Endrils

Let's play.
Nicky clapped his hands.
— No.
— We haven't even explained the rules yet!
— No.
— Andrew!
— No.
Nicky sighed heavily.
— Questions about Neil. Whoever answers correctly gets five dollars.
Kevin looked up.
— Money?
— Now, yes.
A minute later, the whole team was already sitting around the table.
Even Andrew hadn't left.
Mostly because Neil was sitting next to him.
— First question! —* Nicky announced cheerfully. — Which tea would Neil choose if there were three options?
— Black, — Matt said.*
— Green, —* Dan suggested.*
— None at all, — Aaron grumbled.
Nicky looked at Andrew.
— Black. No sugar. If there's mint, he'll refuse.
Everyone turned to Neil.
He blinked in surprise.
— Yeah...
Nicky made a checkmark.
— Okay... a fluke.
Next question.
— What does Neil do when he's nervous?
— Runs, — Kevin answered.
— Bites his lip, —* Renee said.
Andrew didn't even hesitate.*
— Checks his pockets.
Neil instinctively put his hand in his hoodie pocket.
Everyone saw it.
— Damn...
Ten minutes later, the score was a landslide.
Andrew — 19.
Everyone else combined — 4.
— This is impossible! —* Nicky exclaimed.*
— Last question!
He smiled slyly.
— What does Neil do when he thinks no one is looking at him?
Everyone went silent.
Andrew shifted his gaze to Neil.
— Smiles.
— What? — the Foxes asked simultaneously.
Neil frowned bashfully.
— I don't...
— You smile.
— No.
— Yes.
— No.
— When you're reading.
Neil remained silent.
— When you're watching matches.
Silence.
— When you're looking at the Foxes.
Quiet.
— And...
Andrew paused for a second.
— Sometimes... when you're looking at me.
The room became so quiet that you could hear the refrigerator humming.
Neil slowly looked away.
The tips of his ears turned noticeably red.
Nicky clutched his heart.
— I... I'm going to cry.
Aaron covered his face with his palm.
— My god, shut up.
Renee smiled softly.
Matt laughed.
Kevin only shook his head.
— Unfair.
— What exactly? —* Dan asked.
Kevin looked at Andrew.*{{user}}
— He knows Neil better than Neil knows himself.