MIA

The universe hated me.

Or at least, that’s what I had convinced myself for so long. The timing of everything in my life always seemed off, as if I was destined to be a half-beat behind everyone else.

But now, standing here under the soft patter of rain with Jackson just inches away, I wondered if maybe, just maybe the universe wasn’t so cruel after all. Maybe it had been working its magic all along to create this—right here, right now.

The rain didn’t come down heavy, just slow drops falling on our skin, gentle like everything around us had slowed to allow this moment to play out.

The raindrops fell softly, the wind brushing against my skin. It was cold, but somehow, standing with him so close, I felt warm.

This was perfect. More than perfect.

Jackson was still mute. His eyes flicking between mine, like he was trying to process what I'd just said. Like he couldn't quite believe it.

“It's true.” I press on, wanting him to see that I'm serious about this. About him. “I mean, it's hard not to love you. You're the most lovable guy I have ever seen and I'm sorry for not saying this sooner so I'll keep saying it until you believe…”

I start to crack, my fear of being regretted building up ”or...maybe till you think that I have falling stupidly in love with because it's the true and if it's too weird for you hearing me confessing my feelings, we can still be frien—”

Fingers curled up the side of my face, shutting down all words I was prepared to say. His thumb brushing against my cheek and I felt hot. Burning hot, Larva hot, whatever kind of hot I was feeling, I didn't care all I knew was that I might explode from that hotness right now and here.

His touch was so gentle, yet so sure, and I leaned into it, closing my eyes for just a moment, savoring the warmth of him against the cool rain. His hand unknownly sends makes my heart still and when I opened them again, he was looking at me with a tenderness I hadn’t seen before, something deeper, something that made my heart feel like it was going to burst.

He was so close now, his lips inches from mine. I could see the rain dripping from his hair, the way his lips parted slightly as he looked at me. His eyes held a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite decipher—relief, longing, fear? Maybe all of them at once.

“Mia.”

I gulp.”Yeah.”

“Shut up and let me kiss you.”

Before I could even process his words, his lips were on mine. Soft. Warm. Everything I hadn’t realized I’d been missing for so long.

Even though it wasn’t like the movies—there was no dramatic music, no perfectly timed thunderclap—but it was everything I needed. Under the rain with the love of my life was exactly what I would read in one of my romance novels but right now it's happening to me.

I'm the main character. Me.

His lips were soft against mine, warm and familiar, and as he kissed me, I felt everything—the years of friendship, the missed chances, the silent longing—pour into that one moment.

I melted into him, my hands instinctively reaching up, wrapping around his neck as I leaned in closer. The kiss grew stronger, deeper. I felt my pulse quicken, my mind swirling with so many emotions I couldn’t even begin to name. My fingers tangled in his damp hair as he pulled me tighter, his warmth and scent enveloping me, making me forget the rain, the cold, everything except him.

But as I pressed up against him, stretching to meet his lips, the reality of being on my tiptoes hit me. My calves started to burn, a dull ache reminding me that I couldn’t keep this position much longer. I was too lost in the moment to stop, though, too lost in the way he was kissing me—stronger now, more intense, like he didn’t want to let go.

Then, all at once, I felt the ground disappear from beneath me.

“Jackson...” I gasped, legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he lifted me into the air like I weighed nothing. His hands settled firmly on my butt, holding me up effortlessly, and I clung to him even tighter, afraid I might fall. Not that he’d let me. He had me—completely.

He chuckled, his voice warm against my cheek. “What? You looked like you weren’t comfortable.”

I rolled my eyes, though a smile tugged at my lips. “Well, maybe next time, don’t be so tall.”

“Yeah, maybe,” he whispered against my lips, kissing me again, this time short, teasing kisses that made my heart race all over again.

His lips hovered just above mine, his breath warm against my skin. “Mia.”

“Yeah?” I whispered, barely able to breathe as I stared into his eyes. Those beautiful eyes that has become my favorite sight since forever.

“I love you,” he says and my breathing completely siezes. A force thud keeps hitting my heart hard as I stare at him, lost in everything except him.

“I love you so much that it's been driving me crazy for the longest time so if falling in love is making you stupid then let's be stupid together,okay?"

Tears were on the verge of falling but I dare not try. I can't spoil this mood so instead I nod and say,"Okay."

He gives me the most gorgeous smile and I know I'm  forever a goner.

"Good." He whispers, his eyes flicking to my lips then back to my eyes."So kiss me before the night ends, Mia and let's keep being stupid until the rain stops."

“B-But Miles…” I start, remembering that Miles was still around here.”Miles is on the other side of the street."

"Hmm."

"What?" I ask.

"That's makes it easy then,"

"Easy for what?"

“Easy for us to kiss faster than before.”

“Jackson!”

He shrugs, laughing as drops of rain paint his skin.”What?” He leans forward and I swallow hard.”Time is running out, Mia. Come on.”

“What?” I whispered as our noses touched and the fireworks in my belly sparked even more.

“Kiss me like you love me, Mia.”

That was easy.

I didn’t even hesitate. I leaned in, pressing my lips to his once more, this time with everything I had. The kiss was intense, but not rushed. It was full of everything I had wanted to say, everything I had felt for so long but had been too afraid to admit. His lips moved against mine with a fierce tenderness, gentle but consuming all at once, like he was pulling every bit of love and emotion from me with each movement.

His grip on me tightened as he deepened the kiss, and I could feel the heat between us, the way our bodies fit together as though this was exactly how it was meant to be. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears, making everything else fade away—the rain, the cold, the world.

It was just him and me.

I ran my fingers through his hair, holding him close as our lips danced together, the kiss growing more urgent, more passionate. But it wasn’t just the intensity that made my heart race—it was the tenderness, the way he kissed me like he was trying to memorize the shape of my lips, the way we fit together.

When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless, our foreheads resting against each other. His hands still held me firmly, and I kept my arms around his neck, not wanting to let go. His smile was soft, eyes filled with so much warmth that I thought I might melt right there in his arms.

"Is this better than the books you read?" He place his forehead on mine as he ask the question. My eyes were closed but I could feel a huge smile placed on his face.

"More than you know."

•••

“Jackson, I’m fine, really. I’m not even that cold.” I tried to tell him, but he wouldn’t listen. Instead, he draped his jacket over my shoulders with a look that left no room for argument.

I could’ve told him that wearing his jacket might actually make me colder, but I didn’t. The truth was, I liked how protective he was.

We were standing under the small roof of a nearby house, sheltering from the rain. It had started coming down so hard that Jackson freaked out, worried I might catch a cold. Before I knew it, he had scooped me up and carried me to this spot. It wasn’t exactly a grand gesture, but it was so him.

I had already called Miles a few seconds ago and told him where we were. He asked if he should come to pick us up, but I told him no. I wasn’t in any hurry to leave.

“Maybe you should text your mom and tell her you’ll be a little late,” I suggested, breaking the silence.

“Oh, yeah.” Jackson quickly pulled out his phone, dialing her number. “I kinda left home without telling her where I was going… she’s probably worried.”

“She was,” I said, giving him a small smile. “She actually told me where you were.”

His eyes widened. “Wait, how?”

I shrugged. “You left your location on.”

“Oh…”

“Yep.” I stretched out the "p" a little longer than necessary, trying to act calm. But it wasn’t working. Inside, I was a mess of nerves and butterflies, and Jackson was only making it worse.

Maybe I should just call Miles back and tell him to come get us. I didn’t want to waste Jackson’s time, he needs more time to pack. But then again, why was I always thinking of the worst-case scenario?

I shook off the thought and focused on Jackson as he finished talking to his mom.

“Okay, Mom. Yeah, I know.” He sighed heavily, slipping his phone back into his pocket. When he looked at me, there was a sadness in his eyes. “She wants me home.”

“Oh,” I tried to hide my disappointment with a smile. I pulled his jacket off and handed it back to him. “Well, I guess I’ll call Miles now so we can head bac—”

Before I could move, Jackson wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him. “Wait,” he said softly, his breath warm against my ear. “You don’t want me around anymore? I thought you said you love me.”

“I do!” I protested, laughing as I tried to pull back to look at him, but he held me tighter. “Jackson, come on.”

“What?” He smirked.

“Let’s go home.” I giggled, trying to free myself, but he wasn’t letting go.

He shook his head, resting his chin on top of mine. “Nuh-uh, I kinda like it here.”

“Stop acting like a baby.”

He chuckled, his voice low and teasing. “I’m not. I’m just acting like your baby.”

My cheeks flushed instantly. I was so happy I could burst. It felt like I was in a dream—one of those dreams you never want to wake up from. I wanted to pinch myself, but I didn’t dare. Let me stay in this moment just a little longer.

“You wish,” I teased, trying to sound nonchalant, but my voice betrayed me with a soft laugh.

Jackson didn’t say anything at first, and for a second, I worried that I might’ve said something wrong. But then, he pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes.

“W-What?” I stammered, suddenly nervous under his intense gaze.

“Go out with me,” he said, his voice steady and sure.

I blinked. “Huh?”

“Tomorrow, after school,” he continued, smiling. “Let’s go on a real date. Just the two of us. What do you think?”

A smile spread across my face before I could stop it. “I’d love that, Jackson.”

His face lit up, and for the first time, I noticed the rain had stopped. I turned my head, looking at the sky, now clear with only puddles left behind.

“Oh,” I said, pulling away slightly. “The rain’s stopped.”

Jackson glanced up at the sky too and then back at me, grinning. “I guess it has.”

I bite my lip, staring at his for a moment, feeling my body craving for it, but then I blink away, giving a fake cough as I shift from him.

Oh gosh, haven’t I had enough kissing for one day?

"Umm, let me call Miles,” I mumble, reaching for my dress pocket. “It’s getting late.”

Jackson didn’t say anything as I pulled out my phone. I could feel his eyes on me, and I prayed my cheeks weren’t as red as they felt.

“Mia, you ready now?” Miles’ voice came through the phone, teasing as always. I could practically hear his smirk.

“Yeah, we’re ready,” I replied, glancing at Jackson, who was still watching me with that same soft smile. “Could you come get us?”

Miles chuckled. “Alright, but it’s gonna take at least two minutes. The car’s not exactly a speedboat in all this water.”

I frowned. “No worries, take your time.”

“See you soon,” he said before hanging up.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and turned to Jackson, who was now leaning against the wall, his clothes mostly dry thanks to the cool breeze.

“Is he on his way?” Jackson asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah," I tuck my phone back into my dress pocket and look up at Jackson. “He said two minutes.”

Jackson’s eyes twinkle mischievously. “Perfect.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Perfect for what?”

He leaned in close, his breath tickling my skin. “For you to kiss me for two more minutes.”

My mouth opened to protest, but before I could say anything, Jackson was already too close. I forgot what I was going to say and melted into the kiss, my hands wrapping around his neck as his hands settled on my waist.

One thing I had learned over these past kisses: Jackson was an excellent kisser. And his hands? Well, they knew exactly how to drive me wild.

I didn’t know how long we kissed, but it must’ve been longer than two minutes because the next thing I heard was a car horn. I quickly pulled away, and we both looked over to see Miles in the car, pretending to gag.

“Do you think Miles saw us?” Jackson asked, his hands still resting on my waist.

Before I could answer, Miles rolled down the window. “Alright, lovebirds, you’ve had enough kisses for one day. Give my eyes a break and get in the car. Mia, you’re sitting in the back. And Jackson?” He paused, glaring. “We’re having a talk.”

I burst out laughing as Jackson gulped nervously. He knew exactly what that talk meant.

“Come on, baby,” I tease, nudging him. “Time to talk to Miles.”

●●●●