Happens years before the main story
F4 is in 4th year high school.

"Qatar's many issues aside - and there are a lot we can talk about I know. But still!  You have to admit, the Morocco team will forever be part of this World Cup's history. As the first national team from an African and  Arab nation to make it that far is a an overwhelming blow against the traditional way Europe and the rest of the football industry even -" Ren stops mid sentence. Suddenly aware that his audience who was just minutes ago extremely into the World Cup were definitely not listening to a single word he's saying.

He sighs. Was he that boring?

He looks at MJ and Thyme who were not so subtly looking past Ren's shoulder, staring unabashed at whatever was behind him.

Naturally, he turns to look.

He sighs again. He should have fucking guessed.

As Kavin Kittiyangkul emerges from a perfect butterfly stroke, the open mouths of his two friends looked like they were about to drip as much water as Kavin's pecs.

This was the real reason they met at the school gym on Thursdays. Ren cannot believe it took him this long to put two and two together.

He rolled his eyes at MJ's eyes widening as Kavin pulls himself upwards, revealing black swim shorts that left almost nothing to the imagination.

He shook his head as Thyme seemingly lost of all of his other senses as he followed the drops of water caressing a path from Kavin's prominent collar bones, through his flat toned abdomen before disappearing between creamy muscular thighs.

Ren wonders how much money they'd make if he could convince Kavin to sell feet and chest pics. Ren had a few film cameras he could put to use. And Kavin didn't need to do anything else but just stand there and rake in 50% of the profits.

They'd make millions from Thyme alone. And maybe a couple hundred thousand more from MJ.

Ren mulls his business plan over until he realizes he and Kavin were millionaires too and didn't really need the extra income.

Instead, he clears his throat loudly.
MJ and Thyme finally turn their heads towards him.

"Are we done staring at Kittiyangkul?"

"Staring?"
"I wasn't staring."
"Was Kavin here?"
"Never saw Kavin."

God he was friends with idiots.

"Can we please go grab those burgers now? We said we're playing FIFA today."

MJ stands up and gets his backpack. Ren does the same but Thyme stays where he is.

"Thyme, come on."

Thyme pulls on the cheetah print coat he liked to wear despite the heat. "Go ahead. I'll wait for Vin."

"He has his own car. He can follow by himself."

"Nah. Swim practice makes his arms tired. I'll drive him. We'll meet at your place right?"

Ren's eyes narrow. "Gorya may appreciate a ride too you know. Your girl lugs a lot of books around."

Thyme's expression changes. As if he just remembered who Gorya was. "What day is it?"

"Thursday."

"Oh she'll be fine. Her father is picking her up after her music class this afternoon. So I can drive for Vin."

Ren sometimes wonders if Thyme was truly this dense. Does the Paramaanantra breakfast come with vitamins a, b, c plus fortified denial?

Before Ren can say anything, Kavin pops his head out from the locker room and flashes a smile he swears was aimed just at Thyme. "Give me ten minutes guys!"

"I'll wait!," Thyme shouts back to the man disappearing behind the gym doors.

Ren smirks. I bet you will.

He and MJ walk away.
One day their two bonehead bros will figure it out.  Let's just hope they all still have black hair and real teeth by the time they do.