Chapter 12: Confessions and Teasing

Ariana's POV

Diego was watching me.

His arms were crossed, his head tilted slightly, that same amused smirk tugging at his lips. But his eyes? They were focused—curious. Like he had caught something interesting and wasn't planning on letting it go.

I sighed, walking up to him. "Are you just going to stand there and stare, or do you actually have something to say?"

He chuckled, pushing himself off the tree. "Depends. Are you going to tell me what Celeste wanted with you?"

I rolled my eyes. "You saw that?"

"Hard not to when you looked like you were having some deep, dramatic conversation." He mimicked a serious expression, placing a hand over his chest. "Was she giving you a cryptic warning? Telling you to stay away from the big, bad boys of Class D?"

I snorted. "Something like that."

His smirk faltered just a little. "And? Are you listening to her?"

I shrugged. "Should I?"

For the first time, Diego hesitated. His usual easy confidence flickered, just for a second. It was almost cute.

Almost.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning on hurting me?"

His jaw clenched. "No."

I smirked. "Then why do you care?"

Diego exhaled, shaking his head. "Damn, you don't make this easy, do you?"

"I'm not supposed to."

He laughed at that, running a hand through his messy, light brown hair. "Alright, fine. I'll just say it." He met my gaze, something different in his eyes this time—something serious. "I like Celeste."

I blinked.

For a second, I almost thought I misheard him. But then I saw the way his ears turned slightly red, the way his fingers twitched like he wasn't used to admitting things like this.

And just like that, I couldn't stop myself from grinning.

"You like Celeste?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Like, like like?"

Diego groaned. "Don't make me regret this."

"Oh, no. I'm enjoying this way too much." I placed a hand over my heart dramatically. "Are you saying you think about her all the time? Dreaming about her?"

He narrowed his eyes. "You're enjoying this way too much."

"Oh, absolutely."

He sighed, but there was a small smile tugging at his lips. "I should've known you'd be insufferable about this."

"You should've." I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice just enough to tease him. "So, tell me, Diego—what exactly do you like about her? Her charm? Her brains? Her ability to make boys fall for her?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "More like her ability to drive me insane."

I grinned. "Awww. That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me."

Diego rolled his eyes, but I caught the way his gaze lingered on me for just a second too long.

Maybe Celeste was right. Maybe I was a pawn in a game I didn't fully understand yet.

But for now?

I was just enjoying watching Diego squirm.