CHAPTER FOUR

LIAM’S POV

The news spread within a twinkle of an eye. The rumor was everywhere that a transferred student is competing with the overall star player in the school to win the student president position.

We both are so eager to bring each other down, to the point that we couldn't wait for the next day to come, but rather, the challenge was announced immediately after our encounter.

Honestly, competing with Garvin to become the student president was the last thing I could ever think of. But that was the only way I could bring him closer to me… all my effort trying to have his attention has been failing…. So, I needed to get something from him that would make him succumb to me.

It seems, history has it that, Garvin is a good basketball player , so am I. But, this is the only chance I would have to fulfill my mission… “I'm not going to let my guard down and allow him win this”. I muttered under my breath, as I went into the changing room.

Immediately I got into the room, I saw Garvin, standing behind his locker, foaming with anger and tension. He was so angry that he clenched his hand against the locker without realizing it, gripping it hard enough to scratch the skin and make it bleed. I never knew he could be this tense, even with the ‘Mr perfect appearance.’

Our eyes met, the distance between us tightened. He looked like he wanted to throw his fist up at my face. I couldn't stop staring at his attractive features, his eyes looked dark and intense in a way that was strangely alluring, his hair was a bit damp, curling at the edges with his lip parted slightly.

He was both incredibly angry and undeniably attractive.

I smirked, biting the thought that was already creeping to my mind, as I move towards him. “you look beautiful when you're angry.” I said teasingly.

He looked at me with so much annoyance and said “screw you, dude!.”

I didn't let that get to me… I forgot to mention that the initial goal is to drive him wild and bring down his composure.

I let out a smirk “careful there, baby.” I said pointing at his hand that was almost bleeding. “I wouldn't want you hurting yourself before the tournament. ” I added.

His jaw flexed at the nickname. Oh, I remembered he hated it. That should be a good reason why I would keep using it.

Garvin looks so impossible, he maintained his perfect composure, and hid his emotions. But one could tell that he is struggling not to lose control.

“Don't fucking call me that!. I'm a god-damn-straight-guy!” He said, as he ran his hand through his hair, like he was trying to pull the frustration out.

“Relax beautiful, it isn't that deep. Just trying to help.” I said, as I softly patted his shoulder.

He immediately shoveled my hand away like it's some contaminated disease.

“ohh right? trying to help… by taking away every single thing that I have worked hard for.. How do you explain that as an help” He said sarcastically.

“I'll make it my purpose to defeat you, prove to you that I'm better than you, and make sure you never try to undermine me again”. He added, as he walked backward towards the door, his eyes still locked on me.

I smirk at him, “See you on track,

can't wait to hoop your ass off, baby” I added teasingly.”

He truly does has a softly curved backside, just enough to feel inviting..

**********************************

Garvin’s Pov

After the encounter with Liam, I couldn't concentrate on anything else. I have never been in such distress in my entire life… I couldn't even fathom the fact that a new guy is coming to take my position just like that without putting any effort…

Today has been the most cursed day. I guess, the universe is also against my day. I knew none of them saw it coming when I insisted that he has to ‘fight to earn it’… I'm not going to back down to anyone, not even Liam.

As we stepped out with our jerseys, the whole atmosphere was filled with tension.It feels heavy and tight, as if the air itself is holding its breath. The whole students sat quietly in the basketball court room, waiting for our arrival.

The tournament was different from the usual, there was no shouting, no girls cheering. Everyone sat in heavy silence, waiting for the worst to happen.

“please, can the two opponents come forward?” Coach Carter requested as he stretched out the game ball towards us.

Both Liam and I stepped out together, while he instructed us on the rules we are to follow, and left the court for us.

We took our position, while waiting for the whistle sound. As soon as the sound of the whistle was heard, we both launched forward at each other rough, fast, rentless… it was intense, like two enemies on a battlefield, neither willing to back down for each other..

As he moved closer to me, my whole body buzzed with rage.. If I stopped moving, I felt like I would explode. I tried to hide my anger… “I will crush you Liam, no matter how fast you think you are.” I muttered to myself, as I ran off to my own position waiting for the right time to strike him down..

I watched him move with so much speed, he was stronger and more precise, riding like he owned the court to himself. When his eyes met mine, his smirk appeared instantly and was replaced with a gentle smile…

He did it again, the same smirk that I hated so much.

I guess that was the trick he uses on girls, he looks annoyingly gorgeous…. I looked away immediately as my jaw locked. “I'm going to beat him,” I muttered under my breath, even though I was doubting myself. But, I can't afford to lose to him. Liam seems more tricky than I thought, who knows what he would do if he managed to win.

“5minutes more to go, we have no winner yet.” I heard Coach Carter said, as he pace around the court.

On the other hand, Liam became aggressively serious and personal… as the basketball moves quickly between his hands, the sound of the ball echoing against the court. Our eyes clocked at each other as he drives forward, dribbling the ball slowly towards me.

“wha… what the hell is he doing”, I voiced out to myself as the little distance between us vanished. his eyes softening up as each second passed.

For the moment, the world seemed to stop. My chest tightened, my breath stuttered as I closed my eyes. All I could think of was how close he was, and his scent overwhelming me like a smoke.

Before I could process it, I heard the crowd exploded in cheers, screaming Liam’s name. I snapped my eyes wide open as the ball dropped through the net..

“what the fuck just happened”? I utter confusly.

“I lost and Liam won”!

He tricked me.

I stood still, as I muttered under my breath.

“my position. my career. all that I have worked hard for, all gone within a second.”

My whole body went stiff, as my mind flashed back to his last statement before the challenge,“if you lose, you'll do anything I want without delay or resistance for as long as I want”.

my chest tightened so hard, it hurt as I'm left with the thought of what next? What could he possibly do now?!