The first Friday after the first week of college was something that Stella Rose University students always looked forward to. As soon as class ended, packs of students either walked or drove to Stella Rose Shopping Center, an open air shopping mall that included various retailers that sold everything a college student could need, along with casual eateries and many restaurants ranging from European to Asian, even Hawaiian and Turkish cuisine.
It was on that Friday that Stella Rose University students were given a special discount, mostly because of the fact that the Shopping Center was a popular place to hang out, being swarmed by them almost every day after school. Alana was one of the many students excited to make her way over to the shopping center with her friends. According to Stephanie, a popular sweets shop was about to debut a new type of chocolate gelato. Bits of crepe would be handed out to customers, who could then scoop the gelato into the crepe and roll it up before indulging on the sweet.
Even as the two of them made their way to the shopping center, talking and joking, Alana couldn't help but feel somewhat self-conscious. Stephanie was pretty, considering how many looks she received from guys they passed by. Her long brown hair fell just above her breasts, framing her face in silky waves and her fitted ruffle top and skinny jeans clung to her curvaceous figure and long legs. Her peep-toe wedge pumps revealed wine-colored nails. Alana on the other hand was dressed in a simple cotton T-shirt, cropped jeans, and Converse. She hadn't felt there was any particular need to dress nicely considering the fact that the main reason she went shopping with Stephanie today was to try out the new gelato-and-crepe dessert.
Perhaps it was her obvious love of fashion that resulted in Stephanie dragging Alana to the nearest clothing store, Armani Exchange, as soon as they had entered the shopping center. Alana watched as her friend leapt from one clothing rack to the other while she herself aimlessly walked to a stack of blazers and felt the material.
After about an hour, Stephanie was the one who emerged from the store with the shopping bag. Alana did have the money, but she preferred to spend it on things she needed before satisfying any desire for new clothes. Besides, Korea had cheaper clothes that she felt fit her style better.
Once the new friends had walked a short distance towards the restaurants, Alana turned around as she heard her name being called. Her heart stopped as she saw Gino making his way towards her.
"Hey," he said, almost breathlessly, as he jogged up to her. She smiled to herself; he was almost like an eager puppy.
"Hey," she turned to look up at him and smiled. The jubilant grin on his face was enough to make the small warm feeling within her grow.
"You guys going over to Sophie's Sweets for that new gelato-and-crepe thing?" he asked.
"Yeah." Alana couldn't resist looking him up and down. She'd noticed that his hair seemed to stick up slightly, though in a subtly tousled way that made him look, admittedly, incredibly sexy. She bit her lip and her face warmed as she wondered what on earth made her suddenly think that way. It did wonders to his facial structure, which Alana suddenly realized was strong and defined. His washed, straight-cut jeans only seemed to emphasize his legs' length and the simple, blue striped shirt he wore had its sleeves rolled up to the elbow. She tore her eyes away from the sight of his muscular arms, blushing.
"Why don't I get one for you?" Gino asked with a hint of a smile.
"Huh? Oh, it's fine. I have money," said Alana, surprised.
"It's all good. I want to treat you."
"Thank you, but that's not necessary."
"Oh! Hey, Jessica!" Stephanie's voice interrupted Alana and Gino's little exchange. "Hey, guys, I just found some friends over there. I'm going to meet with them, and you can call me later, all right?" Stephanie winked at Alana's confused expression before skipping off to a group of people.
Alana stared after her friend before Gino's voice caused her to look back up at him. "Come on, I'll pay. My treat."
It was only then that she realized how close he was standing next to her. Her breath hitched as he gently placed a warm hand on her back and led her to the sweets shop.
When the both of them had arrived at the counter and ordered the gelato and crepes, Alana made to pull out some bills from her wallet, but Gino was quicker. He slid a twenty onto the counter and grinned at the startled cashier behind the register. "I've got it."
"Gino!" Alana had always been bothered when other people insisted on buying food or gifts for her when she was fully capable of doing so herself. Her mother had the same philosophy, and it was something Alana picked up from her.
"Don't worry about it, all right?" Gino chuckled, looking down at her. A prickle of heat sparked along her spine as she felt his eyes linger across her face.
She turned her gaze towards his shirt in an attempt to prevent herself from getting lost in the blue of his eyes, which didn't help since the only thing she could focus on then was how the cloth fit his strong frame incredibly well.
"Fine." Her lips pouted slightly.
Once the cashier handed Gino his change, Alana wandered over to where other people were waiting for their gelato and crepes. As he followed closely behind, she turned to him and smiled, "Thank you."
Gino smiled back, his eyes tender. "You're welcome."
The both of them exited the shop, licking the chocolate gelato as it dripped down the side of the cup. They walked together as they ate and made comfortable conversation, occasionally browsing other stores.
As they passed by one of the benches and threw the empty chocolate-stained cups into the garbage can, Alana overheard a girl talking on the phone loudly: "God, you're so lucky, Amy! My parents would never let me do that! It's so annoying; they can act like complete bitches sometimes! It's so unfair!"
Alana's eyes widened. What child could call her parents that? Why can't she just be grateful they have parents at all? Not everybody can be as lucky as you or me.
"I don't like it when people do that," Alana mumbled to herself.
"What?" Gino asked, turning to her.
Alana looked up at him to find his blue gaze searing into her skin. She promptly ducked her head, blushing. "Nothing. I was talking to myself."
"I know." His voice was gentle. "You don't like it when people do what?"
For a moment, there was only silence as the both of them continued to make their way through the throngs of people.
She sighed. "I don't like it when people take their lives for granted and don't appreciate what they have. Like the person on the phone back there," Alana turned and glanced over to where the girl on the phone had been.
A small smile pulled at Gino's lips. "Yeah, I heard her too. I know what you mean. The way she went on about saying her life wasn't fair, right?"
Alana nodded.
"Well, I think maybe some people fail to realize that life is fair. Some people just aren't able to see that they have certain tools in front of them that will make their life fair, if you know what I mean." Alana was surprised when Gino shoved his hands in his pockets and lowered his head as he said this, looking rather embarrassed.
When he glanced at her for a reaction, Alana smiled gently. This was the first time she'd met someone who seemed to share her philosophy, the first time she saw a whole other side of him. That thought alone made her chest somehow feel warmer.
"I know what you mean," she said and the blond turned to look at her, his lips slightly parted, his eyes holding a curious emotion that Alana was unable to put a finger to.
"You do?" Gino asked.
"Yup." Alana smiled again.
As Gino's piercing eyes held her own, she felt a slight blush creep up her face as her heartbeat accelerated. However, she continued to look into his sapphire blue eyes, and began to wonder if perhaps this was what people meant by the saying, "Sometimes you don't need words."
Alana could have sworn that Gino's cheeks had turned pink, but that didn't matter at the moment. Not when he smiled back at her.
~*~
It was while Alana and Stephanie were making their way back to campus that day after dinner that Alana couldn't help but ask her friend, "Do you think there's a reason why some people are in our lives?"
Stephanie gave the dark-haired girl a questioning look, and found Alana gazing up at the night sky as she said this. The tiny diamond stars shone brightly against the dark veil of the endless heavens. It was a magnificent sight.
"This has to do with Gino, doesn't it?" Stephanie asked.
Alana started. "What? No, what made you think tha---"
Stephanie couldn't help but smirk. "Oh, it does have to do with Gino!" she cried happily.
"Stop it, Steph," Alana pouted as her face heated, lowering her head to stare at the pavement.
"Okay, fine."
There was a pause before her brown-haired companion broke the silence. "I think there's a reason for everything in life. There's especially a reason why certain people are in each other's lives. Maybe there's a reason why all the people you know are in your life," Stephanie said, a thoughtful countenance on her face as she gazed off into the distance. "Who knows, maybe the reason why I'm in your life is to give you this message," her friend laughed, and Alana couldn't help but smile.
"But..." Stephanie continued, "in terms of Gino? I think that's for you to find out. I know that Gino is in your life for a reason. But for what, I don't know. It's not my life. It's yours. And it's yours to find out."