"Please, I will do anything you want,just give me a chance". The voice ceased then continued. "I'm sorry, I know I was expecting too much but I will not get in your way." I couldn't stop myself from looking through the tiny opening at the door. I saw Mira, the most popular and beautiful Senior in Crestwood university. She was on her knees, begging a guy. I was at the party organized by the hockey players for their freshman juniors. My roommate Rosie, her boyfriend, Luke is a hockey player. He invited her to the party and I was practically dragged here. I desperately needed to use the restroom, I didn't know where it was, so I was going from door to door looking for one. That's when i heard Mira's voice. I know I should have continued on my way, without eavesdropping on their conversation but what I heard then kept me standing there. "The rule was pretty simple, you're not supposed to fall in love with me, not less expect me to do same". The guy who has Mira on her knees spoke up. Is that what this was about? "I didn't mean to..". She started. "You know I don't do second chances. I'm done,". I didn't know people broke up because their partner was in love with them. Isn't supposed to be?. I wondered who he was to make Mira beg for his love. I was determined to see his face, so I decided to quietly open the door a bit more but that didn't happen as quietly as I had expected. "Who's there" he asked as I heard his footsteps approaching. I ran out. All thoughts of going to the bathroom long forgotten. I ran and successfully made my way outside after shoving through a bunch of drunk students and all. I stopped a bit to catch my breath when I heard him speak up. "I think it's rude to eavesdrop on someone's conversation, what do you think?". I turned around to look at him. Noticing how tall he was now that I was standing close to him. He was asking me to judge my action myself, funny. "I wouldn't call that eavesdropping" I said and he raised an eyebrow at me. I continued anyways. "I was just passing and you guys were pretty loud anyone could have heard". "There's something called, walking away when it's none of your business". I looked everywhere but at him. Now I didn't have any answer to that. "Okay, I admit I eavesdropped. I'm sorry. Let's drop the topic I want to make a deal with you". He laughed mockingly. I ignored him and continued. "I want to be your next girlfriend". "Are you drunk" I wasn't surprised he was asking me that because I didn't know where my confidence was coming from. It felt nice though. "I heard everything, a girl can be your girlfriend as long as she doesn't fall in love with you especially if she doesn't expect you to love her. Once she does, you break up with her. I know and I want to be your next girlfriend". He looked at me from head to her toes. I suddenly felt like their were ants crawling at each part his eyes fell on. His eyes met mine and held them for awhile. Then he spoke up. "You're not my type" with that he started walking back to the frats house. I looked down at the clothes I wore, there was nothing attractive about it and I liked it that way. It has kept guys away for the past nineteen years. I never dated anyone in highschool because no one found me attractive enough to approach me. I started dressing like this after my mom passed away from a chronic genetic disease. I was tested and it was found out that I also had the disease. After mom passed away,Dad was so devastated and broken. It has taken so many years for him to heal. Still he hasn't completely gotten over mom. Some days I still see him crying while holding her picture or a picture of them together. I had always wanted to know what it felt like to be in love with someone. To love someone but I couldn't let anyone go through such trauma as my dad did. Which is why I'm happy to have overheard this conversation tonight. A guy who doesn't want to love anyone will be perfect. I can get to experience what it feels like to love someone and he wouldn't get hurt if I don't make it in the end. I just have to get him to accept me as his next girlfriend. I also walked back to the house to pick up Rosie. I was the designated driver tonight. So I wasn't surprised when I saw her dead drunk. We were leaving with Rosie staggering, she stumbled and nearly brought me down with her when a hand reached out and steadied us. I looked up to see the guy from earlier. He took Rosie from me without a word. Then motioned for me to lead the way. We, more like he successfully tucked Rosie at the back seat. He was about to walk away when i said. "Thank you for your help". I hesitated before asking "May I know your name?". He looked at me. "You didn't know my name, yet you want to be my girlfriend" "Well, I was guessing to figure it out eventually". "How?" he asked "I could ask around" I honestly didn't know how I was still standing there and where all these words were coming from but I wasn't going to back out now. "I don't know what all these is about, you look like a good, innocent girl and I don't do innocent girls". My face fell immediately but I quickly smiled so he wouldn't notice. "I'm Esmeralda, you can call me Esme, and I'm not innocent". I brought forth my hands for a handshake but he ignored it. "I've been with a lot of girls, I know innocent ones when I see them. Even if they put forth a front of bravery, it's easy to tell". "You wouldn't know until you give me a chance" "Don't look for me and don't approach me if you see me". He turned and started walking back to the house, this time he didn't look back.

"Hey, Rose, do you know who that guy is" I said pointing at the guy from the party. He was standing with a few other with a bunch of other hockey players, under a shield, away from the sun. Rosie and l were on our way to class. Though she is a sophomore we have the same major. Who?". "The tall one with the golden brown hair that has number 6 written on his jersey". "Him?, that's Logan Grant. The defenseman. He's one of the best players in college". "Logan?" I meant to repeat but it came out more as a question. "why do you want to know his name?" "I met him at the hockey freshman party we went to two weeks ago". "What, did anything happen between you two" "No-no, nothing, infact he helped me take you into the car while you were drunk" Rosie's face turned crimson while I laughed at her. Then she pulled me close and whispered. "Have you heard, he breaks up with his girlfriend as soon as she falls in love with him. You can't fall in love with him or expect him to love you back. If he finds out. That's the end". "I heard that from someone at the party". I lied, I wasn't going to tell her everything. Not now at least. "Not only that, he pays his girlfriends every month". "Wow, why?" "Simply for being his girlfriend" "Interesting" I said nodding my head. "Should we go over to say hi?" "No, I rather not". He had told me not to approach him and I was going to listen to him. We were about to keep going when Rosie's boyfriend Luke, saw us and waved that we should come. We walked over to them. While Rose spoke with Luke. I stood at a corner trying not to look at Logan. "Did I not tell you not to approach me?" "I'm not here for you". "What are you doing here then," "I'm waiting for my roommate" I pointed at where Rosie was with Luke being all lovey dovey. "The drunk girl?" "Yeah," I chuckled a bit."That's her boyfriend". He nodded as of it all makes sense now, why I was doing at the party. I decided to push my luck again. "So...., have you changed your mind". "What do you gain from this, that you are so desperate to be my girlfriend" "I'm not desperate, just trying my luck" I said as I tucked my hair behind my ear. "Hmm, then today's not your lucky day". I nodded sadly. I was about to say something else when Rosie interrupted. "Esme, let's go. We're running late" I looked up at Logan. Nodded my head and left. ✓✓✓✓✓. After class I was on my way out to meet up with Rosie. When I accidentally bumped into someone. His laptop fell on the ground. I gasped. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to". I was surprised to see that the person I had bumped into was Logan. You, again" "I'm sorry,". "You know sorry can't fix this". He said picking up the laptop that was obviously broken. "I will pay". Oh Esme how to you intend to get the money to pay for that. "Okay, when will yo....." "But I don't have the money now". I said biting my finger. He gave me a 'are you serious' look. "I will think of something soon". "Don't bother" he said as he started walking away. Then I remembered what Rosie had said about him paying his girlfriend. "What if I become your girlfriend and you take the pay, you always give your girlfriend as the reimbursement for the laptop" I said, making him halt. He looked at him then walked back to me. "Here, put your number here". He said. "We're going to be signing a contract for this, I will send you an address and the time. Meet me then". "Okay," I said as I handed his phone back to him. "Logan," he said. I looked up at him, confused. That's my name" he said with a duh tone. "It's crazy you know most things about my dating life but you don't know my name" he said quietly, as if he was talking to himself. I smiled, he didn't know I already knew his name. But I wasn't going to tell him that. That would be creepy. When I was sure he was already far off. I squealed and jumped up with joy. Finally, I'm going to get myself a boyfriend. Later that night. I received a text from Logan telling me when and where to meet with him. I got Rosie's help in getting ready. I decided to doll myself up to show him what he cannot afford to lose. I wore a short burgundy satin dress that reached just below my thighs. Then heels that weren't too high, just comfortable. I let Rosie straighten my hair then curl out the tips. She also did my makeup. I looked at myself in the mirror. I nearly couldn't recognize myself. "Damn, girl,you look hot. You should dress up more often". "Stop, Rose ,you're exaggerating". "You know I'm not lying". She said as she stood behind me in front of the mirror. "Okay, thank you". "He will be swept off his feet, this guy you're meeting". I smiled well, more like blushed. "Are you sure, you don't want to tell me who this guy is?" "I will, but not yet, I'm sorry, it's not like I'm keeping this......". "I understand, girl,you will tell me when you're ready". "Thank you," "Your ride is here, Esme. Have fun, but not too much" she said as we both laughed. I arrived at the place where Logan had texted me to meet him. It was kinda fancy, I quietly breathed a quiet thank you to Rosie, because thanks to her. I didn't feel out of place here. I saw Logan sitting at a table in a corner. I quickly made my way towards him. He was wearing a button down shirt and trousers. He looked handsome. "Hi, sorry, I'm late, it was hard locating this place" I said as I quietly took the seat opposite his. "You've never been here before" He asked me like it was strange that I haven't been here. "No," He simply nodded. "There's a first time for everything" he eventually added. I don't know why I felt like there was an underlying meaning to that. He called over a waiter who handed me the menu and subsequently took our orders. Dinner was so awkward because neither of us were saying anything to each other. I was honestly getting bored. Then I noticed that there was a dance floor at a corner with music playing. "Do you wanna dance with me?"

CHAPTER THREE Logan looked at me like I had grown two heads, when I asked him if he wanted to dance. "Come on, the song's good and I'm getting kinda bored" I winced. I took his hands when he didn't say anything. He let me drag him to te dance floor. Where a soft classical music played in the background. I placed my hands on his shoulder while he placed his on both sides of my waist. He sighed like he didn't have any choice but to comply with my demand. We started waltzing slowly to the music. All through the dance. Logan's eyes never left my face. His eyes would meet mine and hold them captive that I couldn't even look away. He is absolutely gorgeous. He would break the eye contact just to stare at my lips. "You didn't look like this yesterday" he asked. "Don't you like it," "You look beautiful, but you don't have to change yourself for me. You don't need to impress me". Why?" "Remember, if you try to make me fall in love with you, then it's over. So if that's what you're trying to do. Get over with it" Huff, way to ruin the moment "I wasn't trying to impress you, just thought that if you're to choose me. I actually have to look worth it". "I have no choice, you're owing my and you have to clear your debt" I slowly nodded. As we continue moving around the dance floor lazily. "Why do you keep giving me that look?" I asked him cause I couldn't hold it in anymore. "What look?" "That one?". "The look like you want to kiss me but something is holding you back" He looked at me then a little smirk applied on his lips. He suddenly leaned down as if he is actually going to kiss me. Esme, brace yourself. This is it. Your first kiss. I closed my eyes waiting for his lips to meet with mine when I was suddenly spurned me around. I had my back to his front. He leaned down, then whispered in my ear. "I don't think that's something you would like to do here, In front of all these people. Incase I lose control". What?" I quickly released myself from him. I faced him. It was supposed to be just a kiss isn't it? "Let's leave" "What?, already." "You ask alot of questions" Okay, I come, you go. You're coming with me". He took my hands and started dragging me out of the restaurant. "Where to?" I started panicking. Okay I should have prepared myself for this. I know I have imagined this day for the longest time. But I wasn't i excited about it. "We're going to my house" "What?". I stopped walking. He turned to me and raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a problem with that?" "Huhm, no" I should have known what I signed up for. "Good, let's go" ✓✓✓✓✓✓ We arrived at his house and I followed him as he entered a room. Which I assumed was his. The room was very beautiful and very neatly arranged. I hesitated before entering. It was two times the size of my dorm room. Logan was already sitting on the bed. Undoing the buttons of his shirt. I looked at him. His muscles bugged out. He was really fit. I took a deep breath. Logan turned and started making his way towards me. I took a step back with each step he took closer to me. I was still standing at the door so my back hit the door and he stood over me. "Why, do you keep doing that". "Doing what" "The deep breaths. You've been doing that since we were in the car" he paused then continued. "Are you nervous?" "Huh, Nervous? Piss. Nah, I'm not nervous, do I look nervous" "Good, now, strip" "What, I mean, are we doing that now?. It's just the first date" He chuckled lowly. "Did they not tell you that this is what they do whenever I call them?". "Who are you talking about?". Maybe he was talking about his past girlfriends. "Here I thought you knew everything about me". I couldn't even say anything then. "Let's get to business then," He said and started walking back to his bed "Hold on, can you give me time, I'm not ready....." " Look through this before you sign the contract" we said that in unison. "Oh" I said then he gave me the 'what did you think I was talking about' look. I chuckled with relief when I heard that. I looked through the contract and it said that I will be his girlfriend till I pay up for the laptop. I will do whatever he wants within this period. "I want to add something else". He raised an eyebrow at me. "Can we also do what I want?" He looked at me for what seemed like an eternity. As if he was wondering what I really wanted from him. He finally nodded his head. "Okay". "Yeah!" I smiled. So what are we doing next? I asked happily. "That's enough for tonight. You should leave". "Oh, okay" I said relived. I better leave here before he changes his mind about us doing anything tonight. I stood up to leave, half expecting him to offer to drive me back to my dorm. "Wait," I turned when I heard him say that. Finally I thought. "Here, take this, wear it tomorrow". "Huh, what's this". "I have a match tomorrow and as my girlfriend, you need to come watch me while wearing my jersey". "Oh, I don't think that's a very good idea". "You're supposed to do everything I asked". "Here, take it" he said pushing it into my hands obviously leaving me with no choice". "Okay, what time is the march starting?" "Really, you don't know that". "Am I supposed to know that?". "That reminds me you're a freshman, but you seem to have you way of getting information. So figure it out. I want to see you before the match starts". "Oh,okay?" that came out as a question. "Close the door, when you leave" he said and started walking towards the stairs.