Chapter 7: Clueless in Love and Other Delusions

🌼 Setting: Pentagon U Courtyard – Lunch Break

You'd think two people liking each other would be easy.But no. This is college.Where communication is a cryptid and everyone's love life is a tragic indie film.

"Hey, Lin Chui," Spawn said, scooting closer on the stone bench. "Did you see Sky's new shoes?"

Lin Chui — quiet, dramatic, walks like he owns a secret garden somewhere — raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. Limited edition. The kind you only wear if you want someone to notice you."

"He wants Young One to notice him," Spawn snorted.

Lin Chui paused. "They both want each other to notice each other. It's basically Romeo and Juliet: the Basketball AU."

"I still don't get how everyone knows except them," Spawn said, chewing a carrot stick with violent intensity. "Even the janitor ships them."

"The janitor literally taped their water bottles together last week," Lin Chui added. "It's getting embarrassing."

Then they both fell silent for a beat.

Then:

"So... anyone you like?" Spawn asked casually, like he hadn't been planning the question for three days and two showers.

Lin Chui blinked. "Huh? Oh. No. Not really. You?"

Spawn laughed nervously. "Nah. Just… you know. Focused on my studies. And watching hot people spiral emotionally."

"Same," Lin Chui said. (Lying.)

They both nodded awkwardly, sipping iced tea like they weren't thinking about each other at all.

Spoiler alert: They were.

🏀 Later – Inside the Gym, Practice Time

Young One was trying not to stare.Sky was tying his laces.Lace-tying should not be sensual. And yet here we were.

Coach was yelling. Balls were bouncing. Sweat was dripping.And still, all Young One could think was: "Sky's shirt is sticking to him like a love letter."

On the other side of the gym, Lin Chui leaned toward Spawn again.

"Do you think they've kissed?"

"I think they've accidentally made eye contact for longer than three seconds and short-circuited."

"Romantic," Lin Chui said, dreamily.

"They're idiots," Spawn said, affectionately.

Then he looked at Lin Chui.

And Lin Chui looked back.

And then they both immediately looked away.

🎭 After Practice – Locker Room

Young One was still shirtless, flipping a towel dramatically over his shoulder like he was in a shampoo ad.

Sky walked in. Didn't say a word. Just nodded and sat on the bench near him.

The air tensed.

Young One cleared his throat. "Nice game earlier. You, uh… really know how to fake left."

Sky smirked. "Thanks. You really know how to… scream motivational phrases aggressively."

Young One laughed. Too hard. "It's, uh, a gift."

Their knees brushed.The locker room felt too warm.Someone dropped a shampoo bottle.No one breathed.

Across the room, Spawn whispered to Lin Chui, "They're two seconds away from slow dancing to a breakup song."

Lin Chui nodded solemnly. "Godspeed, emotionally repressed gays."