Chapter 184: Confession

"Blaine, why are you sulking like someone who just got dumped?" Claire asked as soon as they entered the lounge. 

Blaine, who had been heading toward the fridge to grab a drink, turned abruptly, startled by her comment. His heart skipped a beat. 

Great. Was it that obvious? 

"I didn't have a crush on anyone, so how could I be heartbroken?" Blaine replied quickly, pulling a drink from the fridge and walking back to sit beside her. He handed her a can and opened one for himself. "Speaking of which, why didn't you call me last night to let me know you were safe?" 

"Huh? Let you know I was safe?" Claire looked genuinely puzzled. 

"Yeah, isn't it weird?" Blaine shot her a glance, taking a sip of his drink before continuing. "I was worried that Sarah might have given you a hard time. Don't make me regret worrying about you." 

"Come on, Sarah's a nice person. I just don't get why you two can't seem to get along. The moment you're together, it's like a battle is inevitable," Claire replied with a shrug. 

"That kind of person is rare in this world," Blaine sneered, glaring at the drink can in his hand as if it embodied Sarah. "Even hearing her name in front of me ruins my appetite." 

"Same goes for you," Claire teased. 

"Hey, are you trying to pair me up with her?" Blaine asked abruptly, narrowing his eyes. 

"You're overthinking it. Sarah likes Tara," Claire said with a smirk, adding, "Tara works for Lucas's company." 

"Claire." 

"Yeah?" she turned to him, perplexed by his hesitant tone. "Blaine, when did you start being so hesitant around me? We've always been close; there shouldn't be anything you can't ask me outright." 

"I'm just afraid you'll deflect," he countered. 

"If anyone's good at deflecting, it's you," Claire retorted, resting her head on her hand on his shoulder. "I've seen through your little tricks to charm innocent girls. Always acting deep and mysterious. People might call it artistic temperament, but I see it for what it is—a facade." 

"So you think I'm living behind a mask every day?" Blaine tilted his head toward her. "You've known me this long, and you still don't know what kind of person I am?" 

"To others, you're a man," Claire quipped suddenly, leaving Blaine momentarily stunned. His almond-shaped eyes widened in shock. "Claire, what's that supposed to mean? Do you see me as something else?" 

"Don't be ridiculous," Claire sat up, rolling her eyes. Then, with a sudden seriousness, she sighed and said, "To me, you're like an angel. Every time I've been in pain, despair, or trouble, you've always been there to pull me out. Blaine, meeting you has been the luckiest, happiest thing in my life. I really like you." 

With that, she leaned in and planted a soft, fleeting kiss on the corner of his lips. 

Blaine was stunned, his mind going completely blank while his heart raced wildly. 

Did he just hear her right? She said meeting him was the luckiest and happiest thing in her life? And she liked him? Was this a confession? 

Then why didn't he feel overjoyed? Why wasn't his heart pounding the way it used to when she got close, leaving even his ears burning? 

Blaine, you're pathetic, he thought. A girl has just confessed to you, and you're still overthinking. Just confess back already! 

"Blaine, why are you sulking again? Was what I said earlier gross? Did it make you want to puke?" Claire teased, breaking the silence. 

"Claire, I need to tell you something," Blaine said at last. "But if you laugh, there will be consequences." He decided to start with a warning to avoid any awkwardness later. 

"What's so serious?" Claire raised an eyebrow. "I'm more used to your goofy, laid-back side." She pinched his cheek. 

"Hey, I'm being serious here!" Blaine brushed her hand away, took a deep breath, and mumbled so quickly it was almost inaudible, "Would you go out with me?" 

"What?" Claire frowned, confused. "Blaine, did your tongue get stuck? I didn't hear a thing." 

Frustrated, Blaine turned back to her and repeated, louder this time, "I said—" his voice trailed off again, "Would you go out with me?" 

"What are you saying?" Claire asked, still not catching it. 

"Are you deaf?" Blaine shouted, exasperated. It had taken all his courage to confess twice, and she was still making him repeat himself. 

"Master Blaine, I honestly didn't hear you," Claire said innocently. 

Sighing in defeat, Blaine leaned closer to her ear and repeated softly, "I'm asking if you'd go out with me." 

Surely, she heard that? 

But her lack of reaction was unnerving. She simply reached out and touched his forehead. "Blaine, are you running a fever? Why are you asking such strange questions?" 

"What's strange about it?" Blaine huffed, annoyed that his confession was being brushed aside so casually. 

"Because we're already together," Claire said matter-of-factly. 

"Wait..." Blaine froze, realizing she had misunderstood. "That's not what I meant." 

"Then what did you mean?" Claire tilted her head, thoroughly confused. 

"It's just..." Blaine sighed. Who knew confessing could be this hard? "Forget it." He stood abruptly and headed upstairs, leaving Claire bewildered.