Midnight Rendezvous: A SandRay Story

Chapter 6: Unstoppable Changes

Sand's POV

Following that weekend, Ray and I quickly developed a comfortable rapport. While he still greeted me and engaged in conversations at school, he stopped shadowing my every move. He began spending time with his group of friends again, and I reverted to my usual university routine.

However, the newfound attention became somewhat burdensome. Both male and female classmates would approach me in places like the library or cafeteria, asking to join me or requesting my contact information. I aimed to be courteous, but I drew the line when they invaded my private spaces, like my smoking area or where I parked my motorcycle. I grew tired, and my apartment neighbor Nick, the only person I considered a friend from the university, playfully teased me about becoming a campus heartthrob.

If only there were a freaking cash reward attached to this label – then I might appreciate it. Otherwise, I'm not particularly interested, thank you.

Ray now frequents the bar, and after my performance, which usually wraps up around midnight, we share a drink and then head to either his place or mine. The sex was great and it's as if we've transformed into genuine friends who share open conversations.

Sometimes, when we're not in the mood for drinking, we opt for drives, visiting late-night street vendors to chat over delectable midnight snacks.

Despite Ray's privileged background, he possesses a surprising sense of humor and intelligence. Although his playboy image has somewhat overshadowed his intellect, I'm genuinely astonished by his knowledge, which is actually on par with mine and his friend Mew's. If he exerted effort to study instead of chasing the ladies and gentlemen, he could undoubtedly pose a serious challenge for my second spot in the school ranking.

Nonetheless, one aspect of Ray's behavior that I find irksome is his insistence on giving me gifts. He often presents me with seemingly "random" items, and though I resist at first, I ultimately relent and accept his offerings, albeit begrudgingly. This clashes with my sense of independence and self-sufficiency.

Adding to my discomfort is the fact that his gifts often address specific needs I have at the time. For instance, guitar strings when mine are worn out, a new shoe when my old converse falls apart, or a fresh leather jacket when my current one is tattered. It's as if he's closely observing me, which baffles me. This facet of Ray isn't negative, but it does unsettle me, as I don't want our relationship, whatever it is, to be tied to material things.

Nevertheless, these uneasy feelings tend to fade in the face of his childlike demeanor, his cheekiness, his affectionate nature, and his remarkable ability to flirt. He possesses an extraordinary talent for making one feel desired through his playful advances. Amidst my generally gloomy and routine existence, he's like a welcome burst of sunlight.

Ray is addictive, and I fear becoming too entangled, only to end up without him eventually. At the end of the day, Ray and I are nothing more than friends who mutually agree to casual, commitment-free intimacy.

I anticipate that one day, this arrangement will conclude, and I'll be left alone, much like I've always been. These thoughts weigh heavily on me, particularly on nights when Ray isn't present. In those moments, I find myself chain-smoking on my small balcony, gazing into the dark sky, and attempting to stave off the somber thoughts crowding my mind.

Ray's POV

I've been spending a significant amount of time with Sand, and my friends have started to complain about it. Boston, on the other hand, just grins and throws his usual sly comment, "Seems like you're having quite the time with him, huh?"

Sand is truly amazing. There seems to be no end to the wonderful things I discover about this incredibly talented individual. Our late-night meet-ups leave me even more captivated by this unique person.

He must be perpetually tired, given his packed schedule, but he still manages to maintain that brilliantly charming smile on his face. His soft eyes light up with amusement whenever I do something silly, and they shimmer with a depth of emotion when I surprise him with a gift he genuinely needs but is reluctant to buy due to financial concerns. I do my best to ensure he doesn't perceive it as pity because, honestly, it isn't. What's wrong with a well-off friend wanting to make life a bit easier for his friend when he can easily afford it? If anyone deserves the best, it's Sand.

Sand, my friend who possesses hands that work magic not only on the guitar but also in knowing precisely where to touch me. Sand told me one day that he has been cutting his own hair since he was 10 to save money and because of that information I coaxed him into giving me a trim. We were giggling like elementary students doing naughty things in the bathroom as he gave me a haircut inside my spacious bathroom, kissing and making out in between. His slightly parted lips and gentle snores are a beautiful sight and sound to wake up to in the mornings.

Even my housekeeper has embraced Sand as if he were the best boy she's ever encountered. Often, I find them engaged in conversation in the kitchen as she whips up meals to feed him. It seems she's happier now that someone appreciates her cooking, whereas I used to opt for dining out or postponing meals.

Sand insists on doing the dishes as a token of gratitude and prepares tea for her to enjoy as she watches. I overheard him mention that his mother adored that specific tea, which he bought with her in mind. Sand seems to be winning on all fronts – he possesses looks, intellect, and charm. I believe wealth will follow in due time. After university, I have a strong sense that he'll undoubtedly find success.

I've never been at ease in the presence of others, which is why I limit my circle to Mew, Syrup, and Boston. I'm highly self-conscious and detest revealing any sort of vulnerability. However, Sand is different. He seems to relish being around me, even when we're simply sitting close or lying side by side on the bed, saying nothing at all. He listens to my ramblings with the enthusiasm of someone engrossed in the most captivating topic and genuinely finds my cheesy jokes amusing.

Perhaps due to this, I grew complacent and began desiring to integrate Sand further into my world. On a night when Sand didn't need to work at the bar, I invited him to join my friends and me for a night out. It was a significant surprise for him, given that he'd been separated from them since the beginning of our late-night meetings until that moment.

"Hey, Ray, I think I'll pass. Wouldn't your friends mind if you brought someone new? Besides, you know I don't really fit in with your crowd," I heard Sand say, sporting that sheepish grin that's typical when he's hesitant.

"Come on, Sand. It's just for drinks. There's plenty of free alcohol, and my friends are actually pretty decent," I assured him. Truthfully, I had been dreading this night ever since Boston started babbling about introducing Mew to one of his friends. I figured having Sand there would make things a bit better.

"If you feel uncomfortable, we can leave right away. I just need to show up for a bit since I've been skipping out on them for the past few weeks. We can grab that favorite ramen of yours afterward." I pushed, and finally, Sand relented, saying, "I suppose free drinks and ramen aren't too bad." This earned him a playful smack on the lips, me a playful shove showing his surprise for what I did and we both dissolved into fits of giggles for no apparent reason.