Fated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 88: Asked Out

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Chapter 88

~Jade’s POV~

Like every other day, advanced combat training was intense, particularly with Xander. And unlike when we trained with the other Professor in respect to the Mock Trials, this specific class was different.

It was more of brute strength, strategic attacks, using your opponent’s weakness against them and taking him or her out within a minute.

At first, everyone thought such training was impossible, but when ten of us attacked Xander, one at a time, he took us out in mere seconds.

The only person who stood a chance and lasted more than fifty seconds was Dean. He, too, was defeated at exactly one minute.

And me, well, I lasted fifty-five seconds against Xander.

Part of which I was sure he only toyed with me and prolonged my ultimate defeat just so he could tease me and watch my face flush considering he had whispered those words to me while he had me pinned against his body before shoving me so hard.

The whistle signaling the end of the round echoed across the training hall, followed by the usual chorus of groans and laughter from the class.

I pushed myself up from the mat and brushed the dust from my training pants, trying very hard not to glance in Xander’s direction again.

It was bad enough that he had whispered that in my ear while pinning me like that.

If I looked at him now, I was pretty sure my face would give everything away.

"Alright, hydrate and take five," Xander said from across the room, his voice carrying easily over the noise. "Next we move to tactical pairing drills."

Everyone scattered toward the benches and water stations.

I had just reached for my bottle when someone slid down beside me on the mat, beside me, her curls bouncing slightly as she spoke.

"Did you guys hear about the Valentine’s party the academy is hosting this weekend?" Isadora asked, sounding far too excited for someone who had just spent an hour sparring.

I wiped sweat from my forehead with the back of my wrist and reached for my water bottle. "I heard something about it in passing."

Isadora tilted her head at me with a curious smile. "Duh, it’s our finally year in school. We need to make this one count."

"Sure," I replied with less enthusiasm than she hoped.

Still, that did not bring down her spirit. Isadora shot again. "So, you recall our promise to each other last year?" My brow arched. "Um, the one where we must enjoy this final lap in high school and enjoy whatever party was going to be held?" I gave a small nod, not wanting to encourage her even though I remembered.

"So... do you already have a date for it?"

I paused mid-sip. "I’m not sure having a professor take you can count as a date," I said carefully.

Ziva snorted from where she sat cross-legged nearby. "Nope. That absolutely does not count."

Isadora frowned. "Why not?"

"Because," Ziva said, gesturing vaguely toward the doors that led deeper into the training complex, "it would cause way too much unnecessary attention, and I seriously doubt teachers are even allowed to attend something like that, except acting as our chaperons."

That made sense.

Isadora’s expression brightened instantly as if a new idea had just sparked inside her head.

"Well then," she said happily, "I’ll be your date!"

I blinked at her.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ziva opening her mouth, clearly about to suggest the same thing, before stopping herself.

A small smile tugged at my lips. "Umm... how about this," I said. "If none of us gets asked by a guy, the three of us can be each other’s dates. How does that sound?"

Ziva’s eyes lit up immediately. "I actually love that idea."

Isadora, however, did not look nearly as thrilled. Her nose wrinkled slightly. "That sounds a little... sad."

"It is not sad," I assured her gently. "And no one is stealing your place."

She studied me for a moment before finally relaxing. "Fine," she sighed. "But I still think someone will ask her."

Before I could respond, a shadow fell across the mat. I looked up just in time to see Silver standing there with his usual calm confidence, hands tucked casually into the pockets of his training pants.

"Jade," he said.

"Yes?"

"I know I wanted this to be formal when I asked, but I doubt I’ll have time for such before someone whisks you off." My eyes narrowed, unsure of what he was saying exactly.

Silver sighed and cleared his throat. "I was wondering if you’d be my date to the Valentine’s party."

For a second, I simply stared at him. Then both Isadora and Ziva gasped at the exact same time.

"What did I miss?" Adrian’s voice asked as he walked up beside us.

Isadora turned toward him immediately. "Silver just asked Jade to be his date!"

From across the training room I felt a shift in the air. My eyes instinctively drifted toward where Xander stood near the equipment racks.

He had gone completely still, and the second our gazes met, something tightened in his expression.

Before I could think too deeply about it, another voice spoke. "I was actually about to come ask you," Aidan admitted as he stepped closer.

Guilt pricked at my chest. I turned my attention back to my friends. "I’m sorry," I told him honestly. "But I was going to accept Silver."

Aidan nodded slowly. I could see the disappointment flickering across his face. Before the moment could become awkward, Ziva leaned forward slightly, tapping on his thigh.

"If you’d like, I’ll be your date."

Adrian glanced at her, surprised, before giving a small nod. "Yeah... I’d like that."

Then he looked toward Silver with a faint grin. "Next time I’ll beat you to it."

Silver only smirked while Isadora facepalmed herself. "Boys can be such inconsiderate dummies."

"It’s okay. I know he’s got the thing for Jade. Even a blind man would see that. This is just friendship," Ziva assured Isadora, but I could see Isadora not believing a thing she said.

Even I knew better. Ziva kind of had a crush on Adria.

I turned back toward Isadora, nudging her lightly with my elbow. "See? I told you someone would ask. Now, let’s wait for your princey." I winked, but she did not look nearly as excited as I expected.

"And what if someone doesn’t?" she muttered.