Chapter 56: The kiss

Dorah strolled down the hallway, a lollipop tucked between her lips, her steps light and playful. She had just left her friends behind in class, eager to visit the flower boys in the studio. As she turned a corner, she spotted Jason walking toward her. 'Oh, I'm just going to meet you guys in the studio. Where are you headed?" she asked casually, pulling the lollipop out with a soft pop. Jason glanced up, surprised to see her. 'Really? Well, I just left the studio a few minutes ago. Only Jace is in there now. I'm trying to find Max and Ronald. We've been calling them, but they're not picking up. I wonder where they dumped their phones." Dorah gave a slight nod. 'We can look for them together." He agreed without hesitation, and she reached into her pocket. 'Here," she said, offering him a wrapped sweet. Jason took it with a smile. 'Thanks." He unwrapped it quickly, popped the candy in his mouth, and disposed of the nylon in a nearby bin. As they walked, he glanced at her. 'What about your friends?" he asked, tilting his head. Dorah blinked at him, a little surprised by the question. 'What?" she asked, suspiciously narrowing her eyes. He shrugged. 'Just asking." 'They're fine. I left them in class a few minutes ago," she replied, still eyeing him with mild suspicion. Then, a mischievous grin tugged at the corners of her lips. 'Wait a second. Why are you suddenly asking about my friends? Are you…?" She trailed off, giving him a teasing, exaggerated look. Jason opened his mouth to respond, 'I think…" but his words were cut off as someone suddenly bumped into Dorah from behind. She lost balance and stumbled into Jason, crashing into him, lips touching first. The world seemed to pause. Their eyes flew wide as they realized what just happened. They broke apart quickly, stunned into silence. 'Uhm… sorry," Dorah mumbled, her gaze darting anywhere but his face. 'Oops, sorry! Didn't notice anyone was coming," a voice said from behind her. Dorah spun around to see Helena standing there, nonchalant as ever. 'Seriously, Lena? You should look where you're going!" Dorah scolded, clearly flustered. Helena rolled her eyes with a huff. 'You wish. Duh…" she said and walked off like nothing happened. 'Who's this one that looks like a crayfish?" Dorah muttered under her breath. Jason chuckled. 'You don't have to describe her that way." Dorah flashed a quick grin. Just then, Madison strolled past with a smirk etched across her face. 'What's with this one too?" Dorah asked, eyeing Madison's retreating figure. 'They both look suspicious," Jason said, narrowing his eyes, and Dorah nodded in agreement. 'Sorry about earlier," Dorah said quietly. 'I'm not exactly the queen of balance." Jason smiled reassuringly. 'It's fine. It was just a mistake. We're cool." Dorah gave a small, grateful nod. Jason then suggested, 'How about you look for Ronald while I check around for Max? If you see them together, just call me." 'I'm not with my phone," she admitted. 'But I'll tell Ronald to call you." As they parted ways, she muttered under her breath, 'I hope this incident doesn't change anything." The first place she checked was the garden, empty. Then she headed to the lake. There, sitting on the grass with his headset on, was Ronald. His gaze was fixed on the water, lost in thought. 'Always with his headset," Dorah said softly, a smile tugging at her lips. 'He's cute." She walked up to him and gave him a gentle nudge. He blinked and removed his headset, glancing up at her. 'Babe?" he said in a questioning tone, getting to his feet. 'What are you doing out here all alone? We've been looking for you," she said, brushing invisible dust off her skirt. He gave a faint smile. 'What for?" 'I don't know. Jason's the one looking for you guys. Jace is in the studio, and Jason went to find Max." Ronald nodded. 'Let's go, then." He offered her his hand, but she shook her head. 'No." 'Why?" he asked, puzzled. 'What if someone sees us? I mean, holding hands?" she said gently. Ronald seemed to understand. 'Okay then. Let's go." They walked side by side until Ronald's phone dinged. He pulled it out and paused to read a message. 'What's wrong?" Dorah asked, noticing the shift in his mood. 'Is something up?" He didn't answer. His eyes stayed glued to the screen. 'Ronald! Ronald!! Ronald!!!" she called, frustration creeping into her voice. At the third call, he looked up, blinking like someone coming out of a trance. 'Yeah… sorry. You said something?" he asked, clearly distracted. 'What's wrong? I've been calling you and you didn't respond. Did you get bad news?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. 'Even worse than bad," he mumbled to himself. 'You said what?" she asked, stepping closer. 'Nothing," he replied quickly, his expression unreadable. 'Let's go." He began walking ahead, leaving Dorah frowning behind him. She quickened her pace to catch up but stopped short when he suddenly turned to face her. 'What…?" 'Are you and Jason a thing? Do you have feelings for him?" he asked bluntly, his voice low and tight. Dorah's brow furrowed. 'What do you mean?" 'You heard me." 'I don't get this sudden question, Ronald," she said, now clearly offended. 'Just answer the question, Dorah," he said, his tone more forceful now. Dorah stared at him, taken aback. The way he said her name without affection cut deep. 'Jason and I aren't dating. You know I don't have feelings for him," she said firmly, hoping it would clear the doubt from his mind. 'I don't even know what to believe anymore," he muttered, running his hand through his hair in frustration. And just like that, he turned and walked away. Dorah stood frozen in place, a storm of confusion, guilt, and unease rising in her chest.