Renata was peacefully fast asleep on their way back to the dorm. She had to be very tired after playing all day, not to mention falling hard several times on the ice rink. Another new fact: she was... persistent? Resilient? Wilson didn't know if he should be sad or happy about it. His heart couldn't take it when he saw she was hurt, but at the same time, he was amazed that she wasn't that spineless.

Or could it be her stubbornness? She fought tooth and nail with him just because he was paying for the outing. He was the man here; he should be the one paying. If there was a place where the guy refused to pay for the dates, he would stay away from that place and the people too, if necessary. Wilson admitted he was a traditionalist at heart.

And as a traditionalist, he couldn't understand the concept of polyamory. Having many lovers at once while the lovers also have many lovers at the same time? He shook his head in confusion. He never knew such things existed. That's another thing about Renata—she was too open-minded and non-judgmental. How she could understand that some people have their own preferences and just leave it at that was beyond his comprehension.

He glanced at her, sleeping under his coat. Being super tired and having a full stomach certainly sent Renata dozing off. She wasn't even stirred when he stopped at the gas station. Wilson was tempted to take a picture when her mouth was slightly open. Unfortunately, she wasn't drooling.

How was he going to wake her up? It was a futile attempt when Wilson nudged her arm while calling her name. Should he have jolted her harder? Wilson shook her upper arm as he called her louder. It was fascinating watching her eyelashes flutter as she regained consciousness.

"Where are we?" Renata looked left and right while rubbing her eyes.

"At the teacher's parking lot. Let's go get our belongings and head back to our dorm."

"Why are we in the teacher's parking lot?"

"The shuttle bus has stopped working at this hour, so I parked the car here. But I will return it to the student parking lot tomorrow morning."

Renata yawned and stretched her body like a cat after she stepped out of the car. As they walked to Renata's dorm, she linked her arm with his and rested her head on his shoulder.

"You must be exhausted, Renata."

"Tired. But happy." She grinned at him. "I bought all the things I needed, and my tummy was full too. I blame you if I get bloated in the morning."

"In my defense, the server told us that following a Mediterranean diet could decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases, overall cancer incidence, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and early death. It doesn't sound like it was my fault if you got bloated; probably the pistachio cake."

"I can't believe we ate that much! That seafood tagine was so good, it instantly warmed me up. You see, Wilson, trying new things and stepping out of our comfort zones every once in a while isn't so bad, right?" Renata winked at him.

As they arrived at Renata's dorm, Wilson knew it was now or never. "Before you go, I have something for you. I should have given it to you weeks ago, but better late than never," he said, placing a small red velvet gift box in her hands. "Happy belated birthday, Renata." He placed his hands over hers.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"For me? What is this?" Renata was about to open it, but he clasped her hands.

"Don't open it now; wait until you're in your room, please. I'm a little embarrassed about it."

She was silent for a moment, staring at the box, before beaming at him. "I had a great time today and a spectacular day. Thank you, Wil."

He thought she was just going to hug him, which he would very much appreciate it, but Renata went further. She tiptoed and threw her arms around his neck before she kissed his cheek. "Good night, Wil." With that, she vanished into her dorm, leaving him nailed to the spot.

Renata kissed him. On the cheek.

Something inside him burst, starting from the center and spreading out like a current running through his body. Perhaps there were butterflies in his stomach, which were quite impossible. But the euphoria didn't seem to be stopping anytime soon.

He couldn't be dreaming either, since it hurt when he pinched his other cheek. Wilson was grinning like a loon as he returned to his dorm with springs in his shoes.

------------------------

Wilson and James were busy packing their suitcases. This was their last night at school before the Christmas holiday, which lasted only two weeks. It would mean he couldn't see Renata for half a month. He wondered if he could survive because he had already missed her.

This week had been delightful for Wilson. After the date—no, the outing—Renata had been wearing the earrings he gave her. She was back to being cheerful, and shameless. He wasn't complaining, though; in fact, he was relieved. Anything instead of her dark, cloudy face was preferable.

"Can you stop grining, dude? You have no sympathy for the single, you stupid happy couple." James threw his pillow at Wilson's face.

Unfortunately, he couldn't prevent the pillow from landing on his face as his hands were preoccupied with his clothes. "I am still single, James." He threw the pillow back to James. Right, he and Renata were still good friends.

"I call it bullshit. You and your smug Chesire grin can't hide it."

"I don't hide anything, you egg."

"Then you must have misplaced your balls." For that, James got a pillow on his face. "Grow a spine, Wil you?"

"I'm just not sure yet. I don't think she likes me as much as she likes Lyle. What if I'm just a rebound? I want a long-term relationship with her, not just a passing fling." Tired after finishing the packing, they sprawled on the rug with arms and legs stretched.

"I hear you." James glanced at his shelf in reflex. "Well, at least you got your first base."

"Excuse me?" Wilson turned his face toward him with a confused frown.

"So tight-lipped, aren't you?"

"What is first base?"

"You know, French-kiss, mouth to mouth kissing, liplocking, sucking faces, tonsil hockey, swapping spit. Those gross things Oh? Don't tell me you score???" James was so excited that he immediately raised his upper body and sat facing him.

"I think I understand your meaning, but no and no. But she did kiss me on my left cheek." Wilson stared at the ceiling as he grinned.

"You spent almost $300 on a meal and $80 on Swarovski earrings, and that's all you got? Jeez, I hope she's not your Meghan." James threw back Wilson's pillow squared at his face.

"Your Meg—sorry, your ex demanded that you pay for all expenses during the dates, which occurred at least twice a month. She asked you to buy clothes, designer bags, and sometimes even beauty salon visits. For the six to seven months you were dating her, I assume you spent no less than $5k. And she even had the nerve to ask you to do her homework."

James cringed at those facts Wilson spouted. He did sound like an idiot. "Touché. But I beg to differ. Your hopefully-not-Meghan is a princess, she probably will spoil you in the future with her money. You got yourself a sugar mama, boy."

"She only got $200 for pocket money per month, aside from $500 in student account deposits."

James' jaw dropped to the floor before he picked it up. "She is the heiress of a company worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and her pocket money is just $200. You aren't going to believe that, are you?"