World Isn't Ready For Us

Chapter-2

Detention on the first day-definitely not how Shubman pictured starting at the NCA camp. But he couldn't let that comment slide. They were calling homosexuals mentally unstable-what century are we in?

He glanced around the room, trying to make sense of it. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. He had worked so hard to get here. One step into the U19 team meant he was closer to the Indian Cricket Team. But now? Now he was stuck in a second detention of the day.

All of this Shubman shared with Ishan as they waited for the start of their second detention together. And all of it came out organically from the one question Ishan had asked upon slipping into Mr. Gambhir's room six minutes early and finding Shubman already sitting there. The question, for the record, was, "What's up?"

The coach had called them in the afternoon for a second detention session.

Ishan ran most of the way to detention. Like, actually ran, from one side of the camp to the other, weaving in and out of the crowd. He may have jumped over a freshman at one point, details are hazy. He has a theory that Shubman would be one of those early-to-everything types.

This proved true, which is good; Ishan hasn't even power-walked since finishing his gym requirement last year, and there's a stitch in his side that's making his usual slouch kind of painful.

For the record: totally worth it.

Shubman is half a sentence into the camps statistical rate on homophobia before he seems to realize Ishan has stopped responding at all, and is just watching him talk, with a helpless grin that grows wider and wider at each mentioned injustice.

Shubman sighs. "You don't believe in a single thing I'm saying, do you?"

"Not a goddamn one of them," says Ishan, cheerfully.

It could be his imagination, but Shubman's shoulders seem to slump.

"No, no, keep going, you were on a roll," Ishan tells him.

Shubman looks skeptical.

"Hey man, my big plans were to zone out in English learning lesson in camp class. this is ten times more interesting. You're like a person full of data. What's your post NCA plan? "-Ishan asked.

For once,Shubman doesn't take the bait, only smiles and says, "Indian Team" The smile is not directed at Ishan; it's one of those inward expressions, like someone remembering a good dream or a secret love.

Ishan felt a sudden jealousy toward whatever made Shubman smile

No,No!Ishan's not jealous of an entire field of sports.Don't be ridiculous!

He lasts about five minutes into their second detention together before he starts kicking the back of Shubman's chair. He isn't even doing it on purpose. Or well, he is now, because every kick makes Shubman turn around and look at him again, and every time that look gets even more intense, like he's about to set something on fire with his mind.

This wasn't the initial plan, though.Ishan is just bored. And there's nothing to do, because he didn't bring anything to occupy himself. His phone and sketchpads are all chilling in his locker. He never needs them in detention.He always have detention by the garden so his time goes by easily by watching his teammates play or by this point, he's always asleep.