the queen's pawn

chapter one

   Neil felt the intensity of excitement and uncertainty in the air as he made his way out of the Evermore stadium and onto the Raven soil. What once was a holy undefeated ground, was now tainted by the unlikeliest group of individuals. The Palmetto State Foxes now stood as the reigning Exy champions by one solitary point. Neil would be lying if he said the satisfying crack he heard from Riko's arm wasn't the best victory gift he could receive. The bullet through the Raven captain's skull was a bit extreme to Neil, but he let out a shaky breath of relief despite it all. At least he wouldn't have to deal with Riko anymore. At least Kevin wouldn't have to. That didn't change the fact that Kevin had grown up with Riko. The years may have been cruel, but Neil would be a fool to think Kevin wouldn't  feel the slightest bit of pain once he hears of Riko's death.

   The sudden realization struck Neil like lightning. Knowing he was going to be the person to break Riko's death to the Foxes was one thing; comprehending it was another. The thoughts seemed to run from him once his attention was then pulled back to the Foxes and their impossible win. The wide smiling faces were being worn by everyone. All except for Andrew Minyard. Neil wasn't too taken aback, but he figured he would have seen something, anything, on that pale face of his after such a record breaking victory. Andrew must of felt the burning stare Neil fixated on him because he turned and thrust Neil's duffel bag out to him in an expecting manner. The latter reached out and grabbed the orange straps, lugging them over his shoulder as he offered up a smile to the blonde. "Thanks. I didn't mean to leave so suddenly, but.." His voice trailed off, but Andrew gave him a knowing look and nodded his head in the direction of the bus.

   Once the lot was accounted for by a quick headcount, Wymack led the team to the bus. Matt proceeded into his allotted task of loading everyone's things onto the bus, sparing Neil an extra wide smile after remembering the risky change they made last minute. Matt straightened and slapped a hand on Neil's shoulder, completely gliding over the fact that Neil audibly winced.

    "Andrew may be a pain in the ass, but he can think quick on his feet. Thanks for pulling his head into the game, Neil. You're about a year too late though." Matt mused at the thought of last years consecutive loses.

Neil gave him a wryly smile in an attempt of consultation and shrugged his shoulders. Dan was then seen in the entryway of the bus, looking at Matt and Neil with expectant and irritated eyes.

    "Get on the bus, or we're leaving you asses. we've go celebratory drinks to chug!"

   The two must have been too engrossed in their interaction to realize the rest of their group had long been sat in the uncomfortable bus seats. Neil faltered as he was the last onto the bus. Once again the upperclassman chose the front of the bus, along with two of the cousins and Kevin who decided to murmur on about tonight's winnings. Neil's gaze went further down the isle and landed on Andrew's face that bore an unbothered expression. Neil felt dizzy at the sudden wave of deja vu. He shook it off and walked further down the isle, none of the occupants up in front deciding to protest. Neil took Kevin's usual seat in front of Andrew's and glanced out the window as the bus started towards the exit of the parking lot. Despite the uproar of liveliness that occupied the upper part of the bus, the back sat in comfortable silence. Neil was too tired to pester Andrew and tried to ignore the burning sensation in his shoulder as he dozed off against the window.

   ~•~

   Neil was awoken by the sudden thud noise his head made rebounding off the glass window. He sat up and rubbed the spot in annoyance, glaring at the window like it had suddenly came out and grabbed him. He looked around in alert and then checked the time. The clock indicated there to be only twenty minutes left of the drive to Fox Tower. Neil felt new found energy rushing through him, but then again it could always be the exhaustion kicking into overdrive. He spared a glance over the back of the seat, but Andrew did not care enough to tear his eyes from the window.

That was until Neil decided to speak. "Will you stick around to drink with the team this time?"

   Andrew fixed him with a look that read Neil already knew the answer to the question. He decided to respond anyways.

    "Will you ask another obvious question?" He shot right back.

Neil took that as a no and nodded his head, turning back around to rest for the rest of the trip. If anything Neil felt a bit defeated. What would it take to submerse Andrew in with the rest of the team? Neil looked around as if he could find the answer written on the bus interior somewhere. This attempt obviously didn't seem to answer his lingering question. His thoughts were soon interrupted by Wymack's harsh voice ordering them to get their things and get celebrating. Most of the team yelled the entirety of their way to the dorms as the other's, which consisted of only Andrew and Neil, walked in silence. Once everyone was settled the upperclassman raced each other to the basement. Neil started to head that way as well and then glanced over his shoulder for any sight of Andrew. He sighed when the blonde didn't appear and walked back up the stairs. Neil returned to their shared dorm room with Nicky and unlocked the door. His eyes fell on the boy sitting in the window with the window screen busted open. Neil hesitantly walked in and shut the door, turning the knob and locking it soon after.

    ~•~