Rivals : Nothing But Net

Chapter 2

A/N : sorry it took a while to post we've been busy with school and exams, but here's chapter two!

 The entire day, Aadit could not stop thinking about the new student. Alexander used to live in Minnesota, loved basketball, and was maybe the most beautiful person he had seen in his entire life. When lunch rolled around, Aadit didn't focus on what his friends were saying, since he was too busy daydreaming about the new boy. However, he was snapped out of his sappy musings when the center of his attention sat down in front of him. Even his friends were slightly confused as to why he would choose their table, but they got over it quickly, going back to their discussion. Noticing that Aadit was the only one not involved in the conversation, Alexander waved at him, smiling widely. He froze, turning to face the other boy. He tried to smile back, but all that came out was an awkward cross between a grimace and a constipated- looking expression. Nevertheless, Alex started the conversation.

"So, I heard you were on the basketball team."

"Uhhhh...yup! It-it's great being on the team, with all my freckles,uh, I mean friends." Aadit hastily replied, inwardly cursing himself for slipping up his first sentence to the other boy. Aadit thought he could see a hint of a blush on Alexander's cheeks when he messed up his wording, but let it go, because it was probably out of embarrassment.

"Hey, is there any chance that the team is looking for any new players, or even subs?" he suddenly asked, piquing Aadit's interest. Cute and was interested in basketball? How was this possible?

"I don't think so, but I can definitely ask Coach later today!" responded Aadit, earning him another winning smile and a "thanks so much!" from Alex. This time, Aadit was actually able to smile back. A light and friendly conversation ensued between the two. It turned out that Alexander was actually amazing at basketball, and his former coach was even considering referring the boy to the NBA G League. Even though he had only known him for a few hours, Aadit could tell that they would have a special connection.

Not far from the boys' table, Isaiah sat alone, chewing on his sandwich as he stared at the basketball team's table. Why did Aadit care so much about the new kid? It wasn't like Isaiah had some kind of grudge against a person he hadn't even talked to, but he was definitely curious about the interactions between the two. The way Aadit slightly flushed whenever Alexander smiled or laughed, but still maintained a cocky swagger when he talked confused Isaiah. He had known Aadit since they were freshmen, and this was out of character for him. Aadit was never this friendly towards anyone, but he became a whole new person around the doe-eyed, long-haired boy. However, as he continued to watch, he noticed that Aadit kept trying to touch him. Not in a creepy way, but Isaiah saw how Aadit reached a little too far across the table while handing Alexander a cookie. Maybe... Aadit wants to be more than friends with him. That couldn't be possible, could it? The two never discussed personal matters, like who they did and didn't like, because they were too busy yelling at each other. Still, Isaiah could pick up on when someone was crushing. His older sisters had taught him that if a guy liked someone, his eyes would dilate, he would smile like crazy -even if he was the most cynical person alive-, and he would find small ways to touch the person he was interested in. Isaiah closely studied Aadit's behavior for a few minutes. His pupils were larger than normal, his pearly whites shone in a blindingly radiant grin, and he had moved to Alex's side of the table to be closer to him.

This proved his suspicions to be correct, and the revelation irked Isaiah. The boy considered himself to be pretty cute, and the throng of girls and boys that flung themselves at him seemed to think so as well. Even so, Isaiah never noticed Aadit checking him out like how he looked at Alex. It wasn't like he cared or anything, but it was certainly a little annoying that Aadit seemed to be the only one immune to his charms. But, he didn't like him, like, at all. Sighing, Isaiah snuck a glance back at the two boys at the lunch table, seeing how Aadit tilted his head at Alexander while a lazy smile graced his features. He got bored looking at the two after a while, and went back to eating his mediocre lunch. However, as he finished up his food, a thought passed him by swiftly. It was there, and then it was gone, but that thought's brief presence shook Isaiah. Why doesn't Aadit look at me like that?