2 MISS ACADEMICS

"Jasmine! I'm so glad you could come." were the words that came out of a girl Jasmine couldn't recall.

What was her name again? She swore they became good friends from one of her classes two years ago. It's not that she's totally forgot about her but the past years had been like a blur.

She couldn't recall quite a number of people and happenings.

A man stepped closer to the two of them and her no-name-friend couldn't take her eyes off the delectable species in front of them.

"By the way, this is Aidan. He's in my class." introduced her still no-name-friend who immediately excused herself from the conversation.

Aidan slid a glance at Jasmine. "Nice to meet you Miss?"

"Jasmine Bai" she answered, accepting the handshake from Aidan.

Aidan stepped closer, very close that Jasmine felt a suffocated.

"Is it all parties you dislike so much?" he asked knowingly. Considering the noise in the room, Jasmine could hear his whispered words. She felt his warm breath on the side of her neck.

"I prefer small gatherings. This..." she paused, carefully scanning the room. "...is not my vibe." she finished.

Aidan noddedd, not quite sure why he was agreeing to her.

He has never met someone so candid with their thoughts. All the girls he met would try to please him. They go to great lengths just so they could spend more time with him. But why does he feel like this certain girl is dismissing him?

Jasmine finished her drink and stood up from her seat, "I'm sorry, Aidan but I have to finish an errand."

"It's 9:00pm." he said matter of factly. Who does errands at that time of the night?!

He was suddenly suspicious. "Do you not like me?" he asked, a bit irritated at that point.

"Excuse me?" Jasmine muttered.

"Why do I feel like you're trying to ignore the fact that someone is trying their best to have a decent conversation with you?"

Jasmine felt embarrassed. She didn't mean to dismiss him that way but she has to finish a financial report.

Aidan could clearly see that the girl was reluctant to further the conversation with him.

If he was a girl and in the same position, speaking to a stranger would be awkward too.

When he was just about to turn around, she explained. "I'm working on a financial report. I didn't really mean to be rude. It's just that I don't have a lot of experience with men."

Aidan is looking at the girl in front of him.

No experience with men? Who does that?!

This is the 21st century for crying out loud! Most women in this day and age have experienced a lot more than what the imagination could take.

Then this girl, standing innocently in front of him, had no experience with men? Is she playing him?

Aidan couldn't believe his ears. If his interest wasn't piqued, he would have left her there but he controlled himself.

Instead, he held out his hand. "Before you go, dance with me?"

"No. I--"

Before Jasmine could voice out her protest, Aidan pulled her to the middle of the crowded dance floor. He held her hand tightly, afraid she'd let go.

Aidan spun her around and pulled her close to him. Jasmine's breath hitched. The proximity of their bodies was enough for Aidan to feel something different from the usual sexual tension he has towards the opposite sex.

Jasmine gave him a nod and they were off.

Aidan has never enjoyed dancing as much as he was dancing now. He pulled her into a twirl, her head went back and he could hear her hearty laugh, a sound that made him laugh.

By the time the song ended, they were both sweating a bit. Jasmine has never danced swing since her college. The man in front of her could bust a move. The thought of it made her smile.

Catching his breath from the dance, Aidan was rendered speechless when he saw her genuinely smile at him.

"Thank you, Aidan. I enjoyed tonight. I hope to see you around." were the words he last heard from Jasmine before her hand let go of his.

Hearing her laugh out loud while they were dancing seemed like the most natural thing in the world. The feel of her was still in his hands.

"Miss Academics ditched you for a financial report. Looks like not everyone is immuned to your charms." Jasmine's no-name-friend teased him.

"Jasmine Bai." Aidan uttered her name.

He looked at his cousin Gwen (Jasmine's no-name-friend), "Do you think I can get in on one of her classes?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

Gwen stared at him as if her he was out of his mind. Well, who knows? Maybe he was.

Aidan knew he was. Her smile will surely haunt him until he sees her again.