MIA

Only the heavens know what's going on in Jackson’s mind. I just hope he wasn’t taking this dare seriously because, let’s be real, I’d lose. The moment I agreed, my mind started imagining five different ways he could kiss me before we even got to the date. Each one started in the car, and despite our shared stubbornness, I’m here, practically scheming up ways to tempt him.

This whole experience with Jackson feels different, like I’m seeing a new side of him. He’s never been this daring or cunning—or maybe he has, and he just never bothered to show me before.

I steal another glance at him, though I’ve been practically staring since he tried to kiss me earlier. I was so close to just leaning in and letting it happen, losing myself in his kiss. But then, my stubborn tongue had to go and say no.

Lost in thought, I barely notice I’m still staring until he turns his head, raising an eyebrow. His curiosity is almost palpable.

“W-Where are we going?” I blurt out, adjusting my seat and feeling suddenly self-conscious under his gaze.

“Hmm…” He presses his lips together, tilting his head thoughtfully. “There are so many places I’d love to go with you. It’s hard to decide.”

“Just say the first thing that comes to mind,” I urge, hoping to end the suspense.

His eyes light up, like he’s had an epiphany. “Have you decided?” I press.

“Yep.” He grins, pressing the gas, making the car speed up just a little.

“Are you going to tell me?” My patience is quickly running out, and when he just shakes his head, I practically feel it snapping. “Why not?”

He shrugs, a hint of a smile twitching on his lips, though he manages to keep a straight face. “I don’t want to.”

“Why?” I ask, exasperated.

“You being impatient is just too adorable,” he says, clearly enjoying himself.

I groan. “You’re becoming unbearable. Do you know that?”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “If you think I’m unbearable now, how would you manage if I actually stayed?”

The smile slips from my face, his words hitting hard. The thought of him leaving leaves me at a loss, so I just stay quiet. He seems to pick up on my change in mood and glances over, regret softening his face.

“Mia…” he starts, his voice tinged with a sadness that twists at something inside me.

“Don’t worry about it, Jackson,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “I like all your sides, and could you just… not bring up you leaving? I just…”

Before I can finish, he pulls over, quickly unbuckling his seatbelt. I barely have time to react before he leans over, one hand on my seat, the other resting gently on my neck. And then, he kisses me.

This kiss feels different—softer, with a bittersweet longing that makes my chest ache. It’s as if he’s trying to pour everything we won’t say into this one moment, and it’s enough to bring a sting of tears to my eyes. I wish I could stop time, keep him here just a little longer. But time doesn’t stop, and all we can do is make the most of it.

"I'm sorry." He says in-between our kiss. "I won't bring it up."  I couldn’t bring myself to answer so I allow him to kiss me more as my reply.

When he finally pulls back, I’m breathless, my head spinning. “You… you lost,” I manage to say, smiling as he looks momentarily confused. Then, he smirks.

“I didn’t exactly say when it starts,” he says, leaning in to steal a quick peck before settling back into his seat.

“So… when does it start?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“Now, I guess.” He nods, his grin widening. “And we’re here.” He hops out of the car, then comes around to open my door, offering his hand. “You hungry?”

He slides his hand into mine, gently pulling me out of the car. I glance around, finally seeing where we are.

“Do you like it?” he sounds nervous and I wonder why he was.

It’s a quaint breakfast café, Creams and Fats. I’ve heard people at school talk about this place—it’s popular among students who want something better than the cafeteria’s food. I silently hope we won’t run into anyone from school. Not because I’m embarrassed, but because I’d rather avoid any drama.

“It looks amazing,” I say, inhaling the aroma wafting through the open door. The café is cozy, with warm lights and a charming decor that makes it feel fancy without trying too hard. I can’t help but wonder how he even found out about this place.

“I overheard some students saying they have the best pancakes,” he says, shrugging like it’s no big deal. “Figured it’d be perfect for today.”

“You’re amazing, you know that?” I say, smiling at him. It’s true, and he needs to hear it.

A faint blush colors his cheeks, and it takes everything in me not to pull him close and kiss him again. He’s turning me into a complete kiss monster.

“Thanks, Mia,” he whispers, his voice soft. “Why don’t you grab a seat, and I’ll get us a menu?”

I’m about to nod but then change my mind. “Actually, just order for us.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure? What do you want?”

“Surprise me,” I say with a smirk, shrugging my shoulders. “You know me better than I know myself, so I trust you.”

He opens his mouth to reply, but I turn away, stifling a laugh as I start searching for the perfect spot for us to sit.

I find a cozy corner table and settle in, pulling out my phone while he heads to the counter.

I was scrolling through social media when a thought struck, and I found myself on Jackson’s profile.

10k followers. It seems he’d built quite a name for himself. I couldn’t help but wonder why at first—most of his posts were about gaming or swimming—but the moment I linger over a few photos, the answer becomes glaringly obvious. Picture after picture shows Jackson’s toned physique, and the comments beneath were filled with girls openly fawning over him, each one more enthusiastic than the last.

My curiosity pushs me further, and I find myself snooping through a few of these girls’ profiles. They were stunning, each with an effortless glow. Damn korean skin. I felt a pang of comparison, a quiet little voice whispering that I was just… me.

Snap out of it. I shook my head, forcing those thoughts out. Jackson was here with me, right now, and he’d made it clear that he wants me. Besides, most of his photos were old, taken months ago back when he was in Korea. He hadn’t posted anything since coming here. I wonder why for a second but brush it off, deciding to just enjoy the moment.

Looking up, I spot him across the café, standing in line. His eyes wanders around the place, as if he was just as enchanted by the cozy setting as I was, and it somehow made him look even cuter. Then he catches me watching, and our eyes locked. His face softens into a smile, and with a subtle tilt of his head, he silently ask if I was okay.

“I’m fine,” I mouth, returning his smile. He nods, but we stay like that, grinning at each other like we were the only two people in the room—two lovestruck teens caught in a shared moment.

After a few seconds, it was his turn to order, and a sudden thought jolts me. I don’t have a picture of Jackson. Aside from that one photo Maddy insisted we take together, I don’t have a single picture of just him.

Determined, I’m grabbing my phone, opening the camera, and angling it to capture him as he’s turning back toward me. The second he realizes what I’m doing, he’s shooting me a bright smile, his eyes glinting with mischief. I snap the picture just as he’s coming over, setting down a tray and sliding into the booth beside me. Our knees are brushing under the table as he leans close.

“How does it look?” he ask, catching a glimpse of the photo over my shoulder.

“Cute,” I say, grinning as I hold the phone up for him to see. “I think you look really cute.”

He looks at the picture and frowns in mock disapproval, though his eyes sparkled. “May I?” He gestures at my phone, and I hand it to him, watching as he switches to the front camera. “Let’s be cute together,” he said, pulling me closer with an arm wrap around my shoulders.

I laugh. “Was that supposed to be flirty?”

“Maybe,” he grins, and his voice deepens a little. “Just a bit.” His hand rests around my shoulder, pulling me so close I could feel his warmth.

My gaze drifts, and I couldn’t help but notice the veins in his forearm—just beneath his skin, almost inviting to the touch. I itch to reach out but hold back, acutely aware that people were already glancing his way.

I wrap my arms around his shoulders and adjust to sit closer. He shakes slightly beneath my touch, a reaction that sent a thrill through me. Smirking, I lean in even more. “Okay, take the pic,” I whisper, letting my cheek rest lightly against his.

“Mia,” he murmurs, his voice dropping to a low tone that made my skin tingle. The way he says my name holds an intensity that sent shivers through me, and his gaze was fixed on my lips.

“Yes?” I draw out the word playfully, pretending his touch wasn’t unraveling me inside.

“What are you doing, love?”

Love? Thats new. I love it.

“I thought we were playing a game,” I tease, somehow managing to keep my tone casual. “You said the challenge starts now.”

A wicked grin crosses his face, surprising me with how daring he looks in that moment. “I did say that, didn’t I?” His hand shifts, brushing up my arm until his fingers lightly traces my jaw.

His eyes locks on mine, his gaze dropping once again to my lips as he leans in, and I swear my heart stays on my throat, hanging there. “I just didn’t think you’d go this far.”

I roll my eyes, playing off the tension I felt. “Don’t flatter yourself. I just want to win.”

But even as I said it, we both knew it was a lie.

He leans in just a fraction closer, his thumb grazing my cheek, and I held my breath, sure he was going to kiss me. His eyes lingers on my mouth, and I felt my pulse race. Just when I thought he was about to close the distance, he grins, pulling back ever so slightly to brush his finger against my lip, only to turn his head and snap the picture.

I blink in surprise, barely registering the flash as I gape at him. He looks down at the screen, smirking at my expression. “You’re such a liar, love,” he murmurs, that wicked gleam still dancing in his eyes.

I push him away, and he laughs loudly, drawing a few curious glances our way—which, of course, makes my cheeks burn.

“That was mean,” I say, unsure of how else to respond but letting the words slip out anyway.

“Mean?” He arches a brow, and I nod, holding his gaze. “And what you were doing was just... holy, right?”

I huff, crossing my arms. “At least it was fair.”

“Fair?” He laughs softly, shaking his head. “Mia, that wasn’t even close to fair.”

I shrug, biting my lip as I try to stifle a smile. His eyes flick down, catching the movement, but he quickly clears his throat and shifts an inch away, as if putting a safe distance between us.

He’s definitely losing this game.

“Let’s just eat,” he says, focusing intently on the food in front of him. “I’m starving.”

The mischief inside me is practically begging to come out now. I lean in close to his ear, gently curling a lock of his hair behind it as I whisper, “Are you sure it’s only food you’re starving for, or...?”

“Mia!” He jerks back, startled like a cat caught off guard, and I burst out laughing so hard I nearly fall out of my seat, clutching my stomach as I try to catch my breath.

Teasing him is way too much fun.

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