The Program [COMPLETED]

Chapter Thirty-Three

Aiden walked through the main hallway of Second Unit, keeping to the shadows. Virgil walked beside him, glaring at anybody who dared to look at Aiden disapprovingly. However, to Aiden's surprise, there were very few people who even chose to acknowledge him as they walked. Together, he and Virgil walked towards the dining hall, where they'd agreed to meet Theo and the others for breakfast.

"So, when were you gonna tell me about Zariah?" Virgil inquired as the dining hall neared.

"What?" Aiden looked at him, dumbfounded. He had knowingly decided to not say anything to Virgil, and the idea of him cluing in to Aiden and Zariah's interactions made Aiden beyond uncomfortable.

"I'm stupid, but I'm not that stupid," Virgil remarked matter-of-factly.

"Well, I mean-"

"Don't argue with me here, brother."

"Alright, alright," Aiden waved him off. "What about her?"

"How were you able to win her over, but I couldn't?" Virgil protested. "I used every trick in the book!"

"Maybe Zariah doesn't like to read," Aiden replied simply. Virgil narrowed his eyes.

"You're actually going to tell me that you have some sort of secret techniques to attract a girl like Zariah? You're twenty-two - nearly twenty-three - and still a virgin, for fuck's sake!" Virgil threw his arms in the air in exasperation.

"Not anymore," Aiden shrugged.

Virgil stopped in his tracks and turned to Aiden, his eyebrows furrowed.

"No," he said flatly. Aiden stifled a grin and nodded once. Virgil raised a hand to his temples.

"I truly don't know what to think of you right now," Virgil managed. "You've gotta be lying. There's no way that Zariah would ever... I mean, with you? Not possible."

Aiden rolled his eyes. "Your faith in me is practically unshakeable. I'm so glad."

"Don't get me wrong, brother, I'm happy for you! You just have to imagine why this is a little hard to wrap my mind around," Virgil insisted. Aiden shook his head.

"We didn't mean for it to happen, it just kind of did. She visited me after Jayda died and told me all about her past life in Fifth out of grief, I guess. You know what happened there, since Zariah told us back in my bunk. Turns out, we had both developed some sort of mutual feelings for each other. One thing lead to another, and, well..." Aiden trailed off. Virgil grinned, clapping his hands together.

"I'm still kinda pissed, but way to go, brother!" he cheered optimistically. "You're like a new man. Well done. Was it good?"

"That's enough of that, I think." Aiden shouldered Virgil and continued walking towards the dining hall. Virgil followed him, still eager for details.

"You can't just leave me with a cliffhanger like that!" Virgil exclaimed. He paused, a sudden realization dawning on him. "Oh, shit... what about Rania? Does she know?"

Aiden winced slightly. Virgil's eyes widened. "Oh, you're so screwed," he gasped.

"I know," Aiden admitted, scratching his head. "She stayed for a little bit after you and Zariah left the other day. She was talking about how she was worried for me. I think she was going to tell me how she felt, but then Zariah left her dog tag on my side table, and Rania saw it and bailed."

"Ooh," Virgil cringed. "Hard way to get turned down."

"I think she's given up. I feel horrible though. I was never able to make the first move on her, and just when she decides to do it for me, she finds out that I... uhh...with..." Aiden struggled to find the words. Virgil put a hand on his shoulder sympathetically.