Aaron Verlice, the charismatic and talented quarterback of the university's football team, has always been known for his precision on the field and his charm off it. But few people know about his secret passion - art. Aaron's sketches and paintings...
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Lionel and Val sat across from me in our usual corner of the café, the conversation centered on our upcoming tournament. We were discussing our training schedule and strategizing on how to win.
I let my gaze drift out the window, partly listening to Val and Lionel's discussion, while my mind wandered back to the previous night's encounter with Snowflake.
As my mind replayed the events of the night before, I couldn't help but picture her face, the way her eyes had glimmered in the dim light.
"Earth to Aaron! You listening, mate?"
I jerked out of my thoughts, my eyes refocusing to find Lionel eyeing me, a knowing smirk on his face.
I cleared my throat, trying to mask my momentary distraction. "Yeah, yeah, I'm listening," I grumbled, my tone gruff, though my thoughts were still on Snowflake.
Val chuckled, catching on to the fact that I was a bit distracted. He shot a pointed glance at me, his eyes gleaming with a teasing curiosity.
"You sure about that?" Val jabbed, his smirk widening. "Seems like you're thinking about something else, mate."
I shot him a glare, my annoyance at his observation rising, but I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to give him any more ammunition to tease me with.
Lionel caught on to Val's teasing and decided to join in, his eyebrows raised in mock surprise. "Ah, I see it too," he said, his lips twitching with suppressed laughter. "You've been oddly quiet today. Got something, or should I say someone, on your mind?"
I shot a warning glare at both of them, my patience dwindling. "Knock it off, you two," I grumbled, my voice gruff. "I'm just tired, that's all."
But my denial only fueled their teasing, their grins widening as they exchanged knowing glances.
"Sure, sure," Lionel chuckled, not buying my excuse for a second. "You're just 'tired.' Is that why you're not paying any attention to our conversation? Seems like your mind's on something—or someone—else entirely."
Val joined in again, grinning like the cat that caught the canary. "You wouldn't happen to have met someone new recently, would you?" he asked slyly, a knowing look in his eyes.
I shifted in my seat, trying to hide my annoyance at their line of questioning, but I knew it was futile. They could see right through me.
"Why are you two so damn nosy?" I huffed, my irritation rising. "Can't a fella have a moment to think without being interrogated?"
Lionel and Val just laughed, unperturbed by my growing annoyance. They knew they'd hit a nerve, and they were enjoying it.
"Oh, come on, mate," Val teased, leaning back in his chair. "We're just curious. You've been uncharacteristically quiet and distracted lately. Can you blame us for wondering if there's someone special in the picture?"
