6

It was one of the worst days in Leah's life until now.

Gordon and Mia decided to handle the situation with fatso while on the other hand, Leah helped Igneel to reach the infirmary room. She felt extremely bad for Igneel as he limped beside her. Leah had his arm around her shoulder to support him. Only if she reached a little earlier he wouldn't be this beat up.

"I tried to fight back." He said in a low voice. Her eyes slightly widened before turning into sad ones in no second. He tried to fight back...just because she told him to stand up for himself. "I'm a" Before he could speak any further she poked in

"You did great. You fought back against so many. It takes great courage to even talk against so many...who have no intention but just to hurt you." She said, Her voice was gentle as ever and so were her expressions. 

"You did too." He said and she paused. 

"What?" She asked while slightly raising her head to look at him. "You defended me too...yesterday." He said and her smile widened once she realized what he meant. "That's what friends are for." She said and soon they reached the infirmary room.

"Your clothes are all torn. I'll bring some extra pairs of uniforms for you. Get treated." She said and ran away to get a pair of uniforms for him. She was sure Gordon had some extra pairs in his locker. A smile made its way to her lips as she ran through the corridor. He wasn't pushing her away like yesterday and he even tried to fight back for himself...he just needs someone...he can follow.

That boy....she wants to know him more.

If he becomes strong...she is sure no one can hold him down. 

She immediately got back to the infirmary once she grabbed the extra pair of uniforms from Gordon's locker. She knocked on the door before entering inside. Her bright expression dropped once she saw the room was empty...only the doctor was sitting on his respective chair.

"Where is Igneel?" She asked the doctor and he frowned. "No one came here." The doctor said and she frowned. She told him to get treated. Where did he go in that messed-up condition? "Oh, I'm sorry for disturbing you." She said and left the room immediately, totally ignoring the doctor that was about to say something.

"Where did you go? Silly boy." She said as she ran out of the school building. Rubbing the back of her neck she looked around with a concerned expression plastered on his face. "Is he stupid? Why is he acting like this?" She whispered under her breath and quickly turned around when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Are you looking for Igneel?" Tobias said and she frowned. "How do you know I was looking for him?" She asked and he shrugged. "I know everything." He said and she gave him a poker look. It was clear she doesn't like him.

"It's quite sad how you act all smiley with him and quite nasty with me," Tobias said and she took a deep breath. "Where is he?" She asked, ignoring him. "You got an attitude. Oh, I saw him going towards the back of the building." He said she was about to rush towards the back of the building but paused when her eyes landed on Tobias' slightly red knuckles.

"Blood." She whispered under her breath. Before she could investigate him...he already turned around to leave. "See you." He said while waving at her with his left hand which had no blood on it. 

She kept staring at his back...

Why does he have blood on his knuckles?

She shook her head and ran towards the back of the building which was a park...students rarely come here. There is a rumor that this place is haunted. 

Once she reached the back of the building she looked around and found something moving behind the tree. She gulped and quickly ran there. "Igneel." She yelled. 

Igneel flinched and quickly wore his shirt back as his back was facing her. "You...should've gone to the infirmary instead of treating yourself." She said while looking down at the water bottle and a small first aid kit full of bandages.

"Let me treat you." She said while stepping towards him but he raised his hand in front of her. "I'm almost done." He said with his head low...his voice extremely low as usual. Without a word she grabbed his hand which he was raising in front of her and put the uniform on his palm. 

"Get changed...I will be waiting for you in front of the building." She said and turned around to leave but his words stopped her in her tracks. "You don't have to wait for me." He said. She felt like he was pleading with her. He sounded desperate. She couldn't understand why he was like this but something....something was truly up with him. He didn't go to the infirmary. Why? Treating his wound in such a bush place. Why? He doesn't rely on anyone even though he is so weak. What is he so afraid of? 

"I don't want anything bad for you. I understand....there must be a reason for you to be like this but....sometimes it's okay to rely on someone ready to give you his shoulder to cry on." She said and walked away. 

She just wanted him to trust her...she wanted to help him. 

She held her hand towards him but he was too hesitant to hold on to it. 

She understands..he must be scared.

She leaned against the front wall of the building. The bell has already rung...students are taking classes while some have to practice early in the morning. She looked towards the basketball playground and found the boys practicing.

Unlike these players...he is different.

He has this mysterious aura around him...but she is sure that's not the only thing about him that allures her.

She kept waiting for him until he showed up in front of her. He was limping. Her face lightened up once she saw him making his way toward her. She ran up to him and grabbed his arm, putting it on her shoulder to support him. 

He just looked down at her as they both made their way inside the building.

"Thank you." He said in a low voice and she smiled. He wasn't hesitant to say thank you or sorry...this shows that he isn't bad.

"Anytime." She said with a huge smile on her face. He didn't understand why she is like this...all he knows is that...she is crazy and he likes it.