Surrender Your Sensations

The moment I agreed with Cherry’s and Minzy’s invitation, they immediately looked at each other with stunned expressions as if it was so impossible for me to come and have fun with them.

I laughed. It was only now that I realized it’s been quite a while since the three of us bonded together for a girl’s night out. I was a bad friend on that part.

Minzy and Cherry were my college besties. They were the first ones I had been close to since freshman year and it was touching that even though they were a year ahead of me, they still hang out with me.

“Gelo and I will head first,” David said, smiling at the three of us after fixing his things. “Looks like the three of you have a date,” he added, giving us a wave before wrapping his arm around Gelo’s shoulders.

“Next time, let’s all go!” Minzy waved her hand at David. “For now, this is exclusively for girls,” she added in a sing-song manner.

When David and Gelo finally left, I quickly brought my face closer to Minzy’s to see the expression in her eyes. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time since I saw her with David when I was auditioning for the debate team. “Is David flirting with you?”

Minzy coughed at my question as Cherry burst out laughing. “I told you, the two of you are pretty obvious!” Cherry exclaimed, confirming my guess.

“Cherry!” Minzy shrieked in return before cupping her face with both hands.

That’s exactly how she was like when she’s shy or getting flustered.

I grinned sheepishly before I slightly tapped Minzy’s shoulder. “I knew it!” I was so happy for the two of them but there was no way I would not ask her how everything between her and David ended up like this. “The chemistry between you and David is undeniable, Minzy. The moment I saw the two of you together, I instantly felt there’s something going on,” I said like it’s the most obvious thing.

“Our girl’s talk is definitely perfect for today, Minzy. You have a lot to explain to Meredith.” Cherry clapped her hands together, giggling because of Minzy’s embarrassment. “You’re surely doomed now to the debate genius!”

“Argh! I’m really mad at that boisterous David!” Minzy stomped her feet like a child and I rolled my eyes at her.

“Stop whining like a kid, Minzy. Even if you deny it, it’s obvious that you like David too,” I commented, making Cherry laugh even more.

“Oh, even Meredith stated it! So it’s time now to stop denying, Minz. Everyone knows but you,” Cherry teased her, and our dear friend repeatedly shook her head.

“Anyway, let me make a call. It’ll be a while and then we’ll leave,” I told them as they immediately looked at me at the same time. “What?”

“Are you going to call your boyfriend? He was that handsome rugged man who was always with you lately, right? The vocalist of Vulture? The rich one and BS Bio,” Cherry, who definitely knew everyone in the university, said with her knowing tone.

Even though I couldn’t see her face clearly, I could sense her accusing grin.

“Woah. There’s nothing you don’t know in this university, Cherry.” I shook my head before tapping Minzy who was quiet and obviously confused because unlike Cherry, she had no idea on whatever was happening in campus. She was often involved in acads. “I’ll tell you later, Minz. Maybe this woman will add something else too according to the gossip she’s gathered.”

I took my phone and was about to dial for a call when Cherry held my wrist, stopping me. “What?”

“Looks like you don’t have to call your boyfie anymore.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” I said, showing her my phone’s screen. “And I’ll call Bailey. We are supposed to meet after our training to celebrate my inclusion in the debate roster.”

“Ah,” Cherry was shocked before she pointed at the door of the room. “Well, you have a visitor.”

My forehead furrowed but I turned around towards the direction she was pointing at. To my biggest surprise, Rupert entered the debate room. He was still wearing a lab gown and he seemed looking for someone.

“If you’re in sort of unlabeled relationships, fix that, Madam Meredith. I don’t think a friend will rush here in the middle of a lab experiment?” Minzy pointed out, tugging Cherry’s arm with her. “We’ll wait for you outside. Looks like you need privacy.”

I stopped them from leaving but the two of them really insisted on leaving. Eventually, I was left inside the debate room as Rupert stood in front of me.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Don’t tell me you’re in the middle of an experiment,” I greeted him with a frown on my forehead while I looked at him, from head to toe.

He brushed his hand on his nape before having a deep sigh. “I was in the middle of culture media preparation in microbiology. There’s a bit of a long waiting time before the media would be finished so I decided to go here to check on you. Are you done?”

I zipped up my bag and nodded at him. “Why did you pass by? Do you need to tell me something?” He didn’t say a word for a while so I frowned. “Rupert?”

“We’re fine, aren’t we?”

I was stunned by his question. Since yesterday, after I broke down in front of him, I suddenly didn’t know how to act in front of him. I didn’t want everyone to show my weakness. I was so fed up with always receiving pity from everyone. That’s the main reason I didn’t tell him about my concern.

“Of course. Don’t think about yesterday. We’re fine and I’m not mad at you anymore,” I said, smiling at him.

But he didn’t reciprocate my smile. He ran his hand through his hair before heaving a deep sigh. “Why do I still feel like there’s a problem with us? Like there’s something you are not telling me, Meredith.” He expelled another deep breath. “I am deeply and genuinely sorry about what I said yesterday. I’m really sorry, Meredith.”

I leaned over him before pinching the bridge of his nose. “Say another sorry and we’re going to fight again.”

He grabbed my right hand. His thumb caressed my knuckles for a few seconds before he pulled me closer to him. Immediately, his arm wrapped around my waist. I blinked repeatedly when Rupert wrapped both of his arms around my waist. He buried his face on the crook of my neck.

“Rupert? Hey. We’re fine. Stop thinking we’re not.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and returned his bear hug.

I felt his body relaxed and I smiled with that. Sometimes, Rupert really acts too sweet, caring, and cute. That was one of the reasons why I was so relieved of him.

“Are you coming home? My microbio is my last class today. I’ll take you home?” he asked as he broke away from hugging me. But he’s not really far. His breath was fanning my face and the tip of his nose still was touching mine. “My class is only a minute away. We’re also finishing the lab exercise today. Can you-”

I cut whatever crap he was saying about his laboratory class with a kiss on his lips. He was surely startled ’cause his eyes were wide as my lips brushed on his lips. I could feel the cold metal of his piercing in every stroke of our lips.

I clasped a handful of his hair as our kiss deepened. His hand hugged my body closer to his. I ended the kiss when he tried to enter his tongue in my mouth. We’re both heaving deep sighs as we look at each other.

“Meredith Kaye, you’re driving me insane.” Then he leaned his forehead against me.

I gave him a peck on his lips before I smiled. “I decided to have a night-out with my girlfriends today. Sort of girl’s hangout. You don’t need to wait for me.”

“Ah … Is that going to take long? Where are you going? I can pick you up.”

I giggled before pinching his cheeks. “Is this the part that you have to make up for the sin you committed so you can have me on your bed?”

He sighed before he pulled my body again. He hugged me and buried his face in my neck.

I just laughed when he whispered something but I didn’t understand. “What the heck are you saying?”

He raised his face and I laughed when he was pouting like a kid. “I’ll take you wherever you’re going. Then I’ll pick you up for-”

“No need, Rupert. I can handle myself. And if you think I’m refusing because we’re not okay yet, I’m really going to hit you.” I pinched both of his cheeks.

“Fine. But you’re not allowed to get drunk. Also, go home as early as you can.” He squinted his eyes at me. “Or else, I will check every club here to find you and take you home.”

I raised an eyebrow at his reminder but eventually nodded as well. “So, why did you come here? That’s all you have to do? To make sure we’re really okay?”

He was stunned and then scratched his head. When he averted his eyes, I couldn’t help but to get nervous. I mean, another problem was not welcome right now. I don’t think I could manage another concern for now.

“What … Uhmn … Isn’t your check-up the next day?” I bit my bottom lip upon the mention of my check-up. I couldn’t help but sighed. I have a departmental exam in physio that day. I’m afraid I can’t go with you. I’m sorry. The announcement was so sudden, Sweetie.”

I stared at Rupert because of what he said. Honestly, it was favorable for me. I had spent most of the night thinking about what I could say to him so that he would not accompany me to my checkup. Now, fate helped me.

I would not deny that there was a small part of me that I wanted to be with him. Lately, I have become accustomed to his presence. I got used to him being all over me that being away with him- especially at heavy times like that check-up- scares me.

But I know this is better. I don’t want to burden Rupert in case my results don’t turn out well.

He was not here with me to be my caregiver. We were only here for sex and friendship and for everything happy and nice. I don’t want him to see me suffer and weak.

“It’s okay. I will go with Aunt Bernadeth.” I smiled at him and pouted like a child, “But you have to treat me to something nice in exchange of your broken promise.” I grinned at him, giving him a mischievous look.

“Oh sure, Sweetie.” He smiled before quickly kissing the bridge of my nose. “And you can sleep at my unit tonight so I will give you a bonus.”

The playful glint on his eyes made me laugh. I already know what he meant by asking me to stay over at his unit. “Sure. I’ll sleep at your house later. Surprise me, Mr. Bad Rockstar.”

“You just have to surrender your sensations and I’ll do all the job, Sweetie.” I felt his hand drop to my behind and immediately squeezed it.

I rolled my eyes before getting off of his hands from me. “Whatever. Cherry and Minzy are waiting for me. See you later.” I winked at him.

“See you later. Call me if you’re on the way. No. Scratch that.” He looked at me seriously, “When you and your friends are done, text me where you guys are and I will fetch you. I know you can handle yourself but I want to pick you up.”

“Rupert.”

“Don’t refuse. I’ll pick you up.”

I was stunned by his smile. Then the next thing I knew, I found myself nodding at him, agreeing to what he wants.

That’s so rare of me. I rarely obliged to other suggestions but with Rupert, I always found myself agreeing.

“Good girl, Meredith.”

Did I really willingly agree with him?