Ramon Cruz and the Mysterious System

Chapter 18

Doubts and Shadows

Ramon had never thought he’d be doubting Mark’s intentions, but here he was. The more time he spent rebuilding his friendship with Mark, the more something felt… off. At first, he brushed it aside, chalking it up to paranoia after everything with Xavier. But with every passing day, a seed of suspicion grew within him, a nagging doubt he couldn’t shake.

Mark had been the first to warn him about Xavier. He’d cut Ramon off entirely when he got too deep into taking down Xavier’s influence on campus. Yet, now that everything had changed—now that Ramon’s reputation was slowly being restored, and people were beginning to see him as a hero—Mark had suddenly come back into his life. He’d been supportive, yes, but there was something strange about how eager Mark seemed to be by his side. Almost as if he had an agenda.

It was late in the evening, and Ramon sat alone in his dorm room, staring at his phone. He was supposed to meet Mark at a campus café to go over tutoring plans, yet he felt oddly hesitant. He’d always trusted Mark, but now, doubt clouded his thoughts. Why did he come back? Was it really because he’d forgiven Ramon? Or did he have his own reasons for staying close?

Determined to get answers, Ramon decided that tonight he’d subtly test Mark. He would try to uncover his true intentions without being obvious about it. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became that he needed to know where Mark’s loyalties lay.

At the café, Mark was already waiting at a table by the window, casually sipping a coffee. His face lit up as Ramon walked over, and he waved him down.

"Hey, man!" Mark greeted him warmly. "I got us both coffees."

Ramon smiled and took a seat, thanking Mark but already feeling the weight of his suspicions. He took a sip and looked at his friend, trying to read his expression. Mark looked relaxed, genuinely pleased to see him, and for a moment, Ramon wondered if he was just being paranoid. Still, he couldn’t ignore the feeling gnawing at him.

"So," Ramon started, keeping his tone light. "I’ve been thinking about all this stuff we’ve been doing together. I have to say, it feels good to be back to normal again, working side by side. I never thought you’d forgive me after all the Xavier stuff."

Mark chuckled, shrugging. "Honestly, I didn’t think I would either. But, you know, time heals. And seeing you turn things around… it reminded me why we were friends in the first place."

Ramon nodded, studying Mark’s expression. "I appreciate that, Mark. But I can’t help but wonder, why did you come back? What made you decide to give me another chance?"

For a brief moment, a flash of something crossed Mark’s face—hesitation, maybe even guilt? But it vanished quickly, replaced by his usual, easygoing smile. "I don’t know. I guess I realized I missed having you around. And with Xavier gone, it felt like the right time to make things right."

Ramon gave a slow nod, his doubts simmering beneath the surface. "Yeah, Xavier’s out of the picture now," he said carefully. "But it’s strange… lately, I feel like people are acting different around me. Like they expect something from me now."

Mark raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Really? Like what?"

Ramon shrugged. "I don’t know… support, maybe. Or, like… maybe they’re hoping I’ll use what influence I have to help them out."

Mark tilted his head, genuinely curious—or so it seemed. "Well, you did take down one of the most powerful guys on campus. People are bound to notice. They might see you as someone with some clout now, someone who could make things happen if he wanted."

Ramon nodded, but his gaze remained on Mark, searching for any hint of hidden motives. "Do you see me that way, Mark? As someone who could make things happen?"

Mark laughed, waving his hand dismissively. "Come on, Ramon. I’m not trying to use you if that’s what you’re implying. I’m here because we’re friends, remember?"

Ramon forced a smile, his suspicions intensifying. Mark had dodged the question, and that didn’t sit well with him. He decided to press a little harder, still trying to keep it subtle.

"Of course, I know that. But let’s be real, you could’ve had a new start with anyone. You could’ve stayed clear of me after everything. But you chose to come back. I guess I’m just curious why you didn’t look for someone with a clean slate, you know? Someone without all the baggage."

Mark hesitated, and Ramon could see the faintest flicker of irritation in his friend’s eyes. But Mark quickly masked it, giving Ramon a tight smile. "Honestly, Ramon, I was never one to care about a clean slate. We’ve known each other since freshman year, and I believe in second chances. Simple as that."

Ramon nodded slowly, still unconvinced. But he didn’t push any further. For now, he decided to keep his doubts to himself. He’d watch Mark, pay closer attention, and see if anything slipped through.

As the days passed, Ramon noticed subtle changes in Mark’s behavior. When they were with other people, Mark often brought up Ramon’s “influence” on campus, subtly hinting at his ability to sway decisions or get things done. It felt like Mark was almost promoting Ramon, putting him on a pedestal—something he’d never done before.

One evening, after a long study session, Ramon decided to confront Mark more directly. They were alone in the library, where they’d been preparing for their upcoming exams. Ramon closed his book, looking over at Mark with a steady gaze.

"Mark, I need to ask you something serious," he said, his tone leaving no room for evasions.

Mark looked up, his expression cautious. "Yeah? What’s up?"

"Do you want something from me? You keep talking about my ‘influence,’ making these little comments… it feels like there’s something you’re not telling me."

Mark’s face hardened for a moment, but he quickly forced a smile. "Come on, Ramon. You’re reading too much into things. I’m just proud of you, that’s all."

Ramon didn’t break eye contact, letting his silence press Mark further. After a few tense seconds, Mark sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Fine, if you want the truth… yeah, I guess I hoped that with Xavier gone, you’d have a little more pull around here. Maybe you could, I don’t know, help me out with a few things."

Ramon’s heart sank. "Help you out? With what, exactly?"

Mark shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his gaze. "I mean, you’re in good standing with the administration now. It wouldn’t hurt to put in a good word here and there, you know? Get me in on some opportunities, make some connections."

Ramon felt a surge of betrayal. "So that’s why you came back? Because you thought I could be useful to you?"

Mark’s face turned defensive. "Look, it’s not like that. I did come back because I missed our friendship. But… yeah, I thought maybe we could help each other out too. Is that so wrong?"

Ramon clenched his fists, feeling anger boil up inside him. "You were my friend, Mark. I thought you came back because you wanted to make things right, not because you wanted to use me."

Mark’s expression hardened. "Don’t act all high and mighty, Ramon. You used to do the same thing with people. You’re only mad because it’s happening to you now."

Ramon’s jaw clenched. "Maybe I did, but I was trying to change that. I thought I could trust you. But it turns out you’re just like everyone else, aren’t you?"

Mark scoffed, standing up and grabbing his bag. "You know what, Ramon? I thought we could start fresh, but clearly you’re just as paranoid as you always were. Maybe it’s better if we stay out of each other’s lives."

Ramon watched as Mark stormed out of the library, anger and disappointment churning inside him. He had been right to trust his instincts, but that didn’t make the betrayal hurt any less. Mark had been his closest friend, his confidant, and the one person he thought would always be there for him. Now, that friendship felt like a hollow shell, built on ulterior motives and hidden agendas.

For the rest of the evening, Ramon sat alone in the library, wrestling with a painful truth: trust was a fragile thing, and once broken, it was nearly impossible to rebuild. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d lost something precious that night, something he might never get back.

In the days that followed, Ramon found himself drifting further away from Mark. He immersed himself in his studies and the tutoring program, pouring his energy into helping others and distancing himself from the bitterness that lingered in his heart. He still saw Mark around campus, but they didn’t acknowledge each other, both pretending the other didn’t exist.

One afternoon, as he sat in the café with Violet, she looked at him with a sympathetic gaze.

"Are you okay?" she asked gently. "You seem… distant lately."

Ramon forced a smile, though he knew it didn’t reach his eyes. "Just dealing with some things.

I thought I’d finally fixed my friendships, but I guess some things can’t be mended."