VARSITY 9 | VOLUME I | BL ✔

THIRTY-FIVE | A FAILED INVITATION

"Oh, my god, I'm so exhausted." Brix heaved a breath as he plopped himself on the floor of the JV room while grabbing his water bottle and pouring a healthy stream of water into his mouth.

"That makes two of us," Nivian agreed as she sat beside Brix. Nivian and Brix quickly gravitated toward each other; they seemed to be the most extroverted of the nine and thus got along well even though they had met only a few hours prior.

While Brix and Nivian caught their breaths, Wen observed the team's silent member as he leaned against the wall. Throughout the team's warm-ups and simulation exercises, Dazze had not spoken a single word. After introducing himself, Dazze had fallen silent and communicated in nods and shakes of his head.

After the nine had had a few minutes to catch their breaths, Coach Zehran came up to the team and said, "Great job today, everyone. We have one more week until the new semester starts, so we're going to get in as much practice time as we can until then. Once the semester starts, we will cut back training time to between two and two-and-a-half hours."

"But, for now, we will gather here every morning and get between six to seven hours in, with breaks, of course," Jared added as his brother gestured for him to take over. "Today's session is done. Make sure to eat a good dinner and get lots of rest tonight. Tomorrow will begin with a lecture on the types of JV games that will be held at the end of the upcoming semester. Good work, everyone!"

"Thank you, Coach!" Nivian thanked them as she rose to her feet and bowed to Zehran and Jared. Brix was the next to stand, and he was followed by the remaining seven JV players. The students gathered their bags and headed to their personal locker room as Zehran and Jared exited the training room to wrap up their materials for the next day's lecture.

Once the nine had showered and changed into a fresh set of clothes, they each filed out of the training center at their own pace to finish their day with a hearty dinner. Lay and Toma were waiting in the large lounge area just outside the cafeteria when their five friends arrived at the student union shared between the two residential buildings.

"How'd it go?' Toma chirped as he sprung to his feet. After reaching his friends, Toma blushed profusely as Stryke ruffled his head and smiled down at him.

"It was exhausting," Brix answered with a sigh. The usually lively boy's expression was filled with tiredness as he stifled a yawn.

"It wasn't so bad," Stryke then returned. "It was just long. I think we'll learn a lot, though."

"That's good, at least," Toma replied as he stood beside Stryke.

"Never mind all that," Brix interjected. "Let's get some food. I'm starving."

The others quickly agreed with Brix's suggestion and followed the exhausted boy into the dining hall where they each piled their plates with delicious foods before camping out at a round table in the otherwise empty cafeteria. Since school had yet to start back up, the seven did not feel pressured to hurry their meal and quickly vacate their table. So, they took their time and discussed how they thought the first JV session went and what their expectations were for their second and final semester at Azari High.

"We have kyro, kainen, raikyn, and callan left, right?" Toma asked aloud as he munched on a strip of fried squid.

"Mm, we'll be learning those when the new semester starts," Liyam confirmed.

"Along with physics, and the first level of calculus," Brix reminded with a tired sigh. "Sorry in advance, Liyam," the former rugby team captain said apologetically. At first, Liyam looked at Brix with a side-eye, but when he realized Brix's implications, he gave a short, dry chuckle before bumping his fist on Brix's arm. Brix lifted a brow in surprise at Liyam's reaction. He had expected Liyam to scowl or scoff, but it was in fact the opposite. Liyam reacted favorably! I guess he doesn't think I'm too annoying. Whew.

"Do you think physics is going to be harder than chemistry?" Toma inquired with concern. He had passed chemistry by the skin of his teeth and was not ready for another grueling class.

"Not sure," Stryke answered. "They're different types of sciences, so you may actually do better in physics than you did chemistry."

Stryke's words encouraged Toma, and he livened up a bit. "You think so?" He asked hopefully. If he could at least grasp the basic concepts, he would be determined enough to study hard to earn good grades.

Stryke responded with a nod and a small smile, and he ruffled Toma's head as Toma grinned up at him. The other five watched Stryke and Toma's interaction curiously. They each knew something had happened between the two, but they did not know exactly what. Had they confessed their feelings? Did they kiss?

The two did not act too differently than they had in the past. They still bickered with each other and fought playfully. However, Wen could tell the way Stryke looked at Toma had changed. There was more adoration in his eyes, and his gaze had become softer.

The main difference in Toma's demeanor was that he now blushed every time he looked at Stryke. Regardless of whether or not the two had confirmed anything or changed their relationship, their friends were nonetheless happy for them as they appeared to have gotten closer and Toma had a smile on his face nearly non-stop.

"Isn't that Dazze?" Brix's question brought the group's attention away from their two, flirty friends as he nodded toward a lone boy at the other side of the dining hall.

"Who?" Stryke asked as he squinted his eyes to see to the other side of the room.

"That dude," Brix returned as he pointed to a table positioned near the dining hall's entrance. "Wasn't he at the JV session?"

"Mmmm, I think so," Stryke replied. "Yeah, I think that's him. Why?"

Brix pressed his lips together, so they formed a straight line as he looked down at his plate. "I just thought he might be lonely. It doesn't look like his friends are here right now."

"If he even has friends," Liyam remarked bluntly before sipping his soda.

"Don't say that!" Brix gasped. He was appalled that Liyam could assume something like that about someone he had never even talked to. "Why wouldn't he have friends?"

"He's clearly introverted," Liyam pointed out. "He didn't talk except during introductions."

"Ah. I guess that's true." Brix was quiet for a short moment before adding, "But don't you think we should invite him to join us? What if he secretly wants friends?"

"Do whatever you want," Liyam returned with a sigh as he took another sip from his cup.

"Okay, then I will." The six others watched as Brix rose from his chair and began making his way over to the boy eating alone by the cafeteria's door. Curious as to how Brix's invitation would play out, the six remained quiet as they watched Brix reach Dazze.

It did not take long before Brix turned around and began walking back toward the six...alone.

"What happened? Cat got your tongue?" Stryke teased as Brix returned to the table with a frown.

"No!" Brix huffed as he defended himself. "I asked him if he wanted to join."

"...And?" Toma asked when Brix did not continue. "What did he say?"

Another huff left Brix before he replied, "Nothing."

Toma curled his lips together to prevent himself from bursting out laughing. "Oh...really, that's erm, unfortunate."

"He just ignored me."

"I told you he was introverted," Liyam said with his usual cool expression, causing Stryke to stifle a chuckle.

"I know, it's just...I thought it was sad." Brix looked down at his food and pursed his lips, embarrassed from his failed attempt at being friendly, but proud that he did it anyway.

"It was a good try, Brix, good try." Stryke reached over Toma and pat Brix on the shoulder a few times as a show of encouragement.

"It was nice of you to do that," Lay said quietly as he tried to cheer up the now-moping extrovert of extroverts.

"Thanks, Lay," Brix thanked with a small smile. It did not take long for Brix to cheer up, and soon the seven were back to enjoying their meal and sharing funny stories. And while the seven laughed and joked with each other, they did not realize they were being watched from afar by someone who scrutinized their every move.