AN: Here comes chapter 3! I'm not sure how quickly I'm going to be able to write the next chapters coz unfortunately exam season had arrived and I have exams for the next couple of weeks, but I'll do my best. Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 3:
The next morning despite having a day off, Neela woke up early as usual. She yawned and rolled over and looked at the clock radio on her bedside table. 08:30. Damn. Working in a hospital has totally screwed up my body clock. She tried to go back to sleep but after another twenty minutes she was completely awake and she gave up. She got out of bed and made her way to the kitchen where she found Ray sitting at the table with a bowl of cereal looking dejected. He shoved the cereal around with his spoon not really paying attention to it. Apparently he had missed his mouth a couple of times because there were milk streaks on his plain grey t-shirt.
"Er Ray, I know guys have a problem with the whole hand eye co-ordination thing, but your seriously making a mess there", Neela said wrinkling her nose in disgust at him and started to pour some cereal into a bowl for herself.
Ray looked up at her bewilderedly as though he didn't understand what she was saying and watched her motions as though hypnotised.
Neela paused for a moment in her actions and just gawped at his behaviour with a look that was crossed between amusement and disbelief. For a minute they just stared at each other in silence, Ray looking gormless. Neela laughed. Men really are from Mars.
"Earth to Ray. What's up with you?"
At last her words seemed to pull Ray out of his coma. "Oh. Nothing".
"Are you still upset about that girl who rejected you at the party last night? Coz come on Ray, you're a young attractive guy, and there are always plenty of women all over you. Lucky for you there are loads of women who are also commitment-phobes just looking for a fling" Neela told him and couldn't help adding the last line.
Ray glared at her, but registered that there had been a compliment in there somewhere. "I'm not a commitment-phobe I just like to have fun ok".
"Whatever. Anyway what I'm trying to say is there are plenty more fish in the sea, sort of thing". Neela said brusquely walking to the fridge and pulled out the milk carton. She held it upside down over her bowl and only a few droplets came out. "Ray! I can't believe that you finished all of the milk again!"
"Oh sorry I'll get some more after work today", Ray said looking miserable again. He looked so pathetic that even Neela's wrath at the lack of milk dissolved. She walked over to him and patted him sympathetically on the shoulder. "Come on Ray she just a girl, and one who's obviously crazy not to go out with you coz you're a great guy."
"There must be something wrong with me", Ray said glumly. "I must be fat or boring or something".
Neela laughed at this. "Ray you are neither fat nor boring. Sometimes people just don't gel. You must have been rejected before, everyone has, it doesn't make it their fault. Don't tell me a girl has never said no to you before".
Ray scratched his chin thoughtfully at this. "Hmm."
"Oh come on…", Neela said shocked, "seriously?"
"Well not for a really long time. Anyway Melissa wasn't just any girl. She was special. She was different from the other. I don't know what it was but there was just something about her".
Wow he must seriously like her if he's this upset. "Well then if your that serious about her, don't give up. You obviously didn't get enough time at the party to let her see what a great guy you are", Neela said.
Ray looked up and smiled at her. Neela always knows how to make me feel better. "Your right. She obviously wasn't exposed to the full Barnett charm. I mean how could she possibly have resisted me if she had", he said grinning cheekily.
"I'm glad you've returned to your usual arrogant self", Neela said smiling.
"Me? Arrogant? Never.", Ray said before draining the rest of his cereal. He looked down at his shirt. "Wow. I really did make a mess". He stripped off his t-shirt right there and put it straight in the washing machine.
Neela glanced at his bare well defined chest. He actually does have quite a good body for someone who eats so much junk. Ray smirked at her, "Like what you see Neela?"
"Oh no your right. Your not arrogant at all", Neela said sarcastically. "It's the Barnett sex appeal. You better get out of here before I jump your bones", she said laughing.
"Always knew you were hot for me!", Ray said and dashed quickly out of the kitchen before she could throw something at him.
"Don't forget to buy milk!", She yelled at his retreating back, before starting to eat her dry cereal.
