Why are you still here?

'All of you can go, I'm fine' Elias said shooing everyone who had gathered around him. Everyone dispersed reluctantly. I stayed with Noah and Daniel.

'Daniel! You can go too. I don't need two people carrying me. I'm not disable you know!' Elias said leaving no room for discussion.

God! Boys and their pride!

Daniel looked at us hopefully, reluctant to leave. I shrugged at him not knowing what to say. He then looked at Noah. Noah gave a huge sigh.

'It's fine Daniel. I will take care of him. You can go'

'OK then…. I will go'

'Noah! You can go too' Elias said to Noah as soon as Daniel turned to go. 'It's not a big deal. I can manage on my own'

Noah's jaw dropped and I too looked at him with wide eyes. Is he for real? His foot literally got punctured. He cannot manage on his own. Before I could stop myself I snapped at him.

'Are you a dimwit? How can you say it's not a big deal? Your foot is bleeding from puncture, which is not good. You cannot manage on your own. Do you want to get infected?' I snapped at him, my voice rising in anger. His eyes instantly snapped towards me widening. Our eyes interlocked which send a shock through my body. The world turned blur around me and only his Hazel brown eyes was in focus. The anger which I had disappeared suddenly and my heart gave a loud thump. A weird feeling fluttered in my stomach. He swiftly looked away not letting our gaze to be interlocked for more than a seconds. It felt like I was drowning and then suddenly brought back to surface.

Then, silence

More silence

Nobody moved. After some long torturous seconds. He finally motioned Noah to take him. I would never know what is his problem with girls. Does he have a phobia or something. Or…. Is he allergic. I don't know. I had seen this drama where a male lead was allergic to girls. It's hilarious really. Noah took the limping Elias out of the court quickly. As quick as a limping person can move.

I jogged ahead of them and look for the nearest restroom. Off course the nearest restroom happens to be male's considering we were near basketball court. I could care less now. I went back to their line of sight and gestured at them to come quickly. I went inside the restroom cautiously. It was empty. Probably everyone already went home. That's good I don't have to confront anybody then.

I hastily shrugged off my back and placed it on the little place near the sink and unzipped it removing the small first aid box. It contains only the most necessary items. I can't roam around carrying a big first aid box now, can I.

Noah enters with Elias slightly huffing. They both let out a huge breath relaxed that they don't have to walk more for now. Elias let go of Noah and lean on the nearest wall. He winced, closing his eyes for a second. One part of me pained looking at his expression but the other part sort of felt smug. I know I shouldn't be feeling smug at his expression but he hadn't been showing any sign of pain until now. I don't know him properly except rumors off course but I feel like he's arrogant. But you cannot judge the person unless you get to know them. So.. I don't know what he's really like. I mentally smack myself for feeling smug.

'Sit here' I said to Elias patting at the countertop of the sinks. He obliged and sat on it with the help of Noah.

'Noah remove his socks. Carefully'

I quickly washed my hands properly and opened the first aid box and took out the small piece of clean cloth. I went towards him and looked at his feet which was punctured. I felt slightly nauseous. I took a deep breath and took hold of his leg and positioned it properly. I ignored the fact that this person actually doesn't let any girls touch him.

I wiped the blood off his sole carefully. The whole cloth soaking in blood. Again the blood started oozing out. I swiftly took the nearest thing I could find to stop the blood, which happens to be tissue. I apply the pressure gently on the wound which makes the blood stop. I threw both the cloth and the tissue which was now covered with blood in the trashcan.

I glance at him from the corner of my eyes. He was looking at somewhere else. I placed Elias's feet in sink and on the tap letting the water flow on his wound.

'It's not that bad. Is it?' Noah asked worried.

I shrugged. Then smiled softly at him for his genuine concern.

'It's not I guess. But still, I suggest he goes and check in to hospital'

He nodded in understanding. 'You heard her Elias, you are going to hospital after this'

'Yes Master! Your wish is my command master!' Elias said his voice lacing with sarcasm and bowed his head towards Noah playfully which made his dark brown hair fall on his forehead. I smiled to myself at his behavior. He looked cute. He really has this boyish face which could enchant anybody. Some of his strands falls on his eyes which tempt me to brush it back. I concentrated back on his foot and didn't let his face effect me.

I closed the tap after letting it on for few minutes and took another tissue wiped the water from his sole and applied an antibiotics. I grabbed the gauze from the box and wrapped it around his wound. I finished bandaging him and looked up at him who was looking at his feet which was now covered with bandage. I gathered all my things and placed it inside the box and stuffed the box inside my bag pack.

'Thank you'

I turned towards him surprised by the fact that he actually said something to me. And more surprisingly he sounded genuine. I don't know but I expected he would ignore me and go off or something like he would thank me but with cold face or hard tone or something without actually meaning it. Even though he didn't smile but his tone was genuine.

'my pleasure' I said after some moment. Like always he was looking somewhere else. I shrugged on my bag and walked outside. Noah coming behind me with Elias.

'Hey let me drop you. You can't drive with an injured leg' Noah offered to Elias.

'No. That's not necessary. I will call my cousin'

'Why simply call him when I can easily drop you off'

'No. Thank you. I appreciate your help'

'I'm being serious Elias. Just let me help you once'

Elias shook his head in reply his face hard. 'My house is far away from yours'

Noah gave up and sighed tired of his stubbornness.

'Noah give me your car keys. I will wait for you in the parking lot till you change and come out' he remove the key from his pocket and throw it to me. Which I caught perfectly. 'Hurry up and don't be late' I said behind my shoulder walking off.

****

It's been 10 minutes already and there's still no sign of Noah. Really? I thought boys always get ready faster. I removed the key from ignition and climbed out of Noah's car closing the door firmly. Parking lot is deserted not even a single soul walking around. But there are still some cars which are parked. Guess there was a soccer practice today.

Till this time I could have watch them practice. I like sports. I gave a huge sigh tired of waiting. If we are waiting even the 10 minutes feel like an hour.

Then suddenly it hit me, why Noah wasn't returned yet. I face-palmed repeatedly for forgetting. How could I? How could I?

If there was a soccer practice then their practice should have ended by now and they must have headed to change in the locker room. And Noah and Elias was heading to lock room too. Which means they must have encounter soccer team.

And they will surely notice Elias limping and his foot bandaged. They will not let him go just like that. My guess is they must have already encounter each other. And that might be what is delaying Noah.

Shootshootshoot!

I started sprinting. I sprinted through the school main door and turn to the hallway which lead to boys locker room. When I came near the locker room I noticed a figure leaning on the wall beside the locker room door. Hands tucked inside the pants pocket and head slightly bend downwards. I immediately recognized him. His dirty blonde hair which is same shade as mine was slightly damp. My body immediately relax seeing him.

'Noah why hadn't you come out yet.… ?'

When I near him and saw his expression the relaxation I felt vanished.

'….and where is Elias?'

He raised his head. 'He's inside. And soccer team is there too' he said without meeting my eye. Exactly what I dreaded happened. But the difference is Noah is not by his side.

'Then why are you here? You left him in there alone? He's injured'

'He shoved me. He practically shoved me out of there' he said his tone harsh . 'We changed and were ready to head out when we heard their voices. I didn't thought much about it but he was quick to act. He said me to go ahead and he will come on his own. You don't know him Mary. He has this authoritative voice which nobody can say otherwise to him. You know I'm the closest person to him in school yet I don't know anything about him accept his personality off course.'

Voices could be heard from locker room muffled by the closed door. Like everybody was speaking all at once.

'I disagreed and didn't move. I couldn't leave him when he can hardly walk by himself. But suddenly he turned cold and gave me a hard look'

'He said 'Don't make me say it twice Noah'. Noah's voice became sharp and his face turned hard trying to mimic Elias. It was scary enough to listen Noah's sharp voice then how would Elias voice would be. 'Then he shoved me away from him harshly and said 'get out of here and don't come back' he pushed me to another aisle so that they wouldn't see me'

The locker rooms in our school has two aisles. 'And I did managed to come out without anyone noticing me' he scowled looking downwards.

And here I was thinking he is arrogant! But he do give me arrogance vibes.

Sudden laughter erupted from the locker room and mockery was easily detectable in their laughter. I immediately tense up. And unknowingly anger rises inside me.

I rushed forward to open the locker room door. But Noah stopped me before I could open it. He hold my arm firmly and drag me backwards.

'Mary, don't. It will just displease him'

'But...'

'He will come out now. It's already been 5 minutes'

Just as he said that the door opens up revealing Elias. Just as usual his face was solemn. I couldn't detect any emotions from him. As a person who was ganged up, he didn't show any emotion. He glanced at Noah and was sort of taken back that he was still waiting for him Noah quickly rushed to his side placing his arm on his shoulder.

'why are you still here?' Elias asked Noah blankly. I looked at Noah warily, fearing that he would snap at him. He didn't reply and helped Elias to walk. I walked along with them patiently. Noah was unusually silent. He didn't talk anything the whole way. I was able to feel the tension between them the whole way.

Noah took Elias to the school gate. I got a glimpse of a car waiting outside the school gate while going to parking lot. I guess Elias's cousin has arrived. I went towards Noah's car and unlocked it then climbed in. I drove the car out of the parking lot and halted before Noah, who was making his way back after helping Elias.

Beep! Beep!

I horned and looked out of window and saw Elias already seated in his cousins car. A flash of his cousins hair is all I saw before they vanished. well, their hairs is of same color.

Noah climbed inside the car and closed the door firmly. I looked at him and saw him still in his gloomy state.

'Hey! You still upset? I asked him quietly while driving the car out of school gate. He gave a huge sigh. I glanced at him then looked ahead.

'it's nothing like that. I just…' he sighed again. 'I know he was trying to help me, but still he doesn't have to act so cold. It's like he doesn't want to depend upon anybody. You know what I don't understand Mary' I looked at him with questioning glance and then looked ahead.

'why does he let them pick at him? I know that if he wish to then he can easily make them stop. He is not weak. Not at all. But he let them taunt him and doesn't even say a word. You know? When we are practicing we fear to do even a thing that he has forbad us to do. He is really authoritative. And if I try to say anything about this matter he always brush it off' Noah said with suppressed anger.

I nodded realizing he is so right. I didn't thought about it before.

'You are right. After hearing you say it I remember how he is different in the court' I said without removing my eyes from the road. 'Noah' I look at him for a second then turn back my attention towards the road. 'Let him be. It might be because he doesn't like quarreling.

'That still doesn't explain everything' he mused leaning towards the window.