The midday sun was merciless, baking the outdoor court until the air shimmered. Sweat dripped down Eli's temple as he half-jogged around the basketball, wondering why he hadn't just feigned a headache to skip PE. He wasn't clumsy… but sports weren't his thing. The heat pressed against his skin like a second layer, and the noise of the game blurred into a dull thud in his ears.
A sharp shove came from behind.
His balance tipped. The asphalt loomed closer—
A hand caught him. Strong. Steady.
Eli blinked up, breath stuck in his throat.
Riven's dark eyes locked on his, intense and unblinking. No trace of panic in his expression — just that unreadable calm that made Eli's pulse jump. His fingers lingered a beat too long before he released him.
"You should watch where you're going," Riven murmured, voice low enough for Eli alone to hear. Then he turned away like nothing had happened.
Eli's heart took its time finding a normal rhythm.
"Hey, you okay?"
Eli looked over to see a tall, broad-shouldered boy jogging toward him, basketball under one arm. His damp hair stuck to his forehead, and his grin was warm, disarming — like sunlight after shadow.
"I'm Kael," he said, offering a hand. "These guys can get rough sometimes."
"Eli," he replied, shaking it.
Kael kept glancing at him throughout the rest of the game, tossing him the ball, calling out encouragement. Once, when Eli missed a shot, Kael jogged over and said quietly, "Don't sweat it. You've got good aim, just need to loosen up." His hand briefly brushed Eli's shoulder before he darted away.
From the corner of his eye, Eli saw Riven leaning against the chain-link fence, arms crossed. Not glaring… but the kind of watchfulness that was heavy. Possessive. Like he was measuring something.
The whistle blew, signaling the end of class. Eli jogged over to the benches, grabbing his water bottle.
"You survived," Kael said with a grin, handing him a towel. "Barely, but still."
Eli laughed softly, taking it. "Thanks. I'll add it to my list of achievements."
As they walked off the court, Kael's stride naturally matched Eli's. "So, what's next? Lunch? I hear the cafeteria's famous for its cardboard pizza."
Eli smiled at the joke, but his eyes drifted past Kael's shoulder.
Riven was still there, a dark silhouette against the bright sky, following them at a distance. He didn't speak, didn't hurry — just walked the same way they did, his gaze locked on Eli.
The small hairs on the back of Eli's neck prickled.
By the time they reached the cafeteria, Eli had almost convinced himself he was imagining it. Kael claimed the seat opposite him without asking, unwrapping a sandwich like they were already friends.
"So," Kael began between bites, "you always this quiet, or are you just saving your words for special occasions?"
Eli chuckled. "Maybe both."
Kael grinned. "Guess I'll have to earn them, then." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "I meant what I said earlier — let me walk you home sometime. Just in case."
Eli hesitated. "I think I'll survive. But thanks."
For some reason, he glanced across the room.
Riven sat alone, untouched lunch before him. His gaze was locked on Eli, steady and unblinking, and for a split second, Eli forgot Kael was even there.
A movement broke his focus — a girl with sleek black hair approached Riven, resting her manicured hand on his sleeve as she spoke. She smiled, confident and deliberate.
Eli's stomach twisted unexpectedly.
Riven didn't smile back. His eyes flicked past her… right back to Eli.
"Earth to Eli?" Kael teased, waving a hand in front of his face.
Eli blinked. "Sorry, what?"
Kael only smirked, like he'd noticed where Eli's eyes had gone.
After School
The wind had picked up, carrying the scent of impending rain. Eli was crossing the courtyard when a shout rang out — he turned in time to see a soccer ball flying toward his head.
Before he could react, a hand caught the ball mid-air.
Riven.
He tossed it back toward the players without looking, then turned to Eli, his voice calm but edged. "You really need to pay more attention."
Eli opened his mouth to reply, but Riven had already walked away, hands in his pockets, leaving that same lingering weight in Eli's chest.
It wasn't just the saves.
It was the way Riven seemed to always be there — not too close, never too far — watching.
Always watching.
And Eli was starting to wonder if it was protection… or something else.