Talk to Miranda

Mark slowly approached the blonde with caution. It wouldn’t be the craziest thing in the world for Miranda to flip on him and make a scene in public just because he tried to come up and speak to her.

“You alright Miranda?” he asked as he greeted her.

She was in her own little world, Miranda didn’t even hear him coming towards her. It wasn’t until he spoke that she jumped in her spot.

“Oh um uh, fine, why?” she quickly mumbled back to him.

“You just look a little tense,” Mark replied, looking from her to the two girls at the table in the distance.

Miranda rolled her eyes as she realised that he knew who she was eyeing off.

“You can be honest with me, I’m not going to tell them anything,” Mark said, wanting to start up a dialogue.

With an intense fury look in her eyes, Miranda sighed before turning to face Mark, “Winter told you everything, didn’t she?”

Mark nodded. The brunette had discussed the whole incident at the store they broke into and how it led to Miranda assaulting a police officer and facing serious trouble with the law. He watched Miranda clench her teeth together, still very frustrated with it all.

“Then you should know why it fucking hurts to see them together,” she said, tears starting to well in her eyes, “Tiffany’s like my best friend and if those two become really close now… it suddenly pushes me away… I’m the one being excluded now.”

“Couldn’t you just sit with them and talk? I don’t think-”

“I can’t Mark!” she interrupted, still trying not to cry, “I just cant. It’ll never be the same with Winter.”

Mark was always on Winter’s side when it came to the petty rivalry that had a deeper history that only few knew about. But he couldn’t help but start to feel for Miranda, telling that her heart was beating very fast right now as if she was on the verge of a panic attack.

He just wanted to help her out in any way but maybe honesty was the best way to do so.

“Look, when I spoke to Winter about this… she felt terrible about how it all started. She wishes it never happened and the fact that it ended your friendship…. And… I can tell you don’t hate her as much as you think you do. You’ve kept her excluded all this time on purpose… maybe as a **** thing but also because you were afraid that the moment she came here last year, she would reveal your secrets and take your spot amongst your friends… and that’s just not going to happen, she won’t do that to you.”

Miranda’s eyes began to turn red, she had to wipe them multiple times as he spoke because of the tears that continued to form. She didn’t interrupt him this time, didn’t argue, just listened to him.

There wasn’t anything she disagreed with, the truth about her insecurity was one that few had ever picked up on.

“Just trust me, you and Winter can work through things. I know she would rather the two of you get along, I know deep down that you both miss that friendship you had all those years ago. Nobody wants or is trying to exclude you, no matter what you think,” he told her.

“Why are you doing this?” she finally responded, “Why are you being nice to me?”

“I don’t want to see anyone upset,” he said, noticing how close she was to just crying her eyes out.

Miranda had her armed crossed, frowning, “I just don’t get it,” she said while sniffing, “I’ve been an absolute bitch to you all semester. I don’t know why you’re even here talking to me let alone trying to help me…”

As a sign of affection, Mark rubbed her sleeveless shoulder softly, “Over the last two years, I’ve seen two sides of you,” he spoke, “Yeah one of them is a bit bitchy and doesn’t come across very nice… but there’s also that sweet loving side to you that can bring a smile to anyone’s face. Please show that side more, I really mean that, I know you’ve got a beautiful soul.”

Miranda couldn’t help but cry now, at first he thought he had upset her but she was just an emotional wreck at this second and appreciated his words of kindness. She had always been given compliments about her body and looks, mainly those perfect round breasts. However, not many guys had taken the time to compliment her personality.

She leaned forward and pressed her head right against Mark’s chest as she continued to let her emotions out. Mark embraced her by hugging her tightly and rubbing her back. His chin was resting at the top of the blonde girl’s head, he was that close that he was getting a strong whiff of the shampoo or conditioner she used in her hair.

He continued to rub her back a little longer, waiting for when Miranda was ready to stop, not him. Eventually she was able to control her tears, still sniffing as she moved back.

“Thanks Mark,” she said softly.

Mark rubbed her shoulder once more, “By the way, I’m having people over to my dorm room for a little after party, you’re more than welcome to come round,” he said, wanting to include her.

She smiled but politely declined, not being in much of a party mood. Before she left and walked away from him, Miranda leaned in and gave him one clean kiss on the lips. It was just a peck and it wasn’t one with tongue, she just let her lips linger against his before she finally pulled back and left.

It wasn’t one of lust, just one of pure appreciation.

He would have loved for Miranda to join them tonight but he understood her decision. Looking back to the table where Tiffany and Winter sat, he thought it was the perfect opportunity to invite them both to the “after party.”