36

And as soon as I stepped down the bleachers, Edward already closed in the distance between him and his senior. He was ready to spurt a variety of colorful languages against him, but instead, he allowed his death glare equivalent to a thousand knives to speak for itself. His nostrils flared and his fists shook, the temptation of beating his senior into a pulp eating him away.

Meanwhile, my sole attention was on the blood trickling out of the gashes in his elbows and knees. As much as I wanted to run to him, pull him aside and treat those wounds, I quickly stopped where I was when Edward shattered through the tense atmosphere.

"How about I tape you down while I shove your dick down your throat, huh?!" he spat right into his senior's face.

"Before you try doing that, brush your teeth. I can smell your breath. Disgusting," scoffed the senior with such a real tough demeanor, because he took a few steps back whilst pinching his nose. Honestly with fright brazenly flashing in his eyes, why the hell would he even try to provoke Edward even more? What was running through his head?

"Sounds like a good idea," he sneered. "Let me pluck your teeth one by one, then we have a deal."

However, before he could budge an inch or even lunge at him, Seb swooped in and placed himself right in the middle, before his hands latched on Edward's shoulders, making him flinch. Without further ado he pushed him away from the senior, who was also dragged off by the other teammates. Beforehand, Seb passed the senior a dirty look before turning to his best friend.

And that was when I gained the gall to enter the scene despite Aly's calls for me. I strode towards both of the boys, where Edward kissed his teeth with condemnation.

"Move, Seb." He growled. "I need to teach that fucker a lesson."

"Ed, Ed, just... relax. You're not thinking straight. Calm. Down. Alright? Let me treat your wounds," Seb emphasized, drilling those more-than-true words straight into him. Edward fleetingly glanced at me—acknowledging my sudden presence—and I quickly nodded, agreeing with his best friend. Fortunately his muscles ultimately loosened, but his guarded posture and his burning blue eye remained.

Seb's chest shrank as I heard the deepest sigh coming from him, before he started dabbing Edward's trickling blood off with the wet cotton from the first aid box a teammate had brought up. He then jerked and his forehead wrinkled when Seb applied petroleum jelly, then wrapped his wounds with the bandages. I volunteered holding the box, which he silently thanked me for with a weak smile.

Wow, he takes care of Edward so well...

It looked like everything was fine now, but this jerk had to put on a stupid smirk, which had Edward stiffening up more. Does he know he's looking real dumb right now?

"Aww, Mr. Fancy Boy decides to be the dotting daddy to some kid with temper issues," the senior drawled and I, no kidding, literally gagged at how he dragged on that one word. My skin was crawling like crazy. "Or should I say granddaddy, hmm?"

"You're so obsessed with my hair. Is it really a bother that my gorgeous, silver hair is more natural than your fake ass?" A rather wide smile spread across his lips as he said that, but his typically warm eyes glinted dangerously. However, such a remark successfully plucked against the senior's nerves as his smirk shriveled up.

"You both are truly emo freaks." The senior barked back, and immediately chills shot down my back as soon as I detected the heat from the flames devouring Edward. He was about to charge back at him, but out of instinct, I found myself blocking his path.

Please, don't. It's not worth it, Edward. I really, really wanted to speak this out, but why was nothing coming out? Now he was just staring at me and I was here looking like some clueless girl, but he chose not to say anything.

"Been called that so many times I lost count. Next," Seb retorted.

"Your friend right there, he has a massive case of temper tantrums. Acting like when a child doesn't get his way. What now? Are you going to give me a black eye like a few months ago?" He instigated further instead of using his brain to back out, dribbling the basketball he had picked up. Well... not that he was wrong—upon a closer inspection, faint, purplish hues surrounded his left eye, cementing his history with Edward.

Now that I think of it, Lynn did mention this issue too. Realization dawned upon me. So this is the senior she's talking about.

"Our opinion will still NOT change," he scoffed. "You're extremely useless in both defense and the front-line, you can't even shoot properly. And you caused us so much hassle by hitting Jason with your non-existent aim."

Jason—the guy from the last gym class—groaned in the distance. "Come on bro, he already apologized for that—"

"Sebastian, your points are practically almost zero." The senior completely neglected Jason's protests. "You're all costing most of our losses. I don't even know why the previous graduates recommended—"

"SHUT UP!!! SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!"

And the last remnants of Edward's cool had completely flowed down the drain. Without warning, he lunged straight with full force, bumping straight into my body and making me stumble, almost falling if not for Aly holding me behind.

He was practically unstoppable now—not even Seb's shouts for him stopped him from snatching the collar of the senior's shirt and yanking him closer. His fist was up in the air, ready to be delivered straight into his face. Everything happened in mere seconds and I was already squeezing my eyes shut.

No... this is not how it is supposed to be! Do something, Rena! Do something!!! But I did not, because I froze in my position, as though someone had glued my shoes on. All of my thoughts and plans had crumbled apart, and the only thing I was useful for was to let out a small shriek, anticipating a loud, bone-breaking thud followed by a yelp.

Then, there was nothing.

It was all complete silence—so awfully silent, one could probably listen to a feather landing onto the floor.

My mental clock was ticking loudly, yet there were no noises of an upcoming turmoil. I still had not dared to open my eyes at all, but the fact no abrupt events were occurring... had me slowly peeking out.

Edward had his balled hand midair, but it had not been thrusted in any way—it was at a standstill. His other hand grasped tightly on a handful of the senior's shirt, while his heavy panting filled the scene. Seb was also nearly between them, probably in an attempt to get in their way to mitigate the alleged blow.

Right now, it was as though someone paused the movie with their remote control.

Wha... What's going on?

Seconds crawled by for what felt like an hour, and Edward eventually lowered down his hand. He released his iron clutch off the senior and shoved him away. He turned over his shoulder, his widening eye immediately locked with mine.

What... Why is he staring at me like that? Then, countless reactions racked up my body at once: my ribs clenched against my heart, my toes pressed against my shoes, my palms moistened with sweat, my mind collapsing altogether, and my stomach flipping the hell out. Did he expect me to do something while I'm just a bystander? Did he want me to say something?

Before those questions were even answered, Edward lowered his head, his long bangs covering half of his face. Quietly he strode towards his bag and slung it over his shoulder, giving the senior one last glare. All heads followed after him, their gazes penetrated through his back as he headed towards the exit.

"I'm officially resigning from this team."

Edward announced to the whole group in such a nonchalant manner, before he disappeared behind the doors. There was absolutely no hesitation in his voice; as though he had contemplated it and made the final decision without further discussion.

Seb, without the need to question his friend's choice, also grabbed his gym bag. Brushing his hair, he strolled towards the doors. "If this is going to be the current state in your team," he breathed, looking hard at the senior. "Then I, too, also quit. We're useless after all, so it's not like you need us."

At this point, I could have followed the boys and questioned their sudden, impactful resolutions, but when this team was clearly fragmented, there was no need for an explanation. The freshmen were already arguing with the seniors, as their cacophonous mumbles filled in the void left after all of that chaotic mess.

However, that was not my priority. I was still submerged in the mystery of why Edward was staring at me with round eye... as though he was trying to get me to do something. What was he thinking at that time? What was his intention?

***

There were fifteen minutes left for lunch break, and there was still no sign of Edward and Seb around. Perhaps Lynn might know where her friends had gone, but she was also practicing with the girls' team in another vicinity, so that was out of my list.

While Naomi and Sam had left to have some brief meetings in their respective groups, Aly and Mark followed close behind as we searched for the boys. If I manage to find Edward, then starting a small conversation or so should be good enough to get all of his thoughts sorted out. I feel... so bad for him.

Basketball had been one of his top commitments—he had been devoted to the sport for years, not even the accident broke that passion. Back then, there was not a single week where I did not see him playing basketball with his friends—in fact, he wanted to teach me how. And then... he chose to let it go just like that, all because of countless conflicts.

"Lynn's totally right. His temper issues are nastier than ever. Man's a walking time bomb, he could literally flatten someone's skull if he wants to," murmured Aly as she crossed her arms, her green eyes hardening. "He was never that aggressive as a child—well I mean, he barely got physical."

Aside from a couple of screaming matches between him and those bullies who tried to walk all over him or his other friends, she was not wrong. Edward had always restrained both his hands and legs, but then during his martial arts lessons, he resorted to whacking and kicking those punching bags.

"Why didn't he take anger management classes or something?" Mark shot his response incredulously. "He shouldn't let those kinds of dicks get into him."

"Maybe he doesn't want to. I might not be close with him, but I still know what he's like. He doesn't like talking about his feelings, bottles it all inside and then... it just explodes." Aly sighed heavily. "I wish he did though. He needs help so badly."

While I did hear snippets of their conversation, I never participated—all I wanted was to find Edward before our lunch ended. But... I do agree, he has to control himself more.

My first guess was that both men visited the infirmary to further tend Edward's injuries, but they were nowhere to be seen when we entered. The nurse told me they had left minutes prior to our arrival... so I should not be far from catching up with them.

My next stop would be the field beside the school, which despite the limited time left for break, people continued to crowd the facility. Not only was there another basketball court and the field we used for our gym class, but trimmed bushes and bushy trees adorned each side of the pavement, providing shelter and hangout spots students can use.

This... seems like the spot where Edward will retreat to when he's not happy. All kinds of nature had always been a medicine to his soul, as his past self had claimed. I should be able to look for him here.

The field was currently occupied with the girls' team—Lynn being their guide—and giggles emanated from them as they attempted stealing the ball from each other. The grins and genuine sportsmanship etched on their faces had me pressing my lips in a straight line. Unlike ours, causing discord was the last thing in their dictionary.

I wished they were like that, too...

And that was when my attention zoomed in at Edward—his team number and name on his jersey were dead giveaways. He made himself comfortable underneath the shades of a huge tree, merely watching the girls play in the court. Seb was not there with him though—not sure where he had gone, but... relief washed over me to see him there.

Shoving my stupid fears to the back of my head, a deep breath was all I needed to gather my courage before I approached him—Aly and Mark thankfully chose to stay behind, wearing their silly smirks. Honestly, I have no plans on what conversations we could have... but checking his condition was probably the main issue.

My footsteps had the grass crunching and rustling underneath my shoes, causing Edward's head to snap at us. He centered his brows, but when he discovered it was only me, his whole muscles slackened in a heartbeat. He didn't even give a slight acknowledgement at Aly and Mark in the distance—his interest zoomed towards me.

"Serena." The way he articulated my name made my heart jolt. Pursing my lips and swallowing the lump in my throat, I tentatively slumped beside him as he gave me some space. Alright, don't be an idiot lost in your fantasy, and let's get to the point—

"Sorry you have to see all of that," Edward muttered, his tufts of blond hair dancing alongside the breeze. He then reverted back at the ball thrown by Lynn to her teammate, but unfortunately was blocked by her opponent. He then scratched the back of his head. "I can't hold myself back anymore, I even pushed you. I... lost myself."

"Ah, d-don't worry about it!" I laughed nervously, shaking my hands. "How about y-you? How's your wounds?"

"Seb and the nurse treated them for me. Should be good," he promptly responded, showing me the rolls of bandages currently adorning his knees and right elbow.

"That asshole... he's the one I was talking about yesterday. Him and his friends cause every single mistake and yet blames me for their fuckups," he growled, grasping and plucking the tall grasses. "He needs a fucking reality check and I'm gonna give it to him."

"W-Well, I don't blame you..."

He then flung the ripped grasses he had snatched off the ground, his voice shook as he grumbled, "He never knows how to stop yapping like a whiny bitch. I had enough of his fucking childish attitude. Fuck that guy and I wish he could burn in hell."

Yeah, perhaps it was wise if I diverted the topic to something else—he was literally seething and cursing out the senior. "Um, so a-are you resigning from your team—"

"I don't know... I just, don't..." Edward cut my question off. "The freshmen begged for me to stay, Seb told me to ignore him and go off, but... how about you, Serena? What do you think I should do?"

I blinked rapidly as I glanced at Lynn slamming the ball against the hoop, and she briskly earned the cheers of her friends. Well, this should be hard...

Regardless, there was no way I could weasel my way out of this—and why the hell would that notion come across my mind. Based on the way he was sullenly scanning me, waiting for my response while leaves fell beside us due to the wind picking up its speed. I wetted my lips with my tongue as I tried to conjure the proper, genuine answer that he desperately looked for.

"I k-kinda understand wanting to quit because of that one jerk, but..." I breathed. "Isn't basketball your passion s-since you're young? You've always led your team to victory; remember how you saved them with your slam dunk in your last tournament? The freshmen seem to be fond of you, maybe d-don't let a few bad, jealous apples spoil the entire bunch."

"I've always loved basketball. I still do, Serena; which is why I had been staying and paid no heed to them," Edward murmured, hugging his legs and buried his face between his knees. "But with a fucking disastrous team like this... I don't even know if I could endure it any longer. Fucking sucks."

My heart terribly ached at how his muffled voice weakened in volume, infused with such... vulnerability. I quietly sighed before I inched closer towards him, resisting the urge to caress his back. "Then... don't do it. It's not worth your energy. Sure, your friends may say otherwise but I'd say... do what's best for yourself."

He peered up at this statement actually coming out of my hypocritical self—even I was thrown aback at my unanticipated words of wisdom, and my lack of stuttering. He gave me absolutely no remarks, making me wish I knew what the heck he was thinking right this moment. He must have thought I must have said something obtuse or whatnot. It's time to bury myself in the sand and never come out again...

Regardless, while the girls' screams permeated in the background, the reflection of the cloudless sky enclosed within his eye was all I could honed in upon. It did not flash with disgust like I expected, it simply... puckered on its corners.

"That's what I need to hear," Edward said. "Thank you, Rena."