Sitting on the bench with a fragrant blouse and a warm sensation in his head, Theodore tried not to be embarrassed in front of the others. Only it was impossible.
Sweet perfume that involved him as a real invitation to dream. If weren't in public, he'd probably sink his face into the cloth and inhale that perfume like an addictive drug. You'd have to restrain yourself.
Hold back!
Folding his blouse and leaving in his lap, Theodore had forced himself to focus on the court when the other school team had arrived at the gym. Training was about to begin, and as he had been asked to analyse the players, he would have to concentrate.
After the warm-up of the players they formed ranks and greeted each other establishing the rules of that match. They would make three sets of twenty-five points, and then the coaches would talk to the opposing teams for advice. Then they would do a physical training together.
The match had begun and Theodore soon scored the players in their positions. The meticulous eyes accompanied the athletes with excellent attention, without having to look at the notebook while writing quickly.
Both Gabriel and Nicolas did not participate in the first set. And the way the captain whispered something to the new player without taking their eyes off the court, imagined that he already made his notes and advice. The omega had not ceased to be relieved that his best friend had left the prick aside, at least on the court.
Despite the first set giving the away team victory, Milles had finished the match with an excellent attack. The euphoric cries of the girls in the stands filled the gym, causing a wave of complaints from the opposing players.
Two players left the court and gave way to Gabriel and Nicolas. The moment he stepped on the court, it seemed to catch fire. Theodore pressed his blouse in his lap along with the notebook remembering not to be fooled by Nicolas's sleepy physiognomy.
The other team had started serving and the game to keep the ball in the air had started. Milles was still on the court being the target of the cries of the girls, especially when he began to be more displayed. He and Gabriel formed a good blocking duo due to their heights, yet the first point out for the opposing team.
If before that block was on fire, now it was hell itself. The screams of the girls before the sly little pout of Milles enrages the captain of the team. When the other team made the serve, one player received the ball and Gabriel prepared to get up.
In a matter of seconds Gabriel had analysed the court finding a boy with pale skin and curved shoulders, with sweat dripping on his forehead gluing the dark strands on his skin. That same boy whose appearance was so sloppy and lazy, had a deep hatred in his eyes.
Out to that fellow, from whom he called captain, that Gabriel directed the ball.
In the same way that the new player was quick to choose his partner, Nicolas was quick to make the decision.
The girls were excited to realize that Milles, being the closest to Gabriel, was preparing to jump and cut the ball.
But the ball was cut by the lowest player.
And it was spectacular.
Theodore barely blinked, gaping at his gym teacher when Nicolas ran so fast and jumped much higher than his height by cutting the ball with such force. This force that echoed the sound throughout the gym, silencing absolutely everyone.
The opposing team had not moved. They faced the other side of the net as if still waiting for an attack. Everything had been so fast and grotesque that there would not be enough neurons to understand how it happened.
The captain had turned to the stands, shooting the group of mute girls.
― If I hear one more peep, I'll take your kind and put that demon on the bench for the whole championship.
― Hey, you don't have to talk to them like that!
— This is not a fashion show, you imbecile. ― Snarled Nicolas holding the collar of Milles's shirt, who had approached menacingly. ― If you want to show off like a magazine model, you're in the way.
― Boys back to the game or I kick both! ― Shouted the coach, taking advantage when the other players drove away the fights.
From then on the game was silent in the stands, but noisy in court. Nicolas had completely lost his patience making sure to discount it in all the cuts he could make.
Theodore sighed low in writing in the notebook that his best friend should work more his temper when on the court. The problem with that was that the little guy was incomparable when irritated.
Whenever they watched the matches and Nicolas happened to get angry, he played above his ability. He certainly spent more energy, which made him sleep for more than twelve hours, but it was the key part of the team. Because of this it was difficult to find a lifter who could pass the ball with such precision, to the point of following the high speed of Nicolas.
Until the arrival of Gabriel.
Happily had a Theodore make notes on how those two could, and should, work as a key team duo. If Gabriel knew better his ability as a lifter, he could leave the blockade with Milles and assist the captain in the attack.
Ah... The ideas simply popped into his mind. Theodore scribbled so much in that notebook that bad turns the hours pass. Only felt the fingers hurt from writing, when the final whistle of the second set sounded and the teams went to rest.
― We managed to stall, but I'm too tired to handle a third set. ― Complained the teacher approaching Theodore. ― Are the drinks there?
― Here.
Marcus crouches down taking the handle of the cooler bag, stopping right after turning his back on the student.
― Ah... Make him sleep. I want to test the libero in the captain's seat.
― Yes sir.
The players dispersed from the court and the noise of the conversations returned. On the second wooden bench was the teacher distributing the cold bottles and towels to dry the sweat. Theodore watched them from afar, being happy that his work was well enjoyed by the team.
― Ah, I'm so tired!
Turning his head to the side he found Nicolas sitting on the bench with his elbows resting on his legs. Having two towels stored with him, Theodore had used one of them to cover his friend's head by wiping the sweat from his neck.
― You lost your temper again, man.
― Don't complain to me.
― I complain, your lucky Gabriel was brilliant to keep up with you. If not the teacher would be pulling your ear.
Nicolas growled his hand out to his friend. Snorting, Theodore handed a claw of water to his friend, who immediately turned it over drinking a large sip. Looking away, the omega noticed the arrival of Gabriel with his gentle and humorous smile of always.
The tall boy came towards him, sitting on the other side of Theodore, also leaning on his legs. Silently the blonde had handed him a towel and another bottle of water, which were well received.
― Thanks, Theodore. Hey, how'd I do?
― Very well I think. The teacher almost leaves jumping with joy. ― Laughs the blonde.
― It's much more intense than our training. I really enjoyed the adrenaline.
Theodore arched his brow, suppressing laughter at the corner look to his friend who was silent to his right.
― Get used to it, official matches can be worse than that.
The conversation was interrupted by the euphoric cry of the girls. Milles talked to them, having the prowess to make her crowd near the court.
― Showoff kid, I hope you break that fucking face...
— It is grumbling again, Nico. ― Complained Theodore, again rubbing the towel on his friend's dark hair. ― The teacher told you to go to sleep. Lie there and sweet dreams.
― How do you want me to sleep like this screamer worthy of a whorehouse?
― Kill him in your dreams.
― Good idea.
Shaking his head, Theodore went to the side giving more space for his friend to lie on the bench, but he was already leaning on Gabriel when Nicolas held him.
― Stay there, I'll lay on your lap.
― What?
Nicolas noticed Gabriel's blouse on his friend's lap and quickly held it by throwing it in his owner's face. Grumbling he lay on the bench snuggling his head in Theodore's lap, closing his eyes and crossing his arms.
Shaking his head, Theodore dared not contradict the angry little man. Just fix his cap in his face and throw the sweatshirt on his arms not to catch cold.
And then he turned to the other player next to him when he questioned him.
― He won't play anymore?
― He can fight.
Pointing with his chin at the tall player who flirted next to the court, Theodore made the message clear. Gabriel nodded understandingly, even though he didn't much like seeing how easy that short captain was to ignore the rumours and remain so close to his saviour.
Without saying a word, Gabriel had to return to the court and participate in the last set of the training match. But his eyes, from time to time, fled to a certain wooden bench where there was a boy sleeping on the lap of a certain blonde omega.
And seeing him watch that sleep, caused a new feeling to arise in the chest of that transferred student. Not knowing exactly what displeased him so much, that tall and kind student gave way to an irritable but silent player compared to his captain.
It was Gabriel's turn to be aggressive in the game, even wearing a good guy mask. His locks were tight, his lifts were accurate, and his cuts were strong. He did not reach the level of Nicolas, but he was the best on the court in that round.
Every time he scored a point and celebrated with his team-mates, Gabriel took a peek at that bench becoming increasingly bitter with the vision.
Envy had been the reason for the home team's great victory.