My Bubblegum King - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

"Honestly, if you ask me, dating white guys is overrated?" Stella said, making Fern literally spit out his drink.
Nancy sighed, "well, no one asked you."
"Why is dating anyone over or under rated?" Fern asked, confusion written all over his face.
Stella turned to him, a serious look on her face. "Y'all just feel like you're something big, or hotcakes or something else but most of the time they have nothing else to offer except their dicks and you'd be seeing some assholes who'd be like 'dark skinned girls are my thing' like who the fuck do you think you are?"
"Okay, okay, let's calm down," Ryder said, her eyes meeting mine as we exchange looks.
"Well," Fern started and I just knew he wanted to provoke Stella like she has provoked him. "I don't blame them for saying that, when you are over here judging."
"I get judged all the time too. Like people be thinking cus she's black, she's tougher, she's kinky-er, she's whatever else goes through their mind." Stella said and I could now she that she was hurt. Something probably happened to her before we met up here.
"Not all white guys are the same," Fern said.
"Why are you tripping even? You're not white, the only white guy here is Paxton and he knows he's not among because he's just so precious and cute," Stella said, making sure to smile at me.
"And gay," I mutter to myself, lifting my drink up to my lips in a failed attempt to hide my blush.
"I'm going to go get some drinks," Fern said, leaving the table.
Stella stared after him, "he's Latino, that's isn't white, right?"
Nancy and Ry just laugh in response.
"I think he's annoyed because he likes you," I said, voicing my thoughts out to her. Stella doesn't even flinch or look surprised. "And that sounded like he's under the umbrella too."
"Aw Pax is so wise," Nancy grabbed my hand, "how did you know? Fern's be doing everything possible to hide it."
Ryder chuckled, "he's not that good and Stella is just so mean."
Stella shrugged, "I only date black guys."
"Oh my God," Nancy and Ry groaned, face palming.
"What I am allowed to say that, I'm black."
"No, you're not allowed," Ryder said, shaking her head. "That's just racist."
"Sorry girl, but when you've gone through what I have gone through with guys in just this campus, you'd know I have every right to say that." She defended.
"And so have every other racists said over time," Nancy said, raising her glass to click with Ry.
"It's not racism, you idiots." Stella said. "It's just a preference. Like how most girls prefer tall guys to short ones and how they like muscle more than lean."
"It's a preference based on skin color, that's racism." Ryder said.
Stella sighed, "it's just they have more chances of understanding me that white guys. We'd have more things in common than I would with any other. So far, they have treated me better. I'm not saying their are no shitty black guys, nope, far from it. It's just they would know what not to say to my face and we'd relate better."
"Stella guys are guys, they need instructions. Black or white, tell the person what you won't tolerate, what you would and what can't be done before entering into any kind of ship." Nancy said, then turned to me. "Isn't that right, cutie?"
"Um," I looked for words that don't come and they bursted out laughing and making me blush.
"What's your kind of guy, Paxton?" Stella asked.
I paused to think about it. Does she mean the kind of guy I can date or the kind of guy I'm in love with? "Uh, taller than me, uh, pretty eyes... Um..."
"Strange probably cool name, weird habits, cool initials, badboyish, rich," Ryder listed out on my behalf, taking over from me. "Amazing smirk, nonchalant with a sprinkle of rude, muscular– sometimes, and most times, they are in love with him before he even knows it."
My mouth and everybody else's hanged open.
"Wow," Stella said, wiggling her brows at me.
I blushed and smacked Ry. "Ryder, really?"
"What I am not wrong," she said, smiling wickedly. "There's Sebastian Crown..."
Nancy made a wincing sound, followed by whistling. "Hot."
"... Spencer Caldwell Tracey..."
"Interesting," Nancy commented, giving me a teasing smile.
"Oh and Diego Royal."
I snapped my eyes to her, "what?"
She shrugged, "he's totally your type. That's why you avoided him."
"And they are all rich?" Stella asked.
"Very."
I smack Ry again. "Don't mind her." I glared, "it's not as if I go out scouting for rich guys to date." I blush. "They just end up rich somehow."
They all laugh.
"Wait, did you say Diego Royal?" Nadia was asking just as Fern returned. "I think he know him."
"He's super hot—"
Nancy snapped her fingers, "oh yeah, the frat guy."
"Oh, he doesn't stay at a frat anymore," I answered.
"He's your boyfriend?" Nancy asked with wide eyes.
"What, no."
Ryder chuckled, "Pax boyfriend is back home. Sebastian."
Stella made a moaning sound, "damn, just the sound of that name."
"I know right," Ry said, making them giggle and high five.
I fight my blush and turn back to Nancy, "we're just friends."
"Just friends?" Nancy scoffed. "Unless it's not the same Diego, I don't think anyone can stay just friends with that guy. Have you seen his tatts? Damn, I went to one pool party a year back and I couldn't take my eyes off him. For crying out loud, how can one person be that gorgeous."
"Girl, why didn't you approach him then?" Ryder asked.
"I did," Nadia pouted. "Snubbed me like I didn't exist."
Fern holds back his laughter but we all hear it anyway.
"Well, he's gay," I said just so she won't keep feeling bad.
Her mouth hanged open and Stella and Fern laughed their ass off. "Nance always falls for gay guys."
"It's not my fault," she groaned, making us all laugh. "They just all end up hot and cute and my type."
"Awwn," Fern and Stella made a sound, wiggling their eyes at her.
She sneered at them and turn to Ryder and I, "maybe I should just change and become a guy and become gay right?"
I blinked at her, wondering if that was an actual question.
"Nance, shut your mouth, I think that's offensive to even ask?" Fern said shaking his head at her.
"How is that offensive? Everything be offensive to this generation. She's clearly joking," Stella said, scoffing at Fern.
"Some things shouldn't be joked with," Fern retorted calmly.
"How would you know? Are you in every community?" Stella fired, anyone could tell she and Fern were just trying to get at each other.
"I'm not but..."
Stella cut him off, "we can't all be walking on eggshells regarding certain conversations because someone is probably going to get hurt. Life is hard, deal with it."
Fern opened and closed his mouth and when no words came out, he settled with, "you're just a bitch. An extra one this night."
Stella gave him a look that said, 'bite me.'
"Can't we not fight pls? I was joking!" Nance said, trying to calm the tension.
I turned to Ryder who was already leaning towards me, "is this what College friendship group is like?"
Ryder chuckled, "too much? We can just leave."
"Nah, I'm still good."
"Okay." We return back to our positions.
"I'd totally fuck Diego any day though," Nancy said, making me almost choke on my drink.
Stella laughed, "so he should ruin his long lasting relationship to be a hoe?"
I thought Nancy would be offended but she isn't in the least bit. She just winked at Stella, "it's totally worth it, have you seen the guy's thighs? Then his voice? And don't get me started on that hair of his?"
"Sebastian's hotter though, you haven't seen him," Ryder started saying. "He doesn't even need to speak Nance, just one look and you'd be melting like hot butter."
"Whoo," they all coo and I laugh, blushing like crazy. Why are we discussing my boyfriend and friend again?"
"Better hold your men Pax," Fern warns with a laugh. "This girls clearly don't care about sexualities."
Men? I coughed, "Diego's not—"
"He has only one man dummy," Ryder quickly corrected, cutting me off. "Sebastian for life."
"Honey, 'for life' is deep," Stella said, then turned to me. "Have your fun dear, don't you dear think about marriage now."
I swallowed and just nodded. I wasn't going to tell her I already know the name of the place I'm buying my suit from, the church and the priest to marry I and Sebastian. She didn't need to know that.
"And by fun, she means it's okay if you dream about Diego's hot ass or mine, I'm totally okay with that," Nancy said, winking at me.
I chuckled, "you're drunk."
"That has never stopped me."
"Sorry Nance, Sebastian for life," Ryder reminded her.
She pouted, "I go with me or Diego."
"I go with them both," Fern said, winking at me.
"I go with none," Stella said.
I laughed, "well, thank God you guys aren't my relationship advisers."
"Cheers to that!" Fern said, causing us to all laugh and hit our half empty drinks together.
The group was something else I must say but it was different from what I knew and was used to and not all that bad. I guessed that was one of the things college is all about.
**
"Follow me," Ryder pleaded, dragging me with her.
I groaned, "I don't understand why you're scared of going to work alone. I have some assignments."
"You'd do it over there, I promise no one would disturb you. Diego might not even be around."
I gave her a look of 'are you kidding me'. She sighed, "please with the cherry on top."
"Okay, just tell me what's going on."
"I will on the way."
And that's how I packed my things, left my comfortable room and entered the warm sun with Ryder heading to Go. I would surely see Diego there, he worked there for Christ sakes and I'm not ashamed or shy to admit that I was looking forward to it a bit. No, I don't want him disturbing me, I just wouldn't mind seeing his face.
"So, I kissed Jordy," Ryder confessed in a mutter that I clearly heard.
I stopped walking, "what?"
She stopped to and closed her eyes, rushing out, "I kissed Jordy and now things are weird between us!"
I didn't mean to laugh, I swear. "Ryder, you horny bitch!"
That made her open her eyes and smile a little, then a heavy sigh followed, "it was a stupid thing to do though."
I frowned, entwining her hand with mine as we continued walking, "why, what happened?"
"She turned me down... Not that I asked her out of anything but-- she pulled away from the kiss and I freaked out and ran away."
"Yeesh," I winced on her behalf.
She nodded, "yup, it was that horrible."
"And you haven't spoken until today?"
"No," she sighed again, pulling at her ponytail. "She met me outside, cringing and close to tearing up and tried to explain things, while making sure I was alright."
"Okay... What did she say is her reason?"
"She is sworn off dating," Ryder looked up at me with a frown, it looked like she was going to cry now. "Guess what I did after?"
"Stupid or proud thing?"
"Stupid, very stupid."
"You grabbed her face and kissed her more, biting her lips for effect and saying you don't care?" I supplied, crossing my fingers that it wasn't that.
Ryder eyes widen and I nearly peed myself.
"That's what you did?!"
She laughed, smacking my shoulder, "no, idiot. But it's close."
I sighed in relief, "okay, tell me, I can take it."
"I told her 'well, I'm not looking to date either, not right now, at least'," Ryder mimicked herself with a pitch higher voice. Then she literally face palmed and I mentally did. "I could've just fucking stayed silent."
"What did she do next?"
"She gave me this warm smile, like I'm some kid and told she wasn't ready for anything now or ever and I was too precious for all her baggage right now," Ryder sighed, now with little annoyance. "I have baggage. Pamela had baggage and we still worked it out for a while. Is there really anyone without baggage?" Now she was crying a bit. "Maybe I'm just not for relationships."
"Ry—" she turned around, releasing my hand and throwing her arms around me in a hug, I hug her too.
"No one trusts me with their baggage and I know I'm childish and most times stupid but I swear, I can do it. Just...just like me enough to trust me," she ranted out to my tummy, holding me tightly.
I rub my hand up and down her back, "of course you can. You've been carrying my baggage for years now, you're not childish or stupid."
"Right?" She pulled away, wiping her cheeks with the back of her palm. "It's Jordy's loss."
"Correct," I hold her hand again. "What did you say to her after that?"
"I just nodded, saying I understand and after she left, I cried a bit and I think she knows that but then I didn't really care. Now I care though, I'm so embarrassed."
"There's nothing to be embarrassed of. It sucks but it's nothing to feel bad about. Happens."
"Yeah," Ryder said to me and herself.
We talked a little bit more on confidence and relationships until Go was right in front of us. After a lot of deep breaths and a mini pep talk, we finally go in. Turned out we were scared for nothing, the place was too heated up for anyone to care about who kissed who;
"...You are so fucking unreasonable at times," deep groan. "I can't deal with you." Diego was shouting over the noise of barking dogs and scratching cats.
"Oh yeah, shoot yourself in the head then," Jordy shouted back. "Always works out."
"You're are attending Jordy Royal, it's not an option."
Jordy came to view, standing by the doorway and laughed, turning to face the inside and scream. "You're going to have to kill me and drag my dead body there then. Should be easy since you're so fucking controlling and all macho!" She fully walks out now to the receptionist room and her fiery eyes meets with Ryder.
"Um—" Ryder opened her mouth to say something but was cut off.
"I can't go there alone," Diego said, coming into view too.
Jordy sighed, looking away from Ryder and back to her brother with a frown that can kill. "Then don't go it's that simple!"
"No, its not! Unlike you, I am reasonable with a sense of loyalty."
"Loyalty?!" Jordy cackled and I actual get scared a bit. "You and your father can shove loyalty up your asses!"
"Deny it all you want, we're his children."
"Not me, I disowned that man, ages ago."
"Oh yeah," now Diego laughed. "Not what your tuition receipts say though." Jordy just glared. Deigo sighed, "we have to go Jordy."
"I am not going!"
"One of us has to go and I'm not going alone!"
"Then take your pick," she turned to us. "Ryder or Paxton, I am sure if you beg enough, one of them would be interested."
That's when Diego saw us. He blinked, his eyes meeting mine and he sighed in either defeat or embarrassment, covering his face with a palm.
I almost chuckle but the room didn't exactly give space for that. "Go to what? What are you guys arguing about?"
"A wedding," Jordy said with a wide fake smile.
"Jordy," Deigo called, voice low with a warning attached.
"What? Aren't they friends and family?"
Diego looked at me and I just raised a brow at him. He sighed, showing me the invitation cards on his hands. "I have two cards inviting us to our father's wedding. Jordy doesn't want to go, I can't go alone."
"Wedding?" I smiled, taking one of the cards. "I didn't know your dad was getting married."
"To his fifth wife," Jordy said.
"Jordy!" Diego warned again and all she did was scoff and turn to Ryder.
"Ryder, I can give you my spot, are you interested?"
Ryder blinked, then shook her head with a frown. "No I'm not interested in anything right now. I'd pass."
"One out," Jordy sang.
Deigo sighed, moving to collect the card from me, "don't worry about it."
I looked it at, "you absolutely can't go alone."
He shook his head, "no, it's not... I just can't."
"No one else to ask?" To that he just shook his head solemnly, looking at me strangely. I smiled. "I'd go then. I've only ever been to one wedding in my life afterall."
"Paxton?"
I gave him the card back, "smile, I'm going with you to your father's wedding."
He looked down at his feet, I could see the veins leaving his neck already. It was like he was too shy to look at me, "you don't have to—"
"I know."
Now he looked at me, green eyes bright again and lips quirked in a small smile. It's only when I see it that I realize that was the look I was aiming to get back on his face. "I'm sorry you had to see me like that?"
"Like what? Diego the lion?" I shrugged. "You were just in character."
He chuckled and I'm smiling, "thank you Paxty."
"You're welcome... Simba."