Just a Bit Unhealthy

Tristan Dewar was thrilled.

The time is almost up.Thousands of spectators packed the stadium and started cheering, and he couldn't keep his cool.This is not a friendly match, it is the first regular match of the season.This is the English Premier League, the best football league in the world, and he's going to play on the left wing, instead of Gabriel.finally.

Tristan glanced at his foster brother as they walked toward the tunnel.It was too hard to pretend not to laugh at Gabriel's embarrassment.He wanted to laugh at him, to add insult to injury, but of course he couldn't: there were cameras everywhere, and it was important to maintain one's image.He's the cherub and Gabriel is the villain -- at least that's what the public thinks.Little angels don't gloat.

Some might find him cruel, but Tristan didn't care.Anyway, from his point of view, Gabriel has become like this is self-inflicted.He always looked down on that kid.From the moment his adoptive parents brought Gabriel into their home, Tristan hated him every moment.He didn't say he wanted a younger brother, nor did he want a younger brother.But of course no one cared what he thought.The Dewars liked this strange-looking thin boy so much that they didn't even ask their elder son for advice.That's what Tristan's position was before: number one.Adoptive parents are also his first priority, and he doesn't want to share toys with this skinny little bean who doesn't speak English or French.He didn't like Gabriel at first sight, and neither did the other, and as a result, the mutual hatred continued for a long time.It's been almost 15 years, and their adoptive parents are long dead, but their dislike for each other has grown with each passing year.Because now they're competing for something bigger than toys.Tristan's desire to use Gabe as a mop had never been stronger.

That's why he can't help but feel a little disappointed right now, he thought it would be hard to steal Gabriel's favorite spot on the field, but everything miraculously worked out.too easy.He thought Gabriel was a challenge, but the brat gave up with little resistance.Gabriel's weird temper tantrums these past few months made it easy for him to win.Gabriel's performance made both the media and the coach feel that he can play Gabriel's position.It was really effortless.

"I hope you're not mad at me, Jay," Tristan said, still taking the opportunity to poke someone where it hurts.

Gabriel didn't say anything, so Tristan gave him another look.The idiot looked like a mess, his face was paler than usual, with dark circles under his eyes, and he looked older by several years.There was something unsettling in those piercingly green eyes...

"Hey, are you okay?" Tristan asked, raising his hand and giving him a push.

Gabriel didn't answer.

"Xiao Jia?"

"I'm great," Gabriel said without looking at him. "Never been better."

"But you look—"

"Stop being hypocritical," Gabriel said flatly. "I'm not in the mood to hear you fart."

It also made him very unhappy.Tristan has taken his favorite seat, and Gabriel, far from being offended, doesn't seem to care much.As bad as Gabriel had been for weeks, Tristan knew he wasn't the reason for it.

"Time to go, lads," the coach said, and they walked out of the tunnel and onto the field.

Jared Sheldon was arguably the most handsome man he'd ever seen: dark hair, dark blue eyes, a square jaw here and there here and there with stubble.But a pretty face wasn't enough, the man was tall, with nice broad shoulders and strong arms.He found it unimaginable that such a handsome guy was still single.There are rumors that he is gay, but this is probably not true.Tristan had teased him once, partly to annoy Gabriel, who always thought of Dr. Sheldon as his own, and partly because Jared was smolderingly handsome, but he didn't.what a shame.And it's a pity that this good man is about to resign.Physiotherapy is bound to get pretty boring going forward.

The whistle finally blew, announcing the start of the game.Tristan puts Dr. Sheldon out of his mind and puts all his heart into the game.

The opening 10 minutes were fine, with Tristan doing a great job: most of the attacking was done by him, and he would have scored at least two goals if he hadn't been unlucky.

However, Gabriel suddenly pushed him aside and intercepted the pass from his teammate.

"Damn it?" Tristan yelled. "You played on the right wing tonight, okay?"

Gabriel shot him a nasty look. "Go away, this place is mine. Mine!"

Tristan pointed at Gabriel towards the coach. "Take care of him!"

The coach frowned and started calling Gabriel back to the right wing.Gabriel ignored him and ran towards the defender, entered the penalty area, disrupted the pace of the players, and the scene was chaotic.He dribbled the ball around the goalkeeper and kicked it diagonally over the goal.

The audience erupted, but Gabriel didn't cheer.No one cheered either: Gabriel had managed to piss off all his teammates over the past few months.The coach is still yelling at him to go back to the right wing, and now even the fans in the stands are figuring out what's going on.

Tristan raised his hand in disapproval, trying not to laugh when the fans called his name.Of course they were on his side, he was the victim.

Then, there were boos.The crowd booed and booed every time Gabriel caught the ball, but Gabriel ignored it and ran recklessly toward the opposing defender again.

A wave of admiration rose reluctantly in Tristan's heart. Gabriel really didn't care what people thought of him, and the booing would be very disturbing, but Gabriel didn't seem to be affected at all.He didn't seem to feel anything, and there was no expression on his pale face.

Gabriel moved on, took out two opponents, and before they had time to react, he knocked down another player, managed a shot, and scored again on his own.The knocked-down defender rushed up to confront him, yelling and yelling, and Gabriel roughly pushed him away.The referee came running and gave Gabriel a red card.

Tristan looked dazed, watching Gabriel walk away, leaving the court and walking into the booing crowd.What's wrong with this idiot?Gabriel is insane.He will definitely be scolded to death by the media, coaches and fans.

Although a little depressed, Tristan decided to concentrate on the game.Thanks to that fool, they now have one less man to be sent to defend.He hates defense, stupid Gabriel.

***

Gabriel was sitting on a bench with his knees folded when Jared found him in the locker room.The room was quiet, except that the football game outside was still going on, and some noise could be heard.

Gabriel's shoulders tightened as soon as he entered, but he didn't look up, just stared blankly at his shoes.He's still wearing a blue jersey.

"Go away," Gabriel said with his head down. "You can still be used on the court. What if a certain golden boy accidentally kicks and breaks his nails when you are not around?"

Jared didn't speak, but looked at Gabriel cautiously.It has been two weeks since the last conversation, and Gabriel has remained silent, a little nervous, always avoiding him, unwilling to talk.Gabriel is not the type to be quiet, so as long as he keeps silent, nothing good will happen.Jared knew he was going to be emotionally overwhelmed, but he didn't expect him to explode in full view.

"Oh, yes," Gabriel added, still looking at the shoes. "Today is your last day at work, so it's normal that you don't care."

"It's pretty stupid," Jared said. "What are you trying to prove? You've been smeared enough by the media, why add fuel to the fire? The media will definitely make a fuss about what happened today. The coach is very angry-you openly challenged his authority. And you know the fans love Tristan—they'll boo you every time you play. What the hell are you doing?"

Gabriel looked up at him, with no color on his face except his eyes. "You told me to let me be independent." He pulled the corner of his mouth, trying to smile. "I'm on my own right now. I think I'm doing pretty well, don't you think? I scored two goals."

Jared stared at him. "Don't do that to yourself."

"Why? Why do you care about me?"

Jared moved closer to him and pulled him up. "You want to make me feel guilty, don't you?"

Gabriel shrugged, looked the other way, jaw set.

Gerald smiled and shook his head. "Are you kidding? What else can I do? Do I want to stay with you all the time, watch you build a family, and then die alone?"

"You said you loved me," Gabriel said in a low voice, still looking away. "If you really love me, you won't leave me."

Jared took a sharp breath. "Don't use this sentence to deal with me. You can't do this. Don't you know how uncomfortable it is? Love without reciprocation is really not fun."

Gabriel suddenly looked at him. "Unrequited love?" He laughed. "What are you talking about? What isn't reciprocated?" He shrugged and shook Jared's hand away. "You don't leave because your love 'doesn't reciprocate,' you leave because—because you think sex is more important than love."

"It's different," Jared said. "Your love for me isn't like that—"

"What's this like?" cried Gabriel, blushing and breathing hard, "What's it like? But never mind, whatever—go on. I don't care, you're just like everybody else."

Damn.

Jared tried to touch his shoulder, but Gabriel bounced away, glaring at him angrily. "Don't touch me, I tell you to leave. Goodbye! Get out!"

"Xiaojia—"

"Don't call me Ga," Gabriel said darkly. "You know what?" he said, looking Jared in the eyes. "I hate you."

This sentence was like a fist hitting his stomach.

"I wish I had never met you," Gabriel said sternly, and left the room leisurely.

Jared froze in place, staring at the locker, eyes blank, ears filled with what Gabriel had just said.Worst of all, he knew Gabriel was telling the truth—at least in part.

I wish I never met you.

There were cheers from the audience outside.