Mia

"Mia!"  

    I turned around to watch my best friend, Sara, run across the campus grass.  Her shoulder-length, dark brown hair bounced off her shoulders.  

    "Hey!  How was class?"  I asked as she finally caught up to me.  I tucked my bright blonde curls behind my ear, trying to defeat the wind.  Within seconds, my hair was back in my face. 

    "He was there.  It was so awkward", Sara frowned.  Her eyebrows furrowed and wrinkles appeared on her forehead.  I knew she hadn't been able to sleep lately from all the stress. 

    "Well?  Did you guys talk at all?"  I ask, baiting her for more information.  Two days ago, Sara and her then boyfriend, Rob, broke up.  We were at our friend Rachel's housewarming party and found him tangled up in some snobbish blonde's arms.  Sara and Rob had just celebrated their two-year anniversary and she had been hoping for a rock sooner than later from him.  The last thing that she expected was to find him with someone else.  Especially her.  As Sara had repeatedly stated, blondes weren't his type.  She quickly added; fake blondes weren't his type.  I never took offense to it, because I had no interest in rather Rob found me attractive or not.  Also, my hair was naturally blonde.  Maybe not this blonde, but still in the blonde family.  I was blessed with great hair.  Everyone always complimented me and told me that I looked like that beautiful actress, Blake Lively.  I only wish I was her.  That way I could be married to that hunky Ryan Reynolds.  I was thin and tall like her, and my thick blonde curls covered my back.  

    "No, but he kept staring at me."  I looked into Sara's chocolate eyes and could immediately see the pain they held.  I honestly didn't see what she saw in him anyway.  She settled for him in my opinion.  She could have easily gotten someone better looking and with a way better personality.   She hated the way I voiced that to her often though.  She always was quick to defend him.  Sadly, even after she had ended things with him.  He of course told her that it was nothing, and that he didn't have any feelings for that blonde chick, Becca Sawyer.  He of course played the alcohol card.  Blaming the vodka for all of his mess ups, like usual.  She was a solid ten and he was maybe a five, if lucky.  Somehow the girl that he was all over happened to be one of the most popular girls on campus, here at the University of Central Florida, which was a large campus at that.   I wondered how he managed to attract her but remembered that her reputation wasn't the best when it came to guys.  Everyone knew that she was easy and got around.  Sara, Rob, and I are about to complete our junior year, where Becca is still a sophomore, so luckily, we don't share any classes.

  I personally can't wait for senior year.  I am even more excited to graduate and put the college chapter behind me.  Sara and I are both majoring in Elementary Education.  Teaching had been my dream since I was a little girl.  Sara of course, always my shadow, ended up surprising me and changing her major shortly into her freshman year.  

"You need to ignore him.  Move on.  You deserve someone who will treat you like the queen that you are" I reminded her.  I have told her that a million times.  She nodded, like she does every time.  I can tell by the look on her face that she isn't convinced.  I don't know how she doesn't see her self-worth.  This girl is beautiful.   There are so many better-looking guys here that would die to have a shot with her.  She is a little bit shorter than me, marking in around 5'3, and a little bit curvier than me.  Curves that make most guys go crazy.  She has shoulder length dark hair and a natural olive tan.  Her mother is part Hispanic and her dad is a redhead.  Obviously, Sara took after her mom.  

"I'm serious.  I am still rooting for you and Bryson".  I grin at her and she looks up in surprise at me.  

"What?"  Her eyes continue to grow.  If they get any bigger, I am afraid they might pop out.  

"You know he likes you.  I don't understand why you keep playing with that boy's emotions".  I let out a giggle to let her know that I am partially teasing her.  Part of me is also serious.  If I had a Bryson chasing me, I would graciously partake.  

"He is just my friend," Sara replied.  "Nothing more."   We continue to walk towards our dorm that we share. 

"Speak of the devil…." I whisper, leaning into Sara.  She looks up to see Bryson making his way over to us.

"Hey Ladies!" He calls out, flashing us his gorgeous smile.  Perfect white teeth and dimples.  What more could a girl ask for?  Tall, dark, and handsome.  He must be at least six feet tall with muscles galore from working part time at the local gym down the road part time. 

"Hey, Bryson" I smile at him.  Sara mutters hello, almost too quietly for anyone to hear.  I nudge her with my elbow.  

"How are you, Sara?  I heard about you and Rob."  Before even looking at her, I could feel her mouth drop open.  "I'm sorry."

"T-T-Thanks," She manages to spit out.  

"How are you holding up?" He asks her, his smile has disappeared as his eyebrows furrowed.  A concerned expression spread across his face.

"I'm fine."  She replies shortly, without any emotion.  Standing here listening to her short responses makes me feel awkward.  I nudge her again with my elbow, warning her to be nice.  We stood, soaking up the awkward silence that followed.  Bryson adjusted his backpack strap on his shoulder and shifted his weight to his other foot.  Just as he started to open his mouth to say something else, his eyes drift past us.  I turn around to see what he is looking at.

"Oh, shit!" I swear, without meaning to.  

"Sara, can we please talk?"  A voice said from behind her, breaking out silence.  I could tell by the expression on her face that she knew who it was.  Well, I guess when you've dated them for two years you would be familiar with what they sound like.  Neither Bryson nor I budged or offered to give them any privacy.  Sara slowly turned around to face him.  He looked like crap.  He was wearing a wrinkled black shirt and stained up blue jeans.  His converse were untied and his dirty blonde hair was all over the place.  If I didn't know any better, I would say he seems to be taking the breakup harder than her.  

"I'm late to class," Sara lied.  She reached for my hand, and turned back around to walk away, towards the dorms again.  

"Bye, Bryson" I say as we walk around him.  He doesn't acknowledge my words; instead, he just glares in Rob's direction.  

"What are you looking at, asshole?"  He retaliates.   

"Leave her alone," Bryson warned him.  

"Sara is none of your business.  Leave my girl alone.  I know you want her. She will never be yours." Rob's words stung.  I could hear their exchange as we continued to walk.  I felt bad for Bryson.  He was always there to save us.  Always trying to protect us.  If he weren't so hung up on Sara, I would seriously be interested.  He would make the perfect boyfriend and would for sure treat Sara much better than Rob.  He is easy on the eyes with his black hair, dark eyes, and tan skin.  Sara will never admit to it, but I know she checks him out too.  When we make our beach trips to get some sun, her eyes always end up in his direction watching him on his surfboard.

"Sara!"  Rob reaches us again and tugs on her arm.  "Please talk to me, Baby."  I can see the tears in her eyes as she avoids eye contact with him.  "I'm so sorry.  She means nothing to me.  Nothing happened."  

"That is what you said last time."  Sara's voice is almost a whisper.  It's almost shocking to see her like this.  She seems so…. defeated.  He puts his hands to her face and lifts her chin, so her eyes meet his.  I am still holding on to her other arm.  Bryson has followed and is hanging out a few feet back.  I can feel his eyes burning into Rob.  Everyone is tired of his crap.  I'm hoping Sara sees it now and doesn't fall for his act once again.  He has never cheated on her that I know of, but he has made a few stupid mistakes in the past, involving flirting, alcohol, and parties.  Surprise, surprise. 

"C'mon, let's go" I tug at her arm.  "We've heard enough, Rob."  

His face twists in anger "Shut the hell up, Mia.  This doesn't concern you."   Bryson looks pissed and takes a few steps towards us.   

Rob looks over at him and puts his hands up in the air.  "Fine.  I'm done."  He turns to walk away, then stops.  "You know Sara, if you weren't holding out on me, I wouldn't have to go other places for it."

I could feel my face reddening and I looked at Sara.  I could not believe my ears.  How dare he talk to her like that?  They were together for two years.  Two freaking years.  And to throw her away like she is trash just pisses me off.   Tears ran down Sara's face.  She looked up at Rob and their eyes met.  He didn't look apologetic or anything.  Before anything else could be said, Bryson dropped his backpack on the grass and Rob fell to the ground with Bryson on top of him. 

"Don't ever talk to her like that again!"  I hear Bryson shout, as his fist connected with Rob's nose.  He was able to get a few more shots in before a few guys walking by stop to help.  One grabs Bryson and pulls him off of Rob.  The other helps Rob to his feet.  He spits blood out onto the grass and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.  Blood was everywhere.  

"This isn't over, Smith." He glares at Bryson and with that he walked away.  I held Sara in a tight hug.  I could feel her shake beneath me.  I wished she would have listened to me all those times I warned her about Rob not being the one for her.  I look over at Bryson, who was breathing heavily and his chest moving up and down at a fast speed.  He looked back at me and then down at Sara.  I could see how much he cares for her by the expression on his face.  I couldn't believe the words that came out of Rob's mouth.  The total disrespect he has for Sara is ridiculous.  Most guys would think being a virgin is a good thing, I think.  I mean, she could be like Becca and give it away to everyone and their brother.