( Bill's POV )

"Gather here now, hurry up!" The coach sounded a bit impatient.

I tried to rush and be the first, to impress the coach of course, and just casually dumped my belongings at the side.

I ended up being the first, and I was quite proud of myself, to be honest.

The others strolled over, laughing and talking, as if they didn't care about this whole competition.

"Can you just hurry?" The coach bellowed at them, but they were oblivious to his fits of anger.

At first I thought that the coach would compliment me for being so efficient, I mean I was the only one who looked like I cared about this whole thing, but he just gave me a look.

A judging look.

The others finally reached, and when they saw me, they erupted in fits of laughter.

Confused, I tried looking at them for an answer.

"Your shirt, Bill," the coach sounded so done with life. He shook his head and sighed in exasperation.

Embarrassed, I realised I wore the shirt inside out.

I removed my shirt to wear it the correct way.

The cold laughter by the group were replaced by sounds of exclamation and smirks.

"Woah dude, looking good!" one smirked as he pointed at my chest, which revealed the refined six pack of abs.

The group teased me for awhile, pointing and wiggling their eyebrows.

Although I didn't understand what was  up with their over-exaggerated reactions, but I liked it.

I liked the newfound attention.

Even the coach looked impressed. He even gave me a thumbs up.

And during the entire training, they started looking out for me.

For example, someone actually passed me the ball. For once, I wasn't left out like I was before.

When Mabel warned me about "these people", when I was left out during trainings, I never understood how I could click with them, click with people.

I didn't want to ask her as well, I knew she would start to worry.

But it seems that I've found the answer.

I felt a warm feeling in my chest, not the one I get whenever Shooting Star is around, but it was something else. The feeling of a new friendship forming.

After training, the group of 4, who are basically everyone else going for the competition except me, approached me.

"Hey dude, you're quite chill! You are..." He asked.

He had brown hair with a side parted fringe and brown hazel eyes to match his hair.

He was Benjamin.

How is it that I knew his name but he didn't know mine?

When during trainings, during a game, everyone ignores you and just passes the ball among their clique of 5, you happen to know their names by heart when one shouts his name and passes the ball to him and not you. You would just stand there anticipating for a ball, but it would never come.

That was how I knew all their names.

I was packing my bag when they approached me.

I stood up straight and shook his outstretched hand.

"I'm Bill, it's nice to meet y'all." I gave a polite smile.

I noticed how I was half a head taller than him. I noticed how I was actually taller and stronger than everyone else but I was so overlooked during trainings.

The others came towards me and exchanged names whilst I returned their smirks.

They don't know I know their names.

This welcoming session also came late. It has been more than a month that I joined Basketball, but they only bothered know my name now.

I brushed aside that tinge of hurt. 

"So Bill, you want to join us for dinner?" Nathan asked.

Nathan had a similar shade of hair as Benjamin, a light brown, but he had bright green eyes.

This was it. They were offering me their friendship. I could finally join their clique. Finally, I wouldn't be left out.

I wanted to join them, but I thought about Shooting Star.

Mabel.

"Sorry I can't make it today, maybe next training?"

"Sure, no worries bro." Another guy, Louis, slapped me hard on my back.

Louis had dark brown hair and light blue eyes to match.

I gave a small smile.

"Nice abs again." Louis remarked again, before the group left, laughing to themselves.

I could still feel the linger of Louis's hand on my shoulder.

They offered me their friendship, but I rejected them.

It was either them or Shooting Star.

I thought for a while.

Of course Mabel was more important.

These people can wait. There are still many trainings anyway.

She is waiting for me.

I need to get home.