I feel like ranting. But don't worry, I'll save that for some other time. Instead, I'll just thank y'all for the support I'm receiving daily wHICH I DON'T DESERVE BECAUSE HAVE U READ THIS TRASH- wait you have cuz you're kinda on chapter 22 *laughs awkwardly* Yeah... Thanks doods, sometimes I look at one of my chapters and I just think holy shit, more than 2 people actually read this... Waow.

Sorry for my non-ranting rantingness, I'll let you get to the sadly short chapter now, enjoy~ : )

~

Maybe it was Baekhyun's imagination, but he felt Chanyeol's eyes on him the entire time he was playing the game.

It comforted him, but it also made him pressured not to make a mistake.

Then again, when did anyone not make a mistake under pressure?

It was like trying to place a drop of water directly into a minuscule hole in the ground while you're flying in a plane going 1000m per hour.

Impossible.

A few minutes into the game and Baekhyun had already made a small slip up, passing the ball straight into Sungyeol's hands.

He tried brushing it off and it worked for a few more minutes before the same exact blunder happened, except this time he passed it to Woohyun instead of Jongin.

Baekhyun cursed under his breath and tried to calm himself, thinking about uplifting things and whatnot.

He didn't need help—no, he didn't want help.

He wanted to solve his own problems, and he didn't know if he was referring to the basketball game or to him and Chanyeol.

He couldn't just always wait for other people to bring everything together and present it to him on a silver platter—because he wasn't some high and mighty prince. He was a normal human, and he could work hard, too.

This isn't a big deal, it's just a basketball game... Just one single basketball game.

But wait, it's the semi-finals, this is a big deal—oh my god if I keep failing we won't make it into the finals and—Chanyeol's going to freak!

Okay, maybe Baekhyun wasn't the greatest at solving emotional things himself, but he could always try.

Maybe everyone shouldn't pass me the ball anymore, just let me sit on the bench or something...

But alas, Jongdae somehow read his mind and passed it to Baekhyun. (Or he simply wanted to get a point, but Baekhyun didn't think so.) Baekhyun caught the ball awkwardly and hissed at his carelessness, feeling the pain in his finger from being bent.

He disregarded it and took it further up the court, trying to also ignore Sunggyu, the captain, who was chasing him. pft.

Baekhyun tried, and tried, and tried to somehow shake off the feeling he seemed to get every time before games—but of course, he couldn't.

He traded out with Junmyeon who was on the seat and he felt completely relieved that he could rest for at least some moments.

He sat slightly far from Chanyeol and he didn't know why he was checking how close he was sitting to the other... But he was.

Baekhyun thought of what to do about the game until suddenly a different voice began speaking.

"You know... You need to calm down your nerves."

Baekhyun felt completely bitter and it was not for the reason it would usually be for.

He felt a little sick, because he was so goddamn useless.

A few hours ago, Chanyeol was crying—dying inside because he had lost someone, and now here he was, helping a poor excuse of a basketball player.

Why was he so nice?

"I'm trying," Baekhyun replied and turned over to look at Chanyeol, seeing that the captain wasn't looking at him, instead keeping his gaze on the game.

"Do I always need to give you a pep talk?" He questioned and Baekhyun almost laughed.

"I wonder that too," he admitted, turning back in front and staring down at his hands, tangling his fingers together in an act of nervousness. "I... I'm really sorry," he confessed and to his surprise, Chanyeol began laughing.

It wasn't funny, though, because Baekhyun could hear the fakeness in that laugh.

"Sorry for what, me always giving you a pep talk?" Chanyeol asked.

"I'm sorry," he repeated.

Because he was sorry. God, he was so sorry; sorry for always calling him Channie even if he didn't want him to; sorry for always needing pep talks; sorry for sucking so much at basketball; sorry for acting insincere and hurting Chanyeol instead; sorry for not saying sorry for the right reasons.

"It's okay, I give a lot of people pep talks because I'm used to getting them from—" his voice slightly wavered and got quieter at the ending, pulling at Baekhyun's heart strings, "—my sister..."

Silence swept over them like a broom and Baekhyun knew what Chanyeol was probably thinking about at this moment.

Baekhyun didn't completely turn to Chanyeol, but from his peripheral vision he could see that Chanyeol was clasping his hands together tightly—so tightly that his knuckles were beginning to turn white.

Chanyeol wasn't staring at the game anymore and was instead staring down at the ground, his eyes glassed over with a layer of water.

Baekhyun realized then that really, he was useless.

Baekhyun realized that he shouldn't be the one receiving the pep talk, and instead he should be the one initiating it.

Why was he always getting help when he was the one who didn't need it the most? Why was it a common thing that the people who needed guidance the most always lost their way in the ending?

"Chanyeol, don't worry," Baekhyun smiled lightly even if Chanyeol wasn't looking or paying attention. "Everyone says that when happiness occurs, sadness follows quickly—and it's true. Really, really true." Baekhyun knew his words wouldn't help because he wasn't the greatest person with his words, unlike Chanyeol... He was childish and pretty dumb in his opinion. "But it also means that it's the other way around too.  It's just like the excitement of making cookies on Christmas Eve, you get happiness from accomplishing something. You wake up in the morning and realize some fat man in a red suit stole and ate your cookies, and you feel sad until you spot the neatly wrapped presents under the Christmas tree."

It was weird how Baekhyun was getting happier at his own speech... It was extraordinary how words worked. Words were nothing but sounds made up by people but it always somehow manipulated human's minds and made them feel a certain way. It was funny how something people created could destroy them in the worst ways possible. And it was hilarious how words could convey things so well but instead people choose to express it in different ways, giving gifts or kissing each other.

"You just have to wait for it to pass by," Baekhyun began. "Wait for the worst to come by..."

"Wait for the rain to pass by so that the rainbows could show themselves," Chanyeol finished.

Baekhyun smiled to himself because Chanyeol had this way with words that pulled him in. Sometimes Chanyeol's words would physically hurt him and maybe that was only one of Chanyeol charms.

"So don't worry. We'll win this basketball game."

Even though Baekhyun knew that this whole talk wasn't about winning the basketball game, he had to say it so that he could reassure himself also. Plus, Chanyeol didn't know that Baekhyun knew about his sister...

"I never doubted you guys in the first place... I think you're just saying that for yourself," Chanyeol pointed out and Baekhyun scowled at how easily Chanyeol read him at times.

Baekhyun stretched his legs out in front of him and relaxed, letting out a content sigh at how much more at ease he was.

Minutes passed by and instead of feelings nervous, that familiar feeling of excitement filled Baekhyun when he was put back onto the court. He felt like one of those science projects built by the not-so-smart students in elementary school: about to burst in excitement and maybe turn into bubbles or explode into flames.

The game went by with Baekhyun sometimes casually skipping and humming to himself a song that he liked. Overall, he was pretty laid back but still concentrated on winning.

"And... Swoosh!" Jongdae exclaimed excitedly when Jongin threw the basketball one more time, getting it in with the same sound Jongdae made a second earlier.

28-36, a pretty good score in Baekhyun's opinion.

"Gather up!" Chanyeol called out and everyone went around Chanyeol, preparing themselves mentally for what Chanyeol was about to say. "So..." He trailed off and the other team members were slightly leaning in, waiting for Chanyeol's words. "We're going to the finals!" Chanyeol exclaimed and the smile that he had on in the next second was priceless. Everyone cheered while Baekhyun just stayed stock-still, completely captivated by the smile.

It melted the remaining walls that Baekhyun had built up and suddenly Baekhyun felt as if the giant himself had painted rays of sunshine onto his heart, the inexplicable feeling of complete joy filling him.

"We're going to the finals..." Baekhyun repeated, not quite believing his words or Chanyeol's. It took a few more seconds before the words really sunk in, flashing in Baekhyun's mind like a crowd of photographers crowding around him. "We're going to the finals!" Baekhyun proclaimed, throwing his arms up into the air as one of his own smiles made it's way into the world.

Suddenly, nothing really mattered that much anymore, only the fact that they were one step away from reaching their goal. Whether or not they'd step in a pile of mud or in the jackpot, it didn't matter to the teammates in those minutes.

They placed their arms on each other's backs, forming a circle as they huddled and jumped around in circles, laughing way too loudly in a gym that wasn't theirs.

They came down from the excitement of winning, and eventually, the members slowly left one after another, leaving only Baekhyun, Junmyeon and Chanyeol left.

"Be right back, I need to go check who's going to the finals also," Chanyeol stated and left Junmyeon and Baekhyun in the gym, sitting on the benches as they waited for the right time to leave and catch their buses.

It was silent for only a few seconds before Baekhyun asked a question he had been thinking about for a while.

"Junmyeon... How do you decide what to do?" Baekhyun asked and Junmyeon—seemingly taken aback by the question—took his time thinking about his answer.

"Well, if it's in between two choices, I usually leave it up to fate, or whatever you want to call it," he stated and Baekhyun looked at him confusedly. Junmyeon cleared his throat and shifted in his spot, pushing stuff off of the bench and turning more to Baekhyun. "For example, I'll be like: If blah blah blah happens, I'm choosing option number 1. And if blah blah blah happens, I'm choosing option number 2,"  he explained and Baekhyun nodded.

"Okay... Thanks," he replied and Junmyeon nodded.

"Mind telling me what the choices are?" He asked and Baekhyun blushed, light pink dusting his cheeks.

"Yes."

"Aw, okay. Whatever you say. I help you and then I get this in response?" Junmyeon shook his head jokingly and tsked.

"Sorry! It's just... Embarrassing I guess..." He muttered and Junmyeon chuckled.

He checked his watch and stood up, pointing out the door and telling Baekhyun that he needed to head off now.

Baekhyun nodded and watched as Junmyeon left the gym, the door closing behind him.

Baekhyun was left in complete silence and decided to drown in his thoughts a bit.

I have two choices... He gnawed on his bottom lip as he thought it over, wondering if he should even do this whole fate thing that Junmyeon was talking about. Well, Dara did say that I should leave the final decision for the end of this week... Today is the last day of school because we have Friday off... But I already said all those horrible things to Chanyeol!

Baekhyun groaned in frustration and stomped his foot, pouting to himself. So do I completely give up on him or not?

'Leave it up to fate' huh...

The door to the gym opened and Chanyeol walked in, his gaze landing on Baekhyun. "I have to leave in five minutes... When are you leaving?" Chanyeol asked and Baekhyun decided that it was now or never.

"Oh, in around half an hour... My parents want to pick me up to go to this thing," he easily lied and Chanyeol nodded, sitting down on the bench.

If he leaves out that door...

Then I'll give up on him.

"Half an hour, though? You'll be here all alone," Chanyeol mentioned and Baekhyun nodded, staring at Chanyeol intently.

If he stays...

Well...

If he stays then I'll allow myself to love him again.

The seconds ticked by slowly, and Baekhyun began to feel the nerves in his stomach intensify.

He wouldn't stay, right? Half an hour is so long! You stupid idiot! No one would stay!

Baekhyun checked the clock on the wall on the opposite side of him and realized there were two minutes left. He tapped his finger on his leg impatiently and Chanyeol realized this and smiled to himself.

"Someone's getting impatient. Don't worry, only around 20-some minutes until you'll be picked up," he stated and Baekhyun rolled his eyes.

"Whatever, maybe I like being alone," he retorted and Chanyeol snorted.

"Yeah, right."

The time finally came and Chanyeol stood up, dusting off his pants. "Well, I guess I'll take my leave," Chanyeol told Baekhyun and the smaller felt his stomach drop into a pit that went on for forever.

"Yeah," Baekhyun replied weakly when Chanyeol turned around and began walking away, not even turning around to say a simple bye or waving his hand.

Baekhyun didn't realize it, but he began hoping.

Please stay. Please don't leave. Turn around. He kept repeating those words in his head like the refrain of some song, and when Chanyeol opened the door and stepped out, Baekhyun dropped his head down, feeling a wave of sadness wash over him. I knew it. Well, I always have...

He heard the click of the door and he looked up to check—just in case Chanyeol came back. Just in case Chanyeol waited with him.

But nope, nothing but the emptiness of the gym greeted him and Baekhyun felt tears surface his eyes.

Why did I even think he'd wait?

He lowered his head down permanently and clenched the fists in his lap, biting his bottom lip harshly to stop himself from feeling even sadder.

He stayed like that for minutes, clinging onto the hope he wished he didn't have.

He thought back to the game and about what Chanyeol had said, and he wished for the rainbows to come quicker so that he wouldn't have to wait so long in the cold rain...

God, I'm really dumb—

A click.

The door Chanyeol had left out of ten minutes ago was being pulled open, and Baekhyun looked at the grey rectangle, the small flicker of hope in him igniting like a hot flame.

A foot stepped in, followed by dark hair.

"Sorry... I forgot my earphones."

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Uhmmmm. Well, I see this chapter wasn't as short as I thought it was... HUHUHU how'd you guys like it? Sorry for typos, I was typin quick oopsies

So like... Is that Chanyeol? OR NAHHHH hahahahahahahahahahahaha I think you guys know. Sorry for not updating in so long I was only FUCKING FANGIRLING BECAUSE OH MY GOD THEIR COMEBACK IS SO CLOSE JUNE 8 COME FASTER PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PZL ZPKZFJKAJI;HUIOAHEF;A okay imma stop I'm really writing this author's note quick cuz I need to go uhhh yeah.

I'll C you later!