~ Zoie's POV ~
Zoie sat on one of the empty stadium benches. It was early in the morning and the large baseball field was bare. She was wearing an oversized hoodie and her hair was tied in a messy bun. It was too early to put on a good dress or do her make up. Normally, she wouldn't be meeting Miles looking like this, but this was a special case.
A few minutes later, Zoie spotted Miles jogging up the stairs. He was also wearing a hoodie and some sweatpants. His face was tired and it didn't look like he got enough sleep.
"Hey, babe," he beamed as he came closer. "What's up?"
Miles leaned in as he was going for a kiss, but Zoie dodged him.
"Did you and Karlie used to date?" she shot point blankly.
Miles's eyes went wide in shock.
"What?!"
"Tell me, honestly. I wouldn't be mad," she said.
"Is that what she said to you?"
"Answer the question, Miles,"
Miles looked at Zoie in bewilderment. He looked taken aback, not knowing where this was coming from. Zoie realized how crazy she must look right now. Technically, she wasn't even his girlfriend yet.
Do I even have the right to confront him about stuff like this?
"No, Zoie, we never dated," Miles said finally, shaking his head. "We hooked up once and I was super drunk. It was a mistake. It was never anything other than that,"
Zoie watched his expression carefully. Miles was apologetic. And he looked almost... scared. Like he was afraid his answer would lose her.
"Is this why you sounded so weird over the phone? This stupid gossip is what got you all riled up?" he said again, pausing for a beat before adding, "Baby, I thought something bad happened to you,"
Miles came closer and pulled Zoie into a hug. She didn't realize how much she needed this hug, because the moment he touched her, her body melted into his arms.
"I'm sorry if I'm sounding crazy, but... trust is a big thing for me. I just need you to be honest and I don't wanna get blindsided by stuff like this..." she said, burying her face into his chest. "Was that really it with her? You guys hooked up once and that was it?"
Miles pulled away slightly and tilted her face up with his hand.
"I swear to you that was it," he said reassuringly. His piercing green eyes bore deep into her soul. "Whatever else she told you, she's totally lying. That girl has an agenda, you know? She's been trying to sabotage my life ever since I turned her down. And honestly, I regretted ever hooking up with her in the first place. That's not who I am. I'm not the kind of guy who does stuff like that with random girls. I want something real too. With the right person. And I think I finally found her,"
"...What...?" Zoie's voice came out in a whisper.
"I probably should've said this sooner, but I didn't know how you'd react..." Miles paused for a beat and cleared his throat, looking somewhat nervous. "But well, Zoie, you're it for me. You're all that I want. All my life I've been looking for the missing piece and now I know it's you. I want you to be my girlfriend. I want you to be my everything. And I want you to know that you can trust me,"
"Miles..."
"I love you, Zoie,"
Zoie's heart was beating out of her chest. Her mind went blank. All she could see was Miles's gorgeous smile beaming down at her. And with every remaining sanity she had, she muttered, "...I love you too..."
With a big smile on his face, Miles leaned down and captured her lips with a kiss. Zoie closed her eyes and let his warmth overtake her skin. His hands wrapped around her waist and her arms linked around his neck. All the while, her heart was bursting with euphoric joy. All the doubt that once clouded her head was now gone. She felt nothing but happiness, excitement, and hope for what was to come.
Oh my God, this must be what love feels like! The L word! We said the L word!
Zoie never felt anything more exhilarating. She always wondered what love would feel like and now she knew.
After kissing each other for what felt like an eternity, the couple finally pulled away. Zoie was panting breathlessly and Miles's breath was labored too. They stared at each other with big smiles on their faces. Zoie couldn't drop that smile even if she wanted to.
"So... is that a yes?" he asked.
"Huh?"
Miles let out a chuckle.
"Does this mean you're my girlfriend now?"
Eek! He said the G word!
"Yes," Zoie nodded her head vigorously. "It's a yes,"
Zoie leaped again and crashed her lips onto his. She was giggling as she kissed him, feeling beyond happy. This was everything she ever wanted. Someone that she loves who loves her back. A real relationship. A true one. And it's finally here.
"Okay babe, but from now on, promise me something," Miles said as he pulled away.
"What is it?"
Miles put a finger on her little nose.
"Don't ever let anyone else tell you any more stupid things about me or about us. They don't know us, but you can trust me. Anything you wanna know, you can ask me directly. Okay?"
"Okay," Zoie replied.
Miles let out another smile. He pressed his forehead against hers and Zoie was now drowning in pure bliss.
Oh my God! I have a boyfriend now! Aaaah!
Zoie was still a giggling mess. And as if things couldn't get any better, Miles then said, "So, how about some breakfast?"
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It was totally unplanned, but Zoie ended up spending the rest of that day with Miles. Their first date as an official couple. If she knew that things were gonna go down this way, she'd have worn a prettier outfit and done her hair.
They started the day off with some pancakes at a local diner. Then they went and got ice cream and Zoie took selfies of the two of them. This was their first picture together as boyfriend and girlfriend. Zoie thought they looked really good together. So much so that she changed her lock screen with this new photo of them sharing an ice cream cone.
After some ice cream, they went and play bowling. At the bowling alley, they met some friends from Stanford and Miles proudly told everyone about them being official. Everyone congratulated them and said how they made such a cute couple. Zoie never liked being the center of attention, but this time around, it made her feel strong and confident. He really treated her like she was the only girl in the world, and that was such an empowering thing to feel.
Just ask Rihanna if you don't believe me.
For the entire day, Zoie never dropped her smile. Miles took her home and he even walked her to her door. Zoie would've invited him in, but Asher might be home and she didn't want to deal with that right now. So, she just kissed him good night and told him she'll see him tomorrow on campus. Miles agreed and he turned around, about to leave, but suddenly, he turned right back.
"Hey babe," he said.
"Hm?"
"I wanna celebrate us being together, so let's do something special next weekend,"
"Special? Like what?"
Miles thought for a moment before saying, "We can get out of town. My parent's cabin is available. We can go up to the mountain, do a hike, spend some time together, just the two of us,"
Just the two of us...!
"That sounds amazing," Zoie nodded her head.
"Great! We'll leave Saturday morning and come back Sunday afternoon," he beamed.
Oh. Our very first overnight trip...
Zoie swallowed hard. So many things ran through her mind at this moment. She suddenly felt nervous, but she smiled widely to hide it.
"See you then," Miles said with a wink, planting a quick kiss on her cheek before turning around again.
"See you..."
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~ Asher's POV ~
Asher paced back and forth with worry in the apartment. Zoie had been gone all day and she wasn't answering any of his calls. He knew that she left early this morning to see Miles at the baseball field. She took the car with her, telling Asher she wanted to go alone. Asher thought she'll probably only be gone for an hour or so. Breaking up with someone usually didn't take long, did it?
Whatever it is that they have to talk about, does it have to take the entire day?!
Asher was waiting all day and night. It was about 10 PM now, and as if on cue, suddenly the front door flew open. Zoie walked in nonchalantly, still wearing the hoodies and biker shorts she had on this morning.
"Oh, hey," she said when she acknowledged him.
"Hey," Asher replied. His voice was filled with relief, but his eyes were studying her from head to toe.
Why was she out all day? Was she with him this entire time?
"I left the car at the baseball field. I'll walk over there tomorrow morning and get it," Zoie said as she put the car key on the kitchen counter.
"Don't bother, I'll do it," Asher said simply.
Does this mean he drove her home?
Zoie walked lamely past Asher and headed to her room. Asher walked around her and stopped her tracks.
"So, did you talk to him?" he asked.
Asher was expecting some kind of reaction. He thought for sure, she would break things off with him or something. But Zoie's response wasn't what he expected. She only sighed and crossed her arms.
"Look, Ash, I appreciate you telling me about Miles and Karlie, but I don't think you need to do that anymore," she said, pausing for a beat before adding, "Miles told me everything. What Karlie said isn't a hundred percent true,"
"Oh yeah?" Asher scoffed in irritation. "Did you ask him about the Three Week Rule?"
"What even is that?" she shook her head.
"He does this thing where he only dates a girl for three weeks and he dumps them,"
This time, Zoie let out an irritated scoff.
"Well, that's a load of bullshit," she rolled her eyes.
"What did you ask him exactly?"
"I asked him about Karlie. He said they only hooked up once and it was a mistake. He was drunk. He didn't wanna take things further with her and she got mad, so she started spreading these stupid rumors around,"
"And you believe him?"
"And you believe Karlie?"
Asher and Zoie were locked in a staring contest. None of them were backing down. Asher didn't know who to believe but he really had a bad feeling about Miles. Something about him didn't feel right. But Zoie, on the other hand, was convinced that Karlie was the snake here. Nothing Asher say could change that.
"Zoie, I just---"
"Miles and I are officially dating now," Zoie cut him off sharply. "I'm serious about him and he's serious about me too, so I'd really appreciate it if you just butt out of my relationship,"
Relationship...?!
Asher's mouth fell open, but there were no words. He was floored. Totally didn't see this one coming.
"I know you're just trying to do your job, Ash, but you don't need to worry about me. Not about this at least. I trust Miles and I can take care of myself, alright, Mr. Bodyguard?"
Zoie gave him a half smile before walking past him again. This time, Asher didn't even move. He didn't know what to do or say.
"Oh, and I'm going on a trip with him next weekend," she said again, turning around quickly as she reached her door. "Just letting you know I'll be out Saturday to Sunday, so don't wait up,"
And with that, Zoie disappeared into her bedroom. Asher could only stand there like a statue. He was in complete shock and disbelief. And also, overwhelmed with sadness.
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- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -