Tuesday afternoon and the three of us are in the gym. Riley had made sure to drop me off. Atleast he now knew why I preferred my lunch to be less than my dinner and my breakfast more than both.
At a stall right by the entrance he got us fruit salads to snack on. That was when I realized he was known here...more than I liked. The cute act got trampled on just like that. I know he's good looking...he also goes to the gym, he was already toned enough if you asked me...but more was great.
I am fudging jealous of people who go to the gym with him...I need to check his schedule and align it with mine.
He had a lesson after which he rushed off to. Unlike us who had Tuesday and Wednesday off, he had a full schedule at the start and free spots at the end where we were locked in class...is that when he goes to the gym?
But he'd only been here one week, then two and three.
"Once he came back we became your backdrops...side characters."
"Not entirely true...we shuttle through classes together."
"Exactly what I mean."
"You two dating yet?"
"No!"
"Why not?"
"Because he hasn't asked."
And because I had my own little demons wanting to walk out and about. I wouldn't mind it if he asked, maybe then I'll know what he thinks. We have never talked about these things.
We'd known each other for four weeks now, sleeping together. No, sleeping in the same bed was already established day one. Pecking my cheek was something he did every other time he felt like. It always brings butterflies to my tummy...the good kind and also the kind that makes me question myself.
"Why not ask him yourself?"
Right, very basic question. The 'little marshmallow' persona had already scattered to the wind.
"I've never done that before."
Which is true. People ask me...I expect people to ask me. This past month only I've had a good number of 'suitors' within and outside my own course.
"Our mentors want to treat us to a meal tomorrow. Will you come?"
Not interested.
"You're always orbiting around him. Why not go out and make him antsy?"
"What if he only sees me as a sibling."
Been there before and I hate that tag a lot. It was one of my greatest fears, having Riley see me as a sibling. I have my demons but I really don't want Riley to take me as that little kid at home.
He already treats me the same way nana does...like an elder towards a younger...even when scolding it felt familiar and I didn't like it one bit.
"Isn't it better to find out now and nip it?"
"Are you already seeing someone?"
"Talking stage!"
"Talking stage with hickeys, give us something else."
Yeah! Give us. I also want to know how this shy girl got into 'talking stage' with someone within was it three weeks and I was still in some situationship.
"Only if he comes with us."
Okay, fair enough!
"Fine!"
"And don't come with him."
"Okay!"
So called mentors were seniors from our course. Those that had directly come before us. Apparently, the three were also friends and they counted themselves lucky to have drawn friends as well. Two of the three were dating, to me it was here say. I'd put off previous meetings but if it meant making Riley see me in a new light and maybe a tad bit jealous then I'd go.
I also wanted to get a bit drunk. Drunk people got away with a lot of things...I hope.
"Call me once you're ready to leave."
"Okay!"
"Don't get too drunk."
"I won't, don't worry too much."
"Okay!"
Of all days those seniors chose to party in the middle of the week? They were just done with the tests so for them it was okay but Blane had a lesson to attend tomorrow morning. Should I talk to them...but as who? Just a roommate...this was disturbing.
-What is it Barnad?
-Where are you?
-The square.
-Good, we're at the club...
-Not interested.
-When are you ever? Weren't we supposed to talk about that entertainment district?
I looked at the nein lights changing color in the building Infront of me and frowned.
It was true we were supposed to talk but then... Ugh! ...Fine! Just talking and no drinks. I had to get Blane back to the dorm safe and sound.
-Give me a minute.
"Spicy chicken feet...I already checked the sauce...one of the best this place has."
I pushed away the bottle Kristoff was handing over and picked a toothpick.
"I am not drinking."
Spicy things were not my go to now so I turned to Quint who pushed his plate towards me.
"Okay!"
It had been a good while since we'd all met at the same place like this. Barnard seemed to always not be around.
I tasted the pork and nodded while looking around the place. The room they had ordered wasn't bad with a pool table where two girls stood playing. I had seen them before with Rashid. They seemed to be taking art as well and two guys on the side table playing chess while three watched them.
"Guys, this is Riley...he's the boss."
"What's with you?" I frowned.
"Those two Tasha and Lynn. The ones playing Thomas and Fredrick then Patrick, Letty and Steve."
"Hey...Hi..."
This felt well... strange. I turned towards Quint who was on his phone now.
"Don't ask me. I also found them here."
"You let it be?"
He was the disciplinarian, they called him mom for a reason.
"They aren't hurting anyone...and I am too lazy to question these three."
Right, if he didn't know it didn't mean he wouldn't in future. I would be the first to be told if either of them were trouble then we'd act on it.
I was also choosing to trust Barnard who didn't just do things out of the blue. He must have his reasons that I don't think I want to know now. Which also led to another thing that I should have known earlier...
"What did you really want?"
You don't talk business with outsiders in the room. You also didn't talk business away from your tuff unless you were sure about what you were up to.