Chapter 16 - Will You Date Me?

Aria's POV

As I lifted my head, facing the crowd, my eyes caught sight of a boy walking toward the stage. The vision was slightly blurred, and the ray of light streaming through the ventilator illuminated him, making the dust particles dance in the air. Each step he took up the stairs sent my heart racing. I stood there, dumbstruck, silently praying it was all a dream. To confirm, I pinched myself, but much to my dismay, reality hit hard—it wasn’t a dream.

The boy finally stood beside me and extended his hand for a handshake. "Hiii," he said casually.

I hesitated but, not wanting to create any drama on stage, reluctantly shook his hand and replied, "Hello." My glance shifted instinctively toward Ray. His posture was far from normal—his fists were clenched tightly, and he was taking deep, measured breaths, as though trying to calm himself.

And he says I’m the weirdo. Oh, the irony.

Once we stepped off the stage, Ivy, Elio, Ray, and Belli approached us. Everyone greeted Darius with casual "heyyy," but Ray just offered a stiff smile.

"I want to talk with you guys," I said, my voice low but firm.

"About what?" Ivy asked curiously.

"In private. Just the four of us—no one else," I replied, throwing a pointed glance at Belli.

"Of course, but Ivy’s partner hasn’t been announced yet. We need to wait for that," Elio said. I nodded in agreement.

As if on cue, a familiar voice called out Ivy’s name. My head snapped toward the stage, and I froze, recognition hitting me like a wave. My moment of clarity sent me stumbling backward, but before I could fall, two hands grabbed my arms.

It was Ray, holding my right arm, and Darius, holding my left. The contrast in their touch was stark—Ray’s grip felt steady and reassuring, while Darius’s touch sent a shiver of discomfort through me.Ray’s eyes flickered between concern and fury. First, he looked at me, his gaze softening as he checked if I was okay. Then, his attention snapped to Darius, his expression hardening into a deadly glare that practically screamed, Let go now, or you’ll regret it.

Darius hesitated, but the intensity in Ray’s eyes was enough to make him release his grip. Reluctantly, he pulled his hand away, visibly unsettled by the unspoken threat.

Ray’s touch was firm yet gentle as he helped me stand properly, his hand steadying me without hesitation. His presence felt protective.

When my eyes fell on Darius black watch, my heart sank further. He was the one who had saved me earlier.

Why? Why him? I would have preferred falling on the road instead of being saved by him.

As soon as Ivy joined us, I eagerly asked the group to gather for the conversation I’d been dying to have.

But, of course, interruptions came.

“Noki,” a girl’s voice chimed.

"Ugh," I groaned inwardly.

"My partner," Ivy said with a light smile.

"Yeah, I know," I said, trying to mask my frustration.

"How?" Elio asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

“Huh? Didn’t we just see her on stage calling Ivy’s name?” I deflected, trying to hide the slip.

“Oh,” Elio said, seemingly satisfied with my explanation.

Then came the bombshell. “His girlfriend,” Noki declared with a sweet smile, casually wrapping her arm around Darius’s.

We all exchanged awkward smiles, unsure how to react.

“And I’m his,” Belli suddenly announced, grabbing Ray’s arm.

Our shocked gaze snapped to her.

“No, no, you all are getting it wrong!” Belli stammered. “I’m his friend, and I’m a girl. So… girlfriend. That’s what I meant!” She tightened her grip on Ray’s arm, clearly enjoying the attention.

I shot Ray a look, silently questioning his patience with her antics. He sighed heavily and shook her off, freeing himself from her hold.

Before the awkwardness could escalate further, Miss Ragus’s voice boomed, commanding everyone’s attention.

“Attention, everyone! Our very first task is stretching. Your partners will assist you. The two teachers on stage will demonstrate.”

“Ohhh, bubu, this would’ve been so nice if we were partners,” Noki cooed at Darius.

“Never mind,” Darius replied with a grin. “We’ll do it another time. Okay? Now smile.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Such cringe.

As the activity began, I decided to help Darius with his stretches first. Then, it was my turn. I sat down for the butterfly pose, and Darius placed his hands near my knees, gently pushing them downward.

His touch made me uneasy, but I kept quiet.

Then, suddenly, he leaned in and whispered, “Aria, I’m sorry for that. I wasn’t in my senses. Trust me. And frankly, you’re so much better than your best friend, Noki. I want you back.”

His words left me stunned, my mind refusing to process what he had just said. After a few moments of silence, I gathered myself and replied firmly, “I’ve moved on, and I didn’t deserve a cheater. Please don’t bring this up again. It’s over.”

The bell rang for a break, and I stood up immediately, putting as much distance as I could between us.

---

I gathered Ivy, Elio, and Ray and asked them to listen carefully.

“Darius is… he’s my ex,” I said, bracing myself for their reactions.

Their shocked expressions were exactly what I had expected.

“And Noki… she was my best friend.”

Ivy and Elio exchanged a concerned look before Ivy asked, “Are you okay? We’ll continue this workshop only if you’re comfortable. Otherwise, we can leave and give an application.”

Ray, on the other hand, seemed confused. “What’s going on?” he asked, his brows furrowed.

Taking a deep breath, I explained everything. I told him what had happened back then on the ground—the betrayal, the pain, all of it.

The moment I finished, Ray’s face darkened with anger, his voice sharp with curiosity. "Didn’t Ivy and Elio see the picture? How come they couldn’t recognize him?"

Ivy let out a small sigh, her expression softening as she replied. "The picture was blurry, Ray. And honestly… we didn’t want to push her. Asking too much about a past she’s trying so hard to erase didn’t feel right."

Ray nodded and continued,

“I will not tolerate him around you. Not for a single second now,” he said, his voice low but furious.

“Ray, calm down. I’ve moved on. There’s nothing between us now. I was shocked earlier, but—”

“But what?” Ray interrupted, his voice heavy with intensity.

“He… asked me to come back,” I admitted hesitantly.

“And what did you say?” Elio asked, his voice sharp.

“Of course, I said no, Elio,” I replied firmly. Ivy let out a sigh of relief.

“I just wanted to tell you all. That’s it. Nothing more. Let’s go check out the college canteen,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Ivy and Elio nodded and began walking. I followed behind them, but Ray caught my hand, stopping me in my tracks.

I turned to him, confused, and raised an eyebrow in question.

“Will you date me?” he said, his voice steady and determined, eyes intense and straightly looking at

me.