March 2019

The rhythmic ping sounds of hitting traveled through the air. Hands covered in black gloves, a boy squeezed the smooth baseball bat firmly, weighing it on his hands with consideration. Readied himself, he hoisted the bat over his shoulders. His eagle eyes were put to work, and as the ball bolted to his side, he swung!

With absolute precision, the ball floated in a fast line, followed with a couple of claps and cheers. With a lopsided grin, the boy slammed the maple wood bat on the base, to have it bounced back to his hand in a spin, displaying a mix of skill and flair. And as he proudly caught back the bat—

"Yeah! That's my bestfriend! Go Tyty!"

Behind the net, you jumped up and down on the tribune, hands clapping in delight. Shouting from the top of your lungs, you cheered for the boy that's been grinning back at you. Shoulders rolled under his red and white jersey, he adjusted his red NY cap, exchanging a glance with grinning you. Moving to the middle of the base, he stood with poise, ready to take on the next play. Planting his foot on the ground, he gripped the ball tightly on his palm, ready to swing whenever he liked. Creasing his forehead in concentration, he observed his opponent—and after he made sure he's ready, he swung!

Strike!

Throwing his gloves and cap to the ground, he shouted in unbridled delight, "Yeah! Let's fucking go!"

"Language, Cavill!"

"Sorry, coach—Winny! Did you see—"

However, his triumphant boasting came to an abrupt halt as he tried to process a scene unfolding before him. Instead of being met by your admiration, he found you.. with a boy, receiving a pink box with a neatly placed black ribbon at the top. He surveyed in disinterest, but not until he saw your face light up—disinterest quickly turned into interest, his face heating up. Ignoring the ongoing practice, he sprinted towards the tribune and shouted, "Hey! Em remember rule number—!"

Just when you redirected your attention back to him, a ball struck him square in the eye. The sound of your voice shouting in the distance echoed through the field as Tyler tumbled down to the ground. Cursing and groaning in pain, he put a hand over his eye—with another supporting his arse that's been flat on the ground. His eye began to sport a shade of blue, however in between his minced eyes, he noticed a faint silhouette.

A boy, notably tall for his age, strolled along the path to him. He got closer.. and closer.. until the silhouette became clearer. 'Damn, bet his eyes still bluer than mine even right now,' Tyler thought. Just when he's about to muster the strength to rise on his own, the boy extended a hand. Tyler observed in suspicion, but then he shrugged off whatever ill prejudice he had—and took the hand hesitantly—to be taken with great strength. Regaining his composure, Tyler found himself face to face with the boy, who smiled and said,

"So—"

"How's your girlfriend?"

Said the boy with blue eyes. His arm circled around Tyler's shoulders, dragging him to the cafeteria. Strikes of blonde hair bouncing over his shoulders, oh how the teachers would love to cut it, although they'd always push the thought since he'll always have his way to charm them. Or maybe they're just afraid one of the biggest benefactors in River High would cut the flow instead.

Cutting is one thing, as for the girls? It's another story. Since the moment he walks through the hallway, they're already making scenes on what to do with that loose flowy hair. And both of them in one frame? Da Vinci cried he missed the scene.

Tyler gives him a side eye as he snarls, "For fucks sake. That'll never happen—just shut up if you're bored and oh—maybe the short holiday just makes you want to pick a fight huh? You're welcome to try again." Despite Dominic being like a brother to him, his displeasure is completely shown in the way his face scowls. What's drawn in Dom's face is the exact opposite though, as his thin lips form a lopsided grin as he chuckles,

"I can make her mine then?"

In a blink, Tyler traps him in a firm headlock as he murmurs over Dom's ear, "Over my dead body, asshole." and releases him just to drag him forcefully through the cafeteria door. Dom laughs out loud, driving more attention to them. The wide room was packed with students, all busy taking their food, eating, talking. But not until both come across them. All eyes stealing glances, mouths forming into smiles, boys offering them places to sit. At this point, people might think they own the school.

But they already know where they're going for—well, more like who they're searching for. Their eyes scan the whole room for this one.. special person. Tyler releases his arms on Dominic to put his hands on his pockets, 'for concentration' he thought, but maybe because he's quite aware of how hot he looked like doing it. Dom narrows his eyes and searches through the corner..

Voila.

He gestures Tyler with his head, signing to follow him. Tyler nods the same time he saw what he meant, and they both stride.. until they're behind him.

The other blonde.

Dominic crosses his arms over his chest as Tyler nods and grins to the girls sitting across the boy. The both of them hover over him without him knowing, one raising an eyebrow, one chuckling and shaking his head in disbelief—still, both eyes piercing through his back. Watching the scene, the girls giggle, putting the blonde boy's love speech into a halt. As if the boy finally senses the menacing aura, he turns his head slowly..

"..I can explain," he grins in guilt, crouching his shoulders like a hunchback.

Tyler grabs his shoulder with one hand as he says, "We don't need your explanation, Wyatt."

Then Dominic grabs the boy's other shoulder with one hand as he lazily demands, "What we need, is your loyalty."

Liam jumps from his chair in disagreement and swiftly turns to them, "This is different bro! You know I'm in love!" Then he turns to Eve with a funny smirk plastered on his face and gives her an air kiss.

"So much for your 'Bros before Hoes', Wyatt," Dominic complains as he folds his hands in front of his chest.

Tyler runs a hand through his hair and lets out a sigh as he mumble under his breath, "Ran as the bell rings just to see his girl? Yeah, you're doomed man—" Realizing how he gave his critiques in Eve's face, he gives an apologetic nod to Eve and adds, "no offense, Eve."

Surprisingly, not like this morning, Eve laughs lightly and agrees, "So you're here to take him? Please do." Liam turns to her dramatically like someone just gave him a Trojan Horse and breaks his heart. "Sorry, baby I just can't stand Emily's face!" she shouts. That's when she transfers the attention to you, still keeping the excuses going, "She's one second away from killing us, babe!"

Tyler darts his eyes to you and winks at you, to have you chuckle as a response. Nodding your head to Tyler and Dom as an approval, you agree, "You're damn right Evie. Thanks to these gentlemen right here, now I can eat in peace," acting nonchalant, you dart a sideways glance to her before continuing, "but you're welcome to join your boyfriend though, no hope in you either anyway."

Eve gives a suppressed laugh and dangles her arms around your left arm, she laughs, "Aww don't be jealous Emily~" to have you give her a glare from the corner of your eyes, rolling your eyes while continuing your feast.

"Let's just separate the two for now. It's for the best," Tyler assures, nodding. Dom leans on the wall, getting impatient as he plays with his lighter,

"Last chance to redeem your sins, Wyatt."

Liam looks at all of you in irritation—but not until his eyes land on.. you.

His green eyes lit up.. and you only saw him this excited when he told the boys Eve likes him back. Too accustomed to the scene, you confidently mock him, "Look Eve, your boyfriend just did it again, he thinks he has the upper hand to change his bullying situation and turn it on me—"

With a smug face, he rests a hand on Tyler's shoulder, reassuring him like he's about to tell him the most confidential secret this country has ever had.

"Why can't he just accept the fact that he's so bulliable—" you mumble between chewing your gyoza as you see him whisper those inaudible—must've unimportant knowledge he ever had to Tyler. "I mean—what could he possibly think he has against me for today? All he ever do the moment he got here is flirt with you, babble around his annoyance for Ms. Liza—" you rant and rant about her boyfriend—

But you found Dominic already listening in eagerness too. You stop your chewing as you watch Tyler—his eyebrows knitted, making you wonder what the hell was that about. You start to lose your confidence as you falter.. "And ask you about what you're about to do this weekend—" and falter.. "just so he can ask you out on another—"

Then it hit you.

And when it hits, it hits like you first crashed dad's car on your own fence.

Now, Tyler's eyes on you. His eyes ablaze, tongue protruding on his cheek, pissed.

Shit this must be about—

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Cecylia Costania @rcpcswrites