Midnight Rendezvous: A SandRay Story

Chapter 4: Unexpected Pursuits

Sand's POV

Seated by myself as per usual at the library, I'm attempting to concentrate, but my thoughts persistently drift back to Ray, leaving me puzzled about the current situation.

It's been several days since he commenced this bizarre habit of basically stalking me. Whenever he spots me, he approaches and engages in small talk. Even his friends acknowledge my presence now, as if I'm someone of significance, on par with them. This occurrence has certainly caught the attention of our peers. They've begun approaching me more frequently, greeting me upon my arrival and bidding me farewell at the end of classes. I'm striving to appear unaffected, but truth be told, it's proving to be quite challenging.

Throughout my four years in college, I've managed to remain inconspicuous. I've diligently avoided drawing any attention to myself. The sole instance when I've been comfortable with the spotlight is when I'm on stage, immersed in music. In that setting, protected by the melody, I can let go without concerning myself about the audience's perception of me. It's only the applause and cheers afterward that remind me I'm not alone, causing me to deflate, feeling self-conscious once again due to the spotlight.

About two weeks into this situation, it became crystal clear to me that no matter what I do, I can't escape Ray's relentless pursuit. I found him leaning casually against his dark gray Mercedes, evidently waiting for me outside the café where I work part-time. He was sporting that insufferable grin while I maintained a stony expression. I'm beyond frustrated with the way he's blatantly drawing attention to us, to the point where my coworkers are now teasing me about my alleged admirer.

"What do you really want, Ray? I've repeatedly asked you to stop, yet you keep showing up. Couldn't you find someone else to toy with?" I said, arms crossed, facing him.

"I've told you, I just want us to be friends, Sand," Ray replied, clearly amused by my evident annoyance. He possesses an uncanny ability to maintain his cool even when I'm being difficult. "Get in, I'll give you a ride home."

Feeling too exhausted to argue, I slid into the passenger seat and wordlessly fastened my seatbelt. He flashed that self-satisfied grin of his, as though he had finally emerged victorious. Ray can be such a jerk, I sighed, staring out the window.

As we drove through unfamiliar neighborhoods, I finally broke the silence, my voice tinged with a hint of irritation I couldn't suppress. "Where are we headed?"

"I thought we'd hang out at my place. You know, as friends. I've got some new movies we haven't seen yet. We can order pizza and grab some beer. I've noticed how hard you've been working lately. Do you ever take a break?" Ray asked.

"Pfffttt... Unlike you, Ray, I don't have an endless bank account and a black credit card to solve all my problems. I've got bills and tuition to pay. Tonight was my only opportunity to head home early and unwind, yet here I am... all because you refuse to leave me alone," I muttered.

"We can unwind together. I told you, we can chill, watch movies, and eat," he said. I gave him a skeptical look. Who would believe that this ladies' man just wants to hang out and watch movies and food? More likely he's interested to eat me. Rolling my eyes, I returned to gazing out the window until we finally reached a neighborhood, conspicuously upscale with mansions lined up side by side, clearly belonging to the elite.

Ray's POV

The past few weeks have brought some revelations to light.

Initially, I just wanted to capture Sand's attention, maybe even have another intimate encounter, driven by my desire for him. He's incredibly attractive, and our previous encounter left me wanting more. I wanted to ascertain whether the chemistry was still there for a second round.

However, following Sand around has offered me insight into his dedication to both academics and making a living. Our living situations are polar opposites. I often wonder how much sleep he manages, given his schedule of classes, library visits, his café job, and even his gigs at the bar on most nights. It's no surprise he's often dozing off in class.

Yet, he doesn't complain about it. He carries on through his day like a true champ. Despite his apparent irritation at my persistent presence and attempts to get his attention, I've even managed to provoke a faint smile from him during our exchanges.

Sand isn't only stunning and attractive; he's also incredibly hardworking. As the days went by, my perception of him shifted from mere pursuit to that of a potential friend, someone I genuinely want to spend time with.

My grin widens as I notice the genuine surprise in his eyes as we pull into the driveway. I can tell that these kinds of houses are unfamiliar to Sand. He's clearly taking in the interior with awe.

After ordering pizza and fetching some beer from the kitchen, I led him to the movie room. He inquires about other residents in the house, and I inform him it's just the housekeeper, likely somewhere around tending to household tasks. He remarks on how lonely it must be here. Little does he know, just how isolating it truly is, the exact reason why I rarely prefer to stay home.