Unrequited Love For You

But whenever they're around...

*Flashback 6 months ago*

My father gave me a bruise on my head just because I had an argument with one of our neighbour's daughter. He said men don't fight or harm girls, but we didn't even resorted to fists, and it was just a small squabble about the misplaced trashcans. 

I didn't lay a finger on her, but he didn't believe me...he also said I was an untrustworthy and dangerous kid, so he should punish me nevertheless.

I decided to vent about it to Kevin when basketball practice was done. What I really like about the guy was he'd listen and give me comforting pats on the back while blowing off steam. It always soothes me, knowing my friend was there and he's listening, not just hearing and everything went out through the other ear. 

We just stayed there for a few minutes sitting close together, having a heart to heart moment, when someone whistled from our side and interrupted us.

It was Pax, with a smirk on their face. "Hey. Am I...interrupting something here?~" the sing sang tone in their was very unsubtly teasing us. They knew what their interruption meant and boy they were proud that they ruined the moment.

Yes, you are. I am having a private moment with my crush and you're here distracting me with your existence!

I pulled myself away from the athlete suddenly all flustered, and avoided at both Kevin's and Pax's direction for a moment. "N-no! You're not interrupting anything..." but my tone was passive aggressive despite the soft stammering.

"What brings you here, Pax?" Kevin rubs his neck bashfully. Pax answers, but more stolid this time. "Mikayla is roaming around the corridors with a crowbar. I felt very threaten by her so I came here for safety."  

That name...feels like a forbidden territory. My body couldn't say it even if I wanted...which I didn't. 

I turned to Kevin, his usual smile faded into a troubled frown. "Oh...I'm sorry to hear that." he says with too much sympathy and regret for something he didn't cause. His eyes have clouded and darken with guilt.

Looking at Pax for answers, but their eyes were narrowed down and sharply focused at the troubled athlete in front of them. The blue eyes held suspicion and bitterness to their target.

Pax's actions towards Kevin...while still polite and friendly, had been a little more subtly hostile lately. They don't show it, but I could see and hear the change through their voice and their body language; spending time with the twin had surely sharpen my perspective, hehe.

All was silence before Kevin stand up and started packed up his things as fast as he could. 

Kevin has been really avoidant these days. Don't get me wrong, he still hangs out with his friends and still was a sweetheart, but the frequent sudden up-and-go out of nowhere was becoming more common. As if he was needed in a lot of times and needed to go urgently.

"I need to go now, I'm sorry. See you tomorrow, alright?" He gives us a weak smile before waving away and hurriedly ran out of the court.

We didn't even get the chance to say goodbye.

Pax then approaches me, arms crossed. They looked a little more worried, as if something was terribly wrong.

"What's up?" I asked them, standing up and fixing my outfit. We were now standing in front each other.

They bite their lip for a moment and turn to the closed doors where Kevin went through. "Jack, don't you think Kevin has been really suspicious recently?" they whispered cautiously.