NiorElegant

Evan has always been the easy target, soft-spoken, slightly overweight, and never quite fitting in. After years of bullying and bouncing between colleges, he arrives at yet another new school with just one hope: to finally be invisible. No more whispers. No more cruel jokes. Just peace.

Lucas, the school's tennis prodigy, is everything Evan is not, tall, confident, admired. But beneath his perfect image, Lucas is quietly shattered after being rejected by the only girl he ever loved. Emotionally distant and no longer caring about his golden reputation, Lucas begins to drift through the school year with a broken heart.

When the two unexpectedly become classmates, Evan assumes Lucas won't even notice him. And at first, he's right. But over time, something begins to shift. A silent curiosity. A quiet glance. A shared moment between two people who never thought they'd connect.

(BL) The One I Underestimated

Lucas stood still, blocking the light, his tall frame casting a long shadow over Evan's half-packed lunch.

Evan looked up slowly, startled. His fingers froze on the edge of his lunch bag.

His face was unreadable, no smile, no greeting, just that cold, unblinking stare that Evan hadn't seen this close since… that day.

Before Evan could speak again, Lucas suddenly reached out and grabbed him by the wrist.

Lucas didn't explain. His grip wasn't brutal, but it was firm enough to tell Evan not to resist. And Evan, heart pounding, breath catching.. followed without a word.

They exited the library silently, crossed the hall, and turned sharply into the men's restroom nearby. Lucas shoved the door open, glanced around to make sure no one else was there, then pulled Evan into the last stall.

He shut the door behind them with a loud click and locked it.

Panic flashed in his eyes. What is he going to do to me? Hit me? Scream at me?

He backed slightly, his spine touching the tiled wall behind him.

Lucas stood close, arms crossed, eyes burning.

Then, slowly, Lucas leaned in, not touching Evan, but letting their faces hang mere inches apart.

Evan blinked, breath shaky. "What are you talking about…?"

Lucas's lips twisted into a mocking smile. "You couldn't handle rejection, so now you're running to Mikael? Is that how it works?"

"Don't lie." Lucas's voice was sharp now. "I saw you. Laughing with him. Every day. Like you're something special."

Evan swallowed. "He just… talks to me. That's all."

Lucas leaned closer, his voice low and venomous. "Let me guess, you're hoping he'll pity you too? Like you tried with me? Make him your next little fantasy?"

Evan's chest tightened. "That's not true."

Lucas scoffed. "You're not fooling anyone. You think anyone actually wants you? Look at yourself, Evan."

He eyed him up and down with disgust. "You're short, soft, awkward- nothing about you is attractive. You cook like a desperate housewife and follow people around like a lost puppy."

Evan opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. His throat was tight. His breath caught.

"You think you belong with people like us? With athletes? Don't be ridiculous. You're just an embarrassment. A walking, whining joke."

Lucas interrupted coldly, "Don't 'never' me. Just stay out of our way. Especially Mikael. The team doesn't need someone like you hanging around making us look bad."

He unlocked the door with a loud click, then paused before leaving.

His voice dropped, quiet and cruel.

"You don't belong here, Evan. So stop pretending like you do."

And with that, he stepped out and let the door swing shut behind him.

Lucas stormed out of the building and headed straight to the classroom.

Didn't glance at the people waving at him.

When he reached his desk, he dropped into his seat with a heavy thud, flung his bag on the floor, and stared blankly at the whiteboard.

His jaw was tight. His fists clenched.

He should've felt better. He told himself that.

But instead, his chest felt like it was burning.

Burning with something uglier than anger.

Chapter 15 : What are you trying to be?