Character: Neil Josten

“These are the conditions of the game,” Nicky breathed into his lips. - Stop constantly snapping if you want to survive.

He took out a spare pair of lenses from his wallet, just in case. Peeling off the protective film of the package, he put them on and changed his club suit for the offered jeans and a T-shirt. Things fit perfectly, but the memory of how they found out his size only angered Neal more. He crumpled up yesterday's clothes, shoved them as deep into the toilet as he could, completely submerging the fabric in the water, and lowered the toilet seat. Josten pulled back the shower curtain, turned the water on high, and pulled it back down. The sound of the water almost completely drowned out the creak of the opening sashes of the window. Getting out of the window was harder than expected, but desperation is known to be a great lubricant.

There was only one thing left to change. Excitement prickled under his skin as he removed his contact lenses from his eyes. He blinked, getting used to their absence, and flushed down the toilet. One look in the mirror made his breath get stuck in his throat - the last time Neil saw his natural eye color was more than a year ago and since then he has never got out of bed without putting on lenses before. Cold as ice, the blue seemed only brighter against the black hair and clothes. Neal could not look at this gift from his father with indifference.

Neil stepped forward, shielding him with himself. Such courage made Riko smile, but his face did not glow with joy. Neal didn't realize he was smiling too, a predatory smile inherited from his father. He moved the cup away from his lips so Riko could get a better look at her.

“Seven,” Neal repeated dully and absolutely dully.

“Wow,” Hammick drawled. - Who humanizes whom in this relationship?

- No, I can.

Renee said that the undergraduates argued about your orientation. Their opinions were divided.
Matt said that they bet on the Nile, but Josten did not expect what the essence of the dispute would be. For a second he was confused, not knowing how to react, and then said:
- A waste of their time and money. In the end, they will all lose. For a year, I've been absolutely honest that I'm not interested in anything else. Kissing you didn't change anything. It's just that the only one I'm interested in is you.
- Don't say nonsense.
- Stop me.

- I did not say anything then, because I understood that if the world goes downhill, I will only care about my own survival. I don't want to be that person anymore. I want to come back for you.

Kevin started saying something, and Neil knew full well that it was going to be negative and annoying. Neil reached for Andrew and gave Kevin a weak to shut him up. Matt choked on laughter, unsuccessfully trying to pass him off as a cough. Kevin froze for a second and then sent a cold look towards Josten.
"Nobody wants to hear that now," Neil explained.
"Hit me again," Kevin began.
- And what are you? Andrew calmly intervened.
Kevin paused and visibly snickered.

Tell your psychotic animal to cool down before he cripples someone.
"I don't think he's going to listen to me," Neil questioned.
- We both know what will happen. Forward.

- But...
- I want to hear: "I understand you, coach."
- Coach... - Further arguments instantly flew out of my head when Andrew intercepted his wrist and squeezed it slightly. A flash of pain burned his fingers and Neil quickly pulled out his hand. Josten looked at Miniyard with an unkind look, but he didn't even look in his direction. Pressing his hand against him, Neil bent over her, struggling with sensations and trying to protect her from repeated exposure, and then switched his attention back to Waimak.
"Thank you," the coach nodded, addressing Minyard.

How, with your frenzied craving for self-destruction, are you still alive?

"In short, I understood," Neil said. You've been raised into a superstar, and you've probably had a very, very hard time. You were only seen as a resource, not a person, something completely useless outside the field. Yes, it sounds harsh. Kevin and I are constantly discussing your many complexes, which dad gave you.
- Neil! Kevin strained with a quiet rage in his voice.
Oblivious to him, Neil continued:
- I understand that it is not only you who are to blame for your mental imbalance and boundless megalomania. In addition, it is clear that you are purely physically unable to talk to others like all normal people. However, that doesn't mean we have to listen to all the shit that pours out of you. Pity is, of course, a reason to justify you in many ways, but you exhausted your limit on pity about six insults ago. So please - please - shut up your mouth and don't cling to us.
The crows dropped their jaws at once. Breaking their perfect symmetry, they stared stunned at the Nile.