Playing with Fire for Mr. Mendez (Boys of Chicago Series #6)

Chapter 6

Genius didn’t say anything about Ryan. He was normal and was talking to me like he was not glaring at me a few moments ago. He was surprisingly calm but I didn’t want to ponder on that anymore. I am just happy that he is.

“I’ll print this one out tonight and then let’s check if it’s already good for submission,” he told me before sipping on his espresso.

I nodded and smiled. “Yes, that’s okay.” My eyes are still focused on his screen as I tried to skim through our paper. I trust that Genius already proofread this one. He doesn’t pass half-assed papers. Never. Ever. Which is why I am happy that he’s my best friend. He doesn’t slack.

When I was done, I handed him back his laptop when his phone lit up. It’s Ivana, Tracy’s best friend, who’s calling. He let out an exasperated sigh before picking it up.

“What again?” he asked, sounding already fed up. His brow furrowed and his jaw immediately clenched. “What? Where are you?” Now he’s angry while he started packing up. “Okay. I’m on my way,” he said before looking at me. He smiled weakly. “I’m sorry. I need to go. Tracy’s wasted in the bar. I think she needs a beating when we get home,” he told me in a voice full of urgency.

I chuckled and nodded. “Take care,” I told him before watching him sprint out of the café. I smiled and shrugged before walking back to the counter when Ryan waved at me. I walked towards him. “You need anything?” I asked. He’s already enjoying his order.

He shook his head. “Is that your boyfriend?” he asked me.

My eyes widened. “Who? Genius? No!” I vehemently denied. “We’re just best friends.”

Ryan raised his brow at me. “Really?” he asked.

I nodded. I don’t really understand why we’re talking about this right now. Is he interested in me like what Genius said? I hope not!

He smiled and then stood up. “Well, then, if that’s the case, does it mean, no one will get mad at me if I ask you out for lunch tomorrow?”

I froze on my spot. I suddenly stopped breathing as I felt my face getting flustered. I have been asked out by other men but I have never been asked out by someone from my own department. I have never dated within the same college department. Not even by a senior!

“Are you okay?” he asked me, probably seeing how speechless I am. “Is it not a good time to ask you that?” he asked carefully.

I smiled and shook my head. “No! It’s okay,” I told him after recovering from the temporary paralysis from what he said. “Uhm…I’m out by eleven-thirty and vacant until one.”

“Great! We have the same vacant,” he beamed. “Can I get your number so I could text you by lunchtime?”

I bit my lip before nodding. “Sure! Here it is,” I said before dictating my phone number. He called my number and I felt my phone vibrating inside my pocket.

“Save my number, too,” he told me with a wide grin. He grabbed his bag and nodded at me. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Carrie,” he said before leaving the café.

Moira was living for my interaction with Ryan when I walked back to the counter. She was already trying to squeal silently—if there ever is such a thing. “What was that?” she asked, voice full of excitement. Her eyes are wide and full of anticipation with what I would tell her.

I shrugged. “He just asked me out for lunch tomorrow,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant even when my whole system has been in haywire just a few seconds ago.

Moira smirked at me and looked at me meaningfully. “You surely are blushing over there a while ago,” she teased me.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “I’m not blushing, alright? I was flustered. Those are two different things.”

Moira shook her head at me. “Really? Your cheeks heat up when you’re flustered and when you’re blushing. They’re just synonyms, my friend. Sy-no-nyms.”

I snarled at her before seeing her smiling widely at me, looking so triumphant. “No, they’re not. I was flustered because I was shocked. If I blush, it means I’m touched.”

“Tss…what a Brainiac,” she mumbled before cleaning the marble counter again.

I just shook my head and sighed hard. But I’m still excited for tomorrow.

***

“Where do we eat for lunch?” Genius asked me when our first period ended.

My eyes widened as I looked at him. I haven’t told him about the lunch with Ryan because I don’t know how he would react. I glanced at my watch and chuckled weakly. It’s eleven twenty. “Actually…” I trailed and I saw his brows shoot up. I took a deep breath. “I kind of committed to Ryan last night…”

I pursed my lips tightly as I waited for his reaction. But it was nothing. He was just looking at me blankly. And somehow, I hate that he’s not showing any emotions.

“So, you’re eating with him?” he asked me—surprisingly, casually.

I smiled and nodded. “Is that okay?”

He slung his backpack over his shoulder before smiling at me. “Of course,” he said. “You can go and eat with him. I’ll probably just stay in the lib or somewhere. I’m not really hungry because I ate a heavy breakfast.”

I blinked at him. “Are you sure?” I asked because I am actually feeling bad for him. “I can just cancel and—”

“No! Why would you cancel? Maybe he likes you. Maybe you could change him.”

I bit my lip. “I’ll make it up to you,” I told him because I really am feeling very bad. I should have told him this morning or texted him last night.

“You don’t need to,” he said. “Just enjoy your date with him. Where are you meeting by the way? I can walk you there,” he added.

I smiled weakly. “He’ll text me later,” I replied.

Genius nodded. “I’ll stay with you then while you’re waiting,” he offered. “I’ll leave when he’s already here.”

I smiled, feeling a bit calmer now that I think he’s cool with this. He’s volunteered to wait with me. “Thank you,” I told him. “I really thought you’ll be mad, though.”

He raised his brow at me. “Why would I?” he asked. “I just don’t like it when the girls I care fall for the wrong man.”

I turned to him. His eyes are narrowed on the floor and he looks so mad. “We’re just eating lunch, Genius. And besides, I’d know. I would get to know him.”

He smiled. “Doesn’t it all start with a lunch date though?” he asked me back. “I just hope you scrutinize him really well and recognize if he’s got bad intentions.”

I sighed. “Ryan is a good man.”

“Not from what I heard,” he shot back. “But that doesn’t mean he won’t be changing.”

I stopped and stared at Genius who’s also looking back at me. “I won’t be fooled this. I promise.”

He smirked and chuckled lowly. “Sure,” he replied, seemingly not believing me. “But remember, I’ll always be here when you get hurt.”

I smiled widely, heart pounding hard while feeling overwhelmed. “Thank you. I’ll do the same when you find the right girl for you.”

“Tsss,” he rolled his eyes. “Wouldn’t matter.”

I gave him a look. “Maybe you need a girl,” I told him. “You’re always studying!”

“That’s because I have to study. I can go on without a girl in my life,” he retorted. “It’s not like I need a girl to breathe.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Do you have plans on living alone for the rest of your life?” I asked him.

“I won’t worry about that. Tracy’s probably going to annoy me my whole life,” he said before sighing hard. “She almost got herself into trouble last night.”

“What happened?”

“You remember the man she dated? The last man?” he asked and nodded. “He showed up in the club and tried to get back with Tracy.”

“And then?”

He let out a heavy sigh. “You know Tracy. There won’t be a day that she doesn’t make a scene.”

I chuckled and shook my head.

“We’re just lucky she didn’t end up in a police station,” he added before groaning in frustration. “I just hope she finds her match soon. I am already so tired of cleaning up her mess. Mom tolerates her all the time. Dad is strict but he makes me do the dirty work.”

I patted his shoulder. “You’ll rest soon,” I told him.

“I hope so,” he replied.

We then heard my phone beeping. He looked at me with a smirk. “There’s your date,” he said, pertaining to the text I received.

I checked my phone and saw Ryan’s name. He texted me.

Ryan:

Should I wait for you outside your room?

I bit my lip and typed in a reply.

Me:

I am walking to the cafeteria now. I’ll just see you there.

Genius cleared his throat, making me look at him. “You can do it from here, right? I’ll go ahead,” he told me.

I smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Genius. Let’s grab some dinner tonight? I don’t have any work.”

He made a face. “I’m sorry. I have to eat with Tracy tonight. She’s been bugging me to eat with her in the new Mexican restaurant,” he reasoned.

“Oh,” I uttered. “Let’s reschedule then?”

He nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I’ll tell you when.” He looked behind me before smirking. “Have fun on your date.” He leaned in. “If he does something to you, just call me,” he whispered.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “He’s not that kind of person.”

He shrugged. “Just be safe.” He reminded before leaving me.

I sighed and turned to the direction of the cafeteria when I saw Ryan waiting for me. He’s wearing a blue shirt and a pair of faded jeans. He’s holding a book while smiling at me widely. I smiled back and walked towards him.

“Did he get mad at you?” he asked me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Who? Genius? No!” I replied. “He’s cool with it.”

Ryan nodded before looking at the direction where Genius went. He sighed and looked at me. “Okay. That’s good then,” he uttered before he started walking.

We walked side by side and the people who are looking at us walking couldn’t go unnoticed from my eyes. I don’t know why they are all gawking at us—maybe they find it too impossible for a senior to be walking beside me. Besides, Ryan is not just any senior. He’s handsome.

“I’m sorry. Are you uncomfortable?” he asked me silently while we were nearing the entrance of the cafeteria.

I smiled awkwardly. I guess I cannot hide the fact that all this is new to me and I am not used to people seeing me walking beside someone else other than Genius.

“We can just buy food and then eat out? What do you think?” he suggested.

I nodded in agreement. I don’t want to eat while all eyes are on me. That’s pure torture. “Yeah, sure,” I replied.

He smiled and we walked to the stalls to buy our food. Both of us decided to just go to the empty covered bleachers of the football field.

We laid our food between us while we started eating.

“How are your studies?” Ryan asked, trying to open up a topic because silence has already filled the air between us.

I shrugged. “I’m good,” I replied. “So far, so good, I hope.”

He chuckled lowly before taking a bite on his sandwich. He chewed his food before looking at me again. “Everything starts to be like hell when the third year starts,” he told me. “All the major subjects are going to haunt you all until you’re tired and beat.”

“I hope not!” I told him.

“It will. Trust me,” he chuckled before shaking his head. “But don’t worry. I saw that you’re on the dean’s list. I think it’s all good for you. You’re intelligent.”

My heart started to pace up with just a simple compliment from him. I bit my lip and blushed. Now, this is the blush Moira was talking about last night. I’m blushing because I’m touched…and my heart is beating fast.

“I’m not,” I replied. “Genius is a lot better than me.”

He shrugged. “You’re a working student. You’re having it twice harder but you’re still on the dean’s list. I find that feat wonderful.”

Can he stop?! Can’t he see how I’m already blushing under his stare? And now he’s killing me with his words!

“I like girls who persevere for their dreams,” he said in a low but serious tone. His stare at me intensified. “What about you? What do you like in men?”

I swallowed hard. My brain is already so messy right now and he’s asking me what I like in men?! I sighed and tried to calm myself. “What I like in men?” I started using my brain. “I don’t know. Someone who knows his priorities? Someone who is focused and determined?”

Ryan smiled and nodded. “Like me?” he asked in a playful tone.

I chuckled awkwardly. I honestly don’t know if that is him though. I only stated the traits I like in men. I can’t say it’s him.

“I’m just kidding,” he beamed when I didn’t reply.

I laughed awkwardly and looked at him again. He’s looking at me like I’m some angel that he saw for the first time. I don’t know if it’s okay to feel this way. I don’t usually fall for guys the first time. But the effect that Ryan has on me is different.

His lips parted as his stare went down to my lips. I swallowed. What is he thinking?

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he leaned closer to my face.

I was stoned on my spot, unable to move even though I know what he’s trying to do. I swallowed hard as I watched his face getting closer and closer with wide eyes.

I blinked several times when my phone suddenly vibrated inside my pocket. He stopped and I jolted on my seat, breaking Ryan’s momentum.

I smiled apologetically as I took my phone out saw Genius’ name on the screen. I pursed my lips as I opened his message.

Genius:

Tracy backed out. We can eat dinner tonight.

I rolled my eyes at his message. Can’t he really even wait until our next subject? Does he have to tell me that now? I can’t believe him!

I locked my phone and kept it inside my pocket again, annoyed at Genius’ perfect timing.

Ryan cleared his throat, making me turn to him. He was staring at me while smiling. “Are you free tonight? I know a good restaurant we can visit.”

My lips parted in shock. “Are you asking me out? Like out-out?”

He chuckled, probably at my dumb use of words. “Yes. I’m asking you out-out.”

I bit my lip and looked at him in disbelief. “Really?” I asked again.

“Is it not yet obvious, Carrie?” he asked back. “I like you.”

My eyes widened, not expecting him to tell me that this fast. We just met a couple of times and he just asked me out for lunch yesterday. I can’t. Do guys usually ask girls this fast? I don’t know.

“Are you free?” he asked again.

“Huh?” I am totally not in my spirit. “I’m sorry. I’m eating out with Genius tonight. Maybe tomorrow?”

“I can come with you and your best friend,” he volunteered.

“Really?” I asked back.

He nodded. “Just text me the location. Or should I just pick you up?”

I shook my head. “No. I can manage,” I replied, chuckling weakly.

“Great. I’m already looking forward to it,” he beamed and I smiled back. To be honest, me too. Maybe Genius will change his opinion of him when he finally got to know him. And tonight is just the start.