Aria’s POV.
Two days later, I found myself sitting in a cozy cafe downtown, waiting nervously for my first blind date to arrive. Naomi had been in charge of picking the location, insisting that it was “charming but not too fancy,” and I had to admit, she was right. The place had a warm, welcoming vibe to it. The lighting was soft and golden, giving the cafe a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
Gentle music played in the background, just loud enough to fill the silence without being distracting. The heavenly smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods lingered in the air, making it feel like the kind of place you could sit in for hours without realizing how much time had passed.
Even with the comforting surroundings, my nerves were on edge. My stomach churned as I sat there, trying to keep myself calm.
I smoothed down the hem of my dress for what felt like the hundredth time, hoping I looked okay.
Every few seconds, I glanced at the door, watching people come and go, wondering when-or if-he would arrive.
This wasn’t supposed to be a big deal. Naomi had made it clear that this date was just meant to be a fun distraction, nothing serious. But even so, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was completely out of place.
The door chimed softly as it opened, and my heart jumped. A tall, dark-haired guy stepped inside, pausing just long enough to scan the room. His eyes landed on me, and he smiled warmly, walking towards my table with an air of confidence. A flicker of relief washed over me-at least he didn’t look like a serial killer or someone I’d regret meeting the moment he sat down.
“Aria?” he asked when he reached the table, his voice friendly and casual.
“That’s me,” I replied, standing up to greet him. I extended my hand to shake his, trying to hide my nervousness. “And you’re…?”
“Ryan,” he said, his smile widening as he took my hand in a firm but polite handshake. “Naomi’s friend. She said you could use a distraction?”
I couldn’t help but laugh, the tension in my shoulders easing just a little. “Something like that,” I said, sitting back down as he took the seat across from me.
To my surprise, the date turned out to be much better than I had expected. Ryan was charming, with a natural ease about him that made conversation flow effortlessly. He was funny and easy to talk to, and although I didn’t feel any spark-none of the deep, magnetic pull I’d heard mates were supposed to feel-it was still refreshing to just feel normal for a while.
Ryan told me all about his classes and how much he enjoyed hiking in his free time. He shared stories about his favorite trails and his plans to travel the world after graduation. I found myself smiling and laughing as he talked, letting myself relax a little. In return, I told him about my designs, carefully steering the conversation away from anything that might hint at my past or the fact that I wasn’t entirely human. It felt strange to keep such a big part of myself hidden, but for now, it was easier this way.
For a couple of hours, I let myself forget about everything that had happened. I didn’t think about Zander, his stupid parties, or the way he had cast me aside. Instead, I focused on the moment-the laughter, the easy conversation, and the simple pleasure of someone’s company.
When the date finally came to an end, Ryan walked me back to my car. The cool evening air brushed against my skin as we strolled together, the streetlights casting a soft glow around us. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets, his posture relaxed as he smiled at me.
“This was fun,” he said, stopping next to my car. “Want to do it again sometime?”
I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. Ryan was nice-kind, funny, and easy to be around-but that was all. There was no deeper connection, no spark that made me want more. Still, I didn’t want to be rude.
“Maybe,” I said finally, giving him a small smile. “Thanks for tonight, Ryan. I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime,” he said, stepping back with a friendly nod. “Goodnight, Aria.”
As I drove back to campus, I felt a surprising sense of lightness settle over me. It wasn’t love-it wasn’t destiny or fate or anything close to what I’d once imagined for myself. But it was a step forward. It was a reminder that my life wasn’t over just because Zander had decided I was disposable.
When I got back to my dorm room, Naomi was already there, lounging comfortably on my bed with her legs curled under her. She looked up the moment I walked in, her face lighting up with excitement.
“Well?” she asked eagerly, practically bouncing in place. “How did it go?”
“It was fine,” I said, rolling my eyes at her over-the-top enthusiasm. I set my bag down and kicked off my shoes, trying to act nonchalant.
“Just fine?” she pressed, raising an eyebrow.
I couldn’t help but smile a little. “Okay, it was nice,” I admitted. “But don’t get any ideas. I’m not rushing into anything, Naomi. This was a one-time thing.”
“Fair enough,” she said with a shrug, leaning back against the pillows. But then her grin returned, sly and mischievous. “But you’re going on another one. I already have someone in mind.”
I let out a groan, but I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. Naomi was relentless, and deep down, I appreciated her determination to keep me moving forward.
Maybe blind dating wouldn’t fix everything. Maybe it wouldn’t make Zander’s betrayal hurt any less or erase the scars of the past. But it was a start.
And for now, that was enough.