Page 18 of Lodged

Gio: Hi, Ruin. How did you get my number?

Her response doesn’t take long.

Ruin: Oh, it was on the lab syllabus. I hope it is okay to contact you.

Gio: That’s right. I forgot I had added it there.

I feel so dumb right now, asking stupid questions. She must regret contacting me. I take a look at my naked body, and I feel even worse. Who texts someone while naked? “Ugh,” I groan at myself.

Ruin: Anyway, I’m going to cut to the chase. I was wondering if you’d like to go to the State Fair with me?

Wow. How do I reply to that? It’s like someone was overhearing my conversation with Vic and decided to send over the ultimate temptation. I wasn’t sure if she saw me the same way I see her. I’ve tried to be as professional as possible while in the lab, and we have only spoken a couple of times outside of it. I guess this is the push I needed to pursue something with her?

“Pursue?” I whisper to myself. It’s not like I’m going to marry her before the semester ends. She’s just asking about going to the State Fair.

Calm your horses, Gio.

Ruin: I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. I’ll check to see if it’s not too late to cancel this lab. Again, I’m so sorry, Gio.

Fuck, I guess I didn’t reply fast enough, and now she thinks I’m not into her. She must be mortified.

Gio: No, no. Wait. Please. I’m just trying to gather my thoughts.

I inhale deeply and slowly release it. I feel my dick hardening, my face getting warmer. My hands are shaking. A cold sweat runs down my neck onto my chest. What the fuck is going on?

I read her text over and over. Holy shit, I’m dumbfounded by her boldness. I’m definitely her fan. But fuck if I’m not scared shitless. The consequences of going out with her right now could be devastating for the both of us.

Closing my eyes, I raise a silent prayer toAbueloBianchi, I know he’d know what to do. I need his wisdom to guide me somehow.

Gio: I’d be lying if I said I don’t want to go to the fair with you, but we are in a tricky position at the moment. I don’t want you ever to feel pressured by me—being your lab instructor and all. The school has clear rules in regards to fraternization between teachers and students.

I inhale a deep breath before continuing to type. I hope she took the hint—I’m giving her an easy out if she’s had second thoughts. I don’t want her to get in trouble because of me.

Gio: As it is our luck, I’m currently out of town. But I believe the State Fair will still be going on next weekend. If we both just so happen to be at the same place, at the same time, I guess we couldn’t be blamed for doing something forbidden since it would be a coincidental encounter.

“What the hell are you doing?” I ask myself after I press send. Starting to feel too self-conscious about my nudity, I get up from bed and put on the first thing I find in my carry on—a pair of black sweatpants.

The phone screen illuminates with Ruin’s message. I quickly grab it and read.

Ruin: I guess it’d be purely coincidental if we end up at the Ferris wheel on Saturday at five in the afternoon.

Gio: I guess so.

Ruin: Good night, Gio.

Gio: Sweet dreams, Ruin.

Ruin doesn’t text back, so I guess our “non-date” is set. I pray to everything holy that there are no students around to catch us riding the Ferris wheel, and especially that following my gut doesn’t turn out to be a monumental mistake.

As expected, Penny and Vicente didn’t return until early this morning. I’m sure Penny will be sleeping the entire day, but I’m ready to go out and be a tourist for the day. Vicente will probably frown at me for not taking one of his drivers, but no one knows me here. I just want to enjoy the day without the fuss of someone following my every move.

My first stop is the Tower of London, a majestic castle nestled in central London. I snag a quick pic, and without thinking much about it, I send it to Ruin. Her reply doesn’t take long.

Ruin: Unless I’m hallucinating, that doesn’t look like any place in the US.

I chuckle at her response but love that she got back to me so quickly.

Gio: You’re not hallucinating. I’m in London.

---