Number Neighbours || kagehina || scrapped

2.9

    "Aren't you guys tired yet?" Yachi yawned, tossing a ball in the air for Kageyama to set. The ball met his fingers and he directed it in the tangerine's direction with ease. Hinata jumped up, practically flying, and the loud WHAM of the ball could be heard moments later. Hinata wiped the sweat from their brow and looked past the setter, in Yachi's direction.

    "Not really," he responded plainly, which Kageyama had to agree with– he'd stay there for hours with Hinata if he could. "What time is it?"

    "Let me check," the manager in training responded, reaching in her pocket for her phone. Eyes widening, she began to paw around her legs frantically. "U-uh, I can't find my phone–"

    "That's alright!" Hinata smiled– Kageyama's stomach tied into knots at the sight. "I'll just check mine."

    Hinata trotted past, towards the side of the gym where both players had brought down their belongings for when they had to leave. Yachi, clearly stressed, responded with, "Thanks, but that's not really the issue–"

    "It's probably in the clubroom," Kageyama piped up, snatching a water bottle he had laid next to the net.

    "Oh," Yachi muttered. She turned to Kageyama shyly as he took a sip of water.

    "Oh crap, it's almost eleven," Hinata said to the two with a pout. "We should probably head out, huh?"

    "Yeah, I guess so," Yachi shrugged, before looking back to Kageyama. "Will you go up to the clubroom with me? It's kinda scary being alone in there."

    "Uh, sure,"

    The journey to the clubroom was quick and relatively quiet, an awkward silence growing between Kageyama and Yachi without Hinata around.

    Hinata was good at including Kageyama in conversation, he realized. Up until recently, he rarely talked to his teammates unless need be. With Hinata around, he found himself talking to his teammates like friends would– with the exception of Tsukishima, of course.

    Yachi found her phone quickly, then muttered something about being out too late and ran off on her merry way. Kageyama locked up the clubroom behind him and made his descent back to the gym, intending to lock up with Hinata and walk home.

    Upon entering the gym, he found the orange haired middle blocker staring at two similar sized objects in his hands. Their eyebrows were furrowed and a strange expression painted their face.

    "What's up, weirdo?" Kageyama questioned, walking towards his teammate. "You look dumber than usu–"

    Kageyama paused, his stomach dropping so fast he was surprised he didn't throw up. After getting closer, he could clearly see two phones in Hinata's hand– one being his.

    This can't be good.

    "Hinata?" Kageyama questioned, his voice quieter now. He began walking towards them once again, their steps slow at first but speeding up quickly. When he got close enough to touch Hinata, the spiker shoved a phone screen in Kageyama's face.

Carrot top: heyyyyyyy

Carrot top: guess who just had the best practice with the cute setter friend

    The notifications from the kid right in front of him burned into his eyes. He isn't supposed to find out like this.

    "You've been Meanie this whole time?"

    Hinata's voice was quiet, an unusual thing for the often energetic and loud spiker Kageyama knew. His eyes were glued to his shoes, and their hair swooped down to cover their face. Hinata was clearly upset.

    And it was all Kageyama's fault.

    Before Kageyama could get a word out, Hinata shoved the phone into the setter's chest. "So what, was this all a big joke or something?

    "Hinata–"

    "Was this some big game of make-fun-of-the-gay-kid I didn't know about?"

    "What?" Kageyama began, trying to say how wrong Hinata was. His words got caught in his throat. Did he really think that?

    "You never cared, did you?"

    Hinata looked up, a mix of anger and betrayal visible on their face. Kageyama couldn't blame him for feeling like that even if he tried– it was his fault Hinata felt that way, after all. "You were just pretending?"

    Kageyama wanted nothing more than to scream no, to grab Hinata and apologize until their ears fell off. Despite how loud his urge to explain everything was, it was as if Kageyama was frozen in shock. Hinata wasn't supposed to find out like this. This was supposed to happen on Kageyama's terms, when he understood his feelings and could explain them to the texting buddy who could barely look at him.

    Hinata sighed, walking past Kageyama and picking up one of the many volleyballs scattered in the gym. "Joke's over, I guess," he mumbled, walking towards the fabric blue bin of volleyballs.

    "Hinata–"

    SMACK.

•

    Hinata watched, heaving, as the yellow and blue ball previously in their hands smacked Kageyama straight in the face. Normally, Hinata wouldn't dream of doing something like that– usually the thought of it would have him fearing for his life.

    But now? Hinata felt betrayed, the angriest and most distraught they had been in a long time. Their first friend in a new school and their online pal were not only the same person, but had been hiding it from him for over a week. Kageyama had not only let him talk about how cute and cool he thought Kageyama was, but let Hinata confide in him about their insecurities in their online friendship. Through all of that, Kageyama did nothing. Said nothing to even hint at them being the same person despite knowing how hurt he was already making them feel.

    Just a volleyball to the face was merciful.

    Kageyama stood there, stunned. This wasn't his usual pissed off face he wore after getting hit. Kageyama looked shocked that Hinata had the nerve to throw a ball at him.

    I'll show you some fucking nerve, Hinata thought, storming up to the setter and grabbing a fistful of his shirt. Kageyama stumbled, falling and bringing Hinata down with him. Hinata couldn't care less. They knelt above the boy, fists full of white fabric, and began screaming words they weren't fully listening to. "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" He yelled. "WHAT KIND OF PERSON PLAYS WITH SOMEONE LIKE THAT? I HAVE FEELINGS, YOU ASSHOLE! YOU CAN'T JUST FUCK WITH ME LIKE THAT AND EXPECT ME TO BE FINE!"

    Hinata breathed heavily, tears flowing down his face. Kageyama laid there, wide eyed with a stupid look on his face.

    "You know I was trying to figure out either I liked Meanie or you more? Who I had a chance with?" Hinata choked out. "Turns out you're both dicks."

    Kageyama reached a hand out to touch Hinata, who quickly let go of his shirt and stood. "Please just go," they mumbled, before beginning to clean up the gym despite their tears.

    "You can't clean up like that," Kageyama replied, slowly moving to his feet. "Let me h–"

    "Fine. Do it yourself then," Hinata cut him off, swiftly grabbing his jacket and pulling it around their shoulders. He could feel Kageyama's eyes burn into him as they grabbed their bags and left without another word.

    Kageyama didn't bother to chase after him, and Hinata didn't bother to look back.

Once Hinata was a good distance away, they leaned against a concrete wall and let the tears fall. He couldn't understand why Kageyama didn't tell him from the beginning. They really tried to think up a good explanation, but the pain they felt overpowered their thoughts. He needed to talk about it with someone, and he knew just who to call.

With blurry vision, Hinata fumbled with his phone and clicked the call button.

"Can I come over?"