Never Knew We Needed You

1

"Okay, do you have everything you need?"
"Mom, I'm packed, stop fussing!"
"I know, I know, it's just my baby girl is going to college!"
I roll my eyes and climb in my car. I roll down the window before starting the engine.
"I'll see you guys Saturday, okay?"
I start driving away, and my dad holds my weeping mother, both of them waving spastically. I turn the radio on, and sigh. I had a long drive from Northern California all the way to L.A., where I was going to college. It took me forever to get accepted, so I was starting late, I was already 21. I'm the youngest of eight kids, all boys except for me. You can see why my parents are having a hard time letting go of their little girl. I've always been that, expected to act like it. Straight A's throughout all of my schooling, never dated a boy, kept my innocence, never stepped out of line. The idea of living by myself without constant supervision was refreshing.

I got to my dorm and started unpacking everything. While my mother had underrated dorm life to try to convince me to live at home, it wasn't that special. Nice enough, just a tad bit nicer than the boarding school two of my brothers got to attend, due to the fact that they were aggravating geniuses. If I had been a brat, maybe I would've been sent there. But being spoiled had the opposite affect on me. I always felt so secure and loved, there was no need to rebel, not like one of my brothers. By the time I came along it was a lost interest. New babies were normal for my siblings.
Little do my parents know I have no plans to visit on weekends.

My first day of classes blows by pretty quickly. I was smart enough to sign up for later classes. I haven't decided on my major yet, I'm just getting all of my required classes out of the way. I'm thinking about maybe creative writing, or education. I spent most of the day studying, when someone shows up to tell me that I won't have a roommate. I decided to go out and walk through downtown L.A., maybe grab some dinner. I know the cafeteria food isn't going to be very appetizing.

"Thanks," I say, grabbing my coffee off the counter and walking back out to the streets. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, and still walking, I try to pull it out and answer it. Bad idea. I look up right before I crash into him, spilling my coffee everywhere.
"Oh my god...I am so..so..sorry.." I gasp, as he stares at his shirt in disbelief.
"I'm such an idiot, oh my god, I'm sorry.." I feel a panic attack start to come on. I clasp my hand over my mouth and nose to hide my hyperventilating. He starts to notice anyways, and sympathy floods his eyes.
"No no no, it's totally okay, accidents happen!" He says in a friendly tone. I try to calm down. He unbuttons the blue checkered shirt and pulls it off, leaving an only mildly damp black v neck.
"I'm sorry," is all I can say.
"No, relax, you're okay, seriously. I'm Mark, what's your name?"
My name, what is my name? I think for a bit, and my jaw drops open. He laughs, "Let's try that later, you okay?"
"Paige," I suddenly blurt out. He raises an eyebrow.
I blush and state at my feet.
"My name is Paige, this wasn't the best introduction, sorry."
He gives me a kind smile. He's pretty cute, chocolate brown eyes that sparkle, fluffy black hair dyed blue on top, and these adorable dorky half frame glasses.
"Well I suck at approaching girls, and given the fact that you're already here, would you like to walk with me?"
I bite my lip and continue to blush.
"S-sure," I stutter, and find myself walking down the sidewalk with Mark.
"So Paige, how long have you been in L.A.?"
"Well, I've lived in California my entire life, but I just came to L.A. yesterday."
"Cool, what brings you here?"
"College."
He sighs a bit. "Oh..um, I'm 26."
I laugh. "Oh no I'm not 18, I started late. I'm 21, don't worry."
A smile passes over his face.
"Well then I don't feel weird at all. What're you studying?"
I find myself blushing again. To be completely honest, this is the first guy I've ever kind of flirted with.
"I haven't decided on a major yet, just getting my core classes done. I'm assuming you're done with school. What do you do?"
Now he's the one blushing. Dear god.
"I never graduated. I left school, I uh, make YouTube videos."
I smile. "That sounds so cool. What's your channel called? I wouldn't be surprised if I recognize it."
"Markiplier. It's pretty cool, I have almost 11 million subscribers."
My eyes grow wide. That was pretty impressive.
"Markiplier, don't think I've ever watched it, but it sounds familiar."
We walk for a bit when I see how late it is. Okay, 8:45 in most normal 21-year-olds is not late at all. But my curfew was always nine when I was a teenager, and I feel odd staying out later than that. Plus, I have an early day, and I want to study a bit more.
"Mark, I should probably head back to campus."
He nods. "Of course. But, uh..." He trails off. I stand there, watching him fidget for a bit, when he looks me right in the eye.
"Paige, I think you're cute, really cute. You seem really nice and sweet, and..can I have your number?" He says shyly. I blush.
"I'm going to ruin this, but does that mean 'asking out'? I'm not used to the whole boyfriend thing." I wasn't about to point out the fact that I've never been in a relationship. He just laughs and takes my hand.
"I guess."
We exchange numbers and I get a cab. I wave through the window, and he waves back, those incredible eyes twinkling.