A/N: Thank you for all the awesome reviews! I hope my story continues to please you! And welcome all new readers! And I changed the cover image for the story! You can access the picture though the same link to the other pictures on my bio. It revolves around "The Red String of Fate".
After two and a half months, it felt strange to set foot on college soil again.
There was a huge festival going on in town to welcome old and new students alike. Booth and concession stands lined the streets with music blasting from every speaker and excited chatter filling the air.
Once I picked up my new room number from Student Life, I waltzed right over to the Girls' Dorms and unpacked right away.
My roommate was a Philosophy Major named Mary Ann who jabbered a bit too much for my liking but was sweet all the same.
"Do you want to go into town and check out the party?" She asked, grabbing her purse and opening the door.
"No thank you. I want to finish unpacking first. I appreciate the offer though."
"Suit yourself." Mary Ann shrugged before closing the door behind her.
Well, I DO want to go, but there is someone I want to go with.
Every three minutes, I scanned the student parking lot for that familiar red jeep, anxious to see Miles again.
It is funny really. This time last year, I couldn't have cared less.
Now, I care immensely.
Once all my clothes were hung and my desk organized, I decided to text Miles to see where he was at.
But a knock at the door stopped me before I could even reach for my phone.
"Who is it?" I called out, remembering all the stories about attacks on college campuses my parents told me about.
There wasn't an answer.
Getting on my toes, I glanced out the peep hole and was meet with an empty hallway.
Figuring it was a joke, I went back to my business.
Then there was another knock.
"Yes?"
Once again, no answer and an empty hallway.
Starting to get peeved and nervous, I whipped open the door and marched out into the hallway.
"Alright! If you think this is fu-!"
"HEY, SHORT STACK!" Miles pounced at me from around the corner.
"EEYAHH!" I screeched, punching him in the stomach out of instinct.
He blocked my fist, leaning against the wall and laughing his ass off.
"What the hell, Miles?!"
"Oh God, you should've seen your face!" He panted, trying to catch his breath. "Priceless!"
"Jerk! Can't you greet your friends normally?!"
"This is normal, short stack."
Why do I like this guy again?
"Aw, there is that 'angry pufferfish face' I missed so much!" He cooed while squeezing my cheeks, pissing me off more and more.
"Well, I WAS going to invite you to the festival and treat you, but I change my mind." I spun around and stomped back to my room.
"Wait, wait," Miles slid in front of me, waving his hands in a 'calm down' motion. "It was a joke, short stack. Chill out. Hey, I'll tell you what. As an apology, I'LL take you to the festival. My treat."
I leered at him a while longer before taking the arm he offered me.
"Fine. Lead the way, Upshur."
Why do I feel like this is deja vu?
The festival was in full swing by the time we made it to the main road. They even had a small dance off going in the square.
"So, where to first, cara mia?"
"What?" I gawked up at his grinning face.
"Cara mia. It means 'my dear'."
"Did you hit your head this morning or something?"
Miles was TOO happy for some reason.
He must be hiding something.
Or planning something.
Either way I had to be on my toes.
"How about we go to your favorite café?" He pointed to the cozy, corner café across the street. "They are having a special for students."
"But we are banned from setting foot in there again since you fought that waiter!"
"Hey, he had it coming with the way he was shit talking my parents."
"Yes, the twit had it coming, but you butterfly kicked him across the café! Where did you learn that anyways?"
"Bruce Lee films. Now stop worrying and let's go!" He then led me across the busy street and into the air conditioned café.
I was genuinely surprised it wasn't busy at all since the cakes here are awesome. The interior was really cute too with flowers on each table and plushies scattered around. The two of us would come here twice a week for coffee and sweets before we were kicked out.
"Miles!" I hissed, pulling him down to my level as we approached the hostess desk. "If we get thrown out, I'm blaming you."
"Hakuna your tatas, short stack." He replied before getting the hostess' attention. "Hey, table for two, please."
"Of course, sir. Just one mo-Oh no, not you again! Get out of here before my manager sees you!"
"Watch and learn, short stack." Miles whispered to me before slicking his hair back and leaning against the desk, turning on his charm.
As I watched him work his magic and trick the girl into letting us in with empty compliments, I felt something I haven't felt in a long time.
I felt jealous.
I realized he only does this to get his way and laughs about later, but seeing him bat his eyes at this girl who was hanging onto his every word, it made my stomach churn.
"I-I guess I can bend the rule this once." The hostess stuttered, patting her reddening cheeks. "You two may take that seat in the back, and I'll bring something out for you."
Miles shot me a 'in your face' smirk and led me to the corner booth, humming cheerfully.
"When will you stop doubting my methods of persuasion, short stack?" He spread his arms out, that cocky grin still plastered on his face. "See, I got us a seat AND a free meal."
"Hmm. Yeah. Impressive." I mumbled, shredding a napkin into pieces.
Miles slowly lowered his arms.
"Something wrong?"
"No. Everything's fine." I snapped, hating how I was acting.
What am I, three? He did this for me, and now I'm repaying him by being a jerk.
I just discovered I like Miles, and we're not even dating, so where do I get off acting all jealous when he fake flirts with people?
I sighed and tossed my litter aside.
Well, he's never called me 'beautiful' or anything, and when he does, he covers it up by labeling it as a joke. Maybe it is because he is awkward with his feelings, but if Miles can talk up strangers until they're cherry red with ease, then why can't he do the same with his best friend?
I peeked at Miles from the corner of my eye and felt my heart break a little at the genuine concern on his face.
Since I'm not his girlfriend, I don't have the right to complain. Well, I'm about to change that.
"Miles," I spoke up, making him jump at my sudden outburst. "There is something I want to ask you."
Something flashed in his eyes, and he sat up, placing his hands on the table.
"I have something to ask you too."
"Let me go first."
"No, let me."
"NO, let m-!"
"Here's your chocolate cakes and iced coffees." The hostess smiled, placing our treats in front of us, either blind to our tense expressions or ignoring them entirely.
"Miles." I started in a calm voice. "When we talked on the phone, I was the first one to say that, so let me go first. Then you can go."
"Young-ja." He replied in the same even tone. "What I have to say is just as important, but since I'm the one who initiated this friendship, I'd like to be the one who asks the question."
And with that, I realized he was going to ask me the same thing.
Like hell I'll let him though!
I am the one who just acted like a baby over his flirting, so I want to be the one to ask!
"Miles! Will you go-?!"
"Gah! What did I just say?! Short stack, will you dat-?!"
"I want to say it though!"
"Well, too bad!"
"Miles!"
"Young-ja!"
In all the commotion, we didn't realize our shouts had rattled the table until one of the iced coffees slipped onto Miles' lap.
"Shit!" He gasped, shooting up and shaking the ice cubes off his jeans.
"Miles, I'm so sorry!" I gasped, grabbing a handful of napkins from the dispenser and attempted to wipe off his jeans.
"It's fine!" Miles snapped, snatching the napkins from my hand and storming off to the bathroom, grumbling under his breath.
I feel back into my seat and covered my face, wishing the ground would swallow me whole.
"Kids today really have communication problems." A voice piped up from the booth behind us.
I popped my head around the corner and saw a man in his late thirties sitting there with a condescending grin and mocking gaze. He had round, wireless glasses and shoulder length brown hair that was tied back in a loose ponytail. The man appeared to be a business man of some sort since he was wearing a suit and had a briefcase.
"My apologizes, sir, but this is none of your concern. So mind your own damn business."
I already embarrassed myself twice today; I didn't need this guy to rub it in.
The man raised an eyebrow and chuckled to himself, shaking his head all the while.
Before I could ask him what was so funny, Miles came back.
"Short stack, let's go. We can continue this later." He held his hand out for me and peeked over at the businessman, who was still laughing to himself. "Hey, you got a problem with her or something?"
The man held up his hands in defense, taking a hint from Miles' annoyed expression, but still smiled.
"No problem at all, buddy. Just admiring your little lady's spunk is all. Quite the minx you got there."
Miles' face went from irked to a full on glare.
He pushed me behind him and got in that creep's face, hoisting him up by the collar.
"First off, I'm not your 'buddy.' Second, don't' you dare talk about Young-ja like that. If I ever see your face again, I will not hesitate to kick your ass," He then shook the man to emphasize his point. "got it?"
The businessman never wiped that smirk off his face and simply nodded.
"Duly noted,…buddy."
Miles pushed him away and grabbed my hand, storming out of the café.
As we passed by the creep's table, I noticed a name engraved on the suitcase.
Richard Trager.
What an eerie name.
I also made sure to stick my tongue out and flip him off too.
Just to show him how spunky I was.
As we strolled down the street, ignoring the ongoing festivities, no one said a word.
The mood from before had been ruined, and both of us were too tired to start up again.
But we knew that conversation was far from over.
I gazed up at Miles, his profile illuminated in the sunlight, and smiled.
Whatever doubts were bouncing in my brain during my jealously fit were long gone now.
To those people Miles' has flirted with, they can keep those sweet words and promises; I don't need them.
Because actions speak louder than words, and the things Miles does for me outshines everything else.
It doesn't even have to be noble actions like defending me from creepy businessmen.
No, it is the small things like tricking the café hostess simply because he knew the café was my favorite place, and he wanted to make me happy.
Feeling misty eyed, I tighten my grip on Miles' hand and leaned against him, giggling to myself at how he slowly returned the gesture.
"Thank you, Miles."
"For what? If this is about that dickwipe in the café, he had it c-."
"No," I laughed, looking up and meeting his gaze. "Just. Thank you for being you."
A/N: That Lion King reference came from a Tumblr post I found. Hahaha. And yes, I included him because I love foreshadowing. Don't worry. Miles and Young-ja will start dating soon. Lol.