WIBTA if i got with my best friend ex?
(Sorry in advance for all the names)
Okay so for context I have a friend, “Lola,” and my best friend who’s a guy, “Ayden.” Throughout the whole school year we liked each other on and off, but literally something was always in the way.
At the start of the year we talked constantly and hung out all the time, and I started liking him. I never told him though because I’m bad at that stuff. Around that time I also briefly dated another guy, “Jordan,” because I got peer pressured into it, but I broke up with him quickly because I was uncomfortable.
As the year went on I liked Ayden more and more. Then I became friends with Lola. One day she vented to me about how she and Ayden had talked/dated before and he broke it off. I comforted her, but after that I felt guilty liking him because she constantly vented to me about him.
Eventually I tried to move on and dated another guy, “Adrian.” Me and Ayden stayed friends but talked less. Adrian later cheated on me and we broke up, which honestly messed me up for a while.
After that me and Ayden got close again, but he had a girlfriend at the time (“Morgan”), so I tried to ignore my feelings because I respected the relationship. Lola also thought it was weird how close me and Ayden were, even though she still vented to me about missing him while he was dating Morgan.
Fast forward, Ayden and Morgan broke up. Me and him got even closer again. Yesterday he texted me asking when I liked him throughout the year. I told him the truth, and he admitted he liked me during a lot of those same times too. Apparently the day I started dating Adrian was the day he planned to ask me out. His friend had even asked if I’d date him, but I got nervous because of Lola and because I was talking to Adrian already.
Now we’re both frustrated because we’ve liked each other for so long and timing always ruined it. We’re graduating in 4 days and going to different schools, but we can still talk/hang out.
Here’s where I feel bad. Lola is currently talking to another guy, but she still constantly talks about missing Ayden. She doesn’t know I like him. Recently me and Ayden were lightly flirting and I posted a picture on my Instagram story that included both of us (literally just our eyes in a layout). People started asking if we were dating, including Lola, so I panicked, denied it, and deleted the story. Ayden seemed more upset that I deleted it than the rumors themselves.
After that Lola got really angry, accused me of liking him, and called me names.
WIBTA if I went to the movies with him or started dating him? It’s obvious we both like each other, but I feel guilty because of Lola. At the same time, I genuinely really like him and don’t know if I should let this pass again.