Hearts in Bloom

Chapter 25

Tobias sat alone at the lunch table, his gaze drifting absently across the cafeteria. He picked at his food, barely tasting it. Today had been a strange day. Aria had told him earlier that she was busy with something important. So, she hadn't been able to sit with him for lunch. Mia and Jaxon had gone to see an art exhibition, and others were also busy so he was left by himself.

As he absentmindedly pushed his food around, he noticed Aria enter the cafeteria with Lucas. Tobias sat up straighter, a pang of curiosity shooting through him. Aria and Lucas were laughing and talking animatedly as they walked across the room.

Tobias frowned. Wasn't she supposed to be busy with something important? Was this part of whatever "important" thing she had to do? His heart began to beat a little faster as they reached an empty table, settling down together.

Aria smiled brightly at Lucas, her face lighting. They were talking so much, their laughter blending into the hum of the cafeteria, completely oblivious to the world around them.

Was this really so important? Tobias thought, his eyes narrowing. They were so absorbed in their conversation, as if nothing else mattered.

And then, Lucas said something that made Aria blush. Tobias's stomach twisted. What could he possibly have said to make her react like that?

"I hate you," Aria said, her voice teasing, but there was a hint of affection behind the words.

Lucas chuckled, clearly not phased by her statement. "Honey, you don't hate me."

"I do hate you," she replied, her voice soft but still playful. "But I also love you, darling," she added, her tone shifting to something more intimate. "Now, can you help me with the task I told you about?"

Tobias's breath caught in his throat. The words were clear, and they hit him harder than he could have expected. I love you. Darling.

His heart felt like it had been punched out of his chest. He couldn't believe it. He felt like the world around him was spinning out of control. Lucas's voice faded as Tobias's mind fixed on one thing: She said she loved him. She called him "darling." The words echoed in his ears, and everything seemed to blur.

Tobias quickly stood up, his plate of food forgotten. His heart was pounding in his chest, and his thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. He couldn't stay there, couldn't hear any more. He turned and walked away without another glance.

______

The next day, Tobias couldn't bring himself to look at Aria. He avoided her the entire day, his heart aching with the weight of the words he had heard yesterday. He had no idea what to think anymore. She loved him?

He had seen the way she was with Lucas. The way she had said "I love you" to him... It felt too real.

He couldn't bring himself to face her after that.

_____

As the day wore on, Aria grew increasingly frustrated. Tobias was avoiding her. Again. She had noticed the way he had been avoiding her since yesterday, and today, he barely even looked at her. He was practically acting like he didn't know her.

It wasn't just frustrating; it was infuriating. She was tired of this, tired of his stupid mood swings and the constant distance he put between them. The same thing had happened six months ago, and she wasn't going to let him do it again.

After class, she stood in front of his classroom, waiting for him. She didn't care how mad he was or how embarrassed he felt. She was done being patient. Done with his games.

When the bell rang, and students began filing out of the classroom, Aria spotted Tobias at the back of the room. He was heading toward the door, but she was already there, standing in front of him. Her hands were clenched at her sides, her face flushed with anger.