-

"Um... Okay then" Ray mumbled as he retracted his hands, he dropped his fake smile towards the mermaid and returned his eyes to me

"So tell me everything" he said

"What's there to talk about?" I chuckled

"I wanna know everything I've missed, tell me about school" he said, Ray propped his chin on his arm as he waited attentively. I chuckled and did the same

"Well, school's shit, no surprise there. Exams are coming up in the next year so teachers are starting to fill our brains with excessive work, it's really starting to get stressful but I manage. I made a time sheet to balance everything so I'd have enough time to read wattpad" I chuckled

"Can't ever forget wattpad" he smiled

"So what have you been up to?"

"Soccer, I actually started last year. There's been loads of training, my parents are supportive of it although it takes away alot of time from studying. We're out for the season right now that's why I'm working, I wanna save up and repair my car" he smiled

"Betty the car?" I chuckled

"You still have that?"

"I have it but I don't use it" he smiled

"I bought a sweet mustang a few months ago but my heart will always be sold on Betty. That's why I'm trying to fix her up, maybe leave it for my brother when he turns 16"

"That's sweet" I cooed

"You're sweet" he whispered, his eyes pierced through mine and I sat frozen there. A blush slowly crept onto my cheek

"I need to piss" Aquamarine announced, all of our eyes turned to face the girl.

She glared at Raymond before standing up, it pushed the table back causing it to hit Ray's arm. He flinched and glared at the girl that was now storming her way to the restroom.

"I'll go check on her" Allie smiled and headed towards the mermaid's direction

"Nice friend you got there" Ray said as he rubbed his arm

"Leave her alone, she's just... Adjusting" I chuckled, the boy pouted

"What?" I asked

"Wub it" he pouted and and held his arm out, I titled my head back and laughed at how cute he was being

"Fine, I'll rub it" I chuckled and held his arm, my fingers applied pressure to his soft skin

"Better?"

"Better" he smiled cheekily

"How are your friends?"

"They're great, Elena actually tried out for captain of the cheer team" I smiled

"She's deadass gonna get that, I hope she's celebrating early" Ray chuckled

"Right?! There's literally no way that girl wouldn't get that role. Josie on the other hand has found a new love for skateboarding" I laughed

"Skateboarding? That's interesting" he smiled

"I don't know what came over her but she's actually getting really good at it" I said

My eyes glanced back in the direction of the restroom. Aqua and Allie walked our way, I noticed their hands were intertwined but they released it the second they came closer.

They slid back into their booth and an awkward silence fell between everyone.

"Food's ready" The waitress said as she placed our plates in order

"Thank you" we mumbled to the woman before she disappeared

"So Allie, how's everything with you going?" Ray asked

"Swimming and swimming and swimming" she groaned

"Don't you like it?"

"At this point, it's more a chore. It's hard to enjoy something when it feels like you're being forced to do it" she said. Ray nodded in agreement

"I completely understand, I started soccer as a fun thing but my coach stalked me out and placed me as captain. Now everything's just a load of pressure" he mumbled

"It's so frustrating too! Like, you can't quit now because there's so many people that depend on you and it's apart of your daily life style but then again, sometimes you just need a break" Allie muttered, she crossed her arms across her chest and furrowed her brows.

I carefully observed the girl, I never thought Allie had that much pressure on her back. We weren't that close these days...or these years but I always assumed she didn't put that much into her swimming classes.

"And what about you? Is there anything you do?" Ray asked Aqua

The girl held a fry between her fork as her eyes swirled around the salty food. She then dragged it over her mouth and pierced her eyes through Ray.

"What's your problem?" he asked

"I don't have a problem" Aqua chuckled

"Oh wow, she speaks. Nice to know" he said in a pissed tone

"Alright, alright everyone needs to chill right now. Aqua, Raymond was just being friendly. And Ray, Aqua really isn't the person to push over the edge" I assured them

Raymond nodded and muttered a 'sorry' to the girl. Aqua just continued her glare but this time it was towards me. I rolled my eyes and stuffed my face. What in the hell was even happening.

"This some crazy love triangle shit" Allie snickered in the corner

"Love triangle?" Ray asked

"Oh don't mind me, I'm just a silly girl with silly hopes" Allie laughed. I furrowed my brows at her. Huh?

"Speaking of love, how's your boyfriend doing?" Ray asked

"Oh... Um, we broke up" I muttered

The sound of a fork hitting a plate was echoed through the diner. A few customers turned their attention towards the sound before shrugging it off. A blush crept onto my cheek. Ugh dammit, what is this boy doing to me.

"I'm sorry, what?" he asked

"We broke up about two months ago" I mumbled

"I'm sorry, do you wanna talk about it?" he asked

"Not really, we just... Couldn't work out. I was loyal and he didn't care" I spat

"Aww Bev, come here" he pouted and held his arms out.

"He's a fucking idiot for letting you go. You're everyone someone could want"

I smiled and wrapped my arms around his stomach. Ray's want embrace invaded my senses.

"Well, not to be too forward but are you over him?" Ray whispered in my ear

"I'm pretty sure I am" I chuckled

"Better for me then" he smiled, I raised a brow at him

"You know what Aqua? I've had it" Allie said. I turned my attention towards the girl

"Will you go on a date with me Aquamarine?" Allie asked, Aqua furrowed her brows and leaned into the girl's ear to whisper something. Allie nodded when the girl pulled away

"Yes, yes I will" Aqua giggled

Somehow, I felt a sting in my heart. Sadness was like a flowing river, cold and unending. It washed through my veins and consumed my other emotions. Her smile was the only thing keeping me sane in this very moment. Allie smirked at the girl and intertwined their fingers.

"Well, if Allie's gonna be brave and ask out the girl she wants then I'll do the same" Raymond smiled. I turned my attention back towards him

"Beverly Hills, will you go on a date with me?"

Within that moment, my jaw dropped. I felt every emotion in my body go numb. What the hell did he just say?

"I'm sorry, what?" Aqua asked, Ray glared at the girl before turning back to me with a smile

"It's obvious that I've been crushing on you since we were kids, those feelings never faded away. It just grew stronger as time went by. I'd be damned if I allowed you to slip away without Atleast giving it a try" he muttered

I was still starstruck by this new information. Raymond had a crush on me? Well, has?

"I... Um" I stuttered

"It's totally okay if you're not ready" he whispered

Was I ready? I glanced at Aqua, she held her head low but gripped the metal fork. Her teeth grinded against each other.

The thing is, I've always liked Raymond more than I should have. A few years ago we almost kissed, but was interrupted by my driver. There was always a tension between us that either of us talked about.

Maybe it's time to actually give us a try. But what about Aqua? There's obviously some weird vibes coming from her over there. Then again, she has Allie now, right?

"Yes. Yes I'll go on a date with you"

"Bev?" a small knock was heard and a soft voice came from the door

"Come in" I said, my room door was pushed open and Aqua's head appeared.

"Hi" I chuckled

"Hey" she whispered and closed the door. I propped myself up to the bedhead

Aqua stood there, I titled my head and observed her. Her hair was messy, her hand rubbed the nape of her neck as she bit her lips nervously.

"Something wrong?" I asked

"Um.. No. I- I just wanted to see you" she said. I smiled and patted a place on my bed for her to join. She sighed and made her way over to the spot, I held my sheets close.

"Well, now you see me" I said and pulled the covers over my face

"Now you don't"

I heard her giggle, I lowered the sheets to see her smile. The kind of smile that made me shudder. Small tails of goosebumps lined my arm when her eyes locked with mine

"You're such a dork" she smiled

"Thank you, that's what I was going for" I chuckled

"Why don't we talk anymore?" she asked

"I.... I'm sorry" I whispered

"It's just that, I've been doing alot of thinking. This whole situation is just crazy, then I'm questioning my entire life when you came along. I just couldn't bring myself to be around you without-.."

"Without what?" she asked

"....Don't worry about it, just know that I'm sorry" I whispered, my hands trailed to hers. Our fingers intertwined and the familiar electric charge ran through my veins. I heard Aqua sigh as she closed her eyes

"You felt that right?" she asked

"..yes" I whispered, Aqua nodded and the turned to face me

"Why are you going on a date with that guy?" she asked

"I need to know what could have been" I mumbled, my eyes never left hers.

Aqua gave a fake smile, her hands got closer to my face. Her soft fingers cupped my cheek and the static came back again. I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning my head into her palm.

"If that's what you want then, I can't do anything but be happy for you" she whispered, I knew she was getting closer.

My eyes flung open again to see Aqua's face close to mine. Our lips were just inches apart, our eyes were locked and I saw a weird flicker in her eyes.

"But I'm not gonna give up that easily" she whispered. Subconsciously, my fingers found her face and placed her hair behind her ear. She smiled slightly and leaned in.

My breath hitched in my throat when her soft lips came in contact with my skin. She kissed my forehead so softly, allowing her lips to linger before pulling away.

My heart race sped up as our eyes locked again. She chuckled knowing how easily she could turn me into mush.

And with that, she was gone. As quickly as she appeared, she was gone just as fast. I laid there in bed with my thoughts running through my mind.

Did I really make the right decision?