"Catch ya later, man"

I nodded as Eryx left me alone in the locker room. It was past 5 pm when we finished our training. The others had left earlier than they were supposed to be, probably getting ready to attend our lame wanna be cool professor's birthday party.

"That professor ain't even cool, cringes the fuck out of me.." I muffled as I ruffled my hair dry with a towel.

As much as I hated the guy, I was still debating whether to show up. All my friends would be there, and I wasn’t about to be labelled the lame one. Besides, I had a reputation to maintain.

That sexy senior at every college party. Yeah, I wasn’t letting that title die tonight.

I was pulling my shorts up when I suddenly heard the door open and close behind me. I didn't turn around, expecting that it was just Eryx coming back to fetch something he probably forgot. Yet instead, I was greeted by an unfamiliar voice.

"Hey. You the president of this club?"

I turned at his question. I frowned.

I could’ve sworn I knew everyone in this university. Hell, Eryx and I even made a whole “smash or pass” list and no one was spared. Not even that weird guy who barked during lectures.

How come this guy's face is unfamiliar to me? A transfer student, perhaps? Nah, it's already the middle of the semester. Then maybe a student who never came to class? Most definitely yes.

"Do you plan to answer my question or am I just wasting my time here?" He added, voice flat. "Don't just make me stand here like an idiot. Answer me, shitface."

Wow. Whoever this guy is, I certainly do NOT want him near me starting at this very second.

“Yeah,” I said, crossing my arms. “I’m the president. This club’s for athletes, though. If you’re looking for daycare, it’s down the hall." I smirked at my joke.

Petty? Maybe. Worth it? Absofuckinglutely.

He didn’t react the way I expected though.

Instead, he leaned against the doorframe, returning the look like I’d just said something interesting.. Wow, this guy is either a masochist or a dumb home-schooled kid because there's no fucking way he found that shit intriguing.

"You look a bit too small and doughy to be running this place." he said. “Guess this university’s a joke after all.”

Excuse me? I am pretty much more sleek than I am supposed to be, get it right. Is this guy looking for trouble?

"Just tell me what you're here for." I gathered what little patience I had left this week… trying not to explode on this guy's face just to maintain my good fucking morals in the university.

Instead of answering, he looked me up and down. Slow, deliberate. Like I wasn’t worth his time

“Never mind,” he said, turning away. “I’ll come back when the real president’s here.”

…Oh, this bastard.

“I don’t have time to deal with idiots,” I snapped. “So say what you came for before I break that pretty face of yours.”

I heard the bastard giggle before facing me again and I could've sworn I just heard a vein pop in my fucking head.

“Not the best first impression, huh?” he said, glancing back. “I’m here to join your club.”

…No.

There's no fucking way. There's no damn way I'm letting this bastard in my club. There's no wa-!

***

I sat pissed in my fucking seat, the laughter around me turning into muffles of noise I wish would just disappear.

“I’m telling you, man,” Eryx said, slinging an arm around him. “He may be a slacker, but not in sports. This guy? He’ll win us the championship.”

I stared.

I had always considered Eryx annoying, but this was the first time I seriously considered murder..

I eyed the guy beside me. Apparently, this is the same guy I've heard about who never attended any of his classes last year, yet still managed to be at the top of this university, with a GPA of 5.0. Jasver Ezekial Oswald.

"You think I can't bring the championship to us?" I questioned Eryx, an obvious annoyed smile appearing on my face.

"Man, it's not that I don't believe in you, ya know? It's just that you've been chasing that damn championship since 7th grade and you somehow only got it once."

Excuse me???????

"Let's cut the chase and let someone else try this time, yeah? Besides, you're already rocking that academic grades! Well, second to the top from my man Jasver, at least!"

I swear to fucking Zeus- I'm going to strangle this fucker to death right here, right now.

"Fine. I'll tell the coach. He'll have to come here after class tomorrow and show coach that he's capable. Otherwise, I have no choice but to send him out."

I'll kill Eryx later.

“But don’t worry,” I added, glancing at him. “The daycare club might still be open for you.” I smirked at my joke while Eryx just laughed mindlessly. It wasn’t even a joke. It was a straight-up insult.

"Oh, don't worry. I certainly will not be rejected." He said calmly. Then he leaned closer, voice low. "I'd watch for my position more carefully from now on, if I were you though." He planted a hard pat on my back as Eryx just laughed harder at his comeback.

He told me to what?! That fucker! The only thing he needs to watch out for is me!

That was the final straw. I'm about to make his life a living hell. I'll make him regret that he even decided to step foot in this damn university after years of just paying the professors to put his GPAs up despite not attending any of his classes. I'll make him regret that he even paid those professors, taking credit for the things he had never done.

I stared at them as Eryx gave him a tour of our pool room. Watch your back, Jasver Ezekial Oswald. Watch your back.

My professor’s voice dissolved into the background as the ticking of the clock grew louder.

Today was the day my coach and I were going to check if Jasver was capable enough to join our club.

It’s not that I hate the idea of him joining... it’s that I’m scared. I know damn well he’s capable. Hell, he’ll probably beat me at this.

I’ve known him since I was a kid. I used to look up to him because he was cool. I’d always see him in the news, winning medals for his school and stuff.

His father is the CEO of a big company, which is why he had access to so many hobbies, and excelled in so many sports. His father was open about hiring trainers for him from time to time, teaching him skills he’d later use to win tournaments. Then he’d celebrate those achievements by announcing them to the world.

Looking back, it was weird. It was like he’d make his son learn something just so he could brag about it later. His son was the reason his company was doing so well. He sells sports equipment.

Well… his son is also the reason I got into sports in the first place. I learned multiple sports just to prove to my parents that I was as good as Jasver—the same guy they kept comparing me to.

But instead of resenting it, he still became a huge inspiration to me.

Sports is also the reason I’m far from home. I left my hometown because the university there didn’t offer scholarships, and they didn’t even treat sports as part of their curriculum. They didn’t even have criminology as an option, which is the course I wanted.

It was hard to leave. My father died when I was young, and I didn’t want my mother to live alone.

With all that, I worked hard for where I am now. There’s no way in hell I’m losing my position to that slacker who gets away with paying people in this university. I thought he was a really cool guy back then—until I learned how much of a cheater he actually is. One thing I hate is people who use their status and money to get whatever they want, even if it means cheating the system.

With all that, I worked hard for where I am now. There’s no way in hell I’m losing my position to that slacker who gets away with paying people in this university. I thought he was a really cool guy back then—until I learned how much of a cheater he actually is. One thing I hate is people who use their status and money to get whatever they want, even if it means cheating the system.

I was knocked out of my thoughts when the professor dismissed us.

Ah, time to meet that guy again. For a moment, I lowkey wished our class lasted longer today. I’d rather get stuck in calculus than see that punk again, honestly.

I packed up my notebooks and tossed my bag over my shoulder.

The professor and some students I barely knew saw me off as I headed out of the lecture hall.

I greeted my girlfriend, Alanna, before heading to the training pool. The hottie red-head from the art department.

I told her I might end up training late today. Coach would probably make me stay and watch Jasver.

He always does that, makes me supervise the new members ever since I became the club president. I didn’t mind it, though. It was actually fun, guiding them.

But since it’s Jasver I’ll be watching today… yeah. That’s a different story.

By the time I reached the pool, Coach and Jasver were already standing by the water. Jasver looked fully prepared. It seemed like they were just waiting for me.

I gave Coach a quick wave before heading to the locker room to change.

I quickly changed into my swimwear and headed back out.

“Sorry, class ended a little late,” I said calmly, eyeing Jasver beside him.

“That’s fine. I was just getting to know Jasver here. Seems like he’s quite the champion already, right, Felix?” Coach laughed, giving him a pat on the shoulder.

Champion my ass. He may be a champion, but not in this university. I’m not letting that happen.

“I can already see a glimpse of the future,” Coach added. “I’m sure the two of you will become great friends.”

Who? Us? Friends? What a joke.

“Alright, let’s start the training. Jasver, go ahead and show us what you’ve got.”

Coach and I stepped to the side as Jasver got ready.

For some reason, my heart was beating fast as I watched him. Maybe I was just scared that this might be the first step toward losing my position.

I couldn’t look away as he positioned himself to dive. The moment he hit the water, he moved—gliding through it effortlessly. It was obvious he was already a professional in this field.

My heart dropped when he reached the other end of the pool in no time. He was faster than me. I heard Coach laugh proudly at the sight of his smooth form.

Instead of feeling anger, I felt small again.

It brought me back to that moment... my father yelling at me in the middle of the baseball field after I lost a match. The fear inside me grew.

Am I about to lose at the only thing I’m good at?

I’m already second in academics because of this guy.

Am I about to be second here too?

Jasver reached the edge of the pool again. Coach immediately walked over. I watched as Jasver pulled off his goggles, Coach kneeling at the edge to shower him with compliments.

He suddenly looked my way, and I made sure I didn’t look like I was about to die of envy at the sight of my coach praising him like he’d just discovered some kind of prodigy.

I frowned when I noticed a smirk forming on his lips. I wanted to punch that pretty face so bad. But even then… what would it change? He’d still be better than me.

I walked over as Coach called me. The whole time, I could feel Jasver smirking at the look on my face. I knew it was obvious.

Fuck my lack of control over my expressions.

“Jasver has great potential, Felix,” Coach said. “I want you to spend the rest of the evening with him. Show him how competitive this club is. I want you to spark that motivation in him. He’s in.”

And there it was. The words I had expected… but still wasn’t ready to hear.

My mouth parted slightly. A part of me still wanted to change his mind. To say something, anything. But nothing came out.

I clenched my jaw and looked down at Jasver, still in the pool, a frown forming on my face.

“Yes, Coach,” I finally said.

I heard him sigh. “I know you’re exhausted, Felix. But I chose you because you’re the best person for this. You motivate the others. You earned their respect.”

If only he knew it wasn’t about exhaustion.

I forced a smile and nodded. He gave my shoulder a pat before leaving.

“You’re really bad at hiding your expressions,” Jasver said, breaking the silence.

I looked down at him again, glaring.

“Look, I am exhausted,” I said. “So I’d appreciate your cooperation for the rest of the evening.”

I slipped into the pool beside him.

I could feel his eyes on me. Honestly, I wasn’t even in the mood to swim anymore. After everything earlier… I didn’t even know what to say to spark motivation in this guy.

I huffed and turned to face him—only to freeze.

He was already looking at me.

“What are you staring at?” I frowned. Creep.

“Is this about yesterday?” he asked.

No. Yes. Both.

“No. I don’t hold grudges,” I lied, rolling my eyes as I smirked.

“Good,” he said. “I’m about to give you reasons to.”

What*?* Is this guy insane?

“Are you crazy?”

“Yeah,” he said, pulling his goggles down. “My father calls me that too.”

What the fuck?