Chapter 25 : Lines drawn

The sun hung high over the college tennis court, its heat soaking the clay as Lucas stood by the net, lazily bouncing a tennis ball. His brows were furrowed, jaw clenched, movements unfocused.

Footsteps approached. Firm, steady. Lucas turned his head.

Mikael stood at the edge of the court, hands in his pockets, eyes sharp with purpose.

Lucas let the ball drop. "Didn't know you play tennis," he said, voice dry.

"I'm not here to play," Mikael replied calmly, walking onto the court. His tone was level, but his eyes held weight. "I'm here to talk. One last time."

Lucas raised an eyebrow, uninterested. "Oh? About what?"

"Evan," Mikael said plainly.

Lucas's smirk faded.

"I'm telling you to stay away from him," Mikael continued. "You've crossed lines, Lucas. You and your friends, whatever happened in the past, Evan's been through enough. He deserves peace. Not your confusion."

Lucas stepped forward, slowly, his expression unreadable. "You say that like you're his guardian."

"I care about him," Mikael said firmly. "That's enough."

Lucas scoffed, lips twisting. "Funny. Because Evan said you two are just friends. He didn't mention any feelings. He made it clear there's nothing between you."

Mikael's jaw tightened, but he held steady.

"So," Lucas continued, voice taking a slight edge, "if he's not yours, you have no right to tell me what to do."

Mikael took a slow breath. "It's not about possession. It's about respecting someone's space. And right now, Lucas… he needs space from you."

Lucas stepped in closer. "And what if I think he wants me? He followed me yesterday. He came with me willingly."

Mikael didn't flinch. "Did you listen to him, or just to what you wanted to hear?"

The silence between them was thick. Lucas looked away, for the first time unsure.

"I don't care what you feel, Lucas. I care what Evan feels. And if he's too scared to tell you directly, I'm telling you now, back off." Mikael's voice was calm but unyielding.

Without waiting for a reply, Mikael turned and walked off the court.

From the other side of the chain-link fence, Kelv had been watching. As soon as Mikael left, he made his way onto the court, eyebrows raised, tennis racket in hand.

"Okay… What the hell was that?" Kelv asked, tossing his racket aside.

Lucas rubbed the back of his neck, annoyed. "Nothing."

Kelv squinted at him. "Don't give me that. You've been weird for days. You punched a wall. You skipped class. You argued with Mikael like you were both fighting over some girl."

Lucas exhaled through his nose. "It's not a girl."

Kelv blinked. "Wait… wait, what? Evan?"

Lucas's silence was enough of an answer.

Kelv's jaw dropped. "You're telling me… you like Evan? Since when?! What is going on with you, man?"

"I don't know!" Lucas finally snapped, turning away from him. "I don't understand any of this. I didn't plan it. It just.. happened."

Kelv stared at him, stunned. "You kissed him, didn't you?"

Lucas didn't answer, but the flicker of guilt on his face gave him away.

"Holy sh*t…" Kelv muttered. "Are you gay now? Is that it?"

"I don't know what I am, okay?!" Lucas shouted. "I don't f***ing know! I've never felt like this before! One second I hate him, the next I want to protect him. Then I see him with Mikael and I want to break something!"

Kelv shook his head. "This is insane."

Lucas turned on him. "I know it is. You think I want this? You think I wanted to feel anything at all? I'm losing my f***ing mind!"

Lucas sat down on the bench by the court, chest heaving. His hands trembled slightly as he stared at them, at the scabs from the wall he punched the day before.

"I don't know if I'm jealous of Mikael… or if I'm scared he's better for Evan than I'll ever be," he whispered.

Kelv was quiet for a long while. Then he said, not unkindly, "Maybe he is."

Lucas looked up at him, wounded.

The court fell silent again, except for the soft rustle of wind against the net.

Lucas leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring into the dusty clay beneath his shoes. He didn't respond. He didn't move.

Kelv quietly turned and walked off, leaving Lucas alone to face the storm inside himself.