Chapter 14 - Jealousy

Aria's POV

I don’t know why, but I felt something heavy on my chest. It was as if someone had placed a boulder there when I saw Ray sitting with Belli. But of course, him being the non-observer that he is, what else could I have expected?

Jealousy coursed through me as I watched him engrossed in his conversation with her. He didn’t even glance my way. I thought he might, at least once, but no. Maybe their bond was growing stronger. Maybe I was just another girl he could flirt with. Or worse, someone he could effortlessly pull into his orbit whenever he wanted. Ugh.

Why am I thinking so much about this? Let it be.

My eyes wandered to Elio and Ivy. They were laughing and enjoying each other’s company like there was no tomorrow. Ivy rested her head on Elio’s shoulder, and they looked so… adorable. So perfect. Seeing them like that tugged at my heart. They seemed so happy, so content.

I sighed wistfully. I wished I had someone like that. But with the way I behaved around boys—playful yet distant—it was obvious I was destined to die single. Huh.

When the bus stopped at Wella College, people began walking out one by one. And just when I thought my day couldn’t get worse, it did—Ray didn’t wait for me. Instead, he got off with Belli.

Each step he took felt like it was breaking something inside me. Did he even care what was going on in my mind? Did he even notice my existence? Ugh.

Suddenly, Ivy and Elio called out to me from their seats, urging me to hurry. I nodded absentmindedly, forcing myself to move.

I stepped out first, with Ivy and Elio following close behind. As I placed one foot on the road and prepared to take the next step, my clumsiness decided to make an appearance. I lost my balance.

The thought of falling—right here, in front of a new college—was mortifying.

Just as I braced myself for the humiliation, someone stood in front of me. I didn’t even have time to see who it was. My hands instinctively grabbed the person’s arms for support, and my head landed near their right shoulder.He was wearing a watch. It caught my eye in that fleeting moment. A sleek black design, adorned with delicate black stones. It was strikingly unique, unlike any other watch I’d ever seen.

From the firm grip and the broad frame, I could tell it was a man. My long hair fell over my face, shielding me from view. Anxiety took over me, blood rushed through my veins, and my breathing quickened. I felt stuck in that moment, not able to move.

Suddenly, a familiar touch came from behind. Someone grabbed my shoulders and helped me stand upright.

I turned around and saw Ray. His expression was unreadable, his face set in a strange, unfamiliar way.

“Be careful, Aria,” he said. But today, his tone was different. It wasn’t the usual lighthearted or teasing voice I knew. It was filled with a mix of care, frustration, and something else I couldn’t quite place.

Before I could respond, Ray grabbed my wrist and pulled me along with him so abruptly that I barely had time to process what was happening. In the rush, I managed to stammer a quick, “Thank you!” to the person who had helped me, though I didn’t even looked to see his face.

“Where are you taking me, Ray? Stop! Rayyyyyy!” I protested, trying to pull away. “It’s hurting!” His grip was tighter than usual—almost rough. This wasn’t the Ray I knew. The gentleness I was used to was gone. This side of him was new and unnerving.

He didn’t stop until we reached a quiet corridor. The silence was deafening—no chirping birds, no humming fans, no footsteps. Nothing.

He pressed me against the wall, caging me in with his arms on either side.

“What is this, Ray?” I asked, my voice tinged with confusion and frustration.

“What was that, Aria?” he shot back, his voice low and intense.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his breathing was uneven. The heat radiating between us was almost tangible, and the tension was… mesmerizing.

Interrupting my spiraling thoughts, he shouted, “Why the hell can’t you handle yourself? Can’t you be more attentive when I’m not around? You can shut your brain off with me, but not with others! You—ugh!”

“Seriously?” I snapped, my voice rising. “And who are you to command me? You didn’t even look at me the entire journey! You walked out with Belli like I didn’t exist, and now, all of a sudden, you’re concerned? This is ridiculous, Ray!”

“I don’t care about that!” he yelled back, his frustration evident. “You are not falling when I’m not around—that’s for sure. You were stuck there, Aria. I know you. You had a rush of anxiety, and that guy could’ve thought something else entirely!”

He punctuated his words with a punch to the wall, his right hand striking it with force.

“I don’t want anyone else saving you except me,” he said, his voice quieter but no less intense.

“It was just a misstep, Ray,” I said, my voice trembling. “And what about you and Belli? Don’t question me when I should be the one questioning you! And for your information, you didn’t even let me properly thank the guy!”

Ray exhaled deeply, stepping closer. Our faces were inches apart, our noses almost touching. The air between us was thick with unspoken emotions.

“Listen, Aria,” he said softly, his tone laced with vulnerability. “I know you’re clumsy, but I don’t want anyone else saving you. I don’t know why, but I just don’t. And I’m sorry, okay? It was my fault I didn’t notice you earlier. I shouldn’t have gone off with Belli. That wasn’t my intention. I didn’t think my silly mistake would… turn into something like this. I’m not as smart as you, clearly.”

My heart was racing, my skin tingling with goosebumps. The tension between us was electrifying, and I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.

Realizing how close he was, Ray stepped back abruptly. He placed his hands on my shoulders, his expression softer now.

“I’m sorry, Aria,” he said again.

I nodded, offering a small smile. “It’s okay. And I’ll try to be more attentive when you’re not around.”

With that, we walked out of the corridor together, heading back to our college group. But the heat and tension from that moment lingered, leaving me with far more questions than answers.

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