Cora stepped out of Aaron's room and went straight to hers. She leaned against the door, her mind racing, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
A while later, she decided to go to the grocery store. As she stepped outside, she noticed Aaron leaving as well.
"Hey, Cora," Aaron greeted.
Cora merely nodded, keeping her gaze low, and walked past him.
Aaron called out, "Cora!"
She stopped, turning slightly. "What now?"
"Are you going to the grocery store too?"
She frowned. "What do you mean, 'too'? Are you going?"
"Yeah."
Aaron suddenly grabbed her hand. "Let's go together."
Cora pulled away. "No."
Aaron sighed. "You're uncomfortable because of the kiss, aren't you? Look, it wasn't anyone's fault. It was just the situation. I'm really sorry, Cora. I never meant for that to happen."
Cora hesitated. His words made sense. She exhaled and finally nodded. "Fine."
Together, they went to the store, picked up a few things, and on their way back, Aaron said, "Come over for dinner tonight. I just moved in, so I thought I'd invite you."
Cora thought for a moment before agreeing.
Later that night, after dinner, they both returned to their respective apartments.
---
The next morning, Cora hurried to the hospital. Aaron arrived a little later.
"Sir, everyone's free today. How about a team dinner?" Sao suggested.
Everyone, including Cora, agreed.
That night, the team gathered at a restaurant, enjoying their meal. Afterward, they ordered drinks, and Sao suggested playing a game.
"How about Truth or Dare?"
Everyone agreed.
The bottle spun and landed on Sakura first. She chose dare, and the group dared her to get the phone number of a guy sitting at a nearby table. She completed the dare effortlessly.
Next, the bottle pointed at Cora. She chose truth.
"Have you ever dated anyone?" someone asked.
Cora shook her head. "No."
Everyone exchanged surprised glances. "What about Covey?" someone asked.
Cora smiled. "He's my best friend. We've been together since 11th grade. He's like family to me."
Covey beamed with happiness.
The bottle spun again and landed on Aaron. He chose truth.
"Sir, have you ever dated anyone?"
Aaron's eyes flickered toward Cora. "No, I haven't," he said.
Cora felt a pang in her chest. Then what about Sariya? she thought.
The bottle landed on Cora again. This time, Aaron asked, "Do you love someone?"
Cora stayed silent.
Covey noticed her discomfort and quickly said, "It's getting late. Cora, let's go home."
By then, Cora had already had too much to drink, especially after Aaron's question.
As she struggled to stand, Covey offered, "I'll drop her home."
Before he could, Aaron intervened. "Everyone, go home. I'll take Cora. She lives near my place."
Without waiting for an answer, Aaron lifted Cora in his arms and carried her out.
---
When Cora regained consciousness, she found herself in Aaron's car.
"Stop the car. Let me out," she demanded.
Aaron didn't slow down. "It's too late. It's not safe for you to go home alone."
Cora glared at him. "I'd rather go alone than go with you."
She pushed the door open and stepped out. Aaron followed her.
"Cora, please," he pleaded. "Just listen to me once."
Cora turned to face him, tears welling in her eyes. "Listen to what, Aaron?" she screamed. "Do you even know what happened? I'm the fool here. I've loved you for ten years—ten damn years! And what did I get in return? Nothing! I had stupid hopes that maybe, just maybe, you'd feel the same one day. But I saw it myself, Aaron. Ten years ago, on the last day of extra classes, I saw you confessing to Sariya. I saw it with my own eyes!"
Aaron looked stunned. "Sariya? What are you talking about, Cora?"
Cora clenched her fists. "I saw you telling her how you felt. Do you even know how much that hurt? I've carried that pain for ten years!"
Aaron was silent for a moment, then suddenly stepped forward and kissed her.
Shocked, Cora pushed him away. "What the hell are you doing, Aaron?" she yelled. "Who do you think I am?"
Aaron exhaled. "Cora, listen to me. That day, Sariya was the one who confessed to me, not the other way around. I rejected her. The moment you saw me, I was just picking up the flowers she had dropped. That's all."
Cora froze.
"If you don't believe me, I'll prove it," Aaron said, pulling out his phone. He dialed his best friend's number.
"Hello?"
"Dude, remember the last day of extra classes, ten years ago? Tell me what happened."
His friend hesitated. "Why are you asking?"
"Cora is here," Aaron said.
"Ohh," his friend chuckled. "Cora, listen. Aaron never liked Sariya. In fact, he never dated anyone because he was waiting for you. Do you know he even turned down a huge opportunity just to come to this city and find you? He tried contacting you for years, but you changed your number. He suffered a lot, Cora."
Cora stood frozen, unable to process everything.
Aaron hung up. "Now do you believe me?"
Cora's voice was barely above a whisper. "Aaron... please, just leave me alone."
Aaron shook his head. "No." He grabbed her hand and took her to his car. Without saying a word, he drove them to the beach.
They sat in silence for a while before Cora sighed. "I was so stupid… Ten years, wasted, just because of a misunderstanding. And all because of that witch, Sariya. That fucking bitch."
Aaron chuckled. "Maybe this was our fate, Cora. But what matters is that we're here now."
Cora glanced at him. "Covey told me how much you suffered…"
Aaron nodded. "And I'm really sorry for what you went through, too."
After a while, Cora said, "Let's go home."
As she turned, Aaron suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her into his arms.
"Cora," he whispered, "I like you."
Before she could react, he kissed her again.
This time, Cora closed her eyes and let herself melt into it.
When they pulled apart, she smirked. "You're quite the expert at kissing."
Aaron smirked back. "I'm an expert at many things."
Cora arched a brow. "Like what?"
Aaron leaned in. "Don't test my patience."
Cora fell silent, her heart pounding.
Later, they returned home. Cora couldn't stop smiling.
"Finally," she whispered to herself, "I'm dating my high school crush."