Diplomatic Affairs

Throwing Volleys & Catching Feelings

I found myself in bed, completely alert, gazing at the ceiling as the sound of rain outside slowly diminished. The day's events kept replaying in my thoughts, stirring up a storm of feelings. Unexpectedly, the door made a creaking sound, and Ari entered the room. Seating herself on the bed's edge, I readjusted to rest against the headboard.

"You've been in your room since the game. Everything okay?" Ari's voice carried worry.

"It's strange but I'm worried about Alex," I admitted.

Ari's reassuring smile was her reply. "Don't worry, he's alright. Alex is tough; he'll bounce back."

I nodded, grateful for her effort to comfort me. "I couldn't stand feeling helpless, watching as the medics took him off," I admitted, my voice tinged with frustration.

Ari reached out, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "I understand, but it was too risky especially for you with all those reporters around."

I took a deep breath before opening up to her. "Ari, I'm really scared," I admitted. She responded with reassurance, saying, "No need to be scared, Alex will be fine." I shook my head and added, "It's not that," pausing and sighing before continuing, "It was easier to hate him when I didn't know Alex well. Now, I don't even know how I feel towards him."

Ari offered a gentle suggestion, "Maybe you should talk to him."

I hesitated briefly before responding firmly, "No way. What I need is distance myself from him, so whatever it is I'm feeling can die out ," I explained, feeling trapped by the complexity of it all.

Ari's gaze met mine as she spoke, "I'm not sure that's healthy for either of you. You should go see him." I held her gaze for a moment before replying, "It's raining like crazy outside, I doubt I'd even make it out the door without Ryder stopping me."

Ari paused in thought before directing her attention back to me. "Leave Ryder to me. Just grab an umbrella and go see him."

With Ari's suggestion hanging in the air, I watched her leave the room and head to the living room. The murmur of Ari's conversation with Ryder blended seamlessly in the background, providing a convenient distraction. Taking a cautious breath, I made sure no prying eyes were on me before quietly slipping into the closet to retrieve an umbrella.

The rain outside cascaded, a rhythmic dance of droplets against the window. I treaded softly down the hallway toward the kitchen's backdoor. The floorboards threatened to betray my movements with their creaks, but luck was on my side as Ari's engaging conversation with Ryder kept him engrossed.

I swung the door open gently, momentarily pausing as my mother's words about staying away from Alex reverberated in my thoughts. With a determined push, I dismissed those echoes and stepped out into the pouring rain. As the umbrella unfurled, its protective canopy became my shield against the unrelenting downpour. Cold water cascaded off its surface as I embarked toward the dorms, each step carrying a sense of anxiousness along with the creeping dampness seeping into my clothes.

Upon reaching Alex's suite, I stood before his door, a moment of hesitation washing over me. Uncertainty swirled in my mind, accompanied by racing thoughts. Should I talk to him? Would he be surprised I came? Suppressing my doubts, I summoned the courage to knock on his door.

Seconds elongated into minutes, anticipation hanging in the air. Finally, the door swung open, revealing Walter's startled expression. "Ben, what brings you here? It's pouring outside," he exclaimed, his brows knitting in puzzlement.

"I came to see how Alex is doing," I responded.

Walter's astonishment shifted, evolving into a welcoming smile. "Well, come on in," he invited, stepping aside to let me in.

Guiding the way, we walked down the hallway toward Alex's room, the rhythmic patter of raindrops providing a backdrop to our footsteps in the quiet corridors.

When we reached Alex's door, Walter faced me and mentioned, "The medics advised him to rest, so he's likely asleep." I nodded, acknowledging the information.

Gathering my resolve, I knocked on the door before gently pushing it open, only to be met with a surprise: Alex was wide awake, propped against the headboard of his bed. His face brightened with shock upon seeing me, and he blurted out, "Ben, what're you doing here?" I responded, "I wanted to see how you were doing. I thought you'd be asleep."

Alex's chuckle resonated softly as he replied, "I have a thing against taking orders." His voice carried a hint of hoarseness, accompanied by a touch of amusement. With the door closed behind me, I approached him.

"You should really listen to the medics, Alex. They know what they're saying," I said assertively. Alex retorted, "Yeah, I'll pass on that." I smirked and commented, "Stubbornness toward people with reason seems to be another thing we have in common." Alex grinned and added, "Not just anyone, specifically those who dictate what I can and can't do."

I hesitated, a reluctant step forward, but my mother's warnings echoed once more: "Stay away from him." "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come, I need to go," I muttered, beginning to leave, making it to the door. But just as I was about to exit, Alex leapt out of bed, his hand pressing against the door to halt my departure. I spun to face him, our eyes locking.

"Please, don't go," he managed to breathe out. Worried, I noted, "You're out of bed." "I'm alright, just stay," he insisted, my back pressed to the door, his gaze penetrating mine.

"Alex, we can't do this. Whatever this is, it needs to end before it goes too far," I implored. Alex's voice came husky as he replied, "I already told you, Ben. I don't appreciate being told what I can or can't do."

"This isn't just about us," I argued. "It's about our countries, our families." In frustration, Alex retorted, "Stop letting them dictate how you feel."

Quietly, I admitted, "I don't even know how I feel." Alex lifted my chin, locking his intense gaze with mine. "Why do I find it hard to believe that?" he murmured.

"This shouldn't be happening; we're supposed to be rivals," I argued. He responded gently, "Perhaps in our parents' eyes, but you're not my enemy, Ben." I countered, "Then maybe you should start treating me like one. It would make things a lot easier."

He sighed, his voice soft but determined, "It's never going to be easy, but that doesn't mean you should just walk away." My gaze locked with his, a moment of vulnerability passing between us.

"I'm scared," I admitted. Alex's thumb brushed my cheek tenderly, and his voice was a soothing whisper, "You don't have to be." With that, he leaned down, capturing my lips in a kiss that sent a shiver down my spine. His grip on my waist pulled me closer, our fingers entwining in his hair as the taste of his lips consumed me.

My breath hitched as his tongue danced with mine, igniting a fiery heat within me. But suddenly, a surge of realization snapped me back to reality, and I gently pushed him away.

"We can't do this," I murmured, taking a step back. "I'm sorry," I managed, before opening the door and slipping out. "Ben, wait!" Alex called out, but my sprint into the rain was unwavering, soaking me completely on my return to the suite.

After changing into dry clothes, I lay in bed while a tempest of questions raged within, matching the ferocity of the rain outside. Sleep came unexpectedly, and I awoke to the sound of tapping on my window, the rain having subsided. Alex stood there, framed by the night.

Quickly, I opened the window and questioned, "Why are you here, Alex?" He replied, "Needed some air," and added, "And I wanted to see you."

"Alex, just go back to your suite," I pleaded. He implored, "Come with me," extending his hand toward me.