Warm Beginning

My normal day begin with a breeze of cold air waking me up that came from the little crack in my window. As much as I love to keep hugging my pillows under my blanket that only keeps me warm, unfortunately, I don't have those extra free time so with my lazy eyes slowly get up.

Yap you right! Im poor but the moment you give up that's the time you will feel it the most, so enjoy it anyway at least you will not be bored thinking about what will you do first.

"Layla..." "Layla...

I know you're in there don't forget what day is it, I have already given you enough time you need to pay the rent now, or don't let me do something you will regret"

"Gosh!.. what a nice morning huh..."

Opening my drawers where my last drop of bills left, thinking..gotta find a part-time again. Then opening my door where Miss Beth stood with a cross brow but when I show her my payment for this month's rent she change into a big smile and left without a word.

Wow how fast her mood swings I can't imagine.

Upon closing the door my eyes get wide when I see the clock.

"Ohhh shoot I'm late!!!... "

It only takes five minutes for me to get ready for school and make sure nothing is left then get out of my apartment. Good thing I keep up with the bus just in time... in my hurry, I did not notice the man sleeping so I rushed set down beside him and slightly woke him up. Realizing what I have done I look at him with an attempt to apologize that turn into an awe...

"Lady! you can close your mouth now.."

That feeling when you felt your face burning. I quickly get myself intact.

"Sorry!.."

I moved a little bit away from him ashamed of what I'd done but not too long when some passenger came up, I need to move near him again to make space for others to set since were in the corner part, but a little slower afraid to wake him up, seeing he close his eyes again.

That was the longest bus trip I had ever ridden on. I quickly go down when the bus stop on the school premises. Then I hear the bell. I run as fast as I could, seeing the gate is closing and gladly I came in on time before it closes.

"hahhhh... that was close"

Taking a deep breath I walk fast again to the building where my class is.

I walk inside the room that is full of noise with different conversations that you will not know where to listen to first. But as usual me straight to my own space silently taking my notes and pens out of my bag and getting ready for the first class. Then the professor came in making the crowd quiet.

"Good morning class.." with a wide smile on his face.

"Good morning Mr. Collins.." said everyone.

"Before I start our class I please to introduce to all of you, your new classmates... Mr. Benedict, he just transferred here to our school hope you get along with him.." then he came inside the room.

"Please introduce yourself.."

I hear the crowd snap including me when I see our new classmates. The phrase pop up in my mind (what a small world) who would have thought I will meet him again in just a few minutes? I lower my head when his eyes meet mine.

"haulll... !" words came out of my mouth without thinking.

To my amazement, I did not notice he choose to set in the back seat next to me. I choose to pretend not to know him and ignore him for the rest of the class. The bell for class dismissal rang so I started to gather all my things back into my bag and plan to go for lunch in the canteen when I bump into something.

"Hi! We meet again! care to go lunch with me since you owe me an apology..." He said with a sweet smile.

I'm about to decline when he holds my wrist and takes my bag from me and tags me along with him. Then he suddenly stops which causes me to bump in his broad back and I move a step away back.

"Wait! I forgot I'm new here... where's the way to the cafeteria? "

"My hands first.." he might just realize it, slowly letting go of my hands, and tacking, his hands in his pants pocket.

"I lead the way... ahm by the way I don't have any extra money to pay for your lunch.." looking at him intently.

He suddenly smiled don't know what his thinking at all.

"No worry I intend to pay for the lunch today.." and he gives me a wink.

"You can treat me next time..! looking at me seriously.

Can't bare his gaze I turn around and start walking straight to the canteen. I just listen to his footsteps behind me making sure his following, not because of any reason, but only because he is still holding my bag.

When I was almost at the door I waited for him.

"Where do you want to sit?.." looking up into his eyes.

I just realized how tall he is, I felt like a dwarf beside him. I guess he's 5'8 ft tall because my head just lined up with his shoulder. When I open the door of the canteen I can feel the gazes of a few women that we pass by, I can't blame them his not only being handsome but he also has this charisma that every lady can't resist not even me, thinking about it I remember the first time I lead my eyes on him and I felt embarrassed that I can feel my face burning.

"Let's go there in the sets near the window..! and he leads the way to the area.

When he got there he place my bag in one chair and his on the other side. Finally, he plans to let it go.

"What do you want to order..? my treat.."

"ahmmed... anything will do.." don't know what's the choice anyway (at the back of my mind)

He passed by me and went through the cashier in the food area. I just set down and see what he chooses to order, good thing he chooses the same food I usually eat. Got lucky to be treated by a stranger my food budget was saved for later. In other situations, I would be shy about it, but being practical is the best solution when you are in need especially when it's offered first, so come on don't judge me.

"I hope you like what I pick up.. don't familiar with their food here..!" slowly taking the food out of the tray and setting it aside.

"It's fine I'm not picky anyway..." I said while thinking about what to eat first.

"It's just that you ordered a lot..! I exclaim not minding my expression.

He burst out laughing out loud while looking at me.

"What?.." I look at him wondering what is so funny.

"I'm starting to like you.." then he started eating with a smile on his face.

While, hearing what he last said.. still don't get why he laughed and was more puzzled about what he meant by that, decided not to jump to a conclusion, I just don't mind it anymore and started devouring the food I choose and I realize I'm hungry.

And starting that day, the loner has somebody tagging me along whenever he chooses to. But I get used to it anyhow since his fun to be with. I just wondered why he choose me instead of many guys and girls that trying to catch his attention to hang out with. By the time that I am not coming, he refuses them without a doubt. I do feel sometimes that something staring at me, you know that cold airy feeling, I just ignore it.

Time pass by so past it's almost graduation. Finally gonna look for a permanent job, not just a part-time one with low earnings. Me and Bennie (that's what I decided to call him which he hate at first but get used to it) make his studio-type condo as our hang-out for a movie marathon and my favorite place is his balcony where you can see the city lights like stars at night. His place is quite big; two rooms with a connected bathroom, with kitchen, sala & study room where he has his collections of books. I forgot to say his a straight-A student. He plans that, will have a grad celebration on the beach for a change he said. Just by thinking of it, I got excited, oh ocean I love it's been a long while since I'm away from home... I miss nature. So right now where in his place again, doing our thesis for the last month before graduation.

"Lay.. !" he called while typing something on his laptop.

"ehhmmmm....!" I respond not looking at him.

"Since we're graduating.. it would be best for you if you move in with me.."

I suddenly stop typing on his computer that he usually lends to me, and raised my head towards him, I caught his eyes also looking at me seriously waiting for my response. I think it out for a minute, I was about to decline but he interrupted me, knowing I will.

"Will come to think of it..!"

"You will save some rent budget.. and I would be glad you were here since someone gonna cook for me.. hehe!"

"but seriously think about it Lay.. my extra room can be a good advantage for you, will for me.. having a good meal with you would be enough... And also I will save some budget from ordering outside for my food.. win win right!"

Thinking about it from his point of view, his right! So I said yes since I'm having a struggle with my rent anyway. I will just help him with some supplies in return for my stay. So after graduation, I move in. And right now as planned we started packing for a trip to the beach for the grad celebration. He ask me to pack some foods for us to eat on the way, and he step outside for a bit. I finish packing the food and was done cleaning the kitchen area when he came back and started to gather all our belongings, I tag along with him since we didn't bring that much, In my hands was the food basket. I drop my jaw when he suddenly opens a sedan that is parked outside the door and starts to put all our belongings inside including the basket in my hand. By the look of it, there's no doubt it's new.

"Lay... Hoop In!!" he smirks while looking at me.

"Where did you get this?.." still in awe.

"It's a gift from Dad.. did not expect it either! He just told me to pick up something for him and this is what I got!"... He says with a proud voice.

"Wow, till your Dad adopts me wahhh.. your dad is cool 3x !!" I say while still checking the interior of the car, did not notice his looking at me smiling.

So we ride smoothly until we finally stop at our destination. The beach! OMG that breeze felt so good on my skin, in my excitement I run to the sea and take off my sandals to feel the waves splashing in my toes, ahhhh I felt closer to nature again.

"Bennie! Come here.. !" calling him with excitement.

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