After the chaos he caused, the timeout ended, and everyone returned to the court. That guy really knew how to piss me off. Good thing no one noticed the wink he shot directly at me—if they had, the whole gym would've erupted.
The moment he stepped back onto the court, my eyes followed him automatically. I watched as he moved with that same smug confidence, dribbling the ball and evading the opposing player trying to steal it.
He maneuvered with ease, weaving through defenders like they were nothing. Then, with a slick bounce trick that faked out the rival team, he drove forward and dunked the ball cleanly, even with multiple players trying to block him.
Cheers exploded through the gymnasium. I clapped before I even realized what I was doing—then caught myself and froze.
What the heck?
I quickly stopped, glaring at my own hands.
What the hell am I doing cheering for that jerk?
I shook my head, trying to refocus. I needed to remember why I came here in the first place.
My eyes scanned the crowd again, searching for Lhiam. But like before, he was nowhere to be found. With a frustrated sigh, I stood up and began descending the bleachers.
"Wait, Ravi, where are you going?" Helena called after me.
I ignored her and continued downward, bumping into a few people along the way. I didn't care. I had to find him.
Once I reached the ground level, I made my way toward the players' bench. A mob of fans surrounded it, practically fighting each other for a chance to hand out water bottles or wipe sweat off the players' faces. I grimaced and shoved my way through until I stood at the front.
"Excuse me, what are you doing here?" someone behind me grumbled, clearly annoyed I was blocking their view. But again—I didn't care.
I scanned the entire bench, searching for Lhiam. No sign of him.
"Did he skip practice today?" I muttered under my breath.
"Yeah, someone did skip practice today."
I flinched. The voice came right beside my ear. I turned, startled, and found a guy standing way too close.
"Oh my God, it's Levi!" someone squealed behind me.
Before I could react, a wave of fangirls surged forward, pushing me off balance. I stumbled, bracing myself for a face-first collision with the floor.
But instead of hitting the ground, I felt an arm wrap tightly around my waist.
Eyes wide, I looked up at the person holding me.
"You okay?" he asked, genuine concern flickering in his gaze.
I glared at him and slapped his hand away instinctively.
"Who are you?" I snapped, ignoring the gasps from the crowd behind me.
I glanced at his jersey—he was one of Lhiam's teammates.
"No thanks for saving you?" he scoffed.
"Why should I?" I shot back.
He stared at me, incredulous, then narrowed his eyes.
"You looking for someone?"
God, why do guys always ask so many questions?
"No," I lied, shifting slightly to get a better look at the bench again.
But he suddenly turned and shouted, "Captain! Someone's looking for our teammates"
His voice boomed over the crowd. Instantly, every player turned their heads to look at me.
What the fuck?!
"What the hell are you doing?" I hissed, but he just smirked and walked off.
I watched, horrified, as he leaned over to another player and whispered something. The guy—tall, serious, and wearing a captain's armband—started walking toward me.
Shit.
"Hi," he said politely. "Levi said you were looking for someone. May I ask who?"
I froze. Words abandoned me.
"I'm Samuel, captain of the Raging Tigers. And you are?"
My eyes wondered everywhere
I needed a cover story. Anything. I couldn't let them know I was looking for Lhiam.
When I didn't answer, he tilted his head.
"Are you… mute?" he asked carefully.
Was he being polite or just annoyed?
From behind me, I heard faint giggles.
This was getting worse by the second.
"He's looking for me."
We both turned to the voice.
It's Elijah.
For a second, I felt relief.
Until I saw the smug grin on his face as he walked over.
"You know him, Elijah?" Samuel asked.
"Yes, we knew each other," I said quickly, forcing the fakest smile I could manage.
Samuel raised a brow. "So you do speak." It sounded like a dig, but he chuckled and patted Elijah on the shoulder before walking away.
The moment Samuel turned his back, Elijah grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from the gym. The sounds of gossiping fangirls followed us all the way out.
We exited through a side door. No one followed.
I let out a sigh of relief. Then I noticed Elijah was still holding my wrist. Our skin tones contrasted sharply—it looked kind of... good
I shook my head. Focus.
We stopped at the back entrance of the school gym, right near the utility exit—hidden from most students. It was quiet here, except for the distant thump of basketballs and muffled cheers echoing from inside. He finally let go of my wrist and turned to face me.
I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, trying to collect myself.
Elijah stood just a few steps away, watching me closely.
"What now?" I asked, not looking at him.
"You tell me," he said. "You're the one who stormed off mid-game and looking for me." he said, crossed-arms with a teasing smile on his lips.
"I wasn't," I answered coldly.
"Right. Of course not," he replied, sarcastically
" So, do you want to go home?"
I shrugged. "Not really."
He frowned. "Then why are you looking—"
"I told you. I wasn't looking for you."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
"Really?"
"Yes," I said, crossing my arms defensively.
He stared at me for a long moment, then slowly grinned.
And I hated that grin.
"W-what's with that look?" I stammered.
He didn't answer. He just stepped closer.
"W-what are you doing?" I asked, backing away as he advanced.
He kept closing the distance, his eyes locked onto mine, that cheeky glint sending my nerves into overdrive.
And then—my back hit a wall. No more room to retreat.
He planted his hands on either side of me, trapping me.
My breath hitched.
He raised his hand and brushed his fingers against my lips.
I blinked rapidly. My heart felt like it might burst out of my chest.
"Wh-what the hell are you doing?" I whispered, flustered.
"If you weren't looking for me… then who were you looking for?" he asked, voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down my spine.
Why am I reacting like this?
Was I blushing?
No. No way.
"I-I'm not… l-looking for anyone," I stammered, struggling to speak properly with him so close.
His face was inches from mine. I could feel his breath.
"Then why won't you look at me right now?" he whispered.
I slowly tilted my gaze upward and met his eyes.
Big mistake.
His eyes
They were dazzling. Deep, magnetic. Like I could drown in them if I stared too long.
My heart pounded harder.
Goddamn it. I admit it.
I'm attracted to this guy.
Who wouldn't be?
I quickly looked away, breaking whatever spell he was casting over me.
I took a deep breath and tried to speak.
"C-could you move—"
"Elijah…"
My eyes widened.
That voice.
It wasn't just any voice.
It was Lhiam's.