BANE OF HIS EXISTENCE

CHAPTER 28: POSSESSED BY JEALOUSY.

DREW.

As I walked alongside Min, his words hung in the air like a persistent mist, refusing to dissipate despite my best efforts to tune him out. His voice was laced with a hint of frustration, the tone grating against my resolve like the scraping of fingernails on a chalkboard. I'd grown accustomed to his persistence, but my focus remained unwavering, fixed intently on getting out of there.

"I don't get what the big deal is, mate!" Min repeated, his voice tinged with exasperation. "It's just one party...just one, to chill and let loose before the competition next week. Haven't we done enough training already?" His words echoed through the gym, bouncing off the walls as he trailed off, his eyes searching for a glimmer of understanding that he knew he wouldn't find.

I ignored him, just as I had been doing all week, my mind fixed on the task at hand. Don't get me wrong, I love partying just as much as the next guy, but this match was different. The last time we played against them, we lost, and it was on our home turf. The memory of that defeat still stung a bitter taste that lingered on my palate. But now, we had the opportunity to redeem ourselves, and I wasn't going to jeopardize that by chilling at a party.

Min's words trailed off, and he lapsed into silence, his dejected tone hanging in the air like a challenge. "Fine, be like that. Act, like I'm not even here, alright?" he muttered, his shoulders slumping in defeat. I scoffed, shaking my head as we made our way out of the gym, the bright sunlight enveloping us like a warm blanket. As we stepped outside, I noticed Hossein shaking hands with Noah, their exchange brief but cordial.

As we approached Hossein, Min voiced the question that had been lingering in my mind. "What was that about?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. Hossein handed me a bottle of water, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he replied, "Noah is throwing a party tonight." The condensation on the bottle felt refreshing against my palm as I took a gulp, the cool water sliding down my throat.

I shook my head, my mind already made up. "It doesn't matter because we're not going." Min's face fell, his expression a picture of disappointment.

"I can't believe Noah's throwing a party and I'm not allowed to go," he lamented, his voice dripping with drama. He leaned against Hossein's shoulder, his eyes pleading for sympathy.

Hossein quirked his brows at me, a silent question hanging in the air. I shrugged a subtle gesture that conveyed my indifference to Min's theatrics. Hossein's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned his attention back to Min, a wry smile twisting his lips. The unspoken understanding between us was clear: Min's antics were nothing new, and we'd learned to take them in stride.

Min's voice was laced with mock indignation as he poked Hossein's shoulder, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I can't believe Noah invited you to his party in person and not me, you don't even like parties!" I chuckled at the exchange, and Hossein rolled his eyes good-naturedly, his expression a perfect blend of exasperation and affection.

"That wasn't an invitation to his party," Hossein clarified, gently pushing Min away as he continued to tease. Min groaned, dramatically throwing his hands up in the air. "I'm so tired, but I'm begging to attend a party...this is my life now." I laughed at his antics, shaking my head in amusement.

Min's curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, his voice grumpy, "What did he want if he wasn't inviting us to his party?" I knew that look, that tone - my friend was a dog with a bone, and he wouldn't let go until he got the answers he sought.