Before the argument could escalate further, Maya returned, holding a small stack of postcards she had bought from another stall.
"Hey! Look what I found," she said, holding them out. "Aren't they cute?"
Leon's heart thudded painfully in his chest. Richard leaned closer slightly to look at the postcards too, brushing his fingers over the edges as if he had a right to examine them.
Leon felt his hands clench into fists. It's just postcards! Why does it feel like he's…
Maya noticed the tension and frowned. "You two… again?"
Leon exhaled sharply. "It's not—"
Richard's voice cut in calmly, "It's fine, Maya. Just… leave them alone."
Leon's blood boiled. Leave them alone? Are you serious?!
Maya rolled her eyes, giving them both a warning glance. "You know what? I'm going to get a snack. Both of you behave!"
She walked away, leaving Leon and Richard standing there in awkward silence.
Leon's chest tightened, heart pounding, face burning. "I… I can't believe him."
Richard's gaze softened, just a fraction. "Neither can I."
The sun hung low in the sky, painting the campus in golden hues as students gathered on the sports field. Leon adjusted his sneakers nervously, eyeing the brightly marked lanes for the annual campus relay challenge. This event was a mix of fun and competition, but for Leon, it was suddenly a battlefield.
Maya stood near the sidelines, cheering on students from other dorms. Her notebook in hand, she scribbled small notes, but her gaze kept flicking back toward Leon and Richard. Leon felt exposed under her eyes, like she could see every racing thought in his head.
Richard stretched casually beside him, calm as ever, hands behind his head. "You're nervous," he stated simply.
Leon blinked. "Nervous? Me? No! I mean… maybe. A little."
Richard smirked faintly. "Relax. It's just a relay."
"Just a relay?" Leon repeated incredulously. "It's a competition! And… and I have to beat Tunde if he's on the other team!"
Richard's eyes sharpened. "So that's it? It's about Tunde?"
Leon flushed. "Well… partially. Okay, mostly."
Richard didn't comment further, but the subtle lift of his lip hinted that he knew Leon's jealousy was more complicated than he was letting on.
The dorm teams gathered, and Leon noticed with irritation that Tunde was on a rival team. He adjusted his stance, feeling tension coil through him. Maya's eyes widened slightly, sensing the silent storm brewing between the two boys.
"Leon, you ready?" Richard asked casually, standing beside him in the starting zone.
Leon glanced at him, annoyed by the calmness. "Why do you look so relaxed? You're going to run too, you know."
Richard's smile was faint. "I know. That's why I'm relaxed."
The whistle blew. Students sprinted into action. Leon's heart pounded as he gripped the baton, his legs trembling with anticipation.
Maya's voice rang out from the sidelines: "Go, Leon! You can do it!"
Leon's stomach flipped. That encouragement—so simple—made him want to win not just for himself, but to prove something to everyone watching. Especially Richard.
The first leg was chaotic, with students jostling for position. Leon ran as fast as he could, dodging and weaving through the crowd. When he finally reached the exchange zone, he handed the baton to his teammate, feeling a surge of adrenaline.
Richard waited for his turn, calm and poised. When the baton finally reached him, he took off with effortless speed, overtaking two competitors within seconds. Leon's jaw clenched. Of course he's fast.
Tunde, noticing Richard, smirked and accelerated to try to keep up. But Richard's focus was unwavering. Every stride, every step, was precise. It was infuriating—and awe-inspiring.
Leon found himself holding his breath, watching the scene unfold. Why do I feel like my heart is racing faster than his legs?
By the time the final leg came, it was down to Leon and Tunde. The entire crowd cheered, Maya's voice rising above all the others. Leon gritted his teeth and took off, muscles screaming, lungs burning.
Tunde kept pace easily, smirking as if he had already won. Leon's determination surged. He couldn't lose—not here, not in front of Richard, and definitely not in front of Maya.
Behind him, Richard had crossed the finish line for their dorm team and was already clapping. His calm gaze met Leon's, steady and challenging.
Leon felt the silent challenge. Beat him. Or at least don't let him see me falter.
Step by step, Leon pushed harder. His body ached, but his mind was laser-focused. Finally, with one last burst of energy, he lunged past Tunde at the finish line.
The crowd erupted into cheers. Leon's chest heaved, sweat dripping down his face. He glanced up—and froze.
Richard was there, walking toward him with that same faint smirk, clapping slowly. "Not bad," he said. "You've improved."
Leon's face burned. "Improved? You're the one who's supposed to run better!"
Richard shrugged, eyes warm but teasing. "Maybe I wanted to see you try."
Maya ran over, eyes sparkling. "Leon! You did amazing! And Richard… wow, you were incredible too!"
Leon's stomach twisted in confusion, irritation, and something he didn't want to admit. Richard's calm composure, the way he seemed untouchable, made Leon feel… small.
Richard leaned down slightly, whispering just loud enough for Leon to hear: "Not bad. You're catching up."