The enemy of my heart [BL]

Enemy

As lunch break rolled in, Evelyn, James, and I headed to our usual hangout , the P.E. locker room. It wasn't fancy or private, but with James's dad being the P.E. teacher, we had access privileges the average student could only dream of.

James barely waited for me to sit down before grinning like a devil.
"So... where's your hot friend?"

I gave a half-shrug, trying not to seem too bothered. "He said he wanted to stay in class."

"Maybe he's trying not to cramp your style," Evelyn offered between bites of her suspiciously bland yogurt , the same flavorless goop she ate daily that still managed to make me gag just by existing. "He probably wants to spread his wings a little. Blend in."

James glanced at me, his voice teasing but curious. "You look kinda... bummed. Worried about him or something?"

"Not at all," I said, maybe a little too fast. "He's old enough to take care of himself."

But even as I said it, my chest felt... weird. Ronin made me feel uneasy. And not in a 'he's dangerous' way. In a why do I care so much way.

James, never one to let things go, leaned forward. "How'd you guys even meet? And why didn't you ever tell us about him?"

I sighed and leaned back, staring up at the ceiling, a minefield of mysterious white stains I didn't dare contemplate. "Our parents are basically best friends. Ronin and I were born a few days apart. We were inseparable as kids. But stuff happened in his family, and now he's staying with us."

"That sounds like a good thing, though," James said. "A childhood bestie under the same roof? That's sitcom gold."

"Yeah, but you don't seem too thrilled," Evelyn added. "Especially after he dunked on your English test score."

I let out a breath and ran a hand through my hair. "We had a falling out. Nothing dramatic, just drifted, I guess. Hung out a few more times after, but it was never the same."

I paused. "Besides... he's so different now. He used to be this nerdy kid. Kind of annoying, honestly. My friends couldn't stand him. He wasn't good at anything. Couldn't game. Couldn't hold a conversation. And now he's-"

"Hot, athletic, smart, and talented?" Evelyn finished, raising a brow.

"Okay, Mr. Perfect," she added with a smirk.

"So what, you think he's perfect now?" James asked, giving Evelyn a look. "Which is funny, 'cause people usually say you're perfect."

I scoffed. "Bullshit. I'm far from it."

"Yeah, we know. That's why it's our sacred duty as friends to drag your flaws into the light," James said sweetly, the kind of sweet laced with sarcasm and lowkey menace.

Evelyn nudged me. "So what if he's better at video games or scored higher in English? You're still the best kicker on the rugby team."

"And he definitely doesn't have the prettiest girl in school crushing on him," James added with a teasing grin.

My cheeks flushed as I thought about Mia. "You think she's into me?"

They both nodded like it was obvious.

But then again... she did completely ignore me earlier in class. All eyes were on Ronin. Including hers.

I tried to shake it off. "Maybe I'm just overthinking."

The bell rang, cutting off any chance of lingering on it longer. Classes dragged by until the final bell rang, and James and I stuck around for rugby practice.

We were in the locker room, half-changing, half-arguing, when James cursed. "Shit. I forgot my socks."

"You idiot," I groaned.

"Just give me one of yours. We'll be the One-Sock Wonders!" he announced proudly, pulling one on before I could protest.

"Disgusting," I muttered, but I still grinned.

As we jogged out to the field, someone yelled, "Think fast!" and launched the ball toward us. I managed to snag it just in time.

"Nice reflexes, ladies. Keep it up," William sneered, strolling past with his usual smirk. He had that perfectly annoying blend of talent and arrogance - rugby captain and head boy. Figures.

As James always said, "The only reason that douchebag got elected is 'cause the school treats head boy like a beauty pageant."

"That prick can go kick rocks," James muttered as we started our warmups.

We were halfway through cardio when a voice called out behind us.

"Sorry I'm late."

Ronin.

He walked up without a hint of panic, even though all eyes turned to him.

"Of course he's going to play rugby," I muttered. "I mean... look at him."

William raised a brow. "You're the new guy?"

"Yeah."

"Well, new or not, I don't tolerate latecomers. Two laps. Now."

Ronin didn't flinch. "Alright."

He jogged off without argument.

William blinked, caught off guard by the lack of resistance. His smug expression faltered for just a second.

"Change of plans," William called out. "Everyone does two laps. New guy included."

We all groaned but got into formation.

I glanced over at Ronin. His stride was clean. Effortless.

"This is my chance," I said under my breath. "Let's see if he can beat me at everything."

I smirked.

Time to prove I'm still the king of this field.