It's been a Year

Dylana IIII

I'm pickering around in my lunch and feel Milo's eyes spying me. Helia and Phil, Milo's little brother, are talking about the Harry Potter books feverishly, while Milo and I were more silent, but I want to change that. Since I only know that he comes from Brighton, is 18 years old and plays Tennis, I decide to ask about something that everyone has an answer to. "So, in which grade are you, and what are you planning on studying?" He just frowns at me. "Dylana –", he replies with a smirk on his face, "-do you really want to do this? School talk?" Milo doesn't look annoyed, if something, amused. He takes a bite from the delicious 'forest salad', as Pedro calls it. I do the same and think of an answer. I didn't really want to talk about school, but I didn't know what else was possible. With a hint of mockery in my voice I reply: "Well Milo, if you have another idea, why don't you break the silence?" Surprised about my sarcastic tone, he raises his eyebrows. Before answering, he shakes his head to get the hair hanging in his face, out of his face. "Sure. Have you had a boyfriend before?" This time it's my turn to be surprised. Our 'what's-your-hobby-talk' didn't last long. "Yes. Two actually. You?" I lean forward a bit. Actually, I'm very curious about his answer. "Yep, two as well." His eyes are holding my gaze and I know, no one was going to break it. Colson and I 'eye-flirted' like that too, before we started dating. And know I'm doing the same with an absolute stranger. What's gotten into me? Frustration about not knowing if Colson's with another girl? Sadness, because I missed Colson? Bad conscience, because I let Kai go without a good explanation? Well the explanation is so simple, I can summarize it in one sentence. Kai was weird and crazy, which I found attractive in the beginning, but it became annoying in the end, just as much as my longing for Colson grew but I couldn't admit it to myself. But I just did. "Should we go for a walk?" Milo brings me back into reality. I nod and we head off. I tell Helia we're looking at the museum, because I know she won't be interested in it. On the contrary Phil: "Call me if there is an exhibition on baboons, please!" I roll my eyes and nod. He's probably just as obsessed with baboons as I am with Colson.

"You know, I'm not so into flings. Why kiss someone without liking them? And then, when you meet somebody you really like, how do they know you're serious?" It seems, that Milo is a very nice guy. Not sweet, more smart-sexy in a way, a bit like Colson is. Or was, at least. "My ex-girlfriend was like that. She flinged with a bunch of guys at parties and so. Even while we were dating. That's why I broke up with her, because she betrayed me." Oh my gosh, how could a girl treat him like that? I know, I don't know him, but our walk has lasted for more than an hour and I feel as if I had known him for longer. I don't know specifics, but I do know the basics. He loves working out (which one can see), but he hates running. He loves travelling, but he hates being with his family, because they're apparently more into business than into him. Apparently his parents own a big company and work a lot. Him and Phil are cared for by a nanny. Once a year they go on a family vacation, where their parents try to make up for the time that they're never home, but Milo figured out what they're doing. Also with many and expensive gifts they get for any occasion, his parents just want to buy him back. He's even staying in his own bedroom suite in the hotel, because he just gets everything he wants. Also I told him a lot about myself. More than I'd usually tell someone that I knew for about two hours.

I still don't know what to say to him about his betraying ex, so I just answer: "That's not nice." Milo laughs and claps. "Yeah, that's a kind way to say it." Like that we talk for another while until I hear my cellphone ringing. It's my mom. "Honey, where are you? Pedro wants to continue." I point to the lunch spot and Milo just gets it. Like my lame jokes. He just gets me. "Yeah, I'll be right there."

Back in the car, Milo and I act as if we don't know each other, exactly the same as when we were driving this morning. But now I do know him, and I sometimes spot him looking back to me and smiling, when he sees that I'm staring at him too. I check my phone and see a text from Colson. When he texted me the previous time I was surprised, but also delighted in a way. I know I shouldn't be. But I just can't help it. He asked, how I am feeling now. Well, how do I feel now? I could tell him how I really feel, but I don't. Instead, answer:

'Fine, and you?'