My Bubblegum King - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

"I thought you didn't want to see my face until next week?" Diego asked, relaxing back on the side of the building.
"I didn't," I threw my hands up in the air. Fighting the urge to cover my face, I didn't even remember the events of the party with him until I saw his face. Did I slap him? I pointed, "it's all your fault. I told you not to show your face to me."
He chuckled, "you showed your face to me, appearing at my work place."
"No, you were the one who walked out majestically like some marvel hero... holding an injured dog."
"Okay," he crossed his hands in front of him, making his biceps bulge. "So first the Lion and now a marvel hero, I'm really nailing your favorites. Aren't I?"
I scoffed at the smug look on his face, "I don't even like Marvel." Lies.
"Hm." We kept looking at each other and even when I looked away, he didn't.
"What?"
He did a one shoulder shrug, "you look like you want to slap me again."
This time I covered my face with my hands. "It wasn't a slap."
"Who pats on the cheek?"
"People," I don't know when I walk closer to him and my hand found his cheek. "There'd be like, 'Good boy Diego'" I retreated my hand, taking a step back and blushing. "It's a thing."
"No, it's not and I'm not a dog," he frowned like in thoughts. "Or a horse."
"Argh, I told you not to remind me."
He laughed, "sorry, I couldn't resist."
"I'm so embarrassed. That was not me yesterday."
"So I almost got deaf for nothing."
I nodded, adamant. "It wasn't me."
"Fine, I was promised a better you anyway."
"Promised?"
"Like getting to know a better you."
"Oh," my hand itched to touch my hair or neck. "Well, you're looking at him."
"Um, so," he touched the back of his neck, looking away and back at me. "Want to have lunch together tomorrow?"
I blinked, "No."
"Oh."
I blinked again. "I mean, you're just going to make me embarrass myself some more."
He smiled, "I'll be good."
I pursed my lips thinking. "I might not even want lunch tomorrow."
"And if you do?"
Yes or no. "Then I'll have it with you. At the EatOut."
Diego shrugged, "Fine, I may see you there then."
"Great," I turned to leave. "Go back to Barney and save his innocent life."
"Who told you he's innocent?"
I gasped, eye wide. "He's not?"
Diego took one look at my face at my face and burst out laughing. It's a loud laugh and tickles you into laughing too. "I'm kidding, he is."
I glared at him, placing a hand on my chest. "Damn you, you had me already thinking that maybe he is a rapist dog or a I-eat-humans-for-fun cannibal dog."
Diego put his fist over his mouth as if telling himself not to laugh again. "That's not funny. Have you met a dog like that?"
"Duh, the Barney in my head a minute ago!" I joined him this time when he laughed. "You're crazy Diego Royal, don't mess with me like that. There's a very thin line between love and hate for me when it comes to dogs."
"My bad, how dare I?"
"Bye," I turn around, walking away.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Might." I throw back, not looking back at him.
Ryder was leaning over the receptionist counter talking when Jodi when I came back in and I give them two minutes to finish up before she comes and we start our journey back to the hostel.
"Already hitting?" I teased.
"No," she blushed. "She was just telling me all about the former receptionist Nora and showing me her log books."
"Mm-hm."
"I'm serious about getting to know her first, mister and like I said, she might not swing this way."
"I wish you all the best. You think you can actually be a receptionist? That takes patience."
She sighed, "I'd try and you'd hang out with me with you don't have anything doing, right?" She gives me puppy eyes.
"When don't I have anything to do?"
"Pax!"
"I'd try, no promises." I roll my eyes. "It's not as if you'd share Jodi or the fur coat with me."
"Not if you ask nicely," she winks and I cringe, removing her arm from mine.
"Ew, no way."
"Come on, you know you'd look great in fur and don't tell me you've never fantasied about a threesome?"
"I haven't."
"I have."
"No shit, Ry." I laugh as she hooks arms again. "Who and who, confess hoe."
Ryder laughed, getting a bit shy. "I did once with... Pam and Lan."
"Lan!" I shrieked, unable to contain my surprise. "Ryder, what?!"
"It was once!" Ryder tried to explain, flaming red. "And it's all Pamela's fault. She started it."
"Talk, talk, talk."
"First calm down," she smacked me. "I don't even know between me and you, who likes gossip more?"
"Do not deviate."
"Okay so, one time Pamela and I were talking about guys we might find hot and Pam mentioned Landon. She said if she was straight she'd totally bone Lan."
"Lan?" I laughed. "As in our Landon Mitch?"
Ry nodded. "Apparently, he was among the top hottest guy in the football team. Especially senior year, see all those abs and height he got?"
I nodded, thinking about it. Lan did get way hotter in senior year with a height closing up to six feet. Now that I think about it, it's totally true but I didn't see it like that then. I didn't even notice it all. "Yeah."
"Yep, so after that pool party at Caroline's house. I might or might not have fantasized about a threesome with him and Pam."
I looked at her, grinning with my lips and eyes. "Naughty shameless Ryder Tracey!"
"Shut up, Pam had me looking at him okay? And it's easier dreaming about him than any of those other guys or Sebastian. It was him or Sebastian really."
I remembered the senior year pool party. We were all shirtless with just shorts while the girls had on bikinis. Sebastian and I were all over each other, I couldn't have noticed whether Ryder was checking out our other best friend or not.
"I'm speechless."
"It was just once."
"Landon's head would so swell if we tell him. You're not going to live it down, I swear." I laughed.
"Don't you dare tell him, I'd die."
"I won't," I promised, making a zipping motion over my lips.
"What about you? If you were straight, what girl?"
"Jodi." I answered.
"I know right?" Ryder jumped. "But back in highschool?"
I tried to think about it, "no one."
"Really, on one?"
"I'd never fantasize a threesome with you Ry."
"I hate you, Paxton Flynn."
"Love you more."
*
"Quantum Physics, read that up." The lecturer said, shutting her book and leaving before any of the students did. She was definitely more in a hurry than any of us here.
I packed my books up and got up, going down the stairs just when my phone starts ringing.
"I've got assignment," Ryder whined into the phone as soon as I picked up. "Currently trying not to die on my way to the library."
"Oops, poor you."
"Yes, poor me. For God's sake, why?!"
"Because you're in school and assignments happen?" I asked in amusement, then laughed as I squeezed my way out of the class. "When is it due for submission?"
"Bitch lecturer gave us forty minutes. Can you imagine that? Half the class is rushing to the library and the other half to God knows where."
"Yeesh, you better hurry then."
"I'd see you later?"
"Yeah," then it struck me. "Shit. So I'm having lunch alone?"
"Don't even remind me of lunch, I'm so hungry and yet I'm stuck."
"Should I bring a burger to the library for you?"
"Nah, I'll be distracted. I'll grab something after I've submitted. Don't miss me too much."
"Sure." The call ended and I had a pout on. I could feel her pain, how I wish I had a forty minutes deadline assignment too, then I'd be too busy for lunch and won't have to eat alone.
Unfortunately I don't and I can't pass on lunch because I'm famished. I didn't have breakfast this morning because I woke up late and Sim had a 7am whatever to do. The idea hits me and I call Sim. It rings but there's no answer, I guess he's still at a class.
No way out then. I'd just grab a burger and leave, go eat it under a tree or something.
Paxton don't be a loner.
Fine, I'd stay and if someone approaches me, I'd smile and converse like a normal human being. Unless the person turns out to be an organ hunter or serial killer, then I'm shrieking and zapping out of there like lightening.
I put on my ear phone and silently walked all the way to the EatOut while trying not to bob my head to the music much or move my body. When I get there, I started searching for an empty seat with my eyes and my wandering eyes see, of course, Diego. I was not even surprised anymore, the guy is almost everywhere. He was looking good as always, I don't think he can even ever look bad. It's the kind of good looking that you know, effort wasn't involved in making. He doesn't have a beanie on, leaving his hair to be tousled around by the wind. He was scrolling through his phone, long legs stretched out with a glass of water in front of him. He had a denim jacket on and a green shirt underneath. I'm starting to think, green is indeed his favorite color and he looked to be waiting for someone.
Should I go to him or just take a seat and pretend like I didn't see him? I should be happy I found him, at least then I don't have to be alone and risk meeting an organ hunter. Yep, go say hi at least, he's somewhat a friend.
Just as I take a step forward, I'm stopped by the cheery voice of the waitress, Jodi. She's an inch taller than me, okay, maybe more than an itch, maybe a head taller but... we're practically the same height. "Hi, um..." She started.
"Paxton," I offered to help her out.
"Paxton, right, I'm sorry. Your friend Ryder told me the other day but it's not a name I've encountered before so—"
"Oh, it's fine, really."
"Thanks, so um, Hi."
I almost blushed for her and myself. "Hi."
"Welcome, I guess. I, um, just wanted to say hi. Familiar face, not everyday, right?" She was blushing now, how cute.
"Right. Thank you."
"Got to go, I'll be back to take your order once you get a sit. See ya."
I didn't get to reply before she zoomed off, walking away fast and pulling on her apron. I just watched her leave, a bit amused. What the hell just happened? Shaking my head and the question, I turned back around to meet Diego's eyes on me. He smiled, a small smile that looked half like a smirk. I narrowed my eyes at him and he laughed and beckoned me over.
Alright then, I'm going after all.
"Hey," I stood by his table, awkwardly holding the straps of my back.
He still had a smile on, a pretty one that complimented his nose stud. "You came, didn't think you would really."
Came? I blinked at him and immediately remembered our discussion yesterday and the lunch we 'maybe' planned.
"Yeah," I flushed, pulling out a sit. I totally forgot about that. "I came. I was free after all, famished too and Ryder just happened to be occupied so, here I am."
He leaned on the table, green alluring eyes fixed on me. "Lucky me then."
I swallowed, "ha. Hope you haven't been waiting long?"
"I actually have been but it was okay. Got to read so many of my unopened mail."
I leaned in too, raising a brow. "If this is your way of telling me you're popular, no need, I already know."
"What?" He flushed and leaned back into his seat like he's retreating. "I-I am not popular. That wasn't a way to tell you anything and what do you mean you already know?"
I laughed, "calm down Simba."
He quirked a brow, "Simba?"
I shrugged, leaning back on my seat too and dragging a hand on the table. "We've already cleared the fact that you're a lion Diego and just now you were acting all flush like Simba. Both are lions so, why not?"
He blinked, "oh."
"Simba, happens to be nice on you too."
"Oh." He processed it. "Wait, are you giving me a nickname right now?"
I smiled, "am I?"
"Aha," he chuckled. "I don't mind Simba although it sound like something a Lion King fan would name their dog."
"Mufasa is more like it."
"Nah, they wouldn't want their dog to die."
"Hmm, good point." I stroke my chin. "So yes or no to Simba?"
He looked at me, like really look at me. Like he was trying to see something no one else could, his look made me feel hot, I squirmed a little on my seat. "Do I get to give you a nickname too?"
I frowned at him. "There's no other way to nickname Paxton nicely except Pax. Any other would just make it Cringe Preppy."
He laughed, "that's a lie, there's got to be one. Um..." He looked up to the canopy roof. "How about Paxty?"
"Paxty?" I cringed.
"I like it."
"I don't."
"Paxty it is."
"Alrighty then Simba," then I groaned. "No fair, Simba is way cooler than Paxty."
Diego was laughing just as Jodi appeared to take our orders.
"Paxton, hope this Douche isn't disturbing you?" Jodi said to me, narrowing her eyes at Diego.
"Douche?" I looked surprised between her and Diego.
Diego face palmed. "Go away, Jodi."
"I work here," she flips him off.
"I'm so confused." I said.
Diego peeked at me through one eyes and sighed, "Paxton, meet my little sister, Jordyn."
My jaw slacked open, "what?" I looked at Jodi and she does a little finger wave. "You're Jodi Royal?"
"Unfortunately." Was her reply.