two players; lin yanjun

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third person pov

Benjamin waited for Xiulan outside his house on the porch. His hand was gloved and he had a baseball in the other hand. He threw it up and caught it, repeating the action as he patiently waited.

He had been gone a couple days since he had a baseball tournament and Xiulan wasn't able to make it. Something about having to stay since the band was performing for the first time since her hand was injured. He usually went to their performances and she usually went to his tornaments, but that was also a first that they missed each other.

When he saw a familiar red car pull up with it's top down, he smiled and got up from the step he was sat on.

He saw Hunter sat in the drivers seat while Xiulan sat in the passenger. She smiled at him, about to get out of the car, but he saw Hunter say something to her. Her eyes moved to the other boy and within seconds her mouth was on his. Her eyes closed and Hunter's hand place on the side of her neck, pulling her closer.

Benjamin had felt a pain in his chest, but it often happened. He just didn't expect it this time.

"I'll see you later," Xiulan told Hunter as she rounded the car.

"See ya, Princess," Hunter winked before driving away from the house. She watched as he disappeared before pivoting and walking in Benny's direction. She had her baseball glove in her hands and when she came over she noticed Benjamin's expression. He was staring off in the direction that Hunter drove away in.

"Hey, Blue," she said catching his attention. She hopped on the steps and stopped at the one just above the one he was on.

His blue eyes that he got from his father landed on her. He cleared his throat and stood straight before putting on a false smile, "Hey, Red."

- - -

"So...you and Carson," Benny spoke as the two of them played catch in his backyard. His mom wasn't home so it was just them and the small insects buzzing about.

"Y-Yeah," Xiulan stuttered. She had been waiting for him to ask because she wasn't sure if she should bring it up herself.

"You're together...since when?"

She caught the ball in her glove and blew one of her cheeks with air as she removed the ball she released the air.

"A couple days," she replied and threw the ball to him. He easily caught it and paused the game.

"Why didn't you text me about it," he asked scratching the back of his neck and squeezing the ball in his glove.

She shrugged, "Hunter wanted to tell you himself."

Benjamin narrowed his eyes. He remembered that look in Carson's eyes when he pulled up to his house.

"Doesn't look like it. It's more like he wanted to show you off like a trophy," Benny muttered and took the ball into his hand. "Do you even like him?"

"O-Of course I-"

"No," Benny shook his head at her. "I mean do you really like him? This isn't about feeling like you owe him something or for some other reason, right?"

"Of course not," Xiulan claimed. "I like him...a lot. He's the first guy I've known here and he's done a lot for me and-"

"I've done a lot for you too, but that doesn't matter. Just because someone does something for you doesn't mean you should or have to be with them," Benjamin explained, suddenly irritated. "If you're with someone they should be a person that you truly want to be with and someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with. You're supposed to date to marry not date to just have fun."

"Okay..."

He looked at her, eyebrows drawn together. "Okay? Just okay? Xiulan, do you really want to marry Carson? Do you really see yourself ever marrying him?"

"Ben, calm down," Xiulan met his gaze and saw how upset he was. "We're still young. Carson is our friend. Why are you acting like this? Like he's a bad guy?"

Benny and Carson were friends. Carson was the other to introduce Xiulan to him, but Carson was also someone that Benjamin grew up with. They had been childhood friends and often met at the park to play basketball. However, Benjamin knew how Car would always try to one up him. They were friends, but also rivals.

"Because sometimes he can be."

"Well, he's not with me," Xiulan shrugged her shoulders and he shook his head.

"Car is always getting into fights, Xiulan. He's always putting himself in the wrong place and if you stay with him, he will drag you down with him."

"We just started dating, Ben. Maybe he'll change. He told me he won't fight anymore."

Benjamin almost laughed. After three whole years of knowing him, she still believed that he would stop fighting.

"Carson...Carson has been fighting all his life and maybe he does love you, but he doesn't love you enough to stop fighting. It's unrealistic."

Xiulan was baffled by his words and the venom laced in his words. "I don't think that's true."

"You wouldn't," he shook his head, jaw set. "You're not only being stubborn, but also naïve."

"Why are you being like this? Why are you suddenly so angry," Xiulan asked, angry too. The two of them fought often, but it was mostly about small things. This was different, this fight wouldn't last mere hours or days. This time, it would last much longer.

"Because you're going to regret being with him. You and I both know that."

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Scarlett drove to where she knew Linkai was. Her hands gripping the wheel until her knuckles turned white.

"I do, Blue. I do regret it."