Chapter 7 : Doubt in the dark

The bass thumped low through the walls of the club, vibrating through the leather seats of the VIP corner where Lucas and Kelv sat. Neon lights pulsed across the ceiling, casting flickering shadows over half-empty glasses and crumpled napkins. Around them, music pounded and bodies moved on the dance floor, lost in sound and sweat.

But at their table, it was quiet.

Lucas leaned back against the couch, sipping a drink with ice clinking lazily inside the glass. Across from him, Kelv sat with one leg over the other, swirling his cocktail slowly, his expression unreadable.

"For real," Kelv said after a long pause, "you've been killing it on the court lately."

Lucas gave a half-shrug. "Training's been decent. Just… trying to stay sharp."

Kelv smirked. "Still trying to live up to her expectations?"

Lucas looked away. "Drop it."

"Okay, okay," Kelv said with a raised hand. "No Sandra talk. Got it."

The silence returned, thick and pulsing like the beat outside.

Then, Kelv leaned in, lowering his voice.

"…So. Can I ask you something?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you ask?"

Kelv chuckled. "Touché."

He paused, then said, "What do you think of Evan?"

Lucas blinked. "What?"

"Evan," Kelv repeated. "Short dude. Quiet. Bento guy."

Lucas frowned slightly. "He's… fine, I guess. Keeps to himself. Why?"

Kelv tilted his head. "You don't think he's a little… too into you?"

Lucas stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, come on." Kelv's tone grew playful, but there was a sharpness beneath it. "Every day, he brings you lunch. He shows up at tennis practice just to watch you. He looks at you like you hung the damn moon."

Lucas scoffed. "You're reading too much into it."

"Am I?" Kelv leaned closer now, his voice barely audible under the music. "He looks at no one else like that. You never noticed? The way he stares? And he always acts nervous when you're around. Like he's scared but obsessed."

Lucas said nothing, but a sour taste crept into his mouth.

Kelv watched him. "You don't like guys, do you?"

Lucas shook his head, firm. "No. Not my thing."

"Right," Kelv said smoothly. "That's what I thought."

Another sip of his drink.

"Which is why I think you should know," Kelv continued, tone darker now, "Evan… probably is gay. And he's probably into you."

Lucas's jaw tightened.

"I don't care what he is," he muttered. "Just as long as he keeps his distance."

Kelv raised a brow. "You sure about that? 'Cause the way things are going, I don't think he will. You're being too nice. He's getting ideas."

Lucas didn't answer.

He didn't like the thoughts swirling in his head, the quiet memories of Evan smiling as he passed him food, the warm tone in Evan's voice, the shy glances. All things he hadn't questioned before.

Now they felt… tainted.

Kelv leaned forward, voice low and deliberate.

"I've got a plan," he said. "To show everyone who Evan really is. You don't have to do much. Just play along when the time comes."

Lucas's brows furrowed. "What kind of plan?"

Kelv's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Nothing crazy. Just… a little truth. We'll make him show his cards. Once he does, well… people will see him for what he really is."

Lucas stared into his glass, suddenly unable to swallow.

Part of him wanted to walk away. Pretend he didn't hear any of this. But another part, the darker, colder part still aching from rejection and bitterness, listened.

"Let me know when," Lucas said quietly.

Kelv grinned.

"I knew you'd get it."

And just like that, a line had been drawn, sharp, silent, and invisible.

A plan was set in motion.

But none of them, not even Kelv, realized how far it might go… or who would break first.