Until when

:)

It all started in an elevator. I was about to close the doors when I heard a voice shout 'Wait!" I pressed hold, and when he came into view, he was carrying a pile of papers, a duffel and laptop bag. I carried only my sling bag with my binder and pencil case because I only have two classes that day. Based on the pile of papers he was holding while catching his breath, I guessed he had research. I gave him my handkerchief because I thought he forgot his, and I knew how a stressed person could easily get sick. He politely declined, but I still left it on top of his pile of papers. The elevator dinged at his floor. He got off and turned around just as the doors shut. I smiled, thinking that I helped a person, but also realizing mom will be pissed because I lost my handkerchief again.

I was once again rushing to get to research class, knowing our professor closes the doors once she's in the room. I saw the elevator doors closing and almost lost hope, but a hand held it open. I smiled and said thanks. I pressed 4th floor, fanning my face with my hand 'cause I left my handkerchief somewhere. I texted my friends, checking if our professor was already there. I noticed a white handkerchief embroidered with blue initials MM. When I looked whose handkerchief it was, I had a feeling of dèjá vu. "Hey, your bag is open." I zipped it close. I forgot to thank him because I had to rush out to make it in time for research class. When I opened my bag to get ready for the day's lecture, I saw the white handkerchief with its blue embroidered letters, MM. I wondered how it got inside my bag, and I suddenly got hungry for a pack of M&M's.

My two best friends Claire and Erykah got all excited when I told them about my encounter with elevator guy. They were intrigued at the prospect of me finally having a love life. I did my best to drop the topic. It was just a random encounter anyway.

A week after while I was waiting in line for the elevator, a guy in front of me was playing on his phone. He seemed familiar, like I've seen him before. He was grunting and cursing, so immersed in his game. I realized he was the elevator guy. I mustered the courage to talk to him. I tapped him on his shoulder, "Thanks for lending me your handkerchief."

"No worries," he replied and showed me an announcement from our professor. It seemed we would have a joint class session. "I'm Mason, Mason Mendez. And you are?"

"Janine Jaime," I answered, trying my best to remain calm.

We walked together to class. I noticed he was carrying his duffel bag again, so I told him I used to play volleyball for recreation. I learned he was a former student athlete. "It was hard balancing academics and sports so I had to stop." We talked about what he does on his free time, playing on his phone, shooting hoops with his friends. We also talked about commuting and about how I love watching the urban scenery with my headphones on, just enjoying the view. "That also happens to me. I do that, too," he said. "That's why I just listen to music and look at the buildings passing by."

When we reached the classroom, we said our goodbyes and went on to our separate seats. Claire and Erykah, quicker than news reporters, interrogated me before I could even take my seat. I told them he was the elevator guy. They slapped my arms, the two of them on each side, punishing me for not giving him my phone number. They advised me to get to know him more but not to fall for him right away. While walking to our next class, I stalked his profile and almost hit my face onto a wall. My friends laughed at me for the absent-minded stalking. I hid my phone, resisting the urge to continue stalking him.

He added me online, and I waited a little while before accepting his friend request. Before long he was messaging me, checking up on me and how my research paper was going. I returned the favor and asked him the same thing. The morning after I woke up to his latest message, a picture of a German shepherd greeting me "Good Morning." Being the dog lover I was, I couldn't resist and replied "Awweee" and a gif. of balloon hearts. On my way to school, he sent me another message, "Have a safe trip, enjoy the scenery. See you at school." I replied. "Yeah you too☺" I was about to close my phone but saw that he was typing a reply, "So how was your sleep?"