Chapitre 17: Fractured Bonds

Olive was led into the bathroom, specifically reserved for members of the rugby team, by Mark. The smell of fresh soap and damp towels enveloped her as she quickly moved to the white sink, its porcelain surface gleaming under the fluorescent lights. She turned on the tap, and the cool water flowed like a gentle caress, soothing her throbbing nose.

"I'm so sorry," Mark apologized, watching Olive as she winced in pain, her eyes filled with concern.

"It's not your fault. It's that dickhead's fault," Olive replied, her voice laced with anger, her gaze fixed on the mirror, where her reflection showed a red, swollen nose.

"Here," a voice said, offering an ice pack to Olive. Looking up, she saw Lucas standing before her, his piercing blue eyes locked on hers, his chiseled features set in a serious expression.

"What the hell are you doing here, and who asked for your help?" Olive yelled, her gaze fixed angrily on Lucas, her voice echoing off the bathroom tiles.

The room fell silent, except for the sound of running water and the soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead.

Lucas swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat, as he stretched out the ice pack to Olive. "I brought the ice pack. You should place it on your nose to relieve the pain," he replied, his deep voice firm but laced with a hint of concern.

Olive's body tensed with anger, her eyes flashing like hot coals. "Who asked for your help, and why are you pretending to care? Isn't this what you wanted to happen?" she yelled, her voice bouncing off the walls, her words hanging in the air like a challenge.

The bathroom seemed to shrink, the tension between Olive and Lucas palpable, like a living thing, as they stood there, locked in a silent standoff. Mark shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting between the two, his face a mask of concern.

"Even if you were the only person left in the world who could help me, I would rather face my struggles alone." Olive continued, her body still tensed with anger as she spoke, her voice filled with frustration.

Finally, she stormed out of the bathroom, her footsteps echoing down the hallway, leaving Lucas speechless, the ice pack still clutched in his hand.

As she and Mark walked away from the bathroom, the sound of their footsteps echoed through the deserted hallway, the only noise breaking the silence.

______

The school building felt empty, with most students already in their classrooms attending lectures, leaving the hallway deserted.

"Sit here for a moment, I'll go get you an ice pack," Mark said with a concerned expression, his voice soft and gentle. Olive nodded and sat down on a chair near the school entrance, her eyes fixed on the floor, her body still tensed with anger.

Mark soon returned with the ice pack and handed it to Olive, sitting down next to her with a worried look on his face.

"Thanks, Mark," Olive said, her voice barely above a whisper, as she placed the ice pack on her nose, wincing in pain.

The hallway was quiet, except for the sound of the ice pack crunching as Olive moved it around her nose, her eyes fixed on the floor, her thoughts a jumble of anger and frustration. Mark sat beside her, his eyes fixed on her, his face a mask of concern, the silence between them thick with unspoken words.

"Joining the rugby game was a bad idea after all," Mark joked, bursting into laughter and keeping his gaze on Olive. "I'm relieved the accident wasn't more serious," he added with a concerned look.

Olive chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement, despite her throbbing nose. "It was definitely a regrettable decision. I ended up with a broken nose on the first day," she joked back, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.

"Lucas did it on purpose; that's why he wanted me on the team, to hurt me. I was foolish to trust him," Olive said, her eyes narrowing, her voice dripping with anger.

Mark's expression turned serious, his eyes locked on Olive's. "Don't worry about Lucas. He's always been like that since we were kids." He reassured her with a smile.

"Why are you so different from Lucas and Aiden? They're both spoiled and rude, but you're the opposite. It's puzzling how the three of you are friends," Olive asked, her eyebrows raised in curiosity.

Mark's eyes clouded, his gaze drifting away from Olive's. "I used to be just as spoiled and rude as them. We've been friends since childhood, and our parents are business partners, which strengthened our bond. But after my parents died in a plane crash, I was shattered. I wanted to give up on everything," Mark began saying, his voice cracking with emotion.

Olive's expression softened, her eyes filling with sympathy. "I'm so sorry for your loss. That must have been incredibly difficult for you," she said, her voice gentle.

Mark nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. "Lucas and Aiden were there for me when I needed them most, and I believe my parents would want me to find happiness even after their passing. I just want a peaceful life now, so I have no interest in causing harm to others. I have more important things to focus on," Mark said, managing a smile.

The hallway was quiet, except for the sound of their voices, the only noise breaking the silence. Olive placed a hand on Mark's shoulder, her touch warm and comforting.

"You're right. Let's move on from talking about my family though," Mark said, clearing his throat and shifting his expression from sadness to curiosity.

"It's interesting to see Lucas show care for someone, like with the ice pack," Mark said, his eyes locked on Olive's.

Olive snorted, her expression skeptical. "He's crazy. Besides, I'm pretty sure I'm not the first person he's offered an ice pack to," she replied with a smirk.

"He's never cared for anyone apart from me, Aiden, himself, and his family members. But seeing him today offering you an ice pack, he seems like a different person," Mark said with a heavy sigh. "You're kind of changing him."

Olive raised an eyebrow, her expression incredulous. "You're not sick, so why are you spouting nonsense?" she said, her voice laced with amusement.

Mark chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "I'm serious, Olive.

"Lucas is unchangeable, and even if he is, a person like me can never be the cause of his change, or let me just say I doubt if he'll ever change his despicable ways. He can never," Olive said, her voice firm, her eyes flashing with conviction.

Mark's expression turned serious, his eyes locked on Olive's. "We can never say, but I hope what I'm saying is true. If the mighty Lucas can change his ways, then there would be peace in the school as there would no longer be bullying," Mark said, his voice filled with longing.

Olive snorted, her expression skeptical. "We're only working together because of the competition. We can't even be friends," she said, her voice firm.

Mark nodded, his eyes understanding. "I know, but a guy can dream, right?" he said, his voice laced with humor.

"I'm just free from bullying because the other students always sees me and Lucas together. I'm sure I'll be bullied once again once the competition is over and I and Lucas go on our separate ways," Olive said as he heaved a heavy sigh.

"Since the bullying has stopped while you and Lucas are together, even if you both later go your separate ways, you won't be bullied any longer as long as you don't receive a second red card. The first bullying had stopped since you and Lucas are seen together by the students, which they interpreted as you being forgiven by Lucas," Mark explained, his voice dripping with seriousness.

"Huh? So as long as I don't get a second red card, then there's no more bullying. I just have to find ways for Lucas and me not to cross paths after the competition to avoid offending him and receiving a red card," Olive said, heaving a heavy sigh.

"Exactly! Besides, how were you able to get Lucas to work with you? You haven't told me," Mark said, his eyebrows raised in curiosity at Olive.

"It's a secret that I'm not willing to share," Olive replied with seriousness in her tone, prompting Mark to give out a dissatisfied groan and rest his head on her shoulder.

______

Meanwhile, Lucas couldn't stop thinking about Olive's words. They kept replaying in his mind like sharp swords piercing his heart. "Why would he say he hates my hair color and tattoos?" Lucas exclaimed in frustration, then quickly calmed himself down, his expression turning somber.

"But I did hurt him. Why did I have to hit him in the nose with the ball?" he muttered, burying his head in his hands. "He brought it on himself. He was threatening me all day. Why should I take the blame?" Lucas said, suddenly lifting his head with a mix of frustration and anger.

"Should I apologize? I don't like apologizing, and why should I apologize to that scholarship student? He wouldn't even be here if I hadn't chosen him as the winner," Lucas thought, his mind racing with conflicting emotions.

Aiden soon approached him, breaking the silence. "Lucas, what's the matter? You've been talking to yourself for more than five minutes, man. When did you start talking to yourself?" Aiden asked, his voice laced with concern.

Lucas looked at him, confusion etched on his face. "Talking to myself? When did that happen?" he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I've been observing you for more than five minutes, man. You've been having a conversation with yourself. Aiden said, letting out a sigh. What's going on?

"It's nothing, really. Just trying to work through some things on my own." Lucas replied, forcing a smile.

"Alright." Aiden responded, but then groaned loudly. "Where is Mark? He's been spending too much time with that scholarship student."

"I'll go check on him." Lucas said, getting up from his seat."I'll locate him and bring him back here to continue the game." He added before heading off.

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