CHAPTER THREE
544 Words
For the first time since they met, neither Ted nor Aria looked away.
The noise of the club faded into the background.
Aria could feel her heart beating faster.
"You've been trying to talk to me since the first day you saw me?" she asked softly.
Ted nodded.
"Yeah."
Aria smiled shyly.
"I didn't expect that."
"Honestly," Ted admitted, "I didn't expect it either."
A small laugh escaped her lips.
Ted found himself smiling again.
Across the room, Minho was practically standing on the couch trying to watch.
Bobie pulled him back down.
"If security throws us out, I'm blaming you."
"But this is the most important moment of Ted's life!" Minho whispered dramatically.
Meanwhile, Zuan looked proud.
"I told you my boy would do it."
Back near the counter, Ted and Aria continued talking.
"What do you do when you're not here?" Aria asked.
Ted leaned back slightly.
"I work on music mostly. Sometimes performances. Sometimes writing."
Her eyes brightened.
"You write?"
"A little."
"That's interesting."
Ted shrugged.
"I'm not as good as I'd like to be."
"Most talented people say that," Aria replied.
Ted looked at her.
"And what about you?"
Aria hesitated.
For the first time that night, her smile weakened slightly.
"I work with my family's company."
Ted noticed the change immediately.
Something about her answer felt incomplete.
Like she was hiding part of the story.
But he decided not to push.
Not yet.
Instead, he smiled.
"Well, whatever you do, you seem good at it."
Aria laughed.
"You don't even know what I do."
"True."
"Then how can you be sure?"
Ted thought for a moment.
"Because confident people usually become good at whatever they choose."
For a second, Aria looked genuinely touched.
"That's a nice way of seeing things."
Before Ted could answer, her phone suddenly vibrated.
She glanced at the screen.
The smile on her face disappeared.
Ted noticed immediately.
"Everything okay?"
Aria quickly locked the screen.
"Yeah."
But it didn't sound convincing.
A few moments later, another message arrived.
Then another.
And another.
Ted frowned slightly.
Whoever was texting her seemed very persistent.
Aria slipped the phone into her bag.
"I should probably get going soon."
The words hit Ted harder than he expected.
"Oh."
She smiled apologetically.
"I've really enjoyed talking with you."
Ted nodded.
"Me too."
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
Neither wanted the conversation to end.
Finally, Aria reached into her bag and pulled out a small card.
She handed it to him.
Ted looked down.
Written on it was her phone number.
His heart nearly stopped.
"In case you decide to stop wondering again," she said playfully.
Ted laughed.
"I'll definitely use it."
"Good."
Aria took a few steps backward.
Then she paused.
"Goodnight, Ted."
"Goodnight, Aria."
She turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Ted stood there for several seconds staring after her.
Then he looked down at the card in his hand.
A huge smile spread across his face.
Seconds later, Zuan, Bobie, and Minho appeared around him like they had been waiting for permission.
"Well?" Minho demanded.
Ted held up the card.
The three of them froze.
Then the entire club heard their celebration.
"HE GOT THE NUMBER!"
People turned to stare.
Ted immediately regretted having friends.
- Writer
