Mia here. Not MIA, Mia. And here's my story about the guy I found cute and tried numerous times to talk to finally talking to me. You'll be in for a ride with my best friends HImchan, Junhong and Jaz. There's the boy Daehyun too. And a couple of other unnescessary people coming along our way.

The car ride was filled with little conversation. In half an hour, I had learnt Daehyun lived with his family a few streets away from myself with a sister and his parents, he lived in the nicer part of the suburb. I on the other hand lived with Jaz, Junhong and this smart mouth Youngjae. He laughed at the smart mouth part a little, turns out he agreed with me. Pulling up in front of my flat, I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to Daehyun to thank him.

“Actually, I overheard you and your friends after class.” He began, rubbing his nape sheepishly.

“I figured out that much.” I smiled albeit pathetically. “I know you live with your parents but flatting while studying is not easy.”

“I understand that, but if you ever need it, we can carpool to uni. Same major, most of the same classes, I’m sure we could work it out easily.” He nodded.

“I’ve come to understand you’re a give-and-take kind of person, so how do I repay you?”

Daehyun looked to the gear stick and pursed his lips in thought.“I give you a ride to uni, you give me your time in the ride to uni. Whether it be in silence or conversation. Deal?”

“I don’t deal that way.” What is he, a flirt?

“No? Ah, that’s sad.” He smiled pathetically at his steering wheel, defeat evident on his fact. “I enjoyed the ride with you today though.”

“I understand you live with your family, you’re using your parent’s petrol. I may be able to give you my time, but I need to repay your parents too,” I reasoned. Consider me to be overthinking, but I know when to be grateful.

“Well, the best way to win someone over is through their stomach.” He grinned.

I’m glad we think alike. Stepping out of the car, I bent down to say some last words. “Let your parents know of your plans to carpool, as repayment I can make dinner for your household once a week.”

“I can tell you right now you’ve won them over.” He smiled from his seat as the door closed, deep brown of his eyes luring one in deeper to his charm. “See you tomorrow, I’ll drop by at 8.”

A gentle wave of my hand from the gate and he sped away. It took a second to realise something; I had a dumb smile plastered to my face. The sound of house slippers to concrete stole my attention, there’s only one man who does this.

“The genius finally made his move. Did you catch a ride with him?” turning around to see your flatmate in his bathrobe, PJ’s and slippers coming out with a paper.

“He offered and it was raining. Why are you out here dressed like that Youngjae?” I questioned, he’s a nerd to the core even as he munches on an apple in such untidy attire.

“I’ve known that guy since we were in diapers.” He pointed to the red car driving away. “He doesn’t do anything for free.”

“He’s not doing anything for free, I’m making his family dinner.” The keys to the front door clicked into place and the wooden door swung open with a timely grace. Youngjae peered over my shoulder as he asked his next question.

“Did he ask you of anything?” feet scuffled along the ground.

This guy and his interrogation…“Just my time when I get a ride.”

“He also never gives rides. Not even me.” Round eyes peered form behind thick black glasses.

This is getting ridiculous. Exasperated I turned around and spoke a little louder than normal. “And what am I supposed to do about that?”

A straight face looked back at me before the usually mellow voice turned cold. “Understand that if you hurt him I won’t let you be.” Heavy steps continued down the hallways until Youngjae shut his bedroom door.