn't sure what it was and being attracted to a woman was not something she was about to confess to in the middle of the cafeteria, if thats what it was. "nothing to report." Flustered, she slammed her book shut, but it only made her friends laugh more. Rolling her eyes at the pair, she stood up and quickly made her escape.

"No point keeping secrets from us." Emily called after her, but she didn't turn around.

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Friday arrived and finally she was back at Hollis. The week had dragged a little, but now all she felt was nervous anticipation. When she walked into the classroom she couldn't hide the smile that filled her face when she noticed Ms Montgomery already sat at her desk.

Delving in her bag she plucked out an apple and placed it next to Aria's notepad, without saying a word she headed to her desk. When she looked up she noticed Aria watching her, a slow smile spreading across her face when she realized Spencer was looking back, picking up the apple and taking a bite, she winked and mouthed 'really good.'

Spencer closed her eyes, trying to ignore the feeling in her stomach that was now bordering on familiar. They snapped open again the moment Aria addressed the class.

"Great to see you all made it back this week. I want to get you to do some work in groups tonight. Yes, I know art is often about the individual, this exercise is just for ideas and so you can get to know each other." She paused. "Then perhaps you'll all want to take me out for a drink after because it's been a long week?" she asked hopefully and was rewarded with a collective cheer from the room. "excellent."

Spencer chewed her lip nervously. The idea of spending time with Aria outside of class had her heart racing. She knew it was probably just a crush, she'd had one before, but something about Aria had her thinking she could get into trouble and what worried her most is that something had her wanting to get into trouble. All kinds of trouble. She sighed and tried to stay focussed on the class, pushing her thoughts aside but unable to keep away from her teacher.

"I can't find the knives?" Spencer walked to the front, waiting for Aria to look up.

"Oh, that was me. Top shelf on the left."

"Thanks." Spencer mumbled, a little put out that her teacher hadn't even looked up at her, just waved her free hand as she continued to sketch.

"You're going to come out with us?" Aria's voice pulled her back around. "You're not much younger than the others...so?" the teacher was now looking at her intensely and Spencer could feel the butterflies in her stomach threatening to explode.

"I was planning on it. Kristen already said she'd give me a ride." She tried to sound cool, but felt anything but.

"You have to promise to stop me if I start to bore them all. I've a habit of talking people to sleep."

"I can't imagine anyone could get tired of listening to you."

"I assure you they do, but that's sweet of you to say."

Spencer blushed a little. "I better, um, knives." She stuttered, amazed at how the short little brunette had such an effect on her.

"Knives." Aria grinned and Spencer felt her heart lift when it reached her eyes.

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The class was soon over and the group made their way to the local bar. As they walked through the door Aria gripped her arm and led her to a table. "I can't let you drink." She whispered. "Or at least I can't see you do it."

"I think I can resist tonight." Spencer smiled, not sure she could resist anything when Aria's fingers were touching her bare skin, but before she could say another word, Aria let go and joined the others at the bar. Leaving Spencer to catch her breath.

An hour later and the drinks were in full flow, Spencer had taken a beer and noticed Aria turn her back. It was fun and she was enjoying getting to know her new classmates, but her eyes kept flitting to her teacher. For a moment she lost sight of her in the crowded room and then she felt a shiver as someone stepped close behind her, she didn't have to look to know who it was, she already recognised her perfume.

"I thought Kristen was your ride?" Aria whispered into her ear, before taking the seat next to her.

"Apparently just for the way here." Spencer explained unnecessarily as they watched Kristen down another shot of tequila and grab hold of Alex, leading him onto the dance floor.

"And I thought you could resist?" Aria eyed the drink on the table knowingly.

"I'm weak." Spencer nodded, not caring that she'd given in tonight, she'd needed some distraction.

"I find that hard to believe." Aria studied her for a moment, as if she was about to say something, but then she shook her head and smiled a smile that had Spencer's heart fluttering. "I'll take you home."

"Really you don't have to. I can call my Mom...or..."

"It's fine, I feel kind of responsible. Hastings right? You're Melissa's sister."

"You know Melissa?"

"From school." Aria nodded. "She's the kind of girl everyone knew."

"That's my sister." Spencer sighed. "But if you were at school with Melissa...I, uh, it's just you seem too young to be a teacher?"

"Just old enough. I guess I think of myself as an artist really. Teaching pays the bills. It's fun and...well I just want my students to feel the same passion I do." She shrugged and Spencer thought it was possibly the most adorable thing she'd ever seen.

"You're an excellent teacher." Spencer answered a little too quickly, her words laced with meaning. Aria tilted her head to one side and examined Spencer thoughtfully.

"You're too nice to me."

"I'm an excellent judge of character and I'm always right, so don't worry."

"Thank you. You're different."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Yeah, yeah it is." Aria said softly. "you ready to go? Kristen will keep the others entertained."

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Spencer tried to focus on the road as Aria drove them home, but she couldn't help but glance sideways at the woman next to her.

"You want to get something to eat?" Aria pulled up at the drive thru without waiting for Spencer's response. "I'm starved."

"Me too." Spencer laughed. She found that she loved the spontaneity of the woman she'd just met. Aria ordered for them both, not even asking Spencer what she wanted. Before pulling up and handing her a burger.

"Here."

"You always order for people?"

"I do when I know this is the best burger in town and only a fool would refuse it."

Spencer eyed her curiously, unwrapping the paper and taking a bite, chewing happily and nodding when she realized how right the other woman was. "damn, that's so good!"

"You just have to trust me Spencer."

"I do." Spencer's eyes flicked up to meet Aria's. A soft smile forming at her teacher's mouth and Spencer thought perhaps that was her new favorite smile. They sat like that for a few minutes, eating, talking. Every time their eyes connected, Spencer felt a jolt. She wasn't sure if Aria had any idea, but when she took her trash, their hands brushed and for the briefest second she could have sworn Aria had shivered.

The drive back to the Hasting's was quiet and over all too quickly for Spencer's liking.

"I'll see you next week."

"Yeah, night Miss Montgomery."

"Night Miss Hastings! You're making me feel old, from now on you call me Aria."

"Thank you, Aria. Tonight was fun."

"It was." Aria smiled at her wistfully and Spencer made her way towards her front door. She watched as the older woman drove away. She'd never met anyone quite like her, talk came easy, silence was comfortable. She wasn't sure what it all meant, but she did know she needed to find a way to spend more time with Aria Montgomery and class next week suddenly seemed all too far away.

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