It started as curiosity.

  Seeing a boy with a scar across his nose smiling. Smiling ear to ear while being told off in front of the whole year group on the first day.

  Why did he make that joke?

  Why does he have that scar?

  Why was he smiling?

  That curiosity turned to interest.

  Seeing him challenge a third year on the same day. Even beating that third year. Smiling ear to ear while the third year was all up in his face when he won.

  Why did he challenge a third-year?

  Why was he so calm?

  Why was he smiling?

  That interest kept growing and growing.

  Seeing that boy with a scar across his nose smiling, laughing and having fun at every glance I took.

  What kind of person was he?

  Why did he interest me so much?

  Why can't I stop looking at his smile?

  I didn't feel attracted to him. I was just interested. He wasn't good-looking, but he wasn't ugly. He was a 5 or 6/10, maybe a 7 when he smiled.

  His British accent was strange. His scar was strange. His behaviour was strange. He was strange.... but it did intrigue me.

  Eventually, I got to talk to the boy with the scar across his nose on my balcony. These talks became routine. We talked about each other, learned about each other, and laughed with each other.

  Now, when I spoke to him, I felt my heart beating faster. I caught myself smiling more. I saw everything brighter. I felt happier.

  That interest turned into infatuation.

  I realised I had a crush on him.

  Later, we got paired up for a challenge. A simple joint exam. It was my chance. I got to study with the boy with a scar across his nose.

  When we got to the library to revise and prepare for the exams, I was nervous the whole time. I didn't need to revise so hard. I didn't even need to revise at all if I wanted to. I could've spent the entire time at the library talking with him. But I couldn't initiate a conversation. I couldn't look at him. So I stared and wrote notes that I didn't need to write the whole time.

  Thoughts clouded my memory. I was happy it was just us. Even though I wanted to talk to him, sitting with him like this was enough for me.

  But life doesn't go as planned. He left me for a few minutes alone at the table. I understand why he went, but it wasn't nice. I wanted him to stay. It made me a little upset, but being alone wasn't that bad. Until two guys tried talking to me. It was obvious what they wanted. I've been in situations like this before, so I can hold my own. It was still uncomfortable though. I thought I was going to have to walk away, but in perfect timing, the boy with a scar across his nose came back.

  Everything he did looked so effortless. Every interaction, every altercation, every argument, every problem, he smiled.

  He always looked calm, even when getting grabbed, shouted at, insulted, and stared at. The only response he would give was that smile.

  That only increased my affection.

  Time moved on. We kept talking little by little. Then the minigames started, another chance for me. I was in the same group as the boy with the scar across his nose, but I didn't get paired up with him. He paired up with a shorter girl with pink hair.

  Why doesn't life go as planned?

  Watching that girl having fun with the boy with a scar across his nose hurt. The girl even hugged him like they'd been friends for years. Seeing the girl get the attention I wanted hurt. It hurt me to see her get hugged, patted on the head, heck, even get a piggyback from the boy with a scar across his nose. I wished it were me getting all of that.

  But one question stayed in my head.

  Why was he smiling?

  Now here we are. I'm in the arms of the boy with a scar across his nose. His smile turning my world upside down.

  That infatuation turned into love.

  Seeing a smile so bright. An expression I'd never seen from anyone. An expression I thought was only possible in dreams.

  I can't move. Cupid shot me.

  It didn't make sense. I'd seen boys who looked better than him. Those boys even gave me special treatment without me asking. Those boys could probably treat me better than he could.

  So why did she fall in love with him?

  How can she fall in love with someone in just over a month?

  Do people fall in love this quickly?

  Is this the right way to fall in love?

  I don't know. But I'm sure of one thing.

  I love the person I'm looking at right now.

  The boy with a scar across his nose.

  "Get the ball over there", Malakai said to a dazed Maria.

  "O-oh, okay", Maria said, blinking a few times to snap out of it.

  She got up with Malakai's help and went to retrieve the ball.

  "Why was he holding Maria like that?" Tanisha said, furrowing her brows, sounding like an overprotective parent.

  Delilah giggled, "He had to. He saved her from being hit".

  "He didn't have to hug her like that. He could've just pulled her with one hand. Not hugging her from behind", Tanisha replied, a little performative with her hands.

  Delilah kept on giggling, knowing that whatever she said, Tanisha would have a comeback. She turned her head back to the game and focused on Malakai.

  "Tanisha's not wrong. He didn't have to hug her like that to protect her", she thought. "Malakai does a lot of unnecessary things though. Maybe this was one of those things", she didn't think too deeply about it.

  Back to the game, all three balls were on Malakai's side. So far, three people have been eliminated from Dillon's team and two from Malakai's. They could increase that gap if they eliminated someone now and took advantage of the position they're in.

  "Nada, keep hold of that ball. Don't throw it", Malakai said, watching Nada.

  "Aye, aye, captain", Nada playfully replied, firmly holding her ball.

  Malakai walked over to Maria, "Throw it at anyone except the girl", he quietly told her.

  Maria's eyes widened a little, "Are you sure?" she asked, doubting her ability. She expected to hand the ball to Malakai.

  "Yeah, go for it", Malakai said, nodding. "But as soon as you throw it, run back".

  Maria lifted her head and looked to the other side. She slowly walked to the centre, pulled her arm back and threw her ball.

  The throw was tame and missed everyone. She didn't really aim at anyone in particular.

  "Why is everything she does so elegant?" Malakai thought to himself, expecting something better.

  Maria ran back and stood beside him. She glanced at him, feeling like she didn't do that well.

  Malakai felt her glance, "We'll get 'em next time," Malakai said, replicating the meme. He turned away from her, not to show his smile and stop himself from laughing from how funny she looked.

  "OUT!"

  Malakai swung his head, unprepared for that call. He looked straight ahead and saw a guy walking off.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Wilson got eliminated.

  He turned to Nada and saw no ball in her hand.

  "Did you do that?" Malakai asked, confused.

  "Yeah, he wasn't concentrating, so I threw it at him", Nada casually replied. "Did I mess up?" She couldn't tell by the look on Malakai's face.

  "Nah, it's calm. You did good", Malakai said, lifting a weak thumbs up, still shocked.

  "She's cold. She's eliminated two people. I've only eliminated one", he thought.

  "OUT!"

  Marcus got eliminated.

  The game continued at a fast pace. People were getting eliminated left and right. Malakai didn't even have time to relax.

  He kept watch and saw a familiar sight appear before him. Dillon with a ball in his hands. Malakai had one as well. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with it just yet, so he held onto it.

  Dillon catapulted the ball at Malakai once again. And he missed once again. His desperation to get Malakai out was hurting their team's chances.

  Now Malakai, Ray and Adam had a ball in hand. They all looked at each other and advanced forward, throwing their balls simultaneously.

  "OUT!"

  Jefferey got eliminated.

  Mike got eliminated.

  Gabriel got eliminated.

  Adam, Malakai, and Ray were on target with their shots. They all eliminated one person. The crowd roared excitedly as three people walked off. Three people got eliminated at the same time.

  It was now 7v3. Malakai's team had a major advantage.

  Dillon picked up a ball, and instead of throwing it as soon as he picked it up, he got closer to the centre. He took aim at the same person as usual. Malakai was on his toes, ready to move. Dillon pulled back his arm and let go.

  "OUT!"

  Ray got eliminated.

  Ray let his guard down. Anyone other than Malakai could've gotten eliminated. It was like everyone let their guard down, expecting Dillon to throw his ball at Malakaai. Maybe Dillon planned this from the start. Target Malakai constantly, and eventually, it will be expected, leaving others to drop their guard.

  "Dammit", Ray said, disappointed in himself, scrunching his fists.

  "It's fine, don't worry about it", Malakai told Ray as he walked off.

  "This ain't good", Malakai thought with a smirk, looking in front of him.

  Jason had one ball, and Dillon ordered Olivia to hand over the other. They were still at a disadvantage, but if they got someone out now, it would be a 5v3, which looked doable. The two strongest people had a ball to throw. It wouldn't be a surprise if they got someone out.

  Dillon and Jason gave each other a look before both stepping forward. This time, everyone was on guard. Watching Dillon and Jason's hands. They both raised their hands and let their balls fly.

  "OUT!"

  Monica got eliminated.

  They both aimed at her, and she couldn't do much to avoid it. That little glance they exchanged beforehand was the indicator to aim for her.

  It was now 5v3, but all three balls were on their side.

  Justin, Adam and Nada picked up a ball. Nada kept hold of her ball and kept it close to her chest, showing she wasn't going to throw it. On the other hand, Adam and Justin were wasting no time and edged forward.

  Justin, throughout the match, observed everyone else, seeing what worked and what didn't. He didn't have many opportunities to impact the game. The one time he did throw a ball, it went horrendously bad. After that attempt, he stood in the background and absorbed what he could.

  Watching how his teammates eliminated people. He followed Adam and attempted to jump on his wavelength. They both let fly.

  "OUT!"

  Adam got eliminated.

  Justin looked at Adam in disbelief. "Adam.."

  "OUT!"

  Justin got eliminated.

  They both got eliminated just like that.

  Let's rewind a bit, just before Adam and Justin threw their balls.

  Dillon was on the right, and Jason was on the left. Justin was to Adam's left, and he was watching Adam closely. It looked like Adam was going for Dillon, so Justin also decided to go for Dillon. He thought if they both went for him, they would most likely get him out.

  However, when they threw their balls, Justin threw his ball towards Dillon, but Adam changed the direction of his shot to Jason. Justin's ball collided with the underside of Adam's ball, causing Adam's ball to balloon up in the air, leading to an easy catch for Dillon.

  Adam got eliminated because his ball was caught.

  Justin couldn't believe it, so his focus switched to Adam, already walking off. Dillon noticed Justin wasn't paying attention, so he threw the ball he caught and eliminated Justin.

  Now it's a 3v3.

  "This doesn't look good", Tanisha said anxiously, watching, squeezing her hands together. "How did they throw away their lead like that?".

  "Let's see how Malakai clutches this," Delilah quietly said with a little smirk, leaning forward, knowing it was about to get entertaining.

  "Sensei, what do we do?" Nada said, looking at Malakai with a worried look.

  "Tranquilo. Tranquilo", Malakai said, smirking while gesturing to her to relax.

  He said relax/ don't worry in Spanish to make the situation not seem that bad and to show he was calm enough to make jokes.

  Malakai kept his eyes on Jason, who still had a ball in his hands. "Feck", he looked calm, but he was a little worried in his head. "This guy is dangerous, more dangerous than Dillon", Malakai analysed in his head.

  It didn't look like Jason was going to throw his ball. He kept bouncing it up and down like a basketball.

  "Maria, follow me", Malakai said, walking backwards towards the ball that eliminated Justin, while keeping an eye on Jason.

  Maria followed Malakai, staying close to him.

  "I don't know if I can protect you if that guy throws it at you. Are you alright with that?" Malakai asked quietly.

  "Yeah, that's fine. Don't worry about me. Do what you have to do to win," Maria honestly replied, feeling bad that Malakai felt he had to protect her.

  "I'm just letting you know cuz he's a big guy innit", Malakai said. "He throws it hard. It'll hurt if it hits you".

  "It's fine. I won't let my guard down", Maria replied, reassuring him.

  "Aryt (Alright)", Malakai said with a nod, holding a ball in his hand.

  He started jogging to the centre, looked at Olivia, loaded a shot, and let it go with no hesitation. Olivia lifted her hands to protect herself.

  "OUT!"

  Despite lifting her hands up, she didn't catch it, so the ball just hit her hands.

  Malakai kept her in as he thought Olivia might be useful for him, but it looked like Dillon planned to freeze her out of the game. So Malakai eliminated her.

  It was now a 3v2, with Dillon and Jason holding a ball.

  Who were they going to aim at?

  Malakai and Maria were sticking close together, so the only option was,

  "Go for the pink girl", Dillon ordered.

  Jason didn't reply. He followed Dillon's orders with no fuss.

  Nada saw the two of them staring at her. She knew the shots were coming towards her. Dillon and Jason both stepped forward and shot their shot.

  Jason's shot missed, but Dillon's shot headed straight for Nada. Nada still had a ball in her hands, so seeing that shot coming towards her, she quickly acted and blocked the ball with the ball she had kept hold of the whole time. The ball bounced off her ball.

  Nada turned and gave the teacher a look, unsure if she had broken a rule.

  "That's fine, you're still in", the teacher confirmed.

  They were in a good position now. They had all three balls.

  Malakai passed Maria a ball. "Aim at Dillon and throw it low at his legs".

  "Now?" Maria asked, taking a glance at Dillon.

  "Nah, nah, wait a bit", Malakai replied, shaking his head. He left one ball on the floor and walked towards Nada.

  "We should be good now," Dillon confidently said, watching Malakai's every move. "He looks lost. He doesn't know what to do".

  "We should aim for Maria next", Jason suggested. "It's either she gets eliminated, or Malakai will get eliminated protecting her", he continued, solidifying his suggestion.

  "I don't think Malakai will protect her this time", Dillon replied. "He wants to win, she won't help him do that- What is he doing?" he stopped what he was saying and narrowed his eyes at Malakai.

  Malakai had his back to him. It looked like he was talking to Nada.

  "Is he playing?" Dillon questioned.

  Out of nowhere, he saw a ball flying towards his legs. He quickly and easily sidestepped and saw Maria standing there, backing away.

  "Wha-".

  SMACK!

  "OUT!"

  Dillon got eliminated.

  Dillon got hit in the face. And it was Malakai who did it.

  A few seconds before this.

  "Nada!" Malakai called out, walking towards her. He stood in front of her with his back turned to the opposition. "Pass me the ball," he asked her.

  Nada secretly passed him the ball.

  "Where is Dillon right now? What side is he from me?" he asked.

  "He's to your right", Nada answered.

  "Aryt (alright). Listen to me. When Maria throws her ball or is about to throw it, tell me. When she does quietly say 'now'", Malakai seriously instructed her.

  Nada didn't question his plan. She had no better ideas, so she agreed.

  Maria saw Malakai talking to Nada. She still didn't know when to throw her ball. She wanted a sign from someone. She didn't want to throw her ball without a plan. She looked to Malakai, but looked focused. Then she looked at Nada. Nada had her head slightly turned to her. No words were said. All Nada did was a tiny nod.

  Nada kept watch of Maria until, "Now!"

  Malakai swivelled around, and thanks to Nada's directions, his eyes instantly locked on Dillon like a missile. He fired his weapon with force and hit his target.

  The shot hit Dillon square in the face. It stung his face and hurt his nose. His eyes watered a bit from the impact. He held his face with his right hand and looked at Malakai through his fingers. It was taking everything to stop himself from rushing to Malakai, returning the favour and punching him in the face. But all Malakai did was play the game. It would look bad on his part if he charged at Malakai.

  He got outplayed. Dillon accepted defeat and walked off. All his hopes to progress to the next round rested on Jason. Malakai stepped back with a smile on his face.

  "Any more plans?" Nada asked, watching Jason.

  "Not right now. Just dodge for your life", Malakai said. That was the only thing he could advise.

  Jason picked up both balls and unleashed a throw with his right. The throw was directed at Maria, travelling towards her head.

  Maria bent her knees and ducked. The shot was a bit high. Lower and Maria would've had issues.

  Jason's next shot flew by, not close to anyone. It was clear he was feeling the pressure. The throw with his right lacked accuracy and only had pace and power. You could see that his left hand wasn't his strong hand, but using his left hand showed he was running out of ideas.

  All three balls were on the Malakai side. Malakai called his teammates over and gave them a ball each.

  "What's it gonna be this time?" Jason thought to himself.

  Deep down, he was worried. He didn't know what to expect. He didn't expect Dillon to get eliminated like that. The only way he thought Dillon would get eliminated was if his ball got caught, not by getting hit in the face and being caught off guard. In Jason's mind, Malakai was the MVP of the game.

  Honestly, Jason had hope of winning when Adam got eliminated. It didn't look like Adam could be eliminated. Every throw Adam made eliminated someone. He considered Adam more of a threat than Malakai. But surprisingly, Adam got eliminated. His elimination was a massive boost for them and gave them a lifeline.

  Even though Jason was outnumbered, he still thought he could pull it off. He saw the three of them approach the centre. Jason bent his knees in preparation to move quickly.

  The trio simultaneously threw their balls, but they all missed. It was very anticlimactic. Jason dodged them without any real issue. He picked up two balls and walked back. He saw the three of them standing in the middle of their side, not far from each other but not too close. It was clear that it was every person for themselves now. It looked like Malakai ran out of aces.

  Jason confidently stepped up with a ball, pulled back his arm, and let it go.

  "OUT!"

  Malakai was on the floor with a ball in his hands.

  Jason got eliminated.

  The boy with a scar across his nose pulled it off once again.

  In the other building.

  One person stood on one side of the court, while eight people stood on the other.

  The boy lifted his hands, "I surrender".