Chapter Text
One could say that Ezreal was something of a celebrity around the school campus. A reputation that came with always being at the top of all his classes, being president of the student council for five years in a row, and being the only captain who was able to lead the school's volleyball team to a statewide tournament. Aside from being the only libero to be assigned the role of captain by the team's demands.
He was a once in a lifetime prodigy. From the moment he was born, it was like the universe knew he was destined for greatness. He was the pride and joy of his family, alongside his older sister Caitlyn, who also took a lot of pride in him.
He learned to talk less than six months after he was born, was put on piano lessons at age 5, started volleyball at 7, and picked up skiing at 10. Throughout his entire school life, he hadn't a single report card that showed grades less than 100 in every class, any days marked as late or absent, or any targeted quips even from the most stuck up teachers.
The boy absolutely thrived off of seeing his teacher's face contort in indignation as he laid back in his chair during classes. Not paying the lesson any mind at all as the only thing he needed to do to ace the test was be awake during class.
It had been like that throughout his entire life. When he wasn't being praised by everyone around him, he was being praised by people outside of his community, being regarded by all as one of, if not, the most prestigious high school student in his lifetime.
Whether that title is extremely exaggerated and over the top or not, it didn't matter to him, he absolutely loved it. He loved the praise, the attention, the fame if you will. It all belonged to him. The trophies, the awards, the "student of the year" plaques.
The boy was also well liked among his peers, with a face like that and a heart of gold it was hard not to. His unmatched charisma and overall gentle nature with people resulted in a locker full of Valentine's Day cards every February on the 14th. Plus the other half of his reputation that was due to the hours of community service he often signed up to.
He thoroughly enjoyed his life reigning over his school district, some could even say over other districts as well. He had everything handed to him on a silver platter and no one dared to doubt his word, no matter the situation. Ezreal was the school's perfect prince, who could never do anything wrong.
Well, that was until the biggest asshole that Ezreal has ever had the displeasure of meeting showed up.
Shieda Kayn was the worst. On top of being captain of the soccer team, he constantly fought with Ezreal for the spot on the top of academics and almost beat him in the student council president election. Every hall he passed through, everyone would immediately stop and drop everything they were doing to gawk at the heart throbbing sight of Kayn.
That was Ezreal's job! They're supposed to gawk at Ezreal, not Kayn!
If that wasn't annoying enough, the boy also had a band. One that had the pleasure of playing at almost every single school event there was. The worst thing? Two of his friends were part of it, so he had to pretend to like it for their sake (he actually enjoyed it though, but he would never admit that).
"Yer seriously ditching the team to go to that math competition thingy? Come on Ez, we need you!" The team's setter, Sett (no pun intended), whined at the libero. They were nearing the end of their practice time before the court could be taken by the basketball team .
"Oh don't be such a baby! It's not like we have any major games coming up, you'll be fine without me. I trust you guys!" The libero in question, Ezreal, shouted from the other side of the court as he received yet another ball flawlessly. "Plus, I can't leave the competition in the hands of that jackass." He rolled his eyes at the simple thought of it.
"So? Shieda is more than capable of leading the school to finals, we all know that." Ekko, the team's main attacker said as he caught the balls and tossed them back to Sett.
"What? And let him have all the glory? Absolutely fucking not." The blonde received his last ball before turning to walk towards the bleachers, where his belongings sat at. He checked the time on his phone screen as he took three big gulps from his water bottle.
As he realized what time it was, he hurriedly gathered his things and stuffed them all into his duffel bag, swinging it over his shoulder and waving goodbye to his teammates, "Gotta go guys! I have a council meeting to get to!"
"Ez, you do realize we know you guys don't meet on Wednesdays right?" Ekko said as the blonde paused on his tracks, turning to face him with an awkward smile.
"So then... you know exactly where I'm headed right?" Ezreal put his hands behind his back and tilted his head in fake innocence.
"Damn right! Headed to soccer practice to ogle at Talon." Sett interjected, shouting from the other side of the court.
Ezreal's usually pale face was now flushed a bright shade of crimson as he scrambled to justify himself, "It- it's not like that! I'm just...gonna go check on Phel..."
"Sureeee" Said Ekko and Sett in unison. Ezreal just brushed them off, rushing out of the gymnasium and into the empty, post-classes hallways. Taking the path he was all too familiar with to the soccer field.
Once he was finally there, his eyes lit up at the sight of the one man who plagued his mind 24 hours a day. Talon Du Couteau. While most people at the school were busy fawning over Kayn's stupid cocky smile, Ezreal only had eyes for Talon's.
Ezreal's breath hitched as Talon caught sight of the blonde strutting down to the field, waving at him with a soft smile on his handsome face that made Ezreal's mind spiral. He shyly waved back, taking a seat on the bleachers as Aphelios approached him.
"Well, if it isn't the reason I come down here every Wednesday afternoon! How're you holding up Phel?" Ezreal smiled sweetly at his friend, trying to hide the obvious lie he just told. Aphelios only rolled his eyes, way too familiar with the blonde's antics to be swayed by his words.
"You can't use me as an excuse forever, Ez." The taller male said softly, squeezing water out of his bottle. The blonde had the gall to act offended at that, "What could you possibly mean by that? I do come here for you! I'm your personal cheerleader!"
Before Aphelios could respond, their conversation got interrupted by an outsider, "More like Talon's cheerleader." Ezreal turned towards the source of the additional voice, regretting it immediately. "Ugh, what are you doing here?" He groaned as he crossed his arms across his chest.
The boy cocked an eyebrow, "What am I doing in my soccer team's practice?" He chuckled as Ezreal rolled his eyes, "Well forgive me for being a good captain and not ditching my team to ogle at some guy, Bambi." He smirks and marvels at the scowl that starts to form on Ezreal's spotless face.
"Shut up, Shieda. And don't call me that!" The blonde had to hold himself back from punching that shit eating grin out of his face. Kayn chuckled and smirked up at the blonde, "Oh, would you prefer I call you bimbo instead?" He couldn't help teasing. Ezreal's annoyed pout was just way too cute of a sight.
Before Ezreal could pounce on the other boy, Talon was seen approaching them in the distance, and Ezreal's entire mood shifted completely. Going from being pissed the hell out of his mind to lovestruck fool. Aphelios and Kayn both rolled their eyes at the sudden change.
The blonde of course, was the first to greet the newcomer of the conversation, sporting his best smile as he did so. "Hi Talon!" He waved excitedly at the boy who quickly waved back at him, smiling in the same caliber.
And there it was. The smile that made Ezreal's heart skip a beat everytime he saw it, directed right at him. He couldn't help the urge to let out a dreamy sigh. That of which made Kayn almost gag.
But Ezreal only focused his attention on one man, "Hey Ez, what's up?" The boy asked as he leaned on the railing separating the field from the bleachers, it didn't do much since they didn't prevent the balls from going over it and hitting anyone, but they still kept it for some reason.
"Not much. Hey, great work out there today!" Yeah, he couldn't deny the fact that he was Talon's personal cheerleader. Kayn scoffed at that, "You've been here for less than five minutes, you saw nothing."
"You shut up." Ezreal bit back quickly, not wanting the moment to be ruined. As for Kayn, all he did was let out an amused laugh as he packed his things and got ready to leave, "My apologies, see ya Bambi." He said and left, but not before blowing the blonde a kiss and witnessing his face contort into a horrified expression.
A priceless look, really.
"I fucking hate him." Ezreal said through gritted teeth as he watched the latter leave, possibly planning on a way to get away with murdering the boy.
"We're aware." The two other boys said in unison, unamused.
Ezreal turned to face them, "Just in case you guys forget. Anyways, you guys wanna go get a cup of coffee? My treat!"
Aphelios politely declined the offer, "I'm going out with Sett today, sorry Ez."
"It's alright, Tal?" Ezreal addressed the other boy.
"Sure. Though is it actually your treat or are you stealing from your workplace again?"
"Giving away free coffee isn't stealing!" The blonde exclaimed as he turned to Aphelios, "Right?"
Aphelios shrugged, "You of all people should know that." He signed before gathering his stuff and waving the pair goodbye.
Ezreal watched him leave with a pout, shortly interrupted by Talon, who was extending his hand to him. Blushing furiously, the blonde took it without hesitation.
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"Oh shut up, it is so not the same thing!" Ezreal shrieked from behind the bar counter while his friends laughed from the other side. Talon had left a while ago, now it was just him, Ekko and his friend Qiyana.
"Chill Ez, it's not as bad as you think it is." Qiyana said between laughs.
Ezreal huffed and went back to preparing the order for the next customer, a scowl painting his face, "Whatever." he mumbled.
"Did you get to see who your partner was for the competition by the way?" Ekko made his way into the conversation.
Ezreal cocked up a curious brow, "Partner? I didn't get assigned to a partner."
"Uh, yeah you did? Everyone got assigned a partner." Qiyana said as she took a sip from her latte.
"Huh?- oh uh, chai latte for Sabine?" he called out the order before turning back to his friends, "Why didn't I get the memo?"
"Well you would've if you didn't leave practice early today." Ekko said, shooting him a teasing glance which made Ezreal's face heat up.
The blonde laughed nervously and looked off to the side, trying to hide his embarrassment. "W-well? Would you mind telling me who my partner is?" He could barely get the question out before Qiyana let out an ear bleeding screech.
He snapped his gaze towards her, slightly startled by the reaction as she giggled and turned to Ekko, "Can I do the honors?" The boy extended his hand as if to give her the stage, "The floor is yours." He said.
Ezreal was about to question whatever the fuck they were up to before Qiyana suddenly yelled, "IT'S KAYN!" and Ezreal's facial expression went from confused to absolutely horrified. His friends laughed at him as he tried to make sense of what he had just heard.
Once he did, he responded accordingly, "WHAT?" When everyone inside the coffee shop suddenly turned to look at him, he offered them an awkward smile and a soft apology, before turning to his friends once again, "What?" he said, barely above a whisper this time.
"That's exactly what you heard." Qiyana said and she set aside her, now empty, cup of latte.
Ezreal still held the same expression on his face, "You're saying the person I have to study with, prepare, and share a fucking hotel room with is Shieda fucking Kayn??" His face contorted in disbelief, he swears he was this close to disassociating.
Ekko chuckled at the blonde's predicament, "You heard that right!"
Ezreal buried his face in his hands and groaned, he was about to spend an entire week trapped within the same confines as the one person he hated the most, what a time to be alive.
Qiyana could only roll her eyes at the boy's drama show, sharing an unamused look with Ekko, who had the same reaction.
"Oh come on Ez, he's not that bad." She said, regretting it immediately once the blonde lifted his head and gave her an incredulous look.
"Are we talking about the same guy?" He asked.
"Yes. And I think you're being way too dramatic about this." Ekko deadpanned.
"I'm being a perfectly reasonable amount of dramatic about it." The blonde crossed his arms and pouted, "You guys just don't get it."
Qiyana and Ekko shared another unfazed look, "Well, you can always resign and leave the glory to him." Ekko teased, snickering at the way the blonde immediately backtracked.
"You know what, seven days with the devil incarnate doesn't sound that bad actually." Ezreal sprayed the counter with cleaning product and wiped forcefully, wiping the same spot over and over again until the paint on the wood started to fade.
"You'll live, we believe in you." Qiyana remarked sarcastically, thoroughly enjoying the look on the blonde's face. She checked the time on her phone and turned to her friends again, "Welp, gotta go. Dance practice starts in an hour. See you guys." She gathered her stuff and left, doorbell jingling as she opened the door and closed it.
Ekko turned back to face the boy behind the counter, who was scowling as he wiped a glass clean. He chuckled at the sight. "Hey, wanna come over and play Mario Kart? So you can, you know, forget about your upcoming seven days of doom?"
The blonde snapped his gaze towards him, "Sure. You don't have to wait for me though, I gotta close the shop today."
Ekko nodded as he picked up his bag from the seat beside him, "Alright. See ya then, Ez." He waved the boy goodbye before going out the door.
Ezreal waved back as he put the glass back in its place on the shelf, he took off his apron and went towards the locker room.
It's not like he actually needed to work. As long as his parents were the filthiest of the rich around town, he'd have anything he wanted. But that's exactly what made him want to work in the first place. As much as he enjoyed being spoiled from time to time, he figured he needed to learn independence somehow, and his parents were definitely not the ones who would enforce that on him, so he took it upon himself.
Because as far as he knew, Kayn didn't have a job, so that's one point for him!
Once he locked the door of the coffee shop, Ezreal took out his phone and sent a quick text to Ekko telling him he was on his way, he can worry about that competition later.
He has a little shit to beat up at Mario Kart.