The game was finally over, and Kyungsoo couldn't be more relieved.

Well, it wasn't entirely terrible. Chanyeol was a mediocre player, a few flashes of greatness interspersed with decent playing, and Kyungsoo was happy with that. However, it didn't stop him from feeling uneasy throughout the game.

He had never really been involved in the school scene. Sure, he did his work and got along with his professors, but that was as far as he went. When it came to the social aspects, he was severely underdeveloped. And he was perfectly fine with that.

So he never expected to find himself sitting through a basketball game, surrounded by his classmates, most of them rowdy kids who spoke too loudly and were prone to throwing their bodies to mimic the basketball.

Kyungsoo didn't like it, to put it simply.

As soon as the last whistle was blown, Kyungsoo bolted, leaving Jongdae behind to finish a heated debate on whether Good Charlotte or Metro Station had the best dance music. 

Well, he tried to bolt. But, it seemed that not many people were so keen to leave, and he stumbled through packs of unhelpful students, who didn't move their feet but got mad when he stepped on their toes. By the time he reached the aisle, he was muttering angrily to himself.

Now, he seemed to finally be in the clear. Except, at just that moment, a group of upperclassmen decided that they wanted to leave too, and Kyungsoo was shoved and jostled all the way down the stairs.

He decided in that moment that he was cursed. There was no other explanation for the bad timing.

Chanyeol had been watching in amusement, but now that the fun was over, he didn't want to see Kyungsoo get away without speaking to him first.

He quickly slid past the cheerleaders, grabbing Kyungsoo's arm to get his attention.

"Ew."

Chanyeol had learned to not be surprised by Kyungsoo's aversive behaviour.

"Yeah, yeah, what are you doing here?"

Kyungsoo glowered, "well, I'm definitely not here to speak to you when you have a sweaty towel wrapped around your neck. You look ridiculous," Kyungsoo pursed his lips in thought, "though you always do, so it doesn't matter much."

Chanyeol only laughed, "sure, I believe you."

Kyungsoo scoffed, "what are you insinuating, poodle?"

"Aw, are we at the pet name stage already?"

Kyungsoo wasn't amused, but Chanyeol smiled enough for the both of them. 

"Well, thanks for coming to see me play." Chanyeol smirked, "I really appreciate it."

Kyungsoo stammered in denial, but Chanyeol just gave him a smile before walking away.

Kyungsoo was in shock, standing stiffly until Jongdae smacked him on the head.

"Hey, where have you been moron? I was looking for you in the hall."

"Oh, I was just... Doing nothing."

"Yeah, clearly."

"Hey, Jong?"

"Yeah?"

"Smack me again and I'll fucking murder you."

Jongdae nodded. "Whatever, let's go. My mom already said I could sleep over. And before you say, 'but Jong, I didn't invite you, wah wah wah', now's your chance."

Kyungsoo walked silently beside him.

"Oh Jongdae, I can't wait. Why don't you sleep over? We'll have so much fun. You're my bestest friend, I'm so glad you're cool enough to hang out with me even though I'm a major fucking bore."

"Shut the fuck up."