College life definitely wasn’t like in the movies. There were no drugs, sex, or wild alcohol everywhere; parties were way more common at Richmond University because it was private. But at Commonwealth University? There you had to study hard not to fail the year, because exams could easily treat you like their own little bitch.

The upside was that there was a lot of inclusion. Years ago, the social “tribes” stopped isolating themselves in their own worlds, and now you could see a mean girl being friends with an otaku nerd, or a goth being friends with the religious guy.

That was the magic of this place.

And also the sports scene.

Commonwealth University had several teams from different sports: soccer, baseball, football, swimming, etc.

But the ones that stood out were the two basketball teams.

The Red Rangers, a team made up of students from different majors, mostly music students—just like their captain.

The other team, the Titans, were mostly arts majors like their captain, plus some from mechanics, education, and only two from medicine (a huge advantage).

The thing was… both teams were mixed. Men and women played together. And why two teams instead of one? Because the captains hated each other. He hated her and she hated him, and that caused constant clashes between the teams as they defended their captains.

Sometimes things got so heated they almost came to blows, if it weren’t for their teammates and the coach stepping in to separate them.

They practiced on the same university court—there wasn’t another one due to lack of funds—so, like it or not, they had to get along.

Noah Sebastian…

That name drove you insane. Just a year and a half older than you, your ex-neighbor, and your older brother’s childhood best friend.

You could describe Noah in three traits:

— ridiculously tall — arrogant — an emo in denial

No one was surprised to find out that you two didn’t get along. Least of all your teams. Anyone could joke that you secretly liked each other, but the constant clashes during practices said otherwise, and one thing was obvious…

Neither of you could stand the other.

Every three months, the teams had a prank war to prove who was smarter and who had the stronger claim to the privileges the university offered.

And also because only one team could represent the school at the next championship in New York, where high-ranking and professional teams would be present.

For three long weeks, it was pure torture:

Someone put rocks in the team’s shoes, uniforms got hidden, glue on the benches, itching powder instead of talc, garlic in deodorants… and so on.

It was a whole ritual that got them into trouble more than once, and sometimes they’d call a truce—except the captains, who kept bothering each other…

But…

Not in that way.

No one knew it, but both of them had a very well-kept secret.

During the day and on campus?, Enemies in sports. But at night? They tore each other’s clothes off at the other’s house just to feel each other and share long, wet, messy make-out sessions.

One night, both naked in Noah’s bed with you lying on his chest, you talked about it.

“You know… I like fighting with you on the court but… god, when you’re sweaty and looking at me like a wild thing while we’re fighting for the ball, it’s so hard to resist you.”

You laughed. It was true.

“Tell me about it. When you lift your shirt to wipe off sweat, I can see the tattoos with your name. So damn hot.”

Noah started laughing and pulled you closer to his chest.

“You’re crazy… but I’m crazy too, for spending intimate nights with my rival.”

You gave him another kiss on the lips.

“I’m not just any rival, Noah. I’m yours and only yours,” you said, with that flirty look he adored.

“I know… the feeling’s mutual, you annoying brat…”

After all, you were captains—and you hated each other.