Beyond Bloodline - Unbreakable Bonds

thirty one

>>>because people you know hits different for Nigel and Aries>>>

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Things were stifling to say the least and it was all anyone at school could talk about for a while, both on and off the school forum. After all, one was the captain and the other the co-captain of the school's basketball team, each as popular in their own right and with a friendship that could only be described as untouchable with time.

Those who knew them well enough knew they'd been close far longer since even elementary school and though they'd had their fair share of misunderstandings in between, it had never come close to this where others felt awkward even for them. The main problem being that their lives were too intertwined.

First off, they were registered seatmates so that much contact was unavoidable, much less in regards to most of their lab tests where they'd partnered up. Then there was the fact that they shared the same lunch table with their same circle of friends in the cafeteria. Of course, at least in this case, they could still get away with not having to interact with each other.

It was traumatizing to look at them on the basketball court so much so their coach had to set them apart for a good chewing out before he benched them once and for all unless they decided to get their act together. The practice people hardly had time to watch was suddenly packed by busybody's for the sake of getting the drama firsthand.

Nigel just wanted the day over as quickly as possible. A single look at anybody's face was enough to annoy him, talk less of Aries who'd been stealing sidelong glances at him for many days on end since after they'd parted at the police station without any further exchange. Only Hayley, whose every action was endearing, could never come across as annoying. She was angelic inside and out and the only reason he could even get through school days now.

It'd been three days since the day he'd been at the station because of Aries- some friend who wouldn't even so much as apologize for the shit he'd caused, albeit some he wasn't in the know about- and it was the first since he'd gotten together with Hayley that they couldn't go back together from school. Practice ran late and she had to leave early for her shift so he just decided to get back as quickly as possible and sleep himself to oblivion.

Of course, he couldn't even do that in peace.

"Nigel," Aries was the one to stop him before he could leave. They were the last ones in the changing room since they'd been punished with laps for the ineptitude they'd displayed in practice that was still very much unlike them.

He paused, but didn't reply, just staring at him. He looked gaunt, his side profile shockingly pale and thin. He also had dark circles; Aries never had dark circles and Nigel had to bite his tongue to stop himself from voicing his concern. All that had gotten him was a near detention at the station that spiraled down a list of problems he didn't even want to have to remember. So he'd learnt his lesson. Showing this one concern never boded well for him, especially since the person in question didn't care for himself in the first place.

"What's the matter?" he prompted when he couldn't stand it any longer, especially not the sight of him worrying his lip with his teeth, fiddling with his fingers and just all-round fidgeting.

"I just wanted to apologize," he said, finally pulling up his gaze so they were eye level.

"Took you long enough," Nigel muttered and made to brush past him.

"I'm sorry," he said and as though feeling it not enough since no apology he could give would feel proper enough, added on, "I'm really sorry, Nigel."

Nigel was sorry too. For himself, of course. And that he'd bothered so much with him in the first place. At the very least where it concerned his father, Aries was long doomed a lost cause.