Certain signs precede certain events.

For the following weeks that followed, all we ever did when we see each other in the hallway is say a simple "hi" or flash a smile at each other. I was the shy boy type and I didn't know how to make a first move to a girl. Fortunately for me, fate drew us together and opened up an opportunity for me to talk to her.

Destiny is what you are supposed to do in life. Fate is what kicks you in the ass to make you do it.

I was at the mall, supposedly going to buy clothes for myself one night when I saw Trish's group of friends saying their goodbyes to each other. I eyed them from the corner of my eye and all of them were carpooling with each other except for her. I followed her with my eyes as she finally took a seat in the Krispy Kreme store to wait for her ride to come. So, gathering up my courage and ignoring my hard-beating heart, I approached her and sat across of her without even asking.

"Hey," I greeted her.

"Hi." Then she flashed this smile that made my stomach do flip-flops.

"Are you waiting for your ride?"

"Yeah, actually my Mom's supposed to pick me up a half hour ago but as usual, she's always late. Sometimes it's frustrating because I'm always left alone in the mall with no one to talk to.

"Good thing I'm here, right?"

"Right."

"So... why didn't you just go carpooling with your friends and let them drop you off at your house?"

"My house is just 'round about here and theirs are far from here."

"If your house is just around this place, why can't they drop you off? It's really not inconvenient for them, is it? Instead of leaving their friend behind."

"I'm used to it. Plus, my Mom always tell me she'll pick me up. It's just that she always comes late because she has some stuff to do but it's okay. I can manage."

"Okay. Have you eaten dinner already?"

"Yes. My friends and I always eat dinner together when we go out. Have you?"

"No. I'll eat later."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I am going to wait for your ride."

"Okay, thanks."

"Sure, no biggie." I smiled at her.

"So, what brings you here?"

"Just bought some clothes." I showed her the paper bags of clothes I bought.

"Wow, so you shop a lot?"

"Not really. Just when I feel like it. Plus, I think I have overused my clothes already so I had to buy some."

"That's cool. I've never seen guys shop a lot before. Just like they buy an item or two."'

"That's because I am unique." I smiled at her again.

"So, it seems."

We waited for an hour or more for her Mom. She called her about five times but then an emergency came up at her work and she had to go someplace and she can't pick her daughter up so she told her daughter to just take a cab going home and to take care. She usually picks Trish up, but this time she doesn't. Maybe we were meant to be, huh? So as soon as Trish hung up the phone she stood up and told me that she'll be going to the taxi stand to get a cab to go home. Since it was late and I was not going to allow her to take a cab home alone, I told her I would drop her off at her house. At first she refused but then I managed to persuade her that I wouldn't let her take the taxi alone since it was dangerous, especially that she was a girl. She told me it was inconvenient for me since I live so far off but I told her it's fine and that I brought my car and it's not really inconvenient if she just point out the directions to her house. So then, she finally agreed and I dropped her off at her home, making sure she was safe inside then I drove away having this stupid smile on my face.