Aris opens his car door for me and we climb in. Like Aria, he drives a jeep. But his car seemed cleaner, and it smelled like boys cologne.

That would only make sense, this was a boy's car.

"So, where are we going?" I ask, as Aris pulls out of the parking lot.

He looks over to me and smiles. "There is a place called Maurice's, and I found it while looking for Dick's Sporting Goods. It just reminded me of you, so I called to see if you wanted to go on a date. We never really have before and we're almost graduating so..." Aris trails off.

But this isn't our first date. "We've been on a date before." I say, surprised I'm not blushing really hard right now.

I smile and my cheeks flush red, okay now I'm blushing. I look down, letting my hair fall and cover my face.

"Don't hate me, but I don't remember that." He says, making a sharp turn.

Well, I barely remember so I doubt he would. "When we were really small, like first grade, our teachers took all of us to that pizza place, but we got lost and ended up sitting at our own table. You called it a date."

Aris laughs loudly. "I remember that now! I was so proud because I thought I had the hottest girl in the pizza parlor!" He exaggerated by a long shot, but it was still sweet.

I blush even harder, still hiding my face behind my hair.

He removed one hand from the wheel to move my curtain of hair. "Awe! You're blushing! Haha, you're blushing."

And now he's teasing me. This is going to be a long, but fun, night.

"Pshh, me? Blushing? Never." I guess now I'm the one exaggerating, but when was that ever a bad thing? "You're the one who counted our first date as the pizza parlor in first grade."

He shakes his head, smiling with me. "It technically was. Didn't I kiss you?"

I nod my head. "We almost got in trouble but people found it adorable. I wonder what they would say now if we kissed." I look out the window then look back to Aris. "That wasn't meant to be said! Forget I said it!"

Aris shakes his head. "Nope, it's forever locked in my mind. If you really wanna know we could find out."

And for a second there I almost forgot he was an Aries. But I laugh anyways just because in a way, it made me happy. "No thanks, as fun as that sounds I would like to make it to the restaurant without everything smearing."

Aris pulls up to a glass building. Inside, people sit at circle tables with white table cloth. Everything looks fancy, new, modern.

It looks amazing.

"I can see why this place reminded you of me." He parks close to the front doors.

Will they even let us in?

"Don't worry, I reserved a table." Aris walls around the car to open my door.

He reserved a table. "I'm guessing you didn't just stumble upon this place while looking for a sporting goods store?"

He chuckles and runs his hands through his dark and wild hair. "Okay, so I asked a friend where he would go on a first date."

So he went to Leo for help. That would make sense, he's... My head rings, making my ears pop. A pain behind my eyes makes me have to close them. Fighting a war behind my face and above my throat. Huh, I'm quoting bands now.

I let out a small groan, trying hard to conceal the ringing migraine in my head.

Aris looks at me with a face of worry. Awe, he's worried. "Are you okay? What happened?"

I shake my head. "Fine, just got dizzy for a moment."

He seems to take that as an okay answer.

The pain passes and I stand tall. "Let's go eat. I'm excited."

I'm not sure if he believes me entirely, but he puts his hand on my back and guides me to the front doors of the restaurant.

"After you." Aris holds the for open for me and we walk in, hand in hand.

Some people stare, some people don't. This is a high class restaurant and I'm wearing converse.

I spin to go back out the for but Aris stops me. "You look good. Flaunt and no one will judge. And if they do, they can bring it up with me. I'll be happy to change their minds."

A waitress walks up with two menus and a tablet. "Reservation?"

Aris nods. "Aris Everdeen."

The waitress scrolls through the tablet and the smiles up at us. "Right this way Mr. Everdeen."

We follow her to a table and sit.

She leaves us with the menus and walks away.

"I really hope the food is good, because this cost a fortune." He says, shifting through the menu.

I perk up. "How did you afford this place?"

He gives me a half smile. "Allowance. I saved up."

Awe. I know how hard it is for him to save up. He's quite the spender, like me.

"I think I'll take the Fettuccini Alfredo. You?" I ask.

"If I could order you, I would, but until then I'll take the same." I smack his arm with my menu, but I laugh anyways.

"Why do I get the feeling you took me to the restaurant just so you could use that line?" I ask.

He rubs the spot where I hit him. "You hit hard for a girl." He says. There's a hint of admiration behind his eyes. "And that's probably because I did." I almost whack him again but he grabs the menu and sets in on the table. "Leona, would you consider a proposal to stay with me after graduation?"

My heart stops. My brain stops.

I probably look like a fish gasping for air. I'm probably catching flies with how far my mouth dropped.

My mouth opens and closes, trying to formulate a sentence.

I've never really thought about it, shame on me, but I really have to yes to him. I don't really have a choice.

Aria has to be with Sage and I have to be with Aris.

I smile and look down at the table. No choice. I have no choice.

"Yeah, I think I'd like that." I look, giving him a wide eyed smile.

It could be worse. Aris is someone I can get along with, someone who makes sense I'd be paired with.

If only it wasn't forced.

"Look, I know it probably isn't something you would ever do if we weren't forced, but I would much rather stick with you than Taria. Plus, Taria is taken. We're stuck, and there's nothing else we can do." He finishes up his little speech and grabs my hand. "Or we can stay single the rest of our lives."

I nod. "Honestly, I'm glad you asked me instead of Taria. This is going to be fun."

He shrugs and the waitress comes back.

We order our food, now as a couple and not strangers.

I'm actually glad he asked me, my life's interest levels went from Gem is my only source of fun, to I'm dating the most fun person on planet earth.

I'm ready for a change.

"So, what made you pick tonight? What sparked your sudden idea?" I've been dying to know.

He scoffs, checking the time on his watch. "Arius was going on and on about how much he's glad to have Gem, and I just started reconciling the different things that have been happening lately. I came up with one solution— you."

He's either really good at pick up lines, or he's telling the truth. Either way, is good enough for me.

The plates some our way.

As I'm chewing on my first bite I realize what he's said. "Wait, you've talked to Arius? Nobody's been allowed to see him."

He smirks. "Who said I was allowed?"