Under | stephen curry

attractive

Protagonist's 

"MIRA, HELP!" I cry out as I move my character towards the team's support, having an hp bar worth of one poke.

"LOVI, GO HOME, GET OUT, GO—" she repeatedly says in between inevitable laughs, trying to protect me while I run my ass back to the base and heal.

"Hng I-I can't even see the screen anymore." I struggle to say as tears block my vision.

"What a save coming from ate Mira." (ate translates to big sister) Kenneth praised amidst the chaos in the voice chat. . . He's so used to us being stupid midgame, it's unbelievable how much of a fuck he gave.

We're down by 3k gold and four in total kills; our base hanging on for dear life as we try and hold out till Jewel resurrects. "It's over guys. . ." Arjin says for the nth time this match, spectating us struggle from the afterlife.

"JUST DIE LOVI—PROTECT THE BASE AT ALL COSTS" Mira yells at me as we currently use the triangle defense; clearing the enemy's minion wave on all three lanes whilst also being very close to the main tower. The thing is, the tankiest shall take the middle of that defense, and as a squishy mage, I was basically being sacrificed.

"I would like to thank everyone—" Shut down

All of them laughed their asses off at the way my sentence was cut off by my death.

--

"lose streak, severe"  Jewel messaged, concluding our games.

--

♫ Not Thinking of You by The Royal - playing

I wasn't sure what I was feeling or what I was supposed to even feel. I've decided to play a couple of games with my friends to take my mind off things. Sure, it disappears while playing, and I get to forget for a moment, but the next second, my brain reminds me of today again.

Today is the first day I get to lecture and help Curry with his studies; I have no idea why I'm thinking of it so much. . . Like, way too much.

Kindly enough, he had informed me through phone message that he wouldn't be able to directly meet me right after school since he was summoned by their coach for something. Currently, I'm sitting all alone in the cafeteria, waiting for an update.

I check my game history—I've played three consecutive lost games worth 20 minutes. I've been waiting for an hour.

"Ain't no way I'm gonna be the first message though, never." I say flat out, reading the first-ever message in our chat, which was his.

Letting my pride take over me, I waited for another few minutes, a few minutes turned into half an hour, and half an hour turned into a few hours— "Lovi?"

I jump from the sudden voice as I turn to where the voice came from. "Piona, hey,"

"It's really you? Why are you still here?" she peered, taking the seat next to me. "Ah, I'm waiting for someone." I plainly said, spinning my phone on the table.

"I've noticed you have quite the connection with those boys," she says, rubbing her chin as if trying to piece things together. This caught my attention almost immediately.

"I see! So if I am correct that they're the ones you're waiting for, what if they planned it all along to just make you wait for nothing?" to which I sighed in response.

"Piona, I really do appreciate the concern, but suggesting to overthink isn't the plan right now." I said before placing a hand on her shoulder.

It wouldn't make sense for Curry to do such a thing; he has a passion and a set goal that he may not get, simply because he didn't cooperate with his so-called study buddy. I know it from when he had so much pride in front of the principal that day, talking about his basketball career.

"B-but Lovi! I have basis!" her tone raised, interrupting my thoughts. I let out a small 'mhm', waiting for her to spit it out.

"I saw them just playing ball in the gym, trust me, they've ditched you." to which let out a chuckle and facepalmed.

--

"Ah, Lovi it's this way. . ." Piona says for the nth time whilst chuckling, "My bad, I have this really bad sense of direction." I explain, scratching the back of my head as I let her drag me to the gymnasium.

"Here we are, OH! AND THERE THEY ARE! LET'S CONFRONT TH—" I quickly pull her back from marching inside, my palm against her loud mouth, forcing it shut.

"shh. . ." I shush her off as she could only nod slowly. Gently removing her from my arms, I sneaked a peek inside; just as I expected, there stood the three of them, playing ball.

"Lovi, why?" Piona asks curiously from behind, tip-toeing to try and see too.

♫ Enchanted by Taylor Swift - playing

Swish

The ball goes through the net perfectly with a satisfying wind sound, him looking small all alone in the court as he continues draining far shots.

His two peers bidding him goodbye yet he seems to pay no mind, resuming his practice, eyes glistening with determination as every shot he took was. . . Enchanting. . .

Subconsciously, a smile starts forming itself on my face, in awe of his craft. This is coming from a person who has never shown any form of interest in the sport, yet here I am completely wonderstruck.

Basketball has never caught my eye like this—or rather, it was because I was watching someone so full of passion and love towards what they're doing.

"Shit, this is fucking attractive."