Chapter 3

3

We didn't break up, and we got along so well, that in our third month he moved near my school.

We spent more time together. He turned a room at home into a movie theatre, and we'd curl up on the couch together and watch movies whenever we had a free moment.

He wasn't really into it, but I was. He'd always sit through everything with me, and when it was a movie I really liked, he'd take notes and write reviews like a film critic.

His grandfather was a famous painter, he'd picked up a thing or two from him.

During that time, he'd sometimes draw me.

There was one picture that stuck out. A girl under a camphor tree, holding a pile of books, her face pretty, with a bright smile.

I always wanted to ask him, why was I smiling so brightly? I was a bit shy back then.

Then, one night.

It was our first time.

I was having issues with my research, and he patiently helped me out. He lightly tapped my waist as he spoke, relaxed, "Got it?"

I had a moment of realization and hugged him, and he looked at me, his gaze growing heavy. He leaned in, his lips cold, and soft against mine.

He was a bit nervous but still acted cool. He grabbed my hand and said my name, "Mia."

"Yeah?"

Halfway through, he spoke softly, bringing up the drawing, saying, "The first time I saw you, I wanted to take a picture of you right there."

I laughed, kissing his neck, "Is that how it was with all your exes?"

Whispering sweet things, talking about how we first met in the heat of the moment.

He clicked his tongue, pulling me closer, "Ask around, which one of them did I ever get this far with?"

The intimacy was intoxicating, but after that I couldn't laugh anymore, he held me tight as I cried.

September in the city, the leaves were turning, and people were posting videos of visiting temples to make wishes. I bugged him to go with me.

He pulled a couple of all-nighters, wrapped up all his work, and dedicated the day to me, holding my hand as we walked up a hundred stone steps, watching me every step of the way, worried I'd trip and fall.

Later, after I left him, I thought, life isn't like that, you can't walk through life without falling sometimes.

At the time, I was really into him.

When did things start to change?

Probably when I saw that picture.