Do you trust me?
Do you trust me?
She was twenty years old then and had just resumed college so she didn't quite know her way around.
She had tried to enter inside the Science complex building but the security men by the door stopped her when they saw her ID and noted she wasn't in the science department.
"But it's raining. I just want to go in and would leave immediately it stops raining." She assured the men there.
Her hair and clothes were already a bit wet and she didn't want to leave just then because her mother would scold her if she saw her coming home with drenched clothings.
No one could afford to get sick at that point because their priority was to save enough money to pay off the loan sharks.
"We cannot let you in ma. It's the school's policy. You can check your students' handbook and see the instruction boldly written inside."
The man who had stopped her explained politely.
They also felt bad for her but there was nothing they could do about it. They were only doing their jobs.
"Alright." Mia said dejectedly before turning around.
She looked at the rain and noticed it was getting heavier. She was tired, hungry, and cold.
It was the first time in a long time she wore a semiformal outfit. She usually wore crazy jeans and polos but now she wore a button down shirt and plain trousers with a low shoe.
She took in a deep breath and was about running in when she felt a hand pull her back followed by an umbrella covering her head.
She was a bit startled and turned to the side to look at him and that was when she saw him for the first time— Benjamin Stark.
She guessed he was probably around her age and he also looked like a freshman.
Mia had seen a whole lot of handsome young men, but his was on a different level entirely. Or maybe she was seeing him like that because of the circumstances and how he just appeared out of nowhere to help her like a guardian angel, she really couldn't tell.
"You may catch a cold if you run under the rain." He said with his eyes looking ahead. He turned to look at her and handed her the umbrella before covering his head with his hoodie and ran under the rain toward the gate.
After that time, Mia didn't see him again and she didn't actually mind. The school was very big and it was rare to bump into each other especially when they didn't belong in the same department.
The next time she saw him was a few months ago. Just before their final exams.
He seemed to have a friend in her class and she had been surprised to see him inside the school cafeteria the first time she went there. Her scholarship hadn't covered for her feeding expenses. Because her family made it an habit to save every penny they had, they hadn't thought it was necessary to pay for school meals. But she couldn't continue living like that so she had paid for it few months ago. She couldn't risk having ulcer because they were in debt.
"I'm sorry about your loss man." Ben's friend said to him.
"It's fine. I'm better now." Ben assured him with a small smile.
"It's sad to think I'd graduate before you."
"Well, you wouldn't have if it hadn't happened during exams. Deferring my education was the only thing I could do." Ben explained.
Mia watched from the other table and when their eyes met, he sent her a small smile and continued to talk with his friend.
Maybe it had been the smile or maybe because he had helped her few years back. But she suddenly felt drawn to him.
She had always thought she was an asexual being. When people talked about boyfriends, crushes or intimacy, she was never interested in all that. Besides, she didn't think love was made for someone like her.
********
"Wow! What a story." Mira exclaimed as she parked by the front of Leo's apartment.
"But don't you think confessing is the right thing to do? You can't just jump in and kiss him." Mira advised.
"Well.. I don't... I don't know." Mia answered with a sigh.
Mira also sighed as the both got down from the car. "But I'm still mad at you. How come I didn't know about this?"
"I didn't think it was serious."
"And now you think it is?"
"I don't know.." Mia answered with a shoulder shrug.
"Urgggh! You don't know anything. How frustrating." Mira said as she waited for Mia to open the door.
Mia absentmindedly opened the door and it was until they both entered that she remembered there was another creature inside.
Tara barked.
Mia screamed and began to look for where to hide but to her surprise, Mira exclaimed in surprise and quickly handed her bag over to Mia before squatting to pet the dog.
"What a cute little baby. What's your name?" Mira asked with a smile as she rubbed the dogs head.
Tara hopped and wagged her tails as she enjoyed the attention Mira was giving her.
Leo came out of his room and witnessed the scene. He almost laughed when he saw the shocked look on Mia's face as she watched her friend pet the dog.
He had heard her scream and run out of his room again, thinking she was probably running around again.
"Her name is Tara." Leo said to Mira before turning to look at Mia. "And I told you she doesn't bite."
Mia looked at him and quickly broke the eye contact to look at Mira again.
"Aww.. Tara is so cute. I've always wanted a Maltese dog." Mira looked over her shoulder and said to Leo who smiled at her.
Mia watched their exchange and frowned before stomping towards her room.
Tara barked at her back and Mia quickly increased her speed and ran inside her room, making Mira and Leo chuckle.
"I'll see you later cutie." Mira said to Tara before joining Mia inside the room.
*************
A FEW HOURS LATER.....
"Leo?" Mia called him, hoping he would hear his name and come out of his room.
They were about heading to the party and she wanted him to know she was leaving.
Mira held Tara and continued to pat Tara's head. Mia had refused to come out of the room unless someone was holding Tara and Mira had volunteered.
Leo's door opened and when he saw her, he froze on the spot.
He didn't know whether he was shocked or surprised by what he saw.
If he hadn't heard her voice, he would have doubted it was Mia.
She wore a small top and short black leather skirt. A skirt!
He didn't know what she did to her hair, but her hair looked beautiful. It was curly and brushed to one side and she wore make up. He looked at her from the crown of her head to her feet which were covered in a pair of high boots and felt his heart begin to race.
"Ahehm.." Mira cleared her throat and giggled, bringing him back to his senses.
Leo was used to seeing Mira look pretty everytime so he was not surprised when he saw her skimpy gown and high boots.
Mia was secretly pleased with Leo's reaction and spoke awkwardly.. "We're going out. I may return late and wanted to let you know that I would call you once I return so you could help me put Tara away."
Leo still observed her with a look of disbelief. When he noticed she was waiting for him to say something, he simply nodded.
"No problem." He assured her.
Mira handed Tara over to Leo and as they were both about to leave, Leo spoke.
"Uhm.. Can you excuse me for a moment?" He said, looking at Mia.
Mia looked at him in confusion before turning to look at Mira.
Mira nodded for her to go on and excused herself out of the house after winking at Mia.
"I'll be back shortly." Leo said to Mia immediately Mira left before going towards his room with Tara. By the time he returned, Tara was no longer with him.
He moved closer to her and stood in front of her.
"So... it's finally the D-Day huh?"
Mia nodded nervously.
"Are you prepared?"
Mia knew what he was talking about and blushed.
"I... don't know.. I guess I am." She stuttered without looking at him.
"Do you mind one more practice?" He asked with his gaze fixed on her face. He enjoyed watching her every reaction.
"I won't kiss you. Just practice." He assured her when he noticed her reluctance.
She sighed deeply before echoing. "Just practice."
Leo smiled and moved even closer to her. He slowly put his hand around her waist and her body tensed up.
"Just relax..." He whispered as he brushed some strands of hair away from her face.
"Look at me. You should look into his eyes before you do it." He instructed in a very low voice.
Mia looked into his eyes and he rewarded her with a small smile.
"You shouldn't just leave your hands lying limply beside you. Place them on my shoulders."
Again, Mia did just that. She noticed she was becoming very uncomfortable with the sudden promiscuity.
He lowered his head till their noses touched and when he felt her breathing hitch, he asked in a whisper.
"Do you trust me?"
Mia shook her head slowly. "I don't." She whispered back.
"Good. I would have felt bad if you did." After saying that, he closed the distance between them and kissed her lightly on her lips.