He smiles ironically at me. I stare at you, ignoring your comment and go to the backpack to get the water bottle. I also take a towel to dry the face that was soaked in sweat.
- You'd be surprised what nerds can do. - I answer sarcastically.
- Really? I'd love to find out! - Ryder says in a provocative tone, while he stops in front of me, folding his arms. I sigh making a face at him. - Why are you alone here?
- My dance teacher missed it and I decided to practice, even though I was alone. - ...I mean by taking a deep breath. - What do you want? I'm very busy!
I go back to the bar and start stretching again and ignore the presence of Ryder, who bothered me a lot.
- I'd like to hear about your conditions to help me create the lecture. - says he's making me stop and face him. - I was curious. What made you change your mind?
I smile with disdain at Ryder and cross my arms.
- Charity?
- Yeah! - he says laughing. - I don't need charity!
- It's not for you, it's for me. - I answer dry. - Mr. Keller confirmed what you told me. He explained that I need hours with a volunteer project.
- I see! - he says shaking his head. - So you decided to take it just because you're in trouble?
- And for what other reason would that be? - I answer with a serious voice. Ryder arcs his eyebrows and, turning his eyes, he sighs. - Look, I'm sorry for what I said and I still don't like the idea of having to be by your side for several days, but if we're going to work together, I promise not to throw up.
Ryder lets out a laugh.
- Is that your best apology? - he says with irony. - Know that the feeling is reciprocal.
- So you accept my help?
- If you promise not to enslave me and allow me to have a social life...
Taking my stuff, I take a piece of paper out of my backpack and bang it against his chest.
- Those are my schedules! - I say before putting the backpack on my shoulder and start walking to the bathroom to change me. - Read them, record them and try to respect them! If you understand, there'll be plenty of time for fun.
I'll take a break from shoulder to shoulder.
- At least for one of us! - I say sarcastic. - Focus on research, because if I realize you're making a fool of me, I just give up and try to fulfill my program in another way.
I knew there was no other student on campus who would like to take classes with me, but Ryder didn't know he was the only one she could count on. I just hoped I wouldn't have to give up the program, because there would be no way to complete the time frame. Unless, by some miracle, Mr. Keller liked my class on Monday and the other teachers invited me to teach once a week, until the end of the semester.
- I promise I'll keep to the schedule as long as you give me room for a social life. - Ryder says scaring me when I get out of the bathroom. - I know you don't really like fun, but I do.
- That's already your problem! - I mean in a harsh tone. - We can only study in the afternoon or at times before my work at Six.
I suggest in a dry tone heading for the exit of the room.
- We can go Saturday afternoon if you want.
- Why Saturday afternoon? - he asks in a curious tone.
- Because I work tonight and the next ones too and I need to rest in the morning because I'm not a robot. By next week, it won't be so troubled. - I'll explain. - Now if we're right, I need to go or I'll be late.
- Are you afraid of being late or do you want to run away from campus? - he provokes while he follows me around the room.
- Both of you. - grumbling without looking at him.
Although this morning was quiet, there were still those who liked to laugh and debauch, as well as whisper in the corners.
I leave the room walking down the hall and cross the building to the exit. I practically run out and get in my car, leaving towards the apartment to get ready. That would be a long night!
***
The week flew so fast, I barely noticed it going by. I wake up early on Saturday after spending the night in the clear because of the events at the club. Aron and Tiffany were making a point of showing up at Six and teasing me. I was very hard to ignore them, but it was still very painful and humiliating. I didn't understand why Aron did that. I also didn't know if Tiffany was aware of the connections he made to me that I ignored. To make matters worse, his friends began to think that they could feel me up while I was serving tables in place of one of the girls. Obviously, they received beautiful slaps from me and were expelled by the security guards for being drunk and getting confused with the employees.
I get up tired and apprehensive because of working in partnership with Ryder, who was starting this afternoon. I
