Chasing Mia

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Four days into college and I'm already beat. I've just finished my last class and I'm headed back to my apartment to indulge in a nice bowl of strawberry ice cream. I've been looking forward to it all day.

When I open the door, I'm surprised to see Jake on the sofa with his face attached to some strange girl.

"Who is she?" The girl gasps, pushing Jake away.

"She's nobody," he responds before reconnecting their lips.

I scoff, but I don't say anything. I walk into the kitchen and open the freezer, eager for my frozen, sugary goodness. I pull out the box and open the lid only to find it completely empty. I curse under my breath and squeeze my eyes shut, feeling an old fashioned temper tantrum coming on.

"Jake!" He pulls himself away from his troll  and looks up at me in annoyance. "Did you eat my ice cream?!" I ask.

He rolls his eyes. "No. I'm sure it was Russ." Without another word, he turns his attention back to his plain Jane fling of the moment.

I toss the empty box into the garbage and decide to change into my running gear. It's been a rough week and I need to blow off some steam. I put in my ear buds and start towards campus. I don't know why, but seeing Jake with someone else kind of bothers me. It shouldn't since I don't want him to have feelings for me. I should want him to find someone else. I'm going on a date with my longtime crush tomorrow, I shouldn't care about what Jake's doing. I just feel like he's intentionally trying to piss me off. And if that's the case, he's messing with the wrong girl.

I get into a grove and pretty soon, I start to feel sweat dripping down my face. I haven't ran this hard in ages. I focus on my breathing, allowing all other thoughts to be pushed aside. At least for now.

"You're in the zone."

I snap my head to the right and scowl. "You..."

"Don't act so happy to see me. I may get a big head," the asshole says.

I roll my eyes and pick up the pace. Unfortunately, so does he.

"I've been looking for you. I need a favor." When I don't acknowledge him, he continues. "There's a girl that won't leave me alone. I've done everything to let her know I'm not interested, but she won't give."

I look at him and laugh sarcastically. "Wow. That sounds awfully familiar."

He chuckles. "Oh come on, sweetheart. I'm not that bad. Besides, it's not like I'm throwing myself at you."

I shrug. "Okay, so? What do you want?"

"Go on a date with me."

I come to a screeching halt. "What? No-"

"Not a real date. It doesn't have to mean anything. She works at this Italian restaurant in town and I figured if I take my girlfriend there, she'll back off, right?"

"Can't you find someone else? Someone that actually likes you?" I ask.

"I have to make this believable and I haven't seen many girls around that...you know, could be worthy of all this," he says, gesturing to himself.

His arrogance is so annoying. The more I talk to him, the less attractive he becomes. "You're a real piece of work, you know that?"

"Come on, Mia. Please? I'll do anything. Plus, I'll pay, so free food."

"You'll do anything, huh?"

"Anything."

"If I do this for you, you never speak to me again."

Hurt flashes through his eyes before he quickly replaces it with amusement. "Okay, fine. You do this for me and I swear I'll never speak to you again."

"So when are we doing this?" I ask.

"Tomorrow night."

I slow down and finally, come to a stop. "I can't do tomorrow night. I have a real date," I answer breathlessly.

"With who?" he asks as if he doesn't believe me.

"It's none of your business."

"Okay...how about tonight then?"

I laugh sarcastically. This guy has to be even more full of himself than my brother, and that's saying a lot. Still, I don't feel awkward or uncomfortable around him. As a matter of fact, I feel more like myself around him than I do anyone else.

"Fine. Tonight. Pick me up at eight."

"It's a date. Oh, and I'll need your number," he says.

"Why?"

"I need to know where to pick you up," he answers in a duh tone.

"I live in the Riverchase Apartments on South Gordon St. I'll be out front waiting for you at eight," I reply with a smirk before jogging away.

I emerge from my bedroom after showering to see Russ sitting on the kitchen counter drinking milk straight from the carton. I'm reminded of my strawberry ice cream and have the sudden urge to kick his ass.

I slap him on the back of the head and he winces. "What the hell was that for?"

"You ate my ice cream!"

He furrows his brows in confusion. "What? No I didn't! I don't even like strawberry!"

"How did you know it was strawberry. I never said that," I snap, putting my hands on my hips.

He narrows his eyes as if he's thinking about it before a sheepish grin spreads across his face. "I may have offered it to this girl-"

"You gave my ice cream to one of your hoochie mamas?!"

He throws his hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry! I'll buy you more, I promise!"

"You better," I say through gritted teeth.

"Why are you so dressed up? I thought your date was tomorrow?" Russ asks, hopping down from the counter and placing the milk carton back in the fridge.

"What date?"

We snap our heads around to see Jake coming through the front door. He looks between Russ and me and raises a brow. "You have a date tomorrow? With who?"

"It's with whom, bro," Russ says, trying to change the subject.

Before today, I probably would've wanted to spare Jake's feelings, but it's clear he doesn't have feelings for me. "I have a date with Daniel Crider tomorrow," I say with a little venom to my voice. I turn my attention back to Russ. "And to answer your question, I'm hanging out with a friend tonight."

Jake laughs sarcastically. "It was only a matter of time, I guess."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I snap.

"I knew you'd become just like every other girl once Ryder left," he says, taking the same milk carton Russ just had from the fridge and taking a big gulp straight from it. "You know, loose with the morals."

My mouth drops, but before I can respond, Russ steps in front of Jake. "Wait just a damn minute. She's not loose with anything. It's a date, she's not trying to get him into bed."

"Yeah, I'm sure she's been waiting all this time for just a date," Jake says sarcastically.

Russ steps closer to Jake and squares his shoulders like he's ready for a fight. "Watch your mouth before I-"

"Stop! Just stop it, okay?" I look between Russ and Jake and sigh. "Jake, were you not just making out with some random girl? Wanna talk about loose with the morals with me for real? And Russ, I appreciate you having my back, but we can't act like this. We're roommates. We've been friends forever."

Russ takes a step back, but Jake just scoffs and shakes his head before walking away to his room. Russ and I share a confused look.

"He's definitely jealous, Mia. I have a bad feeling about this."

I sigh. "Nothing's going to happen. I'll talk to him later after he's had a chance to cool off."

I'm sitting on the bench at the entrance of my apartment complex, waiting for the asshole to pick me up. He's already twenty minutes late and I'm giving him ten more minutes before I go back up to my apartment.

Just as I'm starting to give up on him, I see a blood red corvette pull up in front of me. The engine is so loud, I can feel my lungs rattling. I roll my eyes as he steps out trying to look cool with his aviators on even though it's almost dark.

"I was just about to leave."

"Had you given me your number, I could've texted you to let you know I'd be late," he smirks.

"Touche."

He walks around to the passenger side and opens the door, motioning for me to get in. I'm taken back by his small act of chivalry, but I don't let it show. I get in and put on my seat belt as he revs the engine and peels out of the parking lot.

I sink back in my seat, holding my breath. He's driving way over the speed limit and hogging turns like he's Dale Earnhardt.

He glances over at me. "You alright there, sweetheart?"

I look at him in disbelief. "Do you always drive like you're evading the cops?"

He chuckles. "How else are you supposed to drive a corvette?"

"Where are we going anyway?"

"Antonio's."

My mouth drops. "Antonio's? As in the most expensive Italian restaurant in Orlando?"

"The one and only."

"You're going pretty far just to prove to this girl you don't like her. I mean, have you actually tried telling her you're not interested?"

"I told you, she won't give. She's addicted to my body and trust me, that's an addiction that even the best rehabs can't help."

I groan and hit my head against the headrest. "Have you tried being an arrogant tool around her? It seems to help me want to avoid you at all costs."

He smirks. "Most girls like a confident guy."

"Confident, yes. You passed confident a long time ago. You should date yourself."

He laughs and looks over at me. "I like you."

"The feeling is not mutual," I reply, quickly turning away from him so he doesn't notice my blazing hot cheeks.

We pull up to Antonio's and to my surprise, Mr. Conceited actually opens the door for me again. He takes my hand into his, and even though I'd love nothing more than to pull it away and smack him in the face, I let him roll it.

The hostess seats us at a table for two in a nice, secluded, romantic area of the restaurant. I look around at all of the female servers and wonder which one has the hots for the asshole.

"The red head next to the window," he says as if he can read my mind.

"She's cute. Why wouldn't you be into her?"

"She's too aggressive. I'm an old fashioned guy. I like to make the first move. I don't like it when a girl comes onto me."

"Oh, so not only are you an arrogant asshole, you're also a pig."

"I'm not a pig. I'm all about equality, but when it comes to relationships, I have my personal preferences just like anyone else. What's wrong with that?" he asks.

I shrug. "Nothing. I just think it's lame that you'd be turned off because a girl made the first move."

"I told you, it's a personal preference. I like a good chase. I want to pursue a girl, not the other way around."

"It looks like she's coming this way. What should I do?" I ask.

"Just act natural. Like we're a couple, you know?"

I wish I could tell him that I don't know. I've never been in a relationship and therefore, have no idea how to look like I'm in one. Even if it's pretend.

"Torrance?"

I look up to see the stunning redhead next to our table. She glares at me before looking back at the asshole, who I now know to be Torrance.

"Do I know you?" he asks.

Her mouth drops. "We have Calculus together! We talk every day! How can you not..." She trails off and looks at me, taking me in. Her face grows pale and I almost feel sorry for her, until she shrieks, "Who is this?" as if I'm not good enough for him.

"I told you, I have a girlfriend. And here she is," he says, gesturing to me. "This is Mia."

She looks at me in disgust, which really fuels my fire.

"Yes, I'm his girlfriend so you can back off now," I reply arrogantly, shooing her away.

Torrance smiles and bites his bottom lip. "She's kind of possessive, so I'd listen to her. She can get kind of feisty if she has to. Believe me, I would know. You should see the scratch marks on my back."

My eyes widen, but I recover quickly. The girl looks at me like I've murdered her puppy before looking back at Torrance. She opens and closes her mouth like a fish, at a loss for words. She finally turns on her heels and practically runs away.

Torrance breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Mia."

I finally let out the laugh I've been holding back. "She really is obsessed with you."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you," he chuckles. "That's why I had to pour it on thick. I hope you don't mind."

I know he expects me to be angry, but I'm not. This was actually kind of fun. We continue talking over dinner and eat some delicious food that I pray to god wasn't poisoned. After getting to know Torrance Masterson, I realize he's not quite as bad as I originally thought. He's funny, witty and kind of charming. I still don't like him, but I don't think I can say that I hate him.

After we arrive back at my apartment, Torrance walks me to my door. Even though our fake date is over, I don't protest. I've had a nice time and he dropped some serious money on our dinner.

"Thanks for dinner, Torrance. I had fun crushing this girl's hopes and dreams with you."

He laughs. "I'm glad."

There's an awkward silence that passes between us before his eyes meet mine. He looks like he wants to kiss me, but I really, really hope he doesn't.

"Goodnight, Mia," he finally says before turning and walking away.

"Goodnight," I whisper as I watch his retreating figure.

I dig around my purse looking for my keys before I realize I don't have them. Damn, I really hope Jake or Russ is home.

"Mia?"

I turn around and before I can process what's happening, Torrance's lips are on mine. My head tells me to push him away, but my body is telling me something else. His lips feel incredible and I can't resist kissing him back. His hands hold my face before he slides his fingers through my hair. My heart is going haywire and I wonder if he can feel it too.

Finally my brain wins out over my body and I push him away, wiping my lips on the sleeve of my dress. "Why did you do that?"

He shakes his head, thoroughly confused. "I'm sorry, I just thought-"

"Leave."

"Mia-"

"I said leave!"

This time when the hurt flashes through his eyes, it remains and he doesn't bother to hide it. He turns and walks away and I slide down the door until I'm sitting on the floor in front of my apartment.