Schizophrenia. [LP AU] 卌

» 03.

the school had so far been damn amazing, i was in love with it. however the students weren't all so nice as justin was. they were competitive and expected every student to be their enemy- there was no time for allies. i think that's absolutely stupid. why can't we get competitive but leave that on the games field but be friends outside of the games field? no logic there really.

justin had some aerobics taster class and i had badminton. i got changed into my black shorts and white teeshirt which was the school indoor uniform. i picked up the badminton racquet that my dad had paid a lot of money for me to have, and walked out my dormitory to the sports hall.

there was twelve courts in the massive hall, and along the wall there were lots of my class mates against it as if that's what they were instructed to do; therefore i copied them. people were talking in pairs or in groups and i had no-one. instead i just twisted my badminton racquet in my hand, letting out a small yawn for my tiredness.

it's hard being an athlete; the constant pressure to train all the time and then you have to find time to eat as well as sleep. It's crazy to keep up with everything.

"okay class! welcome to badminton 101. i'm hoping you have all played the sport before so i do not have to go through the rules, teach you how to serve and whatnot. let us get straight into it! everyone pair up." oh no.

i knew if i just stand by the wall pretending to be cool and not a loser, someone would approach me. especially there being an even number of students. everyone would have to have a partner.

eventually i found someone. he looked quite damn shy, so i approached him first. he seemed quite scared to be around so many people. he looked younger then me, maybe fourteen? he had soft brown hair all sweeped to the side, almost like my room mates, "hey mate. wanna be partners?" he looked up with his big light green eyes and nodded his head eagerly at me.

"y-yeah s-sure." he stutters, happy that someone noticed him. aw bless his little soul. "i'm xavier smith."

"liam james payne." i extend my hand which he shakes firmly, showing the little confidence he has. i'm sure he must be talented despite his nervous and awkward personality, or else why would he even be here?

we exchanged small talk, discussing what tactics we would use and what positions we would play in the game. we decided on the forward and backwards position. i would cover the back of the court while xavier would cover the front. he claims he's good at sneaky drop shots, whilst i'm good at smashing. we'll see if we're compatible.

+++

"you guys look so weak." one of the most cockiest people at the school, mr 'i think i'm so much cooler the everyone because i has an awesome accent and I have an intimidating lip ring', aka luke hemmings. his partner wasn't as mean as him but he didn't tell luke to stop. instead he just stared at xavier and i in a way that i wanted to bury myself in a hole and hide until he's left the room. he was quite intimidating, i don't know if that's his natural face or his act.

"actions speak louder then our looks, lucas my dear." i smirk at him as he crinkles his nose in disgust at the name 'lucas'. i just love pissing him off because he's just so damn annoying.

he doesn't get a chance to have a comeback because xavier has already served, and what do you know?

luke misses.

++

throughout the game luke keeps getting frustrated and it's nothing but entertaining for xavier and i.

"i think we might actually win this." xavier whispers to me just as i'm about to serve the decider serve. the score was '20-13' to us. despite luke being so cocky and annoying his partner remained calm, and didn't do much of the running. i know i'm tired but the blonde looked like he was close to passing out.

i served and luke gets ready to smash it in return by for some reason, it hits the net instead of going over it. there is silence on the court.

then suddenly my mind works again and i figure out that we actually won. so suck that luke.

stick that in your juice box and suck on it.

i was seconds away from taunting and jeering to my opponents, in a way that doesn't show good sportsman ship at all, but then i see nathan at the side of the room. he's shaking his head in disapproval.

instead i stick my hand above the net and luke's partner goes ahead to shake it, "well played." i tell him and he smiles back wearily. luke waits a good few seconds before sighing in defeat and tightly squeezed my hand.

it shows that xavier and i are modest despite us beating the crap out of the apparent 'dream team' pair.

i go over to nathan who signals that we go talk somewhere else, so i tell xavier that i'm going outside to get some water from the fountain.

i'm bracing myself for the lecture.

+

"nicely played payne." i'm completely shocked of nathan's words. "however you of course could have played better more skilfully. you have much to improve if you want to be an all round elite sports performer." and there you have it, he always finds a way to find a fault in whatever i do.

him and my dad are the same.

"okay." i say calmly trying so hard not to let my anger get the better of me. i mean, i just won against my enemy, i'm supposed to be over the moon right now. but no, of course nathan doesn't want that.

"is that all you have to say?" nathan seems surprised by my calm attitude.

"i don't know what else i'm supposed to say really. you always put me down no matter how hard i try. i rarely get compliments and then when every leap year and a compliment is given, you always ALWAYS follow it with serval criticises. why?!" i snap at him, unable to hold onto my anger. i need to learn to control it though.

"w-why are you s-shouting? i-i'm only trying to h-help." nathan's soft green eyes were brimming with tears and i instantly feel guilty. i try to apologise but he doesn't want to hear it. instead he's gone.

as quickly as he came.

[ out of this whole series this is my least fav boo :(((((((( xavier on the side ]