Chapter Text
Phainon had never slept so well in his whole life. Knowing that he had a chance to tutor Mydei? Meaning… he had a chance to get closer to Mydei? He went to sleep with the biggest smile on his face and woke up with it having never wavered. His thoughts flashed with rom-com scenes that he self-inserted and paired with Mydei. Scenes of him getting to praise Mydei when he finally got the question right… Handing him a pencil and their fingers brushing… Getting to memorize the look of Mydei’s handwriting… Sitting side by side, being so close to him he could just lean over and kiss him… Oh, Phainon’s head was spinning and he couldn't be happier.
His schedule was booked for today but he felt energized. It was the last day before the weekend. He gets to tutor Mydei starting tomorrow! Over dinner the previous night they discussed a tutoring schedule. On Saturday and Sunday he got to tutor him for 3 hours, and 1 hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays right after chem class.
Today's schedule… linear algebra and intro to poetry. He also had tutoring and volunteering at the food pantry, and also to clean his room. He always believed a clean room was the first start to good habits, and maybe secretly wondered if that’s why Mydei’s life is always so…
Phainon stood up out of bed and headed right to the bathroom. He began to brush his teeth. It seemed Mydei had already finished his morning routine, as the bathroom was completely free. Phainon finished brushing his teeth, fixed his hair up a bit, and headed to the kitchen, hoping to encounter his dear roommate there. As he entered the salty smell of sausage filled the air. He smiled warmly as he glanced at him. Mydei. He took a seat across from him and began to eat. Sausage, toast, and eggs. Mydei had left him a smiley face out of ketchup on his plate. His heart swooned and he looked over at Mydei, hoping his face didn’t show how he actually felt.
“Hey, today’s supposed to rain. Make sure you take your umbrella.” Mydei spoke up.
“Alright. Also, I won’t be home for dinner. I am volunteering at the food pantry tonight.”
Mydei huffed, slightly mocking him. “Of course you are.”
Phainon pouted then shook his head and smiled. “Well, I’ll be seeing you tonight, Mydeimos. I assume you’ll probably stay late for basketball?”
“Yep. Got a big game coming up. And now that I’m even taking time to study so I can still play… I have to make it really matter.” Mydei was fired up.
Phainon took the last few bites of his breakfast, grabbed his bag, and headed out the door. The day passed by quickly. Phainon worked on all of his work and homework diligently, and soon it was time for his food pantry volunteer work. He hopped on the bus to the local food bank. As he looked out the window, he glanced up at the sky. Cloudy. Dreary. The monotonous weather was beginning to bring down his mood, and the more he looked at it the more his tiredness set in.
The bus pulled up to the food pantry and Phainon put on the most cheerful smile he could muster. He followed the other students that had also volunteered and the teacher, or rather school lunch ladies, Dolimem and Relimem. Inside they were greeted by the food pantry staff. Today their task was to organize the food and check expiration dates. He was tasked with sorting the soup into various flavors.
So this is what they want us to do… I expected to do more direct work, like handing out the food. Well, you can't hand out food if it's not organized, so I am still making a contribution. Phainon smiled to himself and began to organize the soup. Tomato… tomato… lots of tomato… cream of mushroom… chicken noodle… hm… I'm kind of hungry…
Phainon was left alone with his mind as other students worked on their various assigned tasks. I wonder what kind of soup Mydei likes. Does he even like soup? I can't really see him being a soup guy. Well, cup noodles and chicken noodle soup are kind of similar, since they both have noodles and meat in them so that's probably what he'd like most. Or maybe he's more of a stew guy? Phainon hummed happily as he sorted the soups, his mentality strong as he thought of Mydei.
By the time Phainon was done nearly everyone else had already finished. He quickly said his goodbyes and walked to the exit. As he opened the door he was hit with a cold gust of wind and sharp rain.
It was 7. Phainon’s volunteering had started a little while ago and Mydei had just finished warming up on the court. He dribbled and shot it at the hoop. It went in. Mydei smirked. Ha, I knew I could do it. Ok, 5 hoops until I take a break. Mydei shoots another, and another. Then, on the fourth attempt the ball teeters on the hoop and falls outside, not going in. A huff of annoyance escapes Mydei and his eyebrows narrow as he grabs the ball. He dribbles, frustrated. Right as he’s about to shoot, his aim goes off. The ball flies to the right of the hoop, completely missing.
He lets the ball roll off to the wall, scoffing and walking back to the table. Sweat dripped down the side of his face. His shirt was also drenched in sweat. He angrily takes a sip of water. I missed… I missed. How can I expect to win like this? Whenever I make one bad throw it just starts an unlucky streak. It messes with my game. I need to find a way to not get thrown off after just one miss. I’m from Castrum Kremnos. Everyone in my town is good at sports. I made it into our school’s basketball team. I’m going to keep training. I’m the strongest, after all.
Mydei took his shirt off, sweat dripping down his abs, his hair disheveled, and face flushed. He chugged some water and sighed before standing back up, determined. Ha, I wish student prez was here to see that I’m good at shooting hoops. I wonder how he is at it. He’s always just studying, I wonder if he has the wrist strength to be able to throw it. Well, writing all the time for his homework probably gives him decent wrist strength. Ha… Wrist strength. Wonder if he uses his hand to… I shouldn’t think like that about some nerd… Well, I should invite him to play sometime. Just a friendly 1 v 1 game. The thought of Phainon made his ambition return. It released the tension, released the need to be the best for the championship. When he thought of training for a 1 v 1 against the student president, whom he also considered to be a close friend, he felt fired up.
Maybe I should hang out with him more. He’s kind of an interesting guy. Does way too much for his own good, definitely a goody-two shoes. But still… He’s willing to help me stay on the team. This basket is for you, student prez. Phainon. Mydei picked up the ball, dribbled it, and it went in perfectly. He smirked and his confidence from earlier in the session returned. He locked in, chasing after the ball, dribbling it, and continuing to practice, Phainon lingering in his mind.