Silent dilemmas

College next day

It was among the very rare time when Seb, Erica and Iven could collect time together, free.

Seb had her practices, but for some reason she decided not to attend.

It wasn't like it was helping, since she did nothing in the leisure but lazed on.

An totally awkward situation for Erica to face.

Usually Seb and Iven would give anything away to spare time together, but hardly any one of them were saying a word!

Something seemed really off.

Iven was continuously fidgeting.

Seb on the other hand, was lost in a book...as it seemed so. She was actually drowsing with half closed eyes.

Iven was occasionally stealing glances at Seb, clearly wanting some conversation...but without any result. Once in a while Erica even noticed Seb's eyeballs moving at him, but still no livelihood.

She had no idea what actually happened to make them to be like this way...she was out off their range. She herself was turning in to a foul mood.

She tried to approach both of them once, but the response was too brief to continue further.

The whole day continued with such pointless ignorance.

Mostly from Seb's side. She was totally pretending to treat Iven like an invisible being.

When finally the day was up, Iven gave up playing pretend.

Seb and Erica were just on the way to exit from their lecture room, and found him waiting. As soon he caught sight of Seb, he paced up faster towards her," Belle I...."

"Shoot! I'm late", and with one such childish statement, Seb cut him off.

"Only 2 minutes", came the useless plead.

"Got to go", and the piercing eyes left with a silent warning casually.

Iven was left embarrassed with mouth open in front of a more bewildered Erica.

She dare not pry but she let him an advice,"When she's mad, no way in hell you can prove that you're right. She'll give you no chance. The only way is to apologize".

"That's so obvious when it's her", Iven sighed and looked at Erica with pitiful eyes.

Erica had nothing more to say,".....So...want to grab lunch?"

Iven dropped his shoulders,"Sure!", because he knew that he had blown his chance for the day.

.........

Iven wasn't such type, but he was sending Seb texts every half hour.

She was turning him into someone he can't recognize himself.

She must be taking small breaks, but of course! She have no time to check them or reply back. How much has she held onto the incident from before?? Was it that bad??

Iven indeed overdid it, but she has no importance of safety herself.

Iason is unpredictable and invulnerable.

Seb nearly lost her eye.

They all were beaten up to their defend.

Iason will measure no extent to achieve on what he has his mind set to, by any possible or impossible means.

Seb is strong and self-dependent, and proved it that she can protect herself by strength or wits, but Iven has no peace of mind rested. He couldn't bear anyone touching the person who earned his care so deeply. Not more, if it is Iason.

Also not specially, because it's Seb!

She's not mature enough in terms of aspects, and if anything were to happen to her due to Iven's negligence, he won't be able to make it through. Not after all the time Seb showed him, a whole new view.....her point of view!

Is it so wrong to be protective of his women???

Iven so wished to talk to her about it, but only if a chance offered.

He's literally scavenging for a moment, but no use.

Seb has completely turned his good will against him, making him look like the villain. Thus, he ended up losing his temper earlier and forcing himself on her, out of usual hot hotheadedness.

And lastly, which ended up Seb being mad.

She doesn't approve of any one being so obsessed over her.

It's not her fault though.

She haven't learnt yet to rely on others with a care. That's why she can't put up with such attitude, a die hard habit! Her special occasions are rarely offered, else she never allows anyone to interfere.

Seb didn't have any practice that day.

She was simply searching excuses to avoid Iven.

She spent her time in the library, aware of all the texts sent to her.

She read one, and put the phone on silent, since more were incoming.

It was such a bother, that she even skipped lunch.

Her mind was still stuck to the incident from before. Iven is unbelievable!!!

When he had yelled that Seb was his, it really got to Seb.

She never thought that things would go this worse which will bring Iven out of his old character. He was one step away from being the same person when they first had their fateful encounter.

And he still had the guts to plead her not to bring the old him.

He did it himself.....but Seb was blamed!!!

Seb slammed a book angrily at the thought, attracting everyone's attention in the room.

She threw another angry stare at each one of them, and immediately they concentrated back in their books.

Seb's first suspension for 2 weeks for beating up bullies in the library, is still a legendary incident among the nerds in the library.

Suddenly an announcement was heard,"Please pay attention students,"said a rough voice,"The annual football girls tournament for Sunday is going to be from 3 pm onwards. Spectators are invited to cheer the participants. Thank you".

Iven had heard it too, this girl has gotten himself in to god knows what else. She is bound to play in it, he bet.

"One more thing, players are immediately to report to the field",.

Iven didn't waste another second.

He threw his bag over and dashed off.

He's gonna catch Seb on the act, this time she can't escape anyhow.

He was already at the field outskirts, Seb wasn't there yet.

Few hookey players and couples, enjoying private time together.

The players were gathered at the field corner.

Iven's eyes searched for Seb. It wasn't much difficult to spot her useless effort to try to hide. He can find her out anywhere. She was leaning on to the pole, listening to instructions, pretty distracted. Their Coach seemed concerned about her since she was the main striker, but she wasn't.

Iven's eyes were fixed at her, any time now she can turn her face towards him.

Indeed, did!!!

She turned her head casually once to sigh, but it got stuck on her stare midway. He eyes popped!

Iven was at an eyelock, without even blinking.

And she thought she was smart enough to outwit him.

Their faces were blank, Iven with a little frown due to lack of chances to explain himself.

Seb hid her face instantly, but Iven was glued to her way.

All the whole time the meeting went on, Iven had his fixed gaze on her with Seb trying to figure out ways to out ran him later. She didn't look back at him once, but felt a cold shiver all the time of his eyes on her.

Seb didn't have to be in such a situation if she didn't have to play.

She could have bailed out due to the injury on her eye. But her Senior was hell bent on her playing for which he personally made sure that it was well enough to let her play.

The wound only had a scar above the eye, covered with a band-aid. But it showed clear signs from the harm of the 1st and 2nd attacks. The faint blue skin color was yet to heal, along with the blood clot inside her eye which gave her a vicious stare. She regretted using that nuisance eye patch which could have helped her out.

They almost gave up hope when she was injured in the last match and risked the game by letting her go.

Only when she appeared without her patch that morning, her teammates caught her like the paparazzi and forced her back. She had no excuses left.

It might have appeared to others that if Seb is able to talk and run, then she's is living well enough to battle against the world.

But when Iven had a glimpse of it in the morning, he felt huge pangs of guilt and pain in himself.

He was unable to protect her, even with his power!

He tried to enquire, but was cut off short by Seb.

He's been keeping an eye on her though.

If they had their healthy relation ongoing, he would have protested playing in the match righteously.

Seb was still calculating how to escape.

She was in no position or interest to face Iven.

She knew he did wrong, but the fact that she overreacted and at some point she was wrong too, was making her deny it even more.

The meeting was long

Seb was hoping that Iven would give up, but Iven's will was stubborn than hers.

It was gradually coming to an end, with an increase in Seb's mind restlessness.

The library was shut and she couldn't have escaped there. It's an open arena, and Iven won't cease to follow her.

Now she has to step for the situation on her own, pretending to seem bold.

One lucky situation was that, she had her bike.

Only if she manages to sneak with it out from the gates and storm off, Iven won't have a chance.

Iven was all over the front gates.

Seb mixed among her football team mates, and somehow creeped towards the bike stand.

As soon as she was there, she rushed towards her bike and started unlocking it in a jiffy.

One more step to go...faster.....come on....

On the other hand, Iven was no novice.

He had a clear copy manuscript of Seb's mind and intentions.

He knew about the sleek gate behind the bike stand and knew well when Seb avoided the front gates. She must have brought her bike and planning on slipping out.

Seb was pretty impressed with her plan.

He must be waiting at the gates now, such a fool....she was thinking as she dragged her bike out from the thin gate.

"He's yet to learn things", she was muttering intently.

"Such a tragic sight to behold".

With a amazed shock, Seb turned jolting...and there he was leaning on to the walls carefree, hands tucked in pockets and smirk expression.

Seb took a while to understand that her tactic was breached without a effort by Iven.

He outsmarted her without using a percent of his skills.....is she that easy to figure out?....Or is it just Iven???

Her cheeks turned red due to embarrassment while facing him.

She looked away from him but didn't leave.

Iven could read moments well and he knew all about her in no time.

He chuckled quietly once as he looked down.

His hands out of pocket and crossed across.

His eyes at her, with a tilted warm gaze.

She could feel it and felt more embarrassed.

"Not gonna acknowledge your boyfriend any further?", he teased.

"Shut up!", came the suppressed scold.

She still didn't turn at him.

"I missed you", came the sudden confession,"I was wrong".

Seb breathed hard. She calmed down and her cheeks returned to normal. Only Iven has the capacity to do this to him. She had made him suffer enough, and it's time to give in to her temper. Else she'll be the one who will ruining things after all. Because he indeed tried his best the whole day.

Seb slowly turned her face sideways towards him.

Her face serene.

Her expression completely contrast from before. It was cool and a hidden smile on the corner of her lips.

She spoke timidly,"Want to..." she continued,"...walk home along?"

And the slow smile that spread across whole over Iven's face slowly, really threw Seb in a thought that a person she misjudged can change so dramatically. The smile...is really so honest and worth pitying. Is he really the same person...or she mistook him? Those eyes are so sparkling when asked to tag along!

He almost sped up to her and gave another smile.

Seb hid her face again.

It's too shiny for her to handle.

"Are you blushing?", Iven knew that if Seb is accounted for things she's doing and doesn't want to do, she gets mad. He finds it cute and deliberately does it to annoy her.

As expected, Seb punched on his bicep and sulkingly she left her bike.

Iven caught it, as Seb pocketed her hands.

They started walking without another word.

Seb still sulking, and Iven's eyes watching her from the corners and still smiling at her red ears.

He slowly led out an inaudible laugh.

A minute later, when Iven quietly reached out for Seb's hand as he still held the bike with another, out from her pocket, and Seb didn't resist(only little amused), without even meeting each other's eyes, they knew that they have earned the capability of solving arguments with no word....but gesture alone.