I Saw the Captain in his Underwear:

I clench my eyes closed for the thousandth time, trying to remember the formulae in my head - an unsuccessful effort.  My head pounds, exhausted from the hours of strenuous studying that has resulted in no avail - my lack of sleep another substandard factor.  All these years attending Riseford University, and I still haven't got this whole studying thing down.

"If you don't keep your grades up, you're off the team Edmond."  Coach's words repeat through my head, guiding my eyes back down to the paper.  The vibrations of party music flowing through the walls a tease - that could be me, but I have to study.  Lame.

My eyes drift out the window, observing the peaceful courtyard.  A gentle breeze sifts through the generous shrubbery adorning the paved pathway - the brick pavement trapping me in a procrastinated gaze.  

A shadowy figure sprinting down the path steals my attention, his bright red jacket disappearing with him as he dives into the bushes, hiding from his approaching pursuers, aka, members of the University football team.  If anyone was to recognise the football team, it would be me.   He sinks lower, their eyes scanning the surrounding greenery - oblivious to his close proximity.

His eyes snap up to mine, my elevated perspective exposing his hiding spot - a look of confusion, curiosity perhaps, flashes across his lids as he pulls a finger up to his lip, urging me to stay silent.  I contemplate it as I watch my team mates search for him, before finally conceding. 

"I think I saw him go this way!"  One of them shouts as they progress on their path, missing him as he hides idly in the bush.  He flicks a smile up to me as we both watch them run off in the wrong direction - eliciting a giggle in response from me.  Finally, something entertaining is finally happening tonight.  As I return my attention back to the bush, the boy in the red jacket is gone - concealed by the cloak of night.

Finding anything other than my studying as a good excuse, I cede to my slumber-hungry brain, and retire to bed.  Stripping down to my underwear,  the blankets wrap around me like a warm hug as I ease into my duvet.  Drifting off to the land of sleep, the comforting silence is slashed away.

My eyes flutter open, a thud on my floor obliterating the peaceful tranquility of my bedroom - the eerily disturbed silence pulling me out of my light slumber;  the once comfortable darkness now a facade for the hidden unknown.

"Ow, my ribs."  A husky voice whispers from the darkness - sending an icy chill down my spine.  I instinctively reach for my light switch.  The single bulb comes to life, a wide-eyed stranger looking back at me - the school trophy wrapped under his arm.

Air rushes into my lungs as a high pitch scream leaves my throat;  he drops the trophy, lunging towards my bed and body slamming onto me - a hand clamping over my lips.

"Please.  Please.  Stop squealing.  Please.  I'm not here to hurt you, I would never hurt you, I promise.  If they catch me, I'll be done for.  It's just a prank, I promise!"  His minty breath wisps across my lashes as he stares down at me, his thighs pinning down my wriggling frame beneath his weight - my resistance a meagre attempt against his toned frame.  

My opposition dies down as our eyes connect, his emerald lenses staring at me with an intent fire, that simultaneously offers a cooling calmness - furrowed brows signalling both caution and challenge.

"I'm going to release my hand now.  You promise you won't scream?"  I contemplate his offer, the green specs in his eyes a comforting reassurance, almost as if he stole them straight off of a puppy - the look effortlessly seducing me into conformity.  I nod - his hand slowly slides off my face, but his thighs stay wrapped around my waist.

"Who the fuck are you?  And what are you doing in my university dorm?"  I mumble out, lowering my volume to a whisper as the voices from the courtyard start circling back around the dorm.

"This isn't usually how I introduce myself, but I'm Justin Cornwell.  I'm a student at Buckingham University...and I'm kind of trying to steal your school trophy."  He finishes his sentence off with a beaming smile - the harsh luminescent lighting unable to dull his sharp, defined features.

"What are you doing in my room...Justin...And why are you stealing the trophy?"  He lets out a slight giggle, perplexed at the situation himself.  

"Well I was nearly off campus, trophy in hand, when I got spotted by a member of the football team - and now, they're all searching for me - so I just jumped into the nearest window I could find, and plus, you didn't call out to them before - so I assume you've got my back."  He smiles contempt, almost proud of the random situation he's put me in.  "And no offence to your University and their football team, but they really suck."  His response elicits a giggle from me, fighting away the awkward tension.

"Well Justin, can you please stop straddling my hips.  I mean you should've at least asked first if you wanted a seat."  I look down at my waist, an expression of embarrassment swiping across his face as he pushes on my chest to get up - the warmth from his hands imprinting on my exposed pectorals.  Coming to his full height, he scratches his head - unsure of what to do.

The boys return back to the courtyard, Justin shuffling back skittishly, moving to the corner - just out of eyesight of the window.

"Hey Captain!  Are you still awake?  I see your light's still on!"  One of the boys calls out from down below.  Justin listens intently, confused by the question.  I usher him to the side, and peer out my window.

"Sup boys.  I'm just about to go to bed, but what's up?"  Through my peripheral, I can see Justin's jaw drop - his frame tightening up as his eyes flick around - searching for an escape route.

"Some loser from Buckingham Uni broke into the trophy cabinet and stole the Champion Cup.  And we think the bastard got away.  You wouldn't have happened to see where he went did you?"  I look down at the floor, the trophy in question resting by my foot - discarded from when Justin lunged onto my bed.  

"Sorry boys.  I haven't seen him unfortunately.  But keep looking, we need to get our trophy back from those losers at Buckingham!"

"Yes Captain!"  They echo back, slapping their fists on their pecs - I reciprocate as I watch them disperse off, wandering aimlessly in their search for the boy in my corner.  As they disappear from sight, I draw the curtains closed, concealing my room - an audible sigh coming from Justin's plump lips.

His eyes scan over my body, my senses now acutely aware of my lack of clothing for my bedtime attire.  I scoop my clothes off of the floor, getting dressed haphazardly - his eyes flicking away, trying to give me privacy in the enclosed space.

"Two questions."  He starts, looking at me curiously.  "First.  Why didn't you tell them that I was in your room?  And second, why didn't you tell me that you're the captain of the Riseford football team?"  I ponder my answer, almost uncertain of my own reasoning.

"Was I meant to tell you I'm the captain of the team you just robbed before...or after you broke into my room?"  I ask curiously, a playful smile easing the worried look on his face.  "And as for why I didn't tell the boys...I don't know."

"Well thanks for not telling them."  He reaches down to reach the trophy, groaning on his way down - my eyes curiously scanning over his torso, his right arm wrapped around near his pocket.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah.  I just stabbed myself in the ribs when I hit in the bush, and then I landed on my side when I fell through the window - Lady Luck is not on my side tonight."  I notice a hole in the pocket of his jacket, going straight through his shirt, pierced skin visible.  He feigns normalcy, but his facade shatters as he fumbles the trophy and clenches the side of his waist.

"Here.  Take a seat.  I'll have a look at it."  I move my desk chair out for him.

"No, it's alright.  I'm not a baby - I'll be alright."  Ignoring his protest, I guide him down into the seat. 

"I never thought that I'd be helping someone from Buckingham University - this is probably the most embarrassing thing I'll do in my life."  I mock as I walk to my wardrobe to retrieve the first aid kit.

"Well, now when I return back to Buckingham, I can tell the whole team that I saw the Captain in his underwear."  He mocks.  I laugh as I reach into the upper shelf, feeling his eyes on me.  

"Speaking of the Captain, does he happen to have I name?  I never got it when I was breaking in."

"My name's Edmond White.  Captain of Riseford...and I guess part-time medic for Buckingham."

"Well as you know, my name's Justin, quarterback of the Oxford football team, and part-time trophy thief."  We laugh in unison - his humour refreshing after hours of tedious study.

"Well part-time trophy thief - slide your shirt up please."

"If you wanted to see my abs you could've just asked."  I roll my eyes at him as he slips his shirt up; his cut prominently visible - the branch really did some damage.

Damn Edmond, how do you find yourself in your own dorm, patching up the wounds of a member of your rival University?  

A/N

I'm back!  After the success of There's a Boy in my Bed, I felt as though I needed a break - to recharge and recuperate myself.  Here's my new story, I hope you like it!

Feel free to leave thoughts and opinions in the comments, I'd love to hear them! :)

Thanks for sticking through the first chapter, and I can't wait to traverse the journey of this book with all of you! 

- YOP