Hearts Out of Bounds

Chapter 4: Game Of Love

JC felt his heart race as he approached the school gates. The memory of his unexpected day at Clint's house replayed in his mind, especially that moment in Clint's room, but he tried to push it away. He had to focus on the day ahead. As soon as he entered the school, he noticed the stares. Everyone seemed to be whispering, their eyes tracking his every move. It made his skin crawl.

Spotting Harold by the lockers, JC quickly made his way over. "Hey, Harold! You feeling better?"

Harold smiled and nodded. "Yeah, much better. Thanks for asking! But... why's everyone looking at you like that?"

JC shrugged. "I was just about to ask you the same thing."

Their first few classes went by smoothly, though JC couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. As they walked toward the cafeteria for lunch, Claude joined them. He seemed unusually quiet at first, his gaze lingering on JC a bit longer than usual.

"So, JC," Claude finally spoke as they found a table. "How was your bonding time with Clint?"

JC froze. "Uh, how did you—"

Harold interrupted, holding up his phone. "Dude... look at Clint's Instagram."

JC's stomach dropped as he grabbed the phone. There it was, a series of photos from Clint's house: one of them smiling awkwardly, another where Clint had his arm around JC, and the final shot—Clint kissing him on the cheek. JC's face burned with embarrassment.

"That was a prank or something, right? Stolen shot... probably didn't even mean it," JC stammered, trying to laugh it off.

Claude smiled but quickly changed the subject, offering to treat them to food again. As they sat eating, JC's thoughts kept drifting back to the photos. Why had Clint posted them? What was he trying to say?

Just then, Clint strolled into the cafeteria, his usual air of arrogance trailing behind him. He walked straight over and sat next to JC, greeting the group as though nothing was out of the ordinary. JC, still feeling flustered, offered him a slice of cake without thinking.

Clint grinned, leaning in. "Feed me," he said, opening his mouth.

JC hesitated, but grabbed a slice of cake with the spoon and fed it to Clint, who savored it dramatically. "Delicious," Clint murmured with a wink.

Harold stifled a giggle, while Claude, sitting across from them, clenched his jaw, the flicker of jealousy crossing his face.

After lunch, a coach entered their classroom, interrupting the session. "JC, you're up for basketball tryouts. Head to the gym."

JC perked up, excited. "I'll be there!"

When JC arrived at the gym, his nerves melted away as he started shooting hoops, impressing the onlookers. A quick mini-game was organized with JC and Clint as teammates against Claude, Harold, and a few others. JC and Clint made an unstoppable duo, their chemistry on the court evident as they scored point after point. Claude, on the other hand, seemed distracted, stealing glances at JC whenever he could.

In the final seconds, Clint hit a buzzer-beater three-pointer, winning the game. Without thinking, JC rushed forward and hugged Clint, both of them grinning ear to ear before quickly pulling away and pretending nothing had happened.