Chapter 12 - Unspoken Sparks

...First Day of Second Semester...

Aria's POV

"Heyyyyy Elio!" I called out while running, but suddenly my ankle twisted. Me and clumsiness? True partners, I swear. Just as I braced myself for the fall, strong hands grabbed both my arms from behind. That touch—I knew it. But this time, a shiver ran through me, not from anxiety, though I couldn’t quite place the reason. This touch theory wasn’t like this at the end of the first term, but now, my heart was pounding so fast I could barely breathe, ignoring eye contact.

“Be careful,” came the husky voice.

“I am,” I shot back, trying to cover my embarrassment.

“It’s just an accident, Mr. Eclair.”

“Ohhh, I see, Miss Carry,” he said, feigning shock with a playful attitude.

“Whatever,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. Yet, I couldn’t ignore the way his touch made me feel—like my world had tilted ever so slightly.

I walked over to Elio, extending a folder toward him. “Here’s the project. You needed this, right?”

Elio nodded and thanked me.

 “But may I ask why you rushed?”

“Umm, nothing. Just… one of my friends, actually a junior, needed it,” he said casually.

“Ohhhh,” I replied, though inwardly, I was fuming.

The project! My goodness, his friend-cum-junior is lucky to have him. Just handing over a fully finished project! No one knows the struggle I went through to make it. God’s grace that Dad was out of town for three days—otherwise, I’d have failed the year, dragging my entire group down with me.

“Hmmm hmmm,” someone interrupted my thoughts.

I looked up. Of course, it was Ray. It’s always him. I don’t know how, but he’s the one who saves me from everything. When I say everything, I mean everything.

“What?” I asked, feigning attitude.

“Ahhannn, attitude? Huh, I don’t like it, Miss Carry.”

“And yet, here I am,” I shrugged, smirking.

“Then let me fix it,” he teased, his tone dropping an octave.

“Let me do something that’ll turn your attitude into begging…”

“Stop,” I interrupted softly, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

He laughed. “Now, how are you going to show attitude with cheeks as red as cherries, huh?”

“S-stop,” I stammered, my voice barely audible.

He flirted often, but today, everything he did felt… different. I couldn’t explain it.

“Please, Ray, for once, can you stop your flirting?” I asked, desperate to regain control of myself.

“I will,” he said, stepping closer. “When your cheeks stop turning red and you'll stop taking deep breaths just to say ‘stop.’ You’re looking so cute right now, you know that?”

“Huh? I won’t get what? It’s me, right? How could I not understand myself, huh?” I shot back, my voice laced with mock defiance.

“You’re invincible! I surrender!” I exclaimed, not realizing the weight of what I’d just said—or what his response might be.

“Are you sure?” His voice deepened as he leaned in closer.

Confused, I looked up.

“Are you sure? You surrender?” he smirked, his eyes glinting mischievously.

Letting out a defeated sigh, I gave him a neutral smile and started walking away. It was clear I couldn’t win against him—not today.

But, as expected, Ray followed me without hesitation.

When he bypassed me, he leaned in toward my ear.

“Miss Carry,” he said in a tone so deep it sent a shiver down my spine.

“Hm?” I hummed in response, unable to find words.

The warmth of his breath against my ear sent a cascade of sensations through me. What the hell was wrong with me today? What did I eat for breakfast, for crying out loud?

I tilted my neck slightly, drawn toward his voice like it was magnetic. I felt completely consumed.

But all of this was interrupted by an irritating, creepy voice.

“Hiii, Ray,” she said in that high-pitched tone that grated on my nerves.

Ray straightened suddenly, his posture stiff. I glanced at him, but his gaze wasn’t on me—it was fixed on Belli.

“Hiii,” he replied.

I rolled my eyes. I only tolerated her because she was friends with Ray and Elio. But honestly, I never got good vibes from her. It always felt like she had a sixth sense for when Ray and I were talking—because she’d always interrupt. Every single time. It drove me mad. Not everything was meant to be shared with her, but she acted like she had a right to know everything.

Ray, of course, never saw it that way. He wasn’t exactly the observant type. Subtlety didn’t seem to exist in his world, and he certainly never noticed her antics.

And me? I was the complete opposite—observant to a fault. I noticed everything.

“Hii, Belli,” I said reluctantly, forcing a polite tone.

She replied with a bright, sugary “Hii,” and then added, “Let’s head to class.”

I seized the chance to divert her. “Actually, Ray and I were in the middle of a conversation. You go on ahead; we’ll catch up.”

I hoped she’d take the hint and leave.

But no, the blud—Ray—had to interrupt.

“N-nah, nothing serious, just our useless talks” he stammered, turning his face toward me with a wink. Of course, the wink wasn’t visible to Belli; all she could see was the messy mop of his hair.

I couldn’t help but smile, my lashes lowering instinctively.

I didn’t know why, but I never responded to anyone else’s flirting. Only his.

I couldn’t resist him—or maybe I didn’t want to.

And then, she spoke again. That bitch.

“Anything serious, guys? You can share it in front of me. We’re friends, after all,” she said, her voice dripping with faux innocence.

I smirked, my annoyance bubbling over. “Nope. We can’t share everything with friends. Some things are just for our close ones.”

I turned to Ray, seeking his reaction. His raised eyebrows and subtle nod said it all—impressed.

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