Kenneth's pov
If i say i am paying attention to what the the teacher is rambling about then it would be a big fat lie because some annoying, shitty, narcissistic human is sitting right next to me and keeps staring at me like i have now become the most interesting thing in the world to look at.
''Hey what do you want''. i just couldnt stand his piercing gaze any longer. My voice was a little bit loud but i dont care.
I guess the tone of my voice startled him because he turned to get a glimpse if the teacher had noticed us. Do i even give a fuck if he does!
''Do i infuriate you that much. The heck was that for''. He asked arching his brows
''Do i suddenly look like the teacher that you keep staring at me. dude, the teacher is right there in front of you and stop behaving like a creep''. i glared at him
''Wow calm down, firstly i am not a creep, secondly the subject is quite boring so i decided to buy time to something that seemed more captivating than the bullshit he keeps spilling out from his mouth''.
''And whats so interesting about staring at me. Do you have any idea that it makes me really uncomfortable. why dont you stare at your d**k if you are looking for something captivating to look at huh''. i said
''Of all the things, thats what could come to your mind. my d**k? Seems like you have been imagining me completely nude since that day you saw me shirtless, i could undress for you right now if you want''. He winked at me
''Jesus shut up. why do you always keep saying bullshit!. Tell your therapist to come give you a thorough checkup again, she didnt do her job well last time''. i said
''You can be a better therapist than her if you know there is something really wrong with me. what do you think about my offer, be my new therapist'' He asked and i just rolled my eyes in frustration
''just fucking leave me alone. You hear me, LEAVE ME ALONE''. Okay i didnt mean to yell the last part.
My head turned towards the teacher in an instant only to meet the cold gaze of Mr. Stephen making the hairs on my skin to stand.
''You two''. he said pointing to the both of us. ''Get out! detention now!'' he commanded
Did i seriously forget that the history teacher is a pain in the ass.
I stood up deciding on speaking up for myself. ''sir its not what you think...''Before i could finish he cut me off.
''if you are not out of the class within five seconds, minus 10points from your continious assesments. i have begun counting''. he said and before i could react a hand grabbed me and dragged me out of the class before the teacher could count up to three.
''Okay i have a feeling the detention would be fun with you in it'' he smirked and i just ignored him walking away really fast
''Hey wait up''. he called but i just increased my pace. i could hear him grumbling behind.
''So annoying!''. i heard him curse from behind and a smile played across my lips.
Its so comforting to be the one messing with him right now.
******
In the Canteen
Ding. A notification popped up at my phone screen. my gaze dropped to it.
Noelle-
Hi, i am pretty bored right now. can i come and meet you.
Me-
Um...right now i am in the company of my friends and the table is fully occupied so maybe some other time
Noelle-
Ugh. would you by any chance be free tonight. I would like us to hang out
Me-
Okay. A night out it is then.
Noelle-
Thank you. I wish the time could tick faster, cant wait.
"Ken who on earth are you texting, want your pizza to get cold. Or do you already have a boyfriend "Chloe said etching her head foward to look into my phone but i quickly turned it off before her eyes could even glance at the screen.
"Not boyfriend".i said
"I am pretty sure it isnt a girl"
"what if it is"
"Are you into girls now, really? Seriously?"Chloe asked looking surprised.
"Well maybe am changing"
"I wont believe that because ever since i knew you, you have never for once being interested in a girl". Theo who had been quiet since cut in.
"i have dated one once "
"she forced you into it. that dosent count"
"Well its a girl, we arent in a relationship yet but am planning to ask her out. I want to be a better person for my mum guys, she wont accept me the way i am, so i have to be what she would be proud of".
"You dont have to change yourself to please others Ken, be what you are and be happy" Chloe said
"Say it louder" Theo supported her
"Its my mum we are talking about here, i dont want her to be sad because of me, you guys need to understand my point. Could we drop this conversation here guys" i said taking a huge bite from my pizza
"Okay what about that Damon guy, did he bother you during the detention" chloe asked
"I totally ignored the dickhead throughout, dont even give a shit if he is annoyed with my behaviour. thats his problem to deal with". I said
"You both are really made for each other. A match made in--". I cut Chloe off before she could finish.
"Don't even think of completing that sentence or I will shove my pizza at your face". I warned her and she and Theo both burst into cackles.
We ate and talked about other things till it was the end of recess and we left the Canteen to take the next class.
******
AUTHOR'S POV
The afternoon sun hung low over the school's football field, casting long shadows across the perfectly trimmed grass. The air smelled of sweat, fresh turf, and competition.
Kenneth stood at the center of it all.
Captain's armband snug around his bicep, boots planted firmly, posture straight-he was command personified. When Ken spoke, players listened. When he moved, they followed. Every of his teammates knew their place.
Everyone except Damon.
Ken's eyes tracked him the moment the whistle blew.
Damon moved like he didn't belong to gravity. Long strides, controlled speed, effortless balance. He didn't rush for the ball-he waited, read the field, predicted movements before they happened. When the ball came to him, he didn't hesitate. One touch. Two. A clean turn past a defender that left the boy spinning uselessly behind him.
Kenneth clenched his jaw.
"He's good". He muttered under his breath.
Better than he expected. Better than he wanted.
"Mark him!" Kenneth barked.
Two defenders closed in on Damon. He didn't panic. He shifted his weight, faked left, rolled the ball between one defender's legs, and slipped through the gap like water through fingers. The field erupted in shouts.
Kenneth felt it then-that sharp, unwanted flicker of admiration.
Damon wasn't flashy. He was efficient. Deadly. Every movement had purpose. Every run was calculated. And when he passed the ball to Ken-perfectly weighted, right into Kael's stride-it felt less like cooperation and more like a challenge.
Kenneth took the shot. Goal.
Cheers followed, but Ken barely heard them. His gaze snapped back to Damon, who was already jogging away, expression unreadable, lips pressed into a neutral line like he hadn't just dismantled half the defense.
They reset.
Again and again, Damon dominated the field. He intercepted passes meant for Ken. He forced Ken to adjust his rhythm, to rethink angles, to work. No one had ever done that before. Ken was used to being the axis the team rotated around.
Damon threatened to become another center of gravity.
During a scrimmage play, Kenneth pushed himself harder than usual. He sprinted to meet Damon's cross, muscles burning, lungs screaming. He reached for the ball-
And his foot slipped.
The pain was immediate. Sharp. Blinding.
Kenneth went down hard, the world tilting as he hit the ground with a grunt that tore from his chest before he could stop it. The ball rolled uselessly away. The field fell silent.
"Captain!". The rest of the team shouted as they ran towards him.
He tried to stand. The moment he put weight on his ankle, his leg buckled.
Damon was there instantly.
He dropped to one knee beside Ken, hands firm but careful as they hovered near Ken's leg.
"Don't move.". He commanded
Kenneth looked up at him, breath uneven. Damon's expression was no longer neutral-it was sharp, focused, almost fierce nothing like the playful face he put on during the detention.
"It's fine," Kenneth muttered, trying again to stand.
Damon stopped him with one hand pressed against his chest.
"I said don't move."
The authority in Damon's voice surprised everyone-including Kenneth.
Damon tested the ankle gently. Ken hissed in pain.
"Sprain," Damon said flatly. "You're going to the clinic."
"I can walk-"
"No, you can't."
Before Kenneth could argue further, Damon turned his back to him and crouched. "Get on."
The field went completely still.
Kenneth stared, surprised and shocked. "What?"
"Unless you want to crawl there," Damon said, not looking at him. "Get on my back."
Ken hesitated-then the pain pulsed again, forcing a sharp breath from him. With gritted teeth, he wrapped his arms around Damon's shoulders.
Damon stood smoothly, barely straining under Ken's weight.
Whispers rippled through the team.
The captain-on the new boy's back.
Damon carried Kenneth off the field, steps steady, jaw tight. He didn't acknowledge the stares, didn't slow down. His grip on Ken's legs was secure, possessive in a way that made Ken's chest tighten unexpectedly.
Neither of them noticed the pair of eyes watching from the edge of the field.
Josh stood with a basketball tucked under his arm, eyes dark as he took in the sight.
Damon. Carrying him.
Josh's jaw clenched tight.
"I'm not gonna stand seeing Damon with that fucker. Why does he always hover around things that should be mine?". He said, eyes glowing with hatred.
"First Linda, now Damon. Not this time". He huffed and threw the ball at one of his teammates who had been standing close to him.
"Keeps your eyes on that jerk". Josh said to him and walked away.
"Got it". The guy replied smiling darkly.
*******