Chapter Seven: The One With Anton and Mikey

When Mikey first met Anton, it was in highschool. 

It was at the cafeteria when he caught students whispering all over. 

He and his nerdy friend, Eric, were still freshmen then. Anton was begging Eric to join the football club while Eric was showing his complete annoyance. 

They were in their own world and most probably clueless of the eyes set on them. In Eric's case, he probably noticed since his eyes were clearly observing in his way. 

Even though he managed to get into their school with a full sports scholarship, he was the center of attention. 

Taller than most Asian guys and to some degree, Caucasians, he had a refreshing look that Mikey couldn't comprehend. But he noticed how Anton never removed his goofy grin. 

Based on the onlookers' whispers, especially from the giggling cheerleaders, he could quickly make an assumption that Antonio Emma is going to be the most popular kid in highschool.

"It's rare to see a kid with the aura of a handsome debonair." His twin sister, Melissa, quipped as she had the googly eyes most girls her age had.

"Too bad he isn't like the bad boy of your dreams," Mikey chuckled. 

"Say, do you think you could introduce me to him?" His twin sister asked. "I mean he is in your football team."

Mikey frowned. "Ask him yourself. Besides, we barely even know each other."

After the tryouts, Mikey was surprised to see Antonio Emma's speed.

Despite his tall stature, he ran as fast as lightning who exceeded the highest score of their current running back.

As his teammates came running towards him with cheers and praises. He looked right at his direction and grinned.

Mikey looked surprised as the star player headed towards him.

"Dude, you have skills!" Anton exclaimed as he hugged him.

Yes, the one who was the most admired in this field, marched and tackled him into a bear hug. They might be around the same height but he caught him off guard and almost fell down.

"You should aim for the quarterback!" He complimented him as he patted his shoulder.

"What the fuck, Anton!" A loud voice bellowed and a figure approached them. It seemed like the nerdy guy from the cafeteria. "Haven't you learned what personal space means to you, numbskull?!"

Anton just laughed while his friend glared at him.

"I'm Anton, by the way," he said, stretching his hand for a shake. "Nice to meet you."

Hesitantly, Mikey held his hand. "Michael. But you can call me Mikey."

"Mikey, how fitting," he said, his goofy grin still present.  "Oh and this amazing person next to me is going to be the next Bill Gates, I'm sure of it!"

"Shut up, you turd," his friend yelled, hitting him in the head. Then he looked at him and gave a small smile. "Eric."

And from that moment, Mikey knew that Anton Emma was something.

He would be the key to reaching his goal in football. 

---

"Anton!" A distant voice was heard from behind. Anton didn't stop quickening his pace.

“Please wait!” A hand grabbed his shoulder.

Of course, the quarterback caught him without a hitch. Anton’s rusty, after all.

“I’m sorry that I said that, Anton,” he said, voice quivering from desperation. “You were supposed to have a second chance, Anton. The coach should have thought of sponsoring you to a great doctor but he didn’t. We also should have found ways to help you get back on your feet… but we didn’t…because we—we were fucking jealous of you.”

“Y-you deserve to be mad at us,” he added, softly as he released his hand from his shoulder.

Anton finally turned to look at him. He didn’t know what kind of expression he was showing to Mikey but now that the cat was out of the bag, he had something to say as well. “Mikey, as I said earlier, it was in the past and I moved on, just like that.”

“Y-you’re not mad at me?”

“Of course I am,” he chuckled, dryly. “You first reached out to me to forgive Melissa, the single connection I have with you all, and to go back as nothing happened. And I don’t think I could just face her. Not now. Not even with the team.”

“Anton, I—”

 “Mikey,” Anton said, cutting him off and giving him a forced smile. “I appreciate everything you’ve done to me as my captain but dude, don’t make me feel like I’m being used all this time.”

Besides, he thought to himself. what could he do with a busted leg anyway? 

--

He should have ridden a train. It would only take thirty minutes to get back to Fin’s apartment. But his thinking process wasn’t doing well after that so instead, Anton walked back home without taking a break.

His thoughts were everywhere: his conversation with Mikey, Melissa’s infidelity, and everything about his life going downhill.

It had been a while since he thought about the past. His work kept him distracted, his interactions with Blaire and Eric kept him sane and Fin… despite being a bitch to him, helped him stop thinking about his old life. 

He regretted meeting Mikey in the first place.

Honestly, he was glad Mikey didn’t bring up the topic of his whereabouts. Speaking of that, he was wondering if he was even the least sympathetic with his situation.

No, I don’t want to think about it, he thought. 

He later realized he had already reached Fin’s apartment and checked his phone to see that it was now quarter to midnight.

Perfect, Fin was out there somewhere.

The least he could do was get on her bad side.

He was so pissed right now that he didn’t want to deal with her as well. 

It was a great thing that Fin handed him her spare key although he rarely went out at this hour. 

Once he reached her apartment, he searched for the key in one of his pockets. He found it inside his wallet and was wondering if Fin had walked with Bessie earlier. 

As he opened the door, the room was already pitched black. His hand reached out for the switch while a bit of his consciousness started to lose. He was that tired, huh?

Had he realized the muffled sounds before entering the room, he wouldn’t turn the lights on and went back outside.

The lights were on.

And at the moment, it snapped him back to reality.

Fin was lying on the floor, her hair scattered all over. Her face flushed up till to her neck and her now swollen lips parted. There were inaudible pants between them. 

She was almost naked with just a bra with both straps falling from her shoulders and her dark jeans were almost hanging below her curved hips. She was straddled by a man whom he had never seen before.

Fin turned her head in his direction and her eyes widened. The widest he had ever seen from her.

This was definitely going to be awkward.