LUMI
The sun dipped low, casting golden light across the court. Sneakers squeaked. The ball hit the pavement with rhythmic thuds. A few students sat on the stands to watch the boys. Most of them watched their boyfriend and crushes.
Ruan dribbled lazily, not really focused on the game. Sweat ran down his neck. He passed the ball off, and then turned instinctively toward the walkway near the staff building.
He saw Akari walking with Miss Dana, the literature teacher.
Her heels clicked confidently beside him, her hand brushing his arm as she laughed at something. Akari didn't look back, his expression unreadable, like always.
Rumours swirled around Miss Dana. Everyone knew she had a "thing" for new male stuffs. She had her ways with them which most of them never stayed for too long.
And now she tried to flirt with Akari.
Ruan's grip tightened around the basketball. His expression stayed cool, but his fingers twitched.
Without warning, he stepped forward and with perfectly calculated move, he hurled it across the court not hard, but precise.
SMARK!
The ball bounced at Akari's feet. His papers slipped from under his arm, fluttering out across the walkway. Miss Dana flinched slightly, stepping aside.
"Are you okay? Akari asked Miss Dana.
Miss Dana nodded. She wanted to bend down and help pick the scattered papers but Akari stopped her.
"It's okay. You go on. I'll follow after I pick these."
From the court, Ruan just stood there, watching.
His teammates looked confused.
"Yo! Bro, what was that?" Kev asked hitting slightly on Ruan's chest.
Ruan shrugged, with a smirk, "Slip."
Akari was crouched down, gathering the last scattered papers, his glasses slipping slightly down his nose. His face was calm, but tight, annoyed clearly.
Kev, along with two other basketball players, jogged over.
"Sir, we're really sorry about that. Ruan kinda lost control of the ball," Kev apologised.
Akari stood slowly, brushing off his coat, he smiled. "It's fine. Accidents happen."
The other two students nodded awkwardly, apologised again, and then jogged off toward the court. On there way back, they walked past Ruan who walked up slowly, casually tossing the ball from one hand to another, his eyes fixed on Akari. Not apologetic, but amused.
Akari adjusted his papers and turned to leave.
"Wait," Ruan said.
Akari paused, not looking at him yet.
"You forgot to thank me," Ruan mockingly said.
Akari turned, expression flat, "For what?"
Ruan grinned, "Well, for saving you from Miss Dana's... clinginess. You know rumour has it that she has this thing with cute handsome men like you."
Akari's brows lifted slightly, "Is that what you call help, nearly getting hit in the face with a basketball?"
Ruan shrugged, "Collateral damage. Still, I did you a favour. Everyone watching would've seen how uncomfortable you were."
Akari looked at him, really looked at him. Ruan's eyes were playful, but sharp, watching like he was waiting to see what Akari would do next. There was no apology on them. Just that same frustrating curiosity.
"I guess I can say you have a strange way of helping people," Akari said very low.
Ruan bent his lips slightly, "You are welcome."
"Next time, try stepping without risking a concussion," Akari said and turned again to leave.
"But then I wouldn't get to see that look on your face," Ruan teased, almost softly.
Akari froze for a half second.
"You always get that little twitch in your jaw when you're annoyed. And your sleepy eyes become watery," he added. His voice dropped but still playful. "It's kinda cute sir."
Akari said nothing. His grip tightened on the papers.
"You don't know me kid," Akari said low and bitter. He then walked off shoulders stiff.
"Jeez! I was just helping," he whispered under his breath.
Ruan stood behind, grinning. He really seemed to enjoy teasing Akari. He turned, and bounced the ball as he walked back to the court.
In the staffroom, at his desk, Akari stared blankly at the wall.
That comment, "You get that little twitch in your jaw when you're annoyed. And your sleepy eyes become watery. It's kinda cute."
He clenched his jaw again, unconsciously. And soon tears streamed his fair cheeks.
Why did that annoy him so much?
Not because it was inappropriate. He'd heard worse from students. It was because...he remembered hearing something earlier similar before.
He recalled back in the old days, in his old apartment, after he scolded Kian for burning toast. Kian laughed lovely at him.
"You always do this little pout when you're mad. And your eyes, makes me want to piss you off more," Kian commented.
The memory faded as quickly as it came. Back in the staffroom, Akari put off his glasses and wiped the tears.
That voice, the teasing from earlier today stirred the same exact same flicker. Was it just dèjà vu? Or was something more dangerous unfolding?
He shook his head, returning to the papers. Focus. This was a job. A second chance. No room for games, especially not with someone like Ruan. Not with someone who could almost make him remember what it felt like to be seen...and be wanted.
***
It was the night; the club was full of energy and shoes clicked on the dance floor. The flickering lights danced along too. Others just sat by the counter and sipped a few bottles.
Kev and Ruan were there along with West and Est; the twins. They were regular customers and one of the counter guy, May, knew them.
"You are in your senior year kids. You shouldn't be seen in these places," May said to them, wiping a glass.
"We are afraid you will miss us to die," Est joked.
They all burst into a chuckle.
"Ew! Teenagers these days are so flirty," May muttered with a smile.
As they went on chit chatting, Ruan excused himself for the restroom. On his way out the restroom, he spotted one drunkard trying to find his way with a certain girl. The girl was in casual cloths and was walking alone. She tried to ignore him, but then he grabbed her arm.
"Let go before I can make you regret it," Lumi, the girl said coldly.
The drunkard laughs, "Feisty rich girl, huh?"
Just before things escalate, Ruan decided to intervene and play a hero.
"Try picking on someone your size, coward." He said sharply walking towards the scene.
The guy turned to him with a sneer, "Who the fuck are you, her boyfriend?"
Ruan scratched the back of his head, coming closer. "Mmh...Something like that," He said confidently.
Ruan then walked, grabbed Lumi's hand and pulled her to his side.
"Playing hero, huh?" the drunkard snarled.
Ruan arched his left brow.
The drunkard sneered, and then whistled. Two more of his friends showed up. They had huge biceps that were covered in tattoos.
Ruan panicked inside but did not dare show his opponent. He just swallowed saliva. He leaned to Lumi's ear and whispered;
"I count to three, we run."
"Playing tough kid, lets see if you can manage this," the drunkard said and gestured his friends to attack Ruan.
"Three!" Ruan said and the two ran bolting down a side alley. They ran up to the nearest river and stopped by that point. Both breathless, confused and shaken.
"Are they still following us?" Lumi asked, catching her breath.
"I don't think so. They are fat asses. There is no way they caught up on us," Ruan said breathing heavily in between.
They both laughed. Then soon silent overcrowded. Only the sound of car horns and indistinct chatter that were heard from where the were.
"Next time, don't do that," Lumi said, pulling out a packet of cigarette.
"I take that as thanks. So...you are welcome," Ruan said grinning as his usual.
They both chuckled. Lumi passed a cigarette to Ruan, then helped him lit it. They sat on the ground by the river, smoke curling into the night air.
"So...you always hang around shady clubs alone, or was I just lucky tonight?"
Lumi sneered, "I don't believe in luck." She said dryly.
"Hmm. That makes two of us," Ruan said.
She flickered ash from her cigarette, watching the tiny embers fall.
"I wasn't supposed to be out. People like me do not deserve to have fun. But I just needed some air." Lumi muttered, eyes darting across the river.
"From what?"
Lumi paused. Her jaw tightened slightly.
"Everything," she said quietly.
Ruan didn't push. He just nodded, exhaling smoke through his nose. He didn't want to know much.
"Same," he said low and bitter.
She glanced at him, surprised. "You?"
Ruan grinned, "Shocking right? I know. My life's picture perfect. Everyone says so."
For the first time, there was a bitter undertone beneath his sarcasm. Lumi looked at him longer, like she was trying to read something unspoken.
"I should go now," she said standing up.
Ruan stood up too. Probably to escort her since it was too dark.
"Don't follow me."
"Well..." Ruan threw his hands up in the air then back to his pocket. "Wouldn't dream of it cigarette girl."
They both chuckled softly. Lumi took a few steps then paused back at Ruan.
"Lumi," she said.
He replied, "Oh...I...I'm Ruan. It was nice meeting you in a strangest way...Lumi."
She rolled her eyes, but smirked too. Then disappeared into the night.
***