tennis slash - Smart People (7)
Title: Smart People (7)
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Players: Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Ernests Gulbis, Marin Cilic, David Ferrer, Evgeny Korolev
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: College AU. Richard and Rafael are geniuses who are roommates in a suite, though they’re different as could be. Inspired by the movie Real Genius. This chapter: Ernie changes tactics with Novak; Andy advises Marin while dreading Rafa’s impending plan.
Author's Note: I have set up a request post if anyone is interested.
Chapter 7 - Observational
Ernie doesn’t know what happened on Soccer Sunday but he is certain one of them talked to Novak about him. That is why Novak has gone out of his way not to be cornered in his room the last three days.
It’s not as if it ever mattered before if Andy was there but now Novak is making sure to comment about his presence and being cautious about even small gestures. Ernie is reasonably sure it went beyond Andy’s complaining, which Novak had easily ignored because Andy is normally complaining. This means that something said hit the mark.
Ernie looks at his roommate and realizes Marin was actually on the trip. They could have easily said anything in front of the Croat.
Marin can tell Ernie is plotting, though. Before Ernie figures out how to start the topic, Marin says, “Not sure I want to help you.”
So he barrels right in. “The twins got to him.” At Marin’s confused look, Ernie explains, “Rafa and Andy. I know they’re not visually but they join forces and Bam!"
Marin tries to catch up, feeling as if he'd entered the middle of a conversation instead of the beginning. "They got to... Novak?"
"Yes. He's been avoiding me since the soccer game. I don't think I did anything wrong so they said something."
Marin collapses back on the bed. "Don't do this."
"Come on. They twisted him around."
"Ernie, it's not about you. He..." Marin bites his lip. "It's the close quarters."
Ernie nods. "I see. He doesn't want to get involved because we're in the same suite and there could be drama?"
"Yes, that's it."
"You're only saying that to shut me up."
"Yes." Marin darts up and heads out of the room, leaving the door open.
Ernie shoots up, chasing after his roommate. "Wait! What are you..." but he stops upon seeing Marin knock on Novak's door. "Don't you dare!"
"What is it?" Andy calls out from the other side.
Marin asks, "Is Novak around?"
"No. He's at the food court, gathering signatures for some petition."
Ernie says, "I don't know what the hell happened last weekend but I don't like these changes," then heads out of the suite, shouting over his shoulder, "especially your haircut!" before slamming the main door.
Andy opens the door. "What is his problem?"
"Novak isn't hanging around him. Makes him grumpy." Marin looks inside the room. "Are you busy?"
Andy shrugs. "I was checking out this website listed in the probability theory syllabus. So, to answer your question, not really."
"Can I talk to you about something?" Marin realizes he’s been putting this off for days. He needs to talk to someone and, after much deliberation, has concluded Andy would be the easiest. At any rate, that is the consensus in the suite.
"Ernie should be gone for about a half hour before he realizes I lied to him, then stomp back here to give us both a headache." Andy ushers Marin into the room, then sits back at his desk. “What's up?”
Marin leans against Novak’s desk. "This is kind of awkward but I figured you would be the most likely to understand given...” Marin shakes his head, having meant to simply say Andy is the adviser but slipping down the wrong path with one wrong word. “So you know how everyone is saying that Evgeny seems to have some interest in me? The thing is… I don’t know. I am just not good with this. There was this guy who pretended to be interested in me but really just wanted me to do all the work.”
“Sounds familiar.”
Marin nods. “That’s what I thought. Richie had called Evgeny out about flirting that night, though I couldn’t even tell who Evgeny was flirting with.”
“You think Evgeny agreed to the tutoring to be around Richie?”
“It is possible.”
“Of course anything is possible but I think you’re looking for reasons that aren’t there. Have you seen him in class since?”
“From a distance. It’s a large lecture hall.”
“Try to change that so at least he has a reason to speak to you after lecture. That’s at least within your control. Hang around the exits since everyone ends up in the same hallway”
It’s so damn logical it’s almost embarrassing. Marin admits, “I guess they were right about you being the counselor of the group.”
“No problem. Though what did you mean by ‘I would be most likely to understand given…’?”
Marin had thought Andy missed that slip earlier. “Everyone else is either dating someone or is comfortable in that department. Would that be correct?” Andy nods, so Marin soldiers on, “So they wouldn’t understand. You said during the fire drill about how you comprehended why I was wary about Evgeny’s interest.”
“Well, yeah." Andy stares down at his hands, wishing he had something to use as a distraction. "There was this guy when I was in high school and we would sneak around. It turned out he didn’t even like admitting we were friends, much less other stuff. Wouldn’t have been so bad if we weren’t both on the soccer team so were forced around each other.”
There is a coldness to the way Andy tells the story that keeps Marin from pushing on. He mumbles, “That’s rough.”
“Eh. This is why I don’t get involved anymore. Not worth the aggravation.”
“But you eventually get back in the game.”
“That’s what’s going on now. So far not off to a good start.”
Marin remembers the events from Soccer Sunday. “If you started this on Saturday night, you’re probably right.”
Andy gives a wry smile. “That was old habits. The thing is, if I know Rafa, he’s trying to fix me up with someone that I’d have absolutely no interest in.”
* * * * *
"Argh! I have to fix this problem," Rafael says with determination. He can't seem to shake the feeling that this Robin situation is irritating him more than it should.
David says from the other end of the computer lab, "What's wrong?" He wanders over and looks at the screen, finding Rafael is checking email, not doing homework as he'd suspected.
"It's..." Rafael tries to figure out how much he wants to say to David, then resigns himself to ask his co-worker for advice. "I have a friend..." He shakes his head, realizing what it must sound like. "I really mean I have a friend."
"I know you have friends."
"I have a friend who got a makeover..."
"Oh, so it really isn't about you," David kids.
“It’s about belief,” Rafael affirms. “Originally this was about trying to get him laid. But I’m realizing while it probably could happen, that might not be the right plan. I mean, he shouldn’t be settling for the first guy to show even slight interest.”
David stares at Rafael, then admits, "I’m probably the wrong person to have this conversation with."
Rafael stops then realizes the source. David Ferrer is a fellow computer science major. Perpetually shy and probably not very experienced, though certainly attractive enough for this to seem viable. Actually would be perfect. “You know Andy? British guy who sometimes stops in here to bug me?”
“Mound of red hair? Yeah.” David realizes how Rafael started this topic. “Or I'm guessing he used to have that hair, before the makeover?”
“I don’t think he’ll agree to a date outright because he’s annoyed with me right now so will look at any fix-up with trepidation. How about the three of us hang out?”
David shrugs. “I suppose I can go along. But do you really think you should get involved? He probably could do okay on his own.”
“You’ve met Robin.”
“The guy in our classes Robin?”
Rafael nods, then turns back to the email. “I just don’t understand why Andy would even get involved. Whatever Andy really did that night, and I have a suspicion he's not telling me everything, would of course get twisted around by that... that... rat! That’s the expectation!” Rafael looks away from the screen, realizing he’s dwelling on the wrong problem. He doesn't want the fact that Robin was involved influence his need to help out a friend.
David raises an eyebrow, having gotten completely confused. “What are you talking about?”
"Trust me. I am as puzzled as you are."
* * * * *
Ernie sets foot in the food court and Novak is nowhere to be found. He does spot Richard sitting in the corner, absorbed in a book while picking at the fries in his plate.
"Hey," Ernie says, sliding into the adjacent seat. "Did Novak just finish with his signatures?"
"Don't know. Haven't seen him all day nor have I heard about any causes he'd be fighting. Though it is too early in the semester for Novak to get into fighting spirit mode anyway."
"Oh." Ernie tilts his head to see what Richard is reading, as it's definitely not for class. "Golf? You play?"
"Something like that. I prefer playing with a golfer but I imagine I can get better with the innuendo by reading up on it. Getting a good grip on the shaft, or something like that."
Ernie stares at him, dumbfounded, then shakes his head. "Damn you. That's a game my father plays. I didn't need that visual!"
Richard looks up from his book with a grin, then narrows his stare on the Latvian. "Something wrong?" He marks the page and sets the book aside to pay attention.
While Ernie had only intended to talk to Richard regarding Novak's location, he actually could be a good resource. Though Richard missed the soccer trip as well, he does have two years of past experience with Novak in his favor. "Yeah. I have this feeling that Novak is avoiding me and that the others in the suite know why. I am sure Andy knew Novak wouldn't be here just like Rafa knew Novak wouldn't be at the dorm meeting last night..."
"To be fair, last night had nothing to do with Novak. One person from the suite had to attend. Rafa and I decided the sufferer should be you. The rest was easy. As for right now, that was probably Andy getting annoyed about being in the middle of your lovers' spat..."
Ernie yells, "We are not lovers! Stop saying that!" Several heads turn around at that outburst, suddenly treating them to a soap opera. Ernie glares at the group, not sure what they're looking at.
Richard is laughing as he says loudly, "No. We," gesturing to Ernie then himself, "are definitely not lovers but I'm glad you made that crystal clear." The group accepts that reply and resumes their previous conversation.
Ernie shakes his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. He says in a lower voice, "Here's the thing. While the jokes are annoying about whether he and I are dating, I would not object if this was true. However, it is not true and he's been avoiding me all week."
"I see," then Richard pauses as he thinks of a way to explain what's happening. "In the eighteenth century, physicians believed that the human body was filled with four substances, known as the four humors. When this model was discontinued, it also eliminated the connection between lovesickness and mental illness which, if you see how some people act, should really be reconsidered."
Ernie had tuned Richard out when he started on the history lesson but catching the word 'lovesickness' makes him wish otherwise. "He's lovesick?"
"Clearly sick in the head if he's convinced he's in love as quickly as he usually does. If Rafa and Andy said anything to him, it was likely a warning about that, not specifically about you."
Ernie can't help but laugh at this. "You seriously think that's what's happened?"
"It is possible. Here's the thing, though. This is not a joke.” Ernie is jolted by the comment and stops laughing. Richard nods, then continues, “You probably see this as a fun fling. While understandable, it also means it's easy for him to get hurt if you play along and not mean it. So back off now if you're not interested in anything other than the game."
“Unlike him, I cannot determine something like love so early.”
“Ah. Welcome to being a mere mortal. Sadly, I do understand that statement. When Novak was a freshman, I was in your position. Once I realized it, I had to let him down quickly, before there would be irrevocable damage. He was already getting annoyed when I would start talking about someone else, even if I was just kidding. Then it got twisted around into some analytical puzzle for him, determining what missing piece in me was keeping him away.”
“But if you’d actually been in love with him, it wouldn’t have felt like jumping through hoops. I mean, it may be love for me. I can’t be sure.”
Richard shrugs. “I suppose you’re right. I’ve never felt that way toward anyone.”
“Not even the RA?” Ernie smiles brightly, enjoying the rare bit of quiet honesty.
“That’s different. We’re not even serious, much less exclusive. Both of us know the rules so there’s no way of getting hurt or complicating everything. It works.” But Richard looks toward the book. “Golf is a dumb sport, if it can even be called that. It would be pretty terrible to say something like that to someone who teaches it for a living, you think?”
“Yes, I’d think so.”
“Why couldn’t he be into rugby like others from his country? At least that is a sport, an incredibly barbaric sport but understandable. Not going around for a long walk with intermittent swings of a club. I think it is a pretty major problem to have that opinion of what he gets paid to teach.”
Ernie realizes at this point the conversation is far away from the initial topic. “Okay, so I’m going to see if I can find Novak and leave you to ponder if reading that book is worthwhile.”
As Ernie is getting up, Richard cannot resist saying, “Oh please. I don’t mind getting the shaft from you.”
“I fucking hate you right now.”
* * * * *
Marin is trying to concentrate on Chemistry lecture but he doesn't like sitting in the back of the room. It had taken Marin eleven minutes to spot Evgeny, sitting in an aisle seat around the middle of the lecture hall on the opposite side. After that, though, it isn't Evgeny that is distracting as much as the activity of others who are not paying attention, various recording devices set in place as they sleep through. At least Marin can take solace in the fact that Evgeny is alert, although this had been assumed by the questions asked during the tutoring session.
After Professor Federer lets class out, Marin walks along the back row of seats, utilizing his height to keep track. Fortunately for him, Evgeny has stopped to talk to another classmate. As the crowd begins to disperse, Marin is able to get closer to the destination. He recognizes the other person as one of Evgeny’s suitemates (there are two guys from South America in the suite but he isn’t sure if this is Leo or Thomaz) so hopes this doesn’t appear too awkward.
Evgeny gives a warm smile upon spotting Marin. It takes all of Marin’s willpower to keep walking without stumbling over his feet. Fortunately, Evgeny starts the talking. “I'm hearing that Federer's first test is incredibly difficult. Many drop out from that, but then if you survived, the others are easier."
Marin looks behind at those just waking up, muttering, "Can't imagine why they'd say that."
"Good point. So..." Evgeny waves goodbye to his roommate, then continues, "Even though I feel okay about lecture this week, we should keep to the tutoring until the first test. I asked Richie yesterday and he agreed to a weekly session as long as his schedule allows - for a small price."
"How much?"
"Not money but he wouldn't say." Marin pictures what kind of fee Richard has in mind and cringes. Evgeny notices the reaction and asks, "Should I fear agreeing to this arrangement?"
"Probably but that's true with anything involving Richie. If he didn't lay out the terms right away, be prepared for trouble."
Evgeny can't help but laugh at how serious Marin is. "That is really cute how worried you are. Er, it's nice that you're concerned."
Marin remembers the first day in the dorms, with the promise about getting him to wear a dress, and grumbles, "I have a suspicion it will be me, not you, paying for it."
"It probably won't be whatever you're picturing... I have to get to my next class across campus. See you later."
Marin watches Evgeny leave, muttering to himself, "Believe me, you do not want to know what I was picturing." As the room thins out and he is still stuck in place, something else Evgeny said finally registers. Marin blurts out, "Cute?" He sees Professor Federer staring inquisitively at him and feels compelled to apologize for the outburst, even though class is over, before rushing out.
* * * * *
Novak returns to the dorm Friday night to find Ernie laid out on the couch, awake but dozing off. While Novak had intended to walk past, he is compelled to sit on the floor. He leans against the couch as if he was actually interested in watching Total Drama Island.
Ernie pretends he doesn't care. "Good evening."
Novak glances over his shoulder to find Ernie staring at the television, probably not paying attention and definitely not wanting to show a reaction to Novak's presence. "I know you're mad about this week but I needed to think and I find it's difficult to do that when you're around. I told Andy to tell you exactly where I wasn't last night so don't be mad at him. You did nothing wrong."
He expects Ernie to yell or otherwise complain. Instead, he softly says, "Just tell me you need time alone. I can understand that." Ernie drops an arm over Novak's shoulder. Novak folds his fingers around Ernie's hand and leans back. "We can wait and see what happens. If they think we're already dating, so be it. But please don't hide from me. That really hurt."
This time when Novak looks back, he sees Ernie's head tilted toward him. "I promise never to do that again."
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Players: Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Ernests Gulbis, Marin Cilic, David Ferrer, Evgeny Korolev
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: College AU. Richard and Rafael are geniuses who are roommates in a suite, though they’re different as could be. Inspired by the movie Real Genius. This chapter: Ernie changes tactics with Novak; Andy advises Marin while dreading Rafa’s impending plan.
Author's Note: I have set up a request post if anyone is interested.
Chapter 7 - Observational
Ernie doesn’t know what happened on Soccer Sunday but he is certain one of them talked to Novak about him. That is why Novak has gone out of his way not to be cornered in his room the last three days.
It’s not as if it ever mattered before if Andy was there but now Novak is making sure to comment about his presence and being cautious about even small gestures. Ernie is reasonably sure it went beyond Andy’s complaining, which Novak had easily ignored because Andy is normally complaining. This means that something said hit the mark.
Ernie looks at his roommate and realizes Marin was actually on the trip. They could have easily said anything in front of the Croat.
Marin can tell Ernie is plotting, though. Before Ernie figures out how to start the topic, Marin says, “Not sure I want to help you.”
So he barrels right in. “The twins got to him.” At Marin’s confused look, Ernie explains, “Rafa and Andy. I know they’re not visually but they join forces and Bam!"
Marin tries to catch up, feeling as if he'd entered the middle of a conversation instead of the beginning. "They got to... Novak?"
"Yes. He's been avoiding me since the soccer game. I don't think I did anything wrong so they said something."
Marin collapses back on the bed. "Don't do this."
"Come on. They twisted him around."
"Ernie, it's not about you. He..." Marin bites his lip. "It's the close quarters."
Ernie nods. "I see. He doesn't want to get involved because we're in the same suite and there could be drama?"
"Yes, that's it."
"You're only saying that to shut me up."
"Yes." Marin darts up and heads out of the room, leaving the door open.
Ernie shoots up, chasing after his roommate. "Wait! What are you..." but he stops upon seeing Marin knock on Novak's door. "Don't you dare!"
"What is it?" Andy calls out from the other side.
Marin asks, "Is Novak around?"
"No. He's at the food court, gathering signatures for some petition."
Ernie says, "I don't know what the hell happened last weekend but I don't like these changes," then heads out of the suite, shouting over his shoulder, "especially your haircut!" before slamming the main door.
Andy opens the door. "What is his problem?"
"Novak isn't hanging around him. Makes him grumpy." Marin looks inside the room. "Are you busy?"
Andy shrugs. "I was checking out this website listed in the probability theory syllabus. So, to answer your question, not really."
"Can I talk to you about something?" Marin realizes he’s been putting this off for days. He needs to talk to someone and, after much deliberation, has concluded Andy would be the easiest. At any rate, that is the consensus in the suite.
"Ernie should be gone for about a half hour before he realizes I lied to him, then stomp back here to give us both a headache." Andy ushers Marin into the room, then sits back at his desk. “What's up?”
Marin leans against Novak’s desk. "This is kind of awkward but I figured you would be the most likely to understand given...” Marin shakes his head, having meant to simply say Andy is the adviser but slipping down the wrong path with one wrong word. “So you know how everyone is saying that Evgeny seems to have some interest in me? The thing is… I don’t know. I am just not good with this. There was this guy who pretended to be interested in me but really just wanted me to do all the work.”
“Sounds familiar.”
Marin nods. “That’s what I thought. Richie had called Evgeny out about flirting that night, though I couldn’t even tell who Evgeny was flirting with.”
“You think Evgeny agreed to the tutoring to be around Richie?”
“It is possible.”
“Of course anything is possible but I think you’re looking for reasons that aren’t there. Have you seen him in class since?”
“From a distance. It’s a large lecture hall.”
“Try to change that so at least he has a reason to speak to you after lecture. That’s at least within your control. Hang around the exits since everyone ends up in the same hallway”
It’s so damn logical it’s almost embarrassing. Marin admits, “I guess they were right about you being the counselor of the group.”
“No problem. Though what did you mean by ‘I would be most likely to understand given…’?”
Marin had thought Andy missed that slip earlier. “Everyone else is either dating someone or is comfortable in that department. Would that be correct?” Andy nods, so Marin soldiers on, “So they wouldn’t understand. You said during the fire drill about how you comprehended why I was wary about Evgeny’s interest.”
“Well, yeah." Andy stares down at his hands, wishing he had something to use as a distraction. "There was this guy when I was in high school and we would sneak around. It turned out he didn’t even like admitting we were friends, much less other stuff. Wouldn’t have been so bad if we weren’t both on the soccer team so were forced around each other.”
There is a coldness to the way Andy tells the story that keeps Marin from pushing on. He mumbles, “That’s rough.”
“Eh. This is why I don’t get involved anymore. Not worth the aggravation.”
“But you eventually get back in the game.”
“That’s what’s going on now. So far not off to a good start.”
Marin remembers the events from Soccer Sunday. “If you started this on Saturday night, you’re probably right.”
Andy gives a wry smile. “That was old habits. The thing is, if I know Rafa, he’s trying to fix me up with someone that I’d have absolutely no interest in.”
* * * * *
"Argh! I have to fix this problem," Rafael says with determination. He can't seem to shake the feeling that this Robin situation is irritating him more than it should.
David says from the other end of the computer lab, "What's wrong?" He wanders over and looks at the screen, finding Rafael is checking email, not doing homework as he'd suspected.
"It's..." Rafael tries to figure out how much he wants to say to David, then resigns himself to ask his co-worker for advice. "I have a friend..." He shakes his head, realizing what it must sound like. "I really mean I have a friend."
"I know you have friends."
"I have a friend who got a makeover..."
"Oh, so it really isn't about you," David kids.
“It’s about belief,” Rafael affirms. “Originally this was about trying to get him laid. But I’m realizing while it probably could happen, that might not be the right plan. I mean, he shouldn’t be settling for the first guy to show even slight interest.”
David stares at Rafael, then admits, "I’m probably the wrong person to have this conversation with."
Rafael stops then realizes the source. David Ferrer is a fellow computer science major. Perpetually shy and probably not very experienced, though certainly attractive enough for this to seem viable. Actually would be perfect. “You know Andy? British guy who sometimes stops in here to bug me?”
“Mound of red hair? Yeah.” David realizes how Rafael started this topic. “Or I'm guessing he used to have that hair, before the makeover?”
“I don’t think he’ll agree to a date outright because he’s annoyed with me right now so will look at any fix-up with trepidation. How about the three of us hang out?”
David shrugs. “I suppose I can go along. But do you really think you should get involved? He probably could do okay on his own.”
“You’ve met Robin.”
“The guy in our classes Robin?”
Rafael nods, then turns back to the email. “I just don’t understand why Andy would even get involved. Whatever Andy really did that night, and I have a suspicion he's not telling me everything, would of course get twisted around by that... that... rat! That’s the expectation!” Rafael looks away from the screen, realizing he’s dwelling on the wrong problem. He doesn't want the fact that Robin was involved influence his need to help out a friend.
David raises an eyebrow, having gotten completely confused. “What are you talking about?”
"Trust me. I am as puzzled as you are."
* * * * *
Ernie sets foot in the food court and Novak is nowhere to be found. He does spot Richard sitting in the corner, absorbed in a book while picking at the fries in his plate.
"Hey," Ernie says, sliding into the adjacent seat. "Did Novak just finish with his signatures?"
"Don't know. Haven't seen him all day nor have I heard about any causes he'd be fighting. Though it is too early in the semester for Novak to get into fighting spirit mode anyway."
"Oh." Ernie tilts his head to see what Richard is reading, as it's definitely not for class. "Golf? You play?"
"Something like that. I prefer playing with a golfer but I imagine I can get better with the innuendo by reading up on it. Getting a good grip on the shaft, or something like that."
Ernie stares at him, dumbfounded, then shakes his head. "Damn you. That's a game my father plays. I didn't need that visual!"
Richard looks up from his book with a grin, then narrows his stare on the Latvian. "Something wrong?" He marks the page and sets the book aside to pay attention.
While Ernie had only intended to talk to Richard regarding Novak's location, he actually could be a good resource. Though Richard missed the soccer trip as well, he does have two years of past experience with Novak in his favor. "Yeah. I have this feeling that Novak is avoiding me and that the others in the suite know why. I am sure Andy knew Novak wouldn't be here just like Rafa knew Novak wouldn't be at the dorm meeting last night..."
"To be fair, last night had nothing to do with Novak. One person from the suite had to attend. Rafa and I decided the sufferer should be you. The rest was easy. As for right now, that was probably Andy getting annoyed about being in the middle of your lovers' spat..."
Ernie yells, "We are not lovers! Stop saying that!" Several heads turn around at that outburst, suddenly treating them to a soap opera. Ernie glares at the group, not sure what they're looking at.
Richard is laughing as he says loudly, "No. We," gesturing to Ernie then himself, "are definitely not lovers but I'm glad you made that crystal clear." The group accepts that reply and resumes their previous conversation.
Ernie shakes his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. He says in a lower voice, "Here's the thing. While the jokes are annoying about whether he and I are dating, I would not object if this was true. However, it is not true and he's been avoiding me all week."
"I see," then Richard pauses as he thinks of a way to explain what's happening. "In the eighteenth century, physicians believed that the human body was filled with four substances, known as the four humors. When this model was discontinued, it also eliminated the connection between lovesickness and mental illness which, if you see how some people act, should really be reconsidered."
Ernie had tuned Richard out when he started on the history lesson but catching the word 'lovesickness' makes him wish otherwise. "He's lovesick?"
"Clearly sick in the head if he's convinced he's in love as quickly as he usually does. If Rafa and Andy said anything to him, it was likely a warning about that, not specifically about you."
Ernie can't help but laugh at this. "You seriously think that's what's happened?"
"It is possible. Here's the thing, though. This is not a joke.” Ernie is jolted by the comment and stops laughing. Richard nods, then continues, “You probably see this as a fun fling. While understandable, it also means it's easy for him to get hurt if you play along and not mean it. So back off now if you're not interested in anything other than the game."
“Unlike him, I cannot determine something like love so early.”
“Ah. Welcome to being a mere mortal. Sadly, I do understand that statement. When Novak was a freshman, I was in your position. Once I realized it, I had to let him down quickly, before there would be irrevocable damage. He was already getting annoyed when I would start talking about someone else, even if I was just kidding. Then it got twisted around into some analytical puzzle for him, determining what missing piece in me was keeping him away.”
“But if you’d actually been in love with him, it wouldn’t have felt like jumping through hoops. I mean, it may be love for me. I can’t be sure.”
Richard shrugs. “I suppose you’re right. I’ve never felt that way toward anyone.”
“Not even the RA?” Ernie smiles brightly, enjoying the rare bit of quiet honesty.
“That’s different. We’re not even serious, much less exclusive. Both of us know the rules so there’s no way of getting hurt or complicating everything. It works.” But Richard looks toward the book. “Golf is a dumb sport, if it can even be called that. It would be pretty terrible to say something like that to someone who teaches it for a living, you think?”
“Yes, I’d think so.”
“Why couldn’t he be into rugby like others from his country? At least that is a sport, an incredibly barbaric sport but understandable. Not going around for a long walk with intermittent swings of a club. I think it is a pretty major problem to have that opinion of what he gets paid to teach.”
Ernie realizes at this point the conversation is far away from the initial topic. “Okay, so I’m going to see if I can find Novak and leave you to ponder if reading that book is worthwhile.”
As Ernie is getting up, Richard cannot resist saying, “Oh please. I don’t mind getting the shaft from you.”
“I fucking hate you right now.”
* * * * *
Marin is trying to concentrate on Chemistry lecture but he doesn't like sitting in the back of the room. It had taken Marin eleven minutes to spot Evgeny, sitting in an aisle seat around the middle of the lecture hall on the opposite side. After that, though, it isn't Evgeny that is distracting as much as the activity of others who are not paying attention, various recording devices set in place as they sleep through. At least Marin can take solace in the fact that Evgeny is alert, although this had been assumed by the questions asked during the tutoring session.
After Professor Federer lets class out, Marin walks along the back row of seats, utilizing his height to keep track. Fortunately for him, Evgeny has stopped to talk to another classmate. As the crowd begins to disperse, Marin is able to get closer to the destination. He recognizes the other person as one of Evgeny’s suitemates (there are two guys from South America in the suite but he isn’t sure if this is Leo or Thomaz) so hopes this doesn’t appear too awkward.
Evgeny gives a warm smile upon spotting Marin. It takes all of Marin’s willpower to keep walking without stumbling over his feet. Fortunately, Evgeny starts the talking. “I'm hearing that Federer's first test is incredibly difficult. Many drop out from that, but then if you survived, the others are easier."
Marin looks behind at those just waking up, muttering, "Can't imagine why they'd say that."
"Good point. So..." Evgeny waves goodbye to his roommate, then continues, "Even though I feel okay about lecture this week, we should keep to the tutoring until the first test. I asked Richie yesterday and he agreed to a weekly session as long as his schedule allows - for a small price."
"How much?"
"Not money but he wouldn't say." Marin pictures what kind of fee Richard has in mind and cringes. Evgeny notices the reaction and asks, "Should I fear agreeing to this arrangement?"
"Probably but that's true with anything involving Richie. If he didn't lay out the terms right away, be prepared for trouble."
Evgeny can't help but laugh at how serious Marin is. "That is really cute how worried you are. Er, it's nice that you're concerned."
Marin remembers the first day in the dorms, with the promise about getting him to wear a dress, and grumbles, "I have a suspicion it will be me, not you, paying for it."
"It probably won't be whatever you're picturing... I have to get to my next class across campus. See you later."
Marin watches Evgeny leave, muttering to himself, "Believe me, you do not want to know what I was picturing." As the room thins out and he is still stuck in place, something else Evgeny said finally registers. Marin blurts out, "Cute?" He sees Professor Federer staring inquisitively at him and feels compelled to apologize for the outburst, even though class is over, before rushing out.
* * * * *
Novak returns to the dorm Friday night to find Ernie laid out on the couch, awake but dozing off. While Novak had intended to walk past, he is compelled to sit on the floor. He leans against the couch as if he was actually interested in watching Total Drama Island.
Ernie pretends he doesn't care. "Good evening."
Novak glances over his shoulder to find Ernie staring at the television, probably not paying attention and definitely not wanting to show a reaction to Novak's presence. "I know you're mad about this week but I needed to think and I find it's difficult to do that when you're around. I told Andy to tell you exactly where I wasn't last night so don't be mad at him. You did nothing wrong."
He expects Ernie to yell or otherwise complain. Instead, he softly says, "Just tell me you need time alone. I can understand that." Ernie drops an arm over Novak's shoulder. Novak folds his fingers around Ernie's hand and leans back. "We can wait and see what happens. If they think we're already dating, so be it. But please don't hide from me. That really hurt."
This time when Novak looks back, he sees Ernie's head tilted toward him. "I promise never to do that again."