Chasing Mia SAMPLE

Chapter Five- The Feeling is Not Mutual

Four days into college and I'm already beat. I've just finished my last class and I'm headed back to my apartment to indulge in a nice bowl of strawberry ice cream. I've been looking forward to it all day.

When I open the door, I'm surprised to see Jake on the sofa with his face attached to some strange girl.

"Who is she?" The girl gasps, pushing Jake away.

"She's nobody," he responds before reconnecting their lips.

I scoff, but I don't say anything. I walk into the kitchen and open the freezer, eager for my frozen, sugary goodness. I pull out the box and open the lid only to find it completely empty. I curse under my breath and squeeze my eyes shut, feeling an old fashioned temper tantrum coming on.

"Jake!" He pulls himself away from his troll  and looks up at me in annoyance. "Did you eat my ice cream?!" I ask.

He rolls his eyes. "No. I'm sure it was Russ." Without another word, he turns his attention back to his plain Jane fling of the moment.

I toss the empty box into the garbage and decide to change into my running gear. It's been a rough week and I need to blow off some steam. I put in my ear buds and start towards campus. I don't know why, but seeing Jake with someone else kind of bothers me. It shouldn't since I don't want him to have feelings for me. I should want him to find someone else. I'm going on a date with my longtime crush tomorrow, I shouldn't care about what Jake's doing. I just feel like he's intentionally trying to piss me off. And if that's the case, he's messing with the wrong girl.

I get into a grove and pretty soon, I start to feel sweat dripping down my face. I haven't ran this hard in ages. I focus on my breathing, allowing all other thoughts to be pushed aside. At least for now.

"You're in the zone."

I snap my head to the right and scowl. "You..."

"Don't act so happy to see me. I may get a big head," the asshole says.

I roll my eyes and pick up the pace. Unfortunately, so does he.

"I've been looking for you. I need a favor." When I don't acknowledge him, he continues. "There's a girl that won't leave me alone. I've done everything to let her know I'm not interested, but she won't give."

I look at him and laugh sarcastically. "Wow. That sounds awful familiar."

He chuckles. "Oh come on, sweetheart. I'm not that bad. Besides, it's not like I'm throwing myself at you."

I shrug. "Okay, so? What do you want?"

"Go on a date with me."

I come to a screeching halt. "What? No-"

"Not a real date. It doesn't have to mean anything. She works at this Italian restaurant in town and I figured if I take my girlfriend there, she'll back off, right?"

"Can't you find someone else? Someone that actually likes you?" I ask.

"I have to make this believable and I haven't seen many girls around that...you know, could be worthy of all this," he says, gesturing to himself.

His arrogance is so annoying. The more I talk to him, the less attractive he becomes. "You're a real piece of work, you know that?"

"Come on, Mia. Please? I'll do anything. Plus, I'll pay, so free food."

"You'll do anything, huh?"

"Anything."

"If I do this for you, you never speak to me again."