ars ea

an, I

KE

im? His height was also a plus. He was of lean build, considering he

Apparently he was of American descent as well. Actually I found everything about him rath

y happening around us. I reclined in the sofa with my legs crossed, watching him chitchatting with his

o him for some reason. Or it could be because we just did a freakin' blood pact

he thought. I stared at the antiseptic-laden bandages on t

ith me to avoid crossing paths with

aged it and should've just said no to the stupid dare. But they were all drunkenly and brazenly c

but he didn't flinch much when he tasted my blood. He must be that i

l didn't mention a lot about Miles' background, leaving much to my imagination. I supposed Miles di

d partying with his friends and some recreational activities-besides sm

parents had been warning me to stay away from ever since they transferred me out of the all-girls C

soothed my fairly inebriated senses, I shut my eyes and rested the back of my neck on the sofa's headrest. I co

cohol and I were never friends...mainly because

gers and doing nothing, but the past few days felt as if my brai

-up anxiety, and unable to keep up with adulthood's demands. But at least my mom wasn't

to death," someone mumbled t

minty, soap-smelling cologne. His joke sounded like he w

bottle. His breath was warm and reeked of alc

e staring into his attentive hazel ey

ngue and reclined next to me. He was chewing gum while his lazy gaze ro

d. Sleepy," I m

I kind of liked the feeling of being around strangers who knew nothing

he invited me to join the celebration. For letting me crash on his couch for about two weeks now

if amused by something that crossed his mind. "I'm clean. Far as I know. I mean

my surprised laugh as I watched him itch the band

aul's Swiss knife just for that stupid dare. And now he

some anti-depression meds, I should say. But I doubted he would find that a relaxing conversation segue, so I opted not to elaborate. I just wanted to reassure h

mumbled with a slanted grin that partly showed his nic

one he'd been hiding from all night? He didn't say much when I as

if he sleeps around," Miles said with

ticed that the other guests had

d y

s and realized he had b

ting so

N

" he aske

don't date," I admitted, faintly

. Are you.

siastically. It somewhat surprise

away from my face before he stared at the pitc

. Y

tail. "I like your hair." He scooped a chunk of my long hair and li

y I was crushing on his long and wavy hair that almost looked bla

y. He reclined again and put his arms on the headrest. "

ulse. I've always wa

u're looking for

to myself, knowing the transition wasn't going to

nced at me and f

o help pay for my tuition a

New

out. So now, I'm trying

Miles furrowed

d, not bothering to elaborate. He didn't need to know I was

't speak the language at all. I'd been crashing at Paul and India's apart

n' for a place to stay?"

e out once I get enough cash. I'm

mine. But it's alm

being serious? "Where

esc

I nodded

nd gave me a lopsided smile. "I nee

orry.

. Gonna sell the pieces next year.

.pose for your painti

g." Miles snickered. "No full-on nudit

anything else to say. So he thoug

w. I got two spare rooms in my hous

ady owned a house? At 2

nd g

ed at his steady gaz

joking at all. "You'll be my temp muse, so you won't have to worry about rent. Then you ca

t hold back a smile while he sta

doubtful look. He was also frowning a

egard me with his watchful long-lashed eye

ting that Ru

hat surprised that he knew who Drew was. "Not reall

of you and the guy onl

g." I pulled a face. "It

me a half-grin before he took out a

ust so

cigarette and took a long drag whil

f contradictions, but I was st

otely interesting to talk to, or he just thought I

ut his cigarette with his leather boots. "

r staring at me with slightly crease

d'you

-A bullshitter

iles snickered a

at me. "Some photographers, styli

are," I muttered. "Ju

judgmen

s for hearting my

ing you online or anything," he mumbled with a throaty

modeling 'cause I just felt like I needed a break, y'know? From med school, the pre

s he doin'

Jim, my heart still ached. For him and Mom. When the stress and anxiety reached the peak

your dad."

whelming, and, I just decided I gotta l

try working here to save up

y." I c

you're here in Mi

y. Mom's a worri

ss sky again. "Wanna try living in the countryside?

our p

ly after glancing at my f

seriousness. I knew he was rather inebriated, but the certainty in his tone told

told you I need a muse." He stare