Page 73 of Our Forever Starts Tonight

“So what are you saying?” she hissed at Capito.

“I’m saying, maybe we don’t judge Tristan for something that could have easily been any one of us.” Then he side-eyed her. “Especially you.”

Their gazes were locked for a moment, then Ceradi just rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Tristan, you had better not do it again. I won’t be so forgiving next time.”

I looked across at Capito and mouthed ‘Thank you,’ and he nodded before returning to his lunch without a care in the world. The rest of us set into our food then, eating mostly in silence, until someone stood near our table and cleared their throat. I looked over, as did everyone else, and saw Aria standing there with Arden at her side.

“Aria…” I whispered.

“I just wanted to come clean and say that this was all my fault. I tricked Tristan into kissing me and then I had a friend take and upload the pictures,” Aria explained. “It wasn’t Tristan’s fault.”

“Why?” I said.

She looked down at me. “I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you.”

Ceradi let out a loud, dramatic scoff. “Honestly Aria, what kind of person does something like that? Because you’re jealous? Because he turned you down? How sad!”

“No!” I stood up. “That’s not true. That’s not what happened.”

“Don’t,” Aria said. “I’m trying to help you.”

“I don’t want this help!” I reached out, wrapped my arm around Aria’s waist and pulled her towards me, setting my lips on hers. The cafeteria went totally quiet except for a few scattered gasps. I released Aria, but held her gaze as I announced, “It wasn’t Aria nor I that sent the picture. A jealous friend of hers saw me confessing my love for her and did it to try and sabotage us.”

“Love?” Ceradi said. “With this girl?”

“Yes,” I glared at Ceradi. “With this incredible, intelligent, beautiful person whom you couldneverhope to measure up to. I have the messages of you congratulating me for the post.”

She immediately became nervous. “Uh, I did no such thing.”

“You didn’t?” Josh said. “Then who were these messages from?”

Milton smacked him across the back of the head. “Shut the fuck up, you idiot.”

“Aria,” I said, turning my back to Ceradi and the others. “Thank you for trying to save my friendship with them, but I don’t want to be friends with them if it means I can’t be with you. Will you please go out with me. Just one date to prove that I’m serious.”

Everyone in the cafeteria was watching us, including the few teachers who were usually tasked with keeping things on the up and up. It was probably against the rules to allow two students to kiss and shout in the middle of the room, but given the tension and the fact that everyone was watching, they probably figured it was just best to let it play out.

“I know that I hurt you,” I said. “I know that you don’t trust me.”

“I’m struggling,” Aria admitted.

“But whatever attachment I had to these vapid relationships, is gone. I have real friends.” I looked down at Hannah and Capito. “Who aren’t going to leave me just because I choose happiness. It’s going to be scary, but…” I grabbed her hand. “Please give me one last chance.”

Everyone was waiting with bated breath like they were watching a television show. If I’d gotten my way, I might have liked to have a more intimate conversation with Aria, but this was a good opportunity to prove that I wasn’t going to let her down again. I’d very clearly and boldly stated my feelings in front of everyone.

All that was left now, was for her to trust me.

“I can’t handle another blow, Tris,” Aria said.

“I know. I won’t give you one,” I replied.

“Okay then,” she said, blinking away tears. “Yes. I’ll go out with you.”

31

Aria

Arden and I decided to play hooky on debate practice after school because after agreeing to go out with Tristan, I’d melted down into a mess that she was struggling to pick up. I honestly wasn’t expecting to take it as bizarrely as I did, but after months of getting close only to have something step in the way, the fact that we actually had a scheduled date and so far nothing had clawed its way out of the grave to interfere, I was so nervous it made me sick to my stomach.

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