Chapter Text
"We're going out this Friday" No greetings, no high hello, but with the grace of a wild boar, Yacht his best friend since elementary, bombarded him along with a love tap on his back. Which, in their language, is a loud slap followed by the noodles he requested before their meet up. Sue them for skipping lunch in favor of taking a nap. Good thing their last class got cancelled due to an emergency meeting.
It was their free period before club practice and they decided to move to the open field for a change. It was just the second week of school yet while their subjects are okay, their club practice is running them ragged already. Both are players for volleyball, varsity since their start of high school. It shouldn't be hard honestly, it's not like they remained inactive during break but no, of course their coach just had to be strict and decide to restructure the club this early on the semester.
And while they know the earlier the better so the team would be familiarized with the new positions, they can't help but complain. Training is not even required until halfway their midterms.
A sigh.
Putting those thoughts away, Santa focused on his long-awaited noodles. Taking out the chopsticks to take bites in between their walk.
"So? What do you think of your position?" Santa began, looking at his friend who was also eating his food.
"Middle blockers fine, I did this before back in 8th grade"
"But it's not your preferred spot right?"
Yacht just shrugged, nothing they can do about it now. Unless on them is the coach then they can't change anything.
"At least it's not libero"
He doesn't have an injury but it's not one the other liked. They continued on, jokingly pushing each other until Yacht abruptly yells "watch out!"
Santa, usually quick and light on his feet, jerked back awkwardly, stabilizing himself and his noodles, not knowing what the commotion was before he felt it. The gush of wind passed his left shoulder before the sound of a ball rolling echoed.
Right. This is an open field. The practice field usually used by the soccer and baseball clubs. They're so in deep in their own bubble they failed to notice that they are not on the side walk but inside the field and there are people playing.
Securing the noodle bowl - thank the heavens nothing spilled on his brand-new uniform - Santa automatically held is hands up to a respectul wai to the incoming player.
"I'm sorry phi" Santa said, softening his voice, lightly pleading and hoping who ever this senior is, they won't be hot headed and get angry. Yacht followed too with his own apology before scrambling to fetch the soccer ball.
Santa was about to offer another apology until he heard the seniors voice.
"It's okay nong, it's my idiot friends fault for kicking too hard."
'Fuck damn is that an attractive voice' Santa thought as he straightened up to look at the senior in front of him. 'Shia he's handsome too.'
Artfully styled hair, high nose bridge, pink lips, sharp jaw and a face so handsome that he had to pause.
"Did I spill your food? I'm sorry nong I can buy you a new one"
'and he's caring too damn those eyes'
Santa quickly got his bearings and smiled, "It's okay phi, nothing spilled."
The senior did a once over him in search for any spills or dirt from the ball. Finding none, he gave Santa a nod. For a moment Santa thought there was something in the others eyes when they looked at his face, but that might just be his imagination. He offered the senior another innocent smile as Yacht came over with the ball.
"Here phi, we are so sorry."
The exchange ended as the senior gave them another nod and walked away with the ball.
Santa stood still for a fat minute before looking at his friend. "Do you know him?"
His friend gave him a look. "Of course not, just because I know other people from different clubs doesn't mean I know everyone"
Santa gave one last look at the senior who's already on the other side of the field before walking on.
"wait, don't tell me you have a crush" Yacht is practically gripping his arms while his voice pitched high. "you? Mr. I'm-too-busy-for-that has a crush?"
The realities of having a best friend like Yacht. Santa sighs. "No, he's just handsome. I've seen our soccer team before but I don't recognize his face."
"oho you definitely have a crush. That smile back there is not subtle at all Ta."
Rolling his eyes, Santa replied "What smile? I was just being polite."
The entire way they bickered over Santa's (not) crush. Really, Santa thought to himself, the senior was just handsome. It's not like they'd meet again for him to actually have time to develop a crush.
--
Famous last words.
It's like ever since that incident, Santa keeps seeing that senior everywhere they take a breather in. In the canteen, in the open court near the laboratory building, in the grounds before they line up for the flag ceremony. It's like he is being hyperaware of the senior now that he keeps seeing him almost every day when he never noticed him before ever.
There's also a lot of students in this prestigious school so it's not like him to be like this. 'Fuck am I really developing a crush?' Santa began to doubt himself.
Deciding that enough is enough, he walked to the canteen in hopes of buying something to cool himself before his next class. He walked up to that one booth that offers the only acceptable iced tea in the entire school. Thankfully there's no line so he ordered his usual.
"1 sala soda please"
It wasn't just his voice that he heard though. He heard that same attractive voice behind him and a hand outstretched beside his with cash in hand too for payment.
Santa's breath hitched and he internally panic. ‘Shia what do I do? Do I greet him? Do I need to? Should I? What if he think that I’m a creep?’
An equally attractive laugh reached his ears before he heard the same voice go "hello, we meet again"
Looking up to the handsome face he can't stop thinking about, he received a small smile. Oh yeah definitely, Santa is doomed. He didn’t expect to run into Mr. Soccer Ball Apology this soon. Definitely not after he’d spent the last few nights replaying that ‘It’s okay nong” in his head like a psycho.
“…you can go first Phi” Santa offered, hoping his ears weren’t visibly turning red.
“No, you were here first. And at this point,” Mr. Handsome Voice Handsome Everything said smoothly, taking a step closer, “I think we’re fated to share snacks.”
Santa coughed, caught between laughter and shock. “If that’s the case,” he raised a brow, “you owe me a sala soda Phi.”
The senior blinked, then smiled – wide and real. “You drive a hard bargain.”
Before Santa could react, the older boy had already paid for the two drinks and handed him one without ceremony. Santa started at it like it was a confession letter.
“Thank you…Phi?”
“Perth,” he said. “No need to be formal tho.”
“Santa,” he replied before thinking, and internally kicked himself. ‘Great now you look eager!’.
Perth didn’t seem to mind though. If anything he looked pleased – too pleased, repeating it under his breathe like he was trying it on for size. “Santa”
Santa might just die. The way his name rolled off Perths tongue should not sound that good. Its probably the heat and the stress. Yeah – just that.
That short exchange was the start of something.