39. he played

'I am telling you, you're really good.' James said as they walked towards the exit, passing the lawn. 'I didn't see much though, but I did see one live one last week.'

Rae smiled, their hands full by all the gifts she had bought for Imane. James had purchased one, and the other ten so bags were all Rae's.

'But it's kinda difficult to switch.' James said, while they made their way out. 'Between the streams.'

'Switch?' She asked, walking besides him.

'Yes. I mean, I watch T's stream, and then I suppose everytime he's streaming, you're streaming too.' He said, glancing at her. 'And most of the times you both play together. So, I had to switch once.'

Rae chuckled watching and understanding his dilemma. 'Yea, Sykkuno and I play almost every day. Every day since forever now.' She said, watching James's expression soften. The mention of his twin always did leave a visible hurt on his face. 'But, since it's your twin, I think I can let one viewer go. Sykkuno is amazing.'

James smiled, shaking his head. 'T is therapeutic.' He spoke, his lighter tone, the soft chuckles making Rae focus only on him. 'He speaks and the entire stressful day I have just feels secondary, you know.' He said, Rae waited for him to continue. 'And yours is... um... I don't know how to say...'

'No no. I'm waiting.' She tilted her head, folding her hands across her chest. 'Say?'

'Yours is...' James chuckled, running his hand through his hair, making it a bit messy. 'Energetic. Like, I would be drained but still manage to have fun. Like I am not tired at all.'

Rae still looked at him, pointedly, 'And it's a good thing or...'

'No no. Definitely a good thing.' He responded immediately.

They shared a smile and while Rae looked at James, she saw the pool table from behind him at the corner of the lawn. 'You have time?' She asked, and James glanced at his watch.

'Um.. yea... I guess? Why?'

The glint of mischief shone in her brown eyes, 'Because I want a rematch.'  James looked at her direction and saw the pool tables from across, 'I haven't gotten over my defeat from the other day.'

This was to the first time they ever played pool at Imane's engagement party. James couldn't even say anything because the short girl stomped across the lawn and he followed.

She may be shorter in height, but way more stubborn than anyone.

_

It waa deja vu for the both of them. Their bags were safely kept in a locker, while they stood across each other on the pool table, the cue sticks in their hands. While James wasn't sure how, Rae was confident she would win.

When clearly they both knew he would.

The tables had turned though. Because she insisted to play this time, wanting to know James better, wanting to place a finger on their connection.

The only difference between the last time and this was the synergy between them. Now it was more vibrant, playful and cheery than the last time. There was also a visible sort of connection they both felt but chose to ignore.

'You sure, Rachel?' James asked, still unsure. 'You wanna do this?'

'Duh.' She shrugged, holding the cue stick all wrong. 'I've been practicing.'

James sighed, eyeing her playfully. 'Online pool doesn't count.' He smirked at her shocked expressions.

'Wait. How did you know?' She asked, confused.

'Just.'

'You know what. I will win.' She pointed her finger at him, almost poking her eye with the pointed stick. 'And will wipe that smirk off your face, you'll see.'

To that James raised his hands midway in fake surrender, watching her try to shoot the balls. He had the soft smile on his face, as he watched her try and fail.

Miserably.

After two minutes, he sat down on the wooden table nearby and Rae bit her cheeks in fury. She didn't wanna accept defeat because James's smirk would only widen but she really didn't know how to break it.

Online games were so simple compared to these real life things.

'Don't look at me like that!' She said, without looking at him, still focusing how to aim.

'Like what?' He asked, his head on his hands which held the stick.

'You know what.' Rae gave up, sighing loudly. 'I give up. You win. I don't even know how to hold this stupid thing. I don't even know what it's called.'

'A cue stick.'

'And then these colorful balls...'

'Billard balls.'

'To be put in these stupid holes...'

'Pockets.'

'And to break this stupid triangle formation.'

'Wow. You got that right.'

They met each other's eyes from across the table, Rae furious on him being the one having an upper hand while James just smiling at the upset girl.

'You're so smug, I swear.'

'Says the girl who wanted to have a rematch without knowing anything.' He shrugged and Rae couldn't help but smile at him.

'I cannot believe you said that.'

'Truth.'

'Okay. Fine.' She now kept the cue stick on the table. 'I don't know, okay. I just hate losing.'

James stood up, his smirk fading into a soft smile. 'You can always ask, you know.' He tilted his head, looking at the now confused girl. 'If you wanna learn?'

That did sound simple. Yea. She could ask because she didn't know.

'You'll teach me?' She asked pouting, narrowing her gaze at him. 'And not make fun of me?'

James chuckled, 'Yes. I will.' He nodded, 'And not make fun of you.' He swore, raising his right hand as a pledge.

And the lesson started. James gave her a basic overview of the game, the equipments, the rules and the a little of everything. Rae watched him intently as he walked towards her side, helping her understand the stance well.

'And you hit this cue ball in a way it comes back. And don't pocket this.' He hit the triangle formation, breaking the balls. 'And pocket the other balls,' He pushed the cue stick swiftly, 'Like this.'

Rae nodded, and James told her to try as she took her stance, still finding it difficult to push the cue stick.

'I can't.'

'Wait, hold it between your forefinger.' James inadvertently held her hand, helping her hold the stick and inched closer to her as he helped her stance well.

The more closer his body was inching towards her, the warmer her cheeks were getting. James stood behind her, helping her hold and pose well, completely oblivious on how close they were and how Rae's stomach was doing backflips. His hand firmly holding hers, his warmth enveloping hers in captivity. Although her cheeks were heating, her feet were frozen.

At this point she wasn't even listening to what he was rambling about, only hearing her accelerating heartbeats as his body almost hugged her in a bear hug.

'And then, you push this slowly.' He said, his voice so close to her ears that a shiver ran in her back, as he kept holding onto her.

His face so closer, his cheeks almost touching hers and she gulped, not understanding what her body was reacting to. She gulped again when he grazed her arm, her eyes now towards him and not on the table at all.

'Wow. That's a good shot.' James said softly as he pushed the stick.

She knew he did it because she wasn't in any control of herself.

Her breathing rising rapidly, her heartbeats betraying her and her sense of smell only registering his cologne. He smelled like fresh woods to her and a warm fire igniting in her heart.

One more second of him being this close and she'd lose her mind.

The tables had definitely turned.

_

A/N

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Video: Rae makes Sadkunno Sad :(

Also, sorry for teasing you'll so much. Like so much. Like so so much. Like...

You'll get this gist :p

But, that's the best part about slow burn. It's angst in it's own self. Without me trying :')