GAVIN

I bounced the ball against the smooth, hard surface, my bicep bulging in response. Perspiration oozed from my glands, dampening my jersey which in turn, clung to my body like second skin.

The sole of my converses creaked against the floor as I dribbled the ball expertly. I played center, being the tallest in my offense team.

Tony who was playing defense started advancing towards me in an attempt to intercept the ball but before he could, I passed it to Gomez, who played small forward in my team. He was a shorter player and more agile.

Gomez in turn passed the ball to Kareem who was the shooting guard. Kareem dribbled the ball, heading for the defense's hoop. He shot the ball which went straight through the hoop, adding two more points to my team.

"Fuck yeah!" Gomez exclaimed, his fist bumping Kareem's in a celebratory manner. He then did a ridiculous dance which brought a smile to my face. Tony's loser team started grumbling about how unfair the tournament was. Yeah that's all they are good at. Whining like little bitches.

"Gav, welcome back to the team man. The team wasn't the same without you." Kareem acknowledged, a smile of admiration swimming on his face.

"Thank you Reem. It's good to be back." Was my retort as I took a seat on the bench. Kareem joined me. "So, what did I miss while I was away?" I enquired.

"Well...nothing much. Just Tony missing out on the big game a couple of weeks ago. He didn't show up for the game. Coach Bri was pissed. Nearly kicked him off the team." Kareem revealed.

"Why am I not surprised? I mean the guy is a coward so he obviously chickened out and failed to show up for the team. Don't understand why coach made him captain in my absence." I spat a remark.

"Tony is an annoying bitch mostly but it wasn't entirely his fault that he missed the game." Reem's statement left me stranded in a desert of puzzlement.

"What do you mean?" My full attention was on him.

"Heard that he got beaten up pretty badly by his dad for damaging his car. As you know, his dad is an army commander with quite the temper." Kareem revealed.

"Shit. That's...unfortunate." A comment skidded past my mouth. A wave of guilt suddenly washed over me. It was my fault that Tony got beaten up by his dad. If I hadn't thrown a rock at his car then none of that would have happened.

Normally I can't stand the guy and I love basking in his torment but why the fuck do I suddenly feel...sad for him?

"Yeah. His dad is a demon I tell you. I wouldn't wanna cross that man's path." Kareem stated.

My gaze wandered to Tony who seemed to be in a conversation with Mark, one of his friends. He laughed, revealing a set of white teeth. He had an extra tooth on his gum, above his left canine on the upper jaw. Always thought he looked hideous with that misplaced extra tooth.

When he laughed, his raven irises twinkled like a constellation of stars in the dark sky. His pronounced Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he laughed at whatever Mark was telling him. He looked carefree and weirdly attractive.

A snort accompanied his laughter. I always found his snorting to be funny. It's why I couldn't hold a smile that sneaked to my lips after he snorted.

Suddenly, he caught me staring and winked at me. I arched an eyebrow quizzically at him, not in the slightest affected by his flirtatious wink. Amusement danced in his eyes as he dragged his tongue along his bottom lip. Then he started strolling towards me, in slow predatory moves.

What the fuck? Why is he coming here? You know what? Let him come. I'm gonna humiliate him that he will go crying to his daddy.

"As- salaam alykum Kareem." Tony saluted Kareem in Arabic. I was astonished by how fluent his Arabic was. He plopped next to me on the wooden bench. The stench of his sweat overpowering my olfactory senses.

"Wa alaykum-as salaam." Kareem replied then took a gulp of water from the water bottle in his hand. He excused himself, leaving me at the mercy of my worst enemy.

"So, I noticed that you were checking me out." Tony murmured in a tone that only I could hear. His hot breath fanned the side of my face. Felt like my face was gonna melt straight off.

"Was I really checking the loser out?" I scratched my chin as though pondering over his statement. "I don't think so." A retort absconded my mouth.

"Playing hard to admit I see. Not bad. I love playing games too Gavin." He added, his voice huskier and deeper.

"I am not playing any games with you Tony. You are not even worth my time and energy." I replied, my voice coming out a bit shakier.

"Ouch. My feelings are hurt." He was leaning closer such that I could feel the scold of his breath caressing my neck as he spoke.

"Then go cry to daddy." I blurted, hoping to offend him and get him away from me.

"Oh Gavin, your dirty little mouth doesn't know when to stop. But don't worry, I'll put that mouth to good use real soon." His bold reply left me feeling some kind of way. How the fuck does the boy who wouldn't even say my name without trembling suddenly has the balls to flirt openly with me? Why the fuck am I even tolerating any of this? I should just get up and leave. Right?

"Tony, in case you didn't read the memo, I have a boyfriend who I love very much. So I would suggest that you stop flirting." I reminded him since clearly the guy had amnesia.

"Aww...I like it when my flirting makes you shy. It's cute." He confessed.

"Don't flatter yourself. " I replied with an eye roll.

"Even your eye roll is adorable." He threw a compliment.

"Tony, I said that I have a boyfriend so please back off." Was my reply.

"Are you really in love with him? Or is it something you tell yourself to feel better about being in a doomed relationship?" His question prompted me to shoot a glare in his direction.

"Yes I am completely in love with him. And no, our relationship is far from doomed. It is honestly the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me." I directed the reply at him.

"It's too bad that you love him because I know he will break your heart someday. That's because he doesn't get you like I do. With him, you try so hard to be good. Worthy even. But Gavin that's not who you are." He stated.

"Then why don't you tell me who I am?"

"You are egotistic, narcissistic and short tempered. All the qualities that drew me to you if I'm being completely honest." His confession left me stupefied.

"Wow. So you like me for being all the things that make me bad?"

"Yes. And Gav, you don't have to be good around me. I don't want you to be good because it makes you weak." He seduced me with his words, luring me to the dark side.

"Tony, I like being good and I'm sorry that you think it makes me weak." I shot him a reply.

"Carl is lucky to have a guy who loves him as much as you do. Not everyone can have that."

"You speak as though you have experienced falling in love before."

"Yes. I was in love once or so I thought, with a boy who blew me off the next day after our special night together. He was my first and he acted like nothing happened. Made everyone think that he couldn't stand me.  Do you know how that made me feel, Gavin? Completely worthless." He opened up about a story I was all too familiar with. The boy in the story is me. And no, that night was not special as he claimed it to be. 

"I thought we were experimenting that night." I spoke, recalling the events of that night vividly.

That Saturday night two years ago, Tony had invited me to a party at his place. I remember drinking while playing beer pong. Ellie Goulding's Burn was blaring through the stereo, filling up the entire house. I ended up dancing to the song. It was catchy and fun. Tony joined me on the dimly lit dance floor, his hands on my waist. He was slightly taller than me back then so I had to tilt my head in order to meet his gaze. A romantic song was playing and I was drunk as a skunk. I couldn't even stand properly. And then I kept giggling like a school girl while mumbling some embarrassing things. Then the worst thing happened. I threw up on Tony. It was disgusting and mortifying. We went to his room to change and that's when we made out...and did a couple of things.

It was all an experiment. None of it meant anything to me at least. But clearly it meant a whole lot to Tony.

"What happened between us two years ago was an experiment. I'm sorry that you ended up feeling things." I managed a reply.

"It started off as an experiment but after that night, things changed. I know that you felt something too." 

"I didn't feel anything, okay? And why are we even talking about this? It doesn't matter anymore because it's all in the past, Tony."

"Gather around everyone." Coach Brinski's voice reverberated, disrupting whatever he was about to say.

"Guess who I was on the phone with a while ago? It was Wood Ridge High's coach. He invited us to play against his team in a couple of weeks. Now you all know how excellent Wood Ridge is. They have a record for simply being the best. They are the undefeated champions. And we are gonna change that." He delivered the announcement, eliciting murmurs.

"If you are going to beat them in the tournament, you all need to work harder. Today during practice, you tried. But you are still not there yet. Bratelli, what the hell was that? You couldn't even snatch the ball from Mileford." He reprimanded.

"Sorry Coach, I was a little distracted by Gavin's hot face." Tony's reply drew laughter from my team mates. Heat crept to my cheeks at his stupid remark. I'm so gonna kill him later.

"Glad you find this funny Bratelli." The coach commented.

"As I was saying, you guys need to be ready to face Wood Ridge High in a couple of weeks." Coach Brinski added then dismissed us a few minutes later.

***

The boy's locker room was almost empty by the time I walked in. A mixture of smells floated in the room. A bunch of half-naked guys were chatting loudly while getting dressed. I opened my locker and took out my bathing gel, sponge and towel. Fishing my phone from my duffel bag, I swiftly typed a text to my boyfriend. We had agreed to meet after practice and my stomach was crowded with butterflies at the thought of us together in the shower.

Hey, you still around? I sent the text. Tapping my left foot on the ground impatiently, I waited for him to reply.

No. I'm sorry. Something came up so I had to leave after the club meeting. He texted.

Okay. I hope you are fine. Can't wait to see you tomorrow. Was my reply.

Yeah I am fine. Unfortunately I won't be available tomorrow. I will be leaving town . There are some things that I have to figure out. He texted.

I'm sorry what? Carlito, we had plans for the tomorrow, remember?  I shot him a text. We were to go on a movie date. The new black panther sequel is out and I already got two tickets for us. I know how much Carlito loves superhero movies. 

I remember. But plans have changed Gav. I'm sorry. He texted back accompanied with a sad emoji.

Okay then, can I at least come with you? I inquired through the text. It would be romantic to go on a road trip with him. Our very first road trip as a couple.

No. I am going with a friend. I'll be fine. I promise. His reply brought a frown to my face.

Who is this friend of yours that you are going with out of town for the weekend? I hastily typed.

It's Lorenzo. As soon as I saw the guy's name in his text, blood rushed to my head, making my face all red with fury.

Wow. So, you are going with him even after knowing how much I can't stand the guy. I don't trust him. My fingers were literally shaking with rage as I typed the text.

Lorenzo is my friend, Gavin. And I am tired of your petty jealousy. If you can't stand him, that's your problem. Because I won't give up our friendship to please your jealous ego. I trust him, it's why I asked him to come along on the trip. Carlito replied.

Great. Looks like you already made up your mind about this trip without even consulting me. Fine, go with him. I hope you guys have fun. I shot the text.

Seriously Gavin? I'm not in the mood for your tantrums. I have a lot going on in my life right now and honestly, I need a break from you...and everything else. Was his reply.

You need a break from me? Am I suddenly too much for you? A painful sensation crowded my chest as I typed back.

That's not what I meant. He replied.

Then please clarify Carlito. So I may understand.

Gavin, there are things that I need to figure out regarding our relationship.

What things are those? I am also in this relationship so I deserve to know.

Fine. If you must know, the reason I am going on this trip is to help me think clearly on the future of our relationship. Gavin, I have to choose between you and my family. If I choose you, then I lose my family. Do you understand the position I am currently in? I don't wanna choose but I have to Gavin. I want to choose you because I love you. But what will that make me? A selfish son. I can't lose my family Gavin. I'm sorry. His text

Carlito, I'm sorry that you are going through this. Can we meet up and talk? Please. I typed.

I'm sorry but I can't. I'm sorry Gavin. Was his reply. I sent him several texts soon after but he didn't reply. In fact, he blocked my number.

 What the actual fuck? This can't be happening right now. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!