Chapter 13: You can do it!

9:00 a.m., start of the tests.

All the sports fields were occupied. The tests had already started and all the other students seemed motivated unlike me. My test started at 2 p.m. according to the timetable.

I would have liked to go home and come back later, but...

"You are now part of the collective of ultra supporters. So you owe it to yourself to attend your companions' matches and cheer them on until you lose your voice. ''

Morelle, seeing me leaving, called out to me. His insistent look did not allow me to refuse.

'' All right... ''

I decided to follow them to go watch the dodge ball game that was taking place in the gymnasium. There was a huge crowd on both sides of the stands. Normal, since it was Carole accompanied by the law students who started the first part.

All this excitement just to see it played. Its popularity was no longer in doubt. It wasn't surprising. She is beautiful, kind and caring. He's the kind of person who's hard to hate. From my seat, I observed him attentively without blinking. She displayed great determination and it seemed to rub off on her teammates who admired her.

The opposing team entered the floor. Carole and her team were going to face the economics students.

''Hey guys, I hope you're ready! We give everything! '' Morelle shouted.

'' Yes ​​! ''

The other three responded with the same energy.

They seemed to be in good shape. A few minutes later, a whistle sounded marking the start of the match.

At the same time, Adrien, Konny, Morelle and Myriam took a deep breath. Then all of a sudden, they started shouting, encouraging Carole. They were so noisy that I regretted sitting next to them. But despite their dedication, Carole's team was in great difficulty.

The number 22 of the opposing team was a real war machine. His 1m90, and his athletic form surely had something to do with it. She hit her targets with every throw and smashed them all without any mercy. The match was one-sided and already seemed lost for Carole and her teammates.

Only Carole remained on the opposing team and it was soon up to her to suffer the same fate as the others. The tension was at its height and no one in the stands said a single word. Everyone was focused on what seemed to be the last action of the match.

I too wanted to see the final outcome. But on the one hand, I was worried about Carole. I, who at first glance wasn't excited by all that, surprised myself by finding interest in this match. And especially for Carole...

Lost in my thoughts, I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned my head and saw Myriam.

''Hey zombie, don't you think it's time to get involved a little to support your girlfriend? ''

She said, looking straight into my eyes.

''I don't think I can do anything for her as things stand at the moment. ''

"You could at least raise your voice to say a few words of encouragement to him. ''

Compared to the others, Myriam was aware of the true nature of the relationship between me and Carole. The fact that this idea came from her surprised me.

'' I can't. It's... How can I put it, it's difficult. ''

I haven't raised my voice in a long time. Doing it now and on a whim seemed beyond my means.

"So you don't want to support her? ''

Myriam asked me this question while looking me straight in the eyes.

'' I... ''

It was normal to support a person in difficulty. With the time spent with Carole, I repeatedly realized that I had desires that I could not ignore. Currently, I wanted to show her that she could count on me and that I cared about her. I was able to admit it to myself but it was not yet won.

''You don't really want it, do you? '' Asked the rabbit in my head.

''You don't want it, right? '' Said Myriam.

The two words overlapped and shattered in my mind.

"What's the point of forcing yourself to do something that you think is beyond your strength? Do you feel this fear? ''

He was right, this fear was real and I felt it. I couldn't get the better of her.

'' Accept this fear. It is this fear that protects you from the outside world. You may have suffered, but you remain fragile. If you don't get your act together quickly, you will find yourself chained by unnecessary ties with these people. ''

If I were to relax like this and decide to take a step forward, the same events from the past could still happen again. I won't put up with it again.

However... If I happened to relax, I could also create bonds.

''If it's difficult like you say, I would just have to give you a hand. ''

Saying these words, Myriam patted both of her hands. Lost in my thoughts, I came back to myself. Without knowing why, I began to feel a heat that intensified more and more. It felt like my seat was on fire.

I hurriedly got up from my seat and began to cry out in pain. A cry that broke the silence that reigned throughout the gymnasium. Now, all eyes, even those of the players on the floor, were on me.

It was the worst situation. People were whispering things and their looks at me made me even more uncomfortable. I looked at Myriam out of the corner of my eye and she smiled at me. This situation seemed amusing to him.

''Now that you have nothing to lose, you could take the opportunity to say something to him, right? ''

I was completely paralyzed by all these looks. I didn't know what to say either. The most obvious thing was that I couldn't go back. If I did that, I would have felt like I was losing to Myriam.

Come to think of it, perhaps this unlikely situation was the excuse I was looking for. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to give out. The stress also didn't help. I had to give a pep talk in front of at least a hundred students. Introverted or not, it was still complicated.

I let out a sigh. Then, I took my courage in both hands and decided to speak to him a few words of encouragement. Trying to say a few eloquent things was not necessary. Telling him what was on my mind was enough. It would look much more natural.

'' GO FOR IT CAROLE YOU CAN DO IT! I'VE KNOWN YOU A SHORT TIME, BUT... BUT I KNOW YOU'RE NOT THE TYPE TO BE IMPRESSED! SO, DO YOUR BEST! ''

I screamed as loud as I could.

I couldn't remember the last time I raised my voice like that. My breath was short and I was sweating profusely. The heavy silence that followed after my speech made me want to disappear. I was too ashamed...

Still, I was relieved and sincerely hoped that my words had given him some courage. When I raised my head and glanced at the floor, she smiled at me.

This relieved me, but it wasn't enough to make me forget the discomfort I was feeling at the moment. I decided to sit down again.

'' Well done... ''

Myriam whispered followed by a small applause.

Seeing me like this amused him.

'' It's good. I'm ashamed enough as it is, so please don't add to it. ''

'' All right... ''

My seat had returned to normal temperature. The fact that it suddenly heated up seemed strange to me, even supernatural. Moreover, this happened when Miriam clapped with both hands. I shouldn't judge based on conjecture but...

"Just now my seat started to heat up. Wouldn't you have something to do with it? ''

When in doubt, I asked him the question. I got no response which reinforced my doubts. I then decided to continue.

''Aren't you some kind of magician or something? ''

She sighed, then spoke with a look devoid of emotion.

"I see that you are very interested in me. ''

''... ''

"Don't worry, one day I will tell you my story. For now, let's focus on the match. The game has resumed. ''

She responded without denying or affirming anything. Anyway, I shouldn't dwell on this story. I let go of any questions and redirected my attention to the floor.

The number 22 of the opposing team was preparing to make his throw. With a swing of her arm, she threw the ball with all her might. The bullet was fast, powerful and headed straight for Carole who remained motionless.

As the ball was about to hit her, she put both arms forward and caught it. The ball continued to spin in his arms without stopping. But despite this, she did not weaken and held on.

I could see determination in his eyes which impressed me. For a brief moment, I thought that it was thanks to my speech that his morale was so high. But, I quickly came back to earth. I wasn't going to get arrogant just because I encouraged him.

She was already exceptional. Even if I hadn't encouraged her, she would still have kept this fighting spirit. After a few seconds of fierce struggle, Carole managed to stabilize the ball in her hands.

Faced with this feat, the spectators present in the gymnasium began to express their great joy. But no more than the team of ultra supporters sitting next to me.

However, the joy was short-lived. Carole had to abandon the match because of the numerous scars she had made on the palms of her hands when catching the ball. His team lost the match at the same time. She was taken to the infirmary for treatment.

Infirmary room.

''You were incredible Carole, by catching that ball you also caught my heart! I'm impressed! ''

''Thank you Konny. ''

We all followed her to the infirmary. It was nothing serious apparently. The nurse had made a small bandage on his hands after applying some balm.

"But it's a shame, I lost in the first match…"

She seemed to be disappointed. It was understandable. Unlike me, she and the others were excited about winning at least one competition.

"Guys, it is our duty to avenge our comrade who died in battle. Let's give the best of ourselves in the next events. ''

Said Myriam.

''Where do you see dead people from? '' Said Adrien.

''Especially since it sounds false coming from someone who doesn't take part in any event. ''

Morelle added.

''You could have been satisfied

to simply acquiesce. ''

Myriam did not seem to appreciate being contradicted by Morelle and Adrien. This situation made Carole smile.

''Speaking of which friends. Thank you for encouraging me like you did. It really made me happy. ''

''But it was nothing. '' Said Konny.

"The one you have to thank the most is David. I was really surprised when I saw him shouting in front of everyone at the gym. '' Said Morelle.

Oddly, Carole started to blush.

"He plays shy but when it comes to our Carole, he suddenly becomes extroverted! ''

Konny said, putting his arm over my neck. I just looked away.

"Now it's my turn to compete. I'm counting on you guys! ''

Said Morelle enthusiastically.

He then turned to me and grabbed my shoulder firmly.

"And you David. I want the same thing, as for Carole. ''

He had a big smile on his face and his eyes shone brightly.

"That's a bit too much to ask…"

I said in a hurry.

I didn't feel like I could scream again in front of everyone.

''Yes, I want the same David too! ''

It was Konny's turn to ask the same thing then Adrien also followed suit. They were all close to me. This feeling was not at all unpleasant.

As they all dragged me out of the room, I took one last look at Carole sitting on the infirmary bed. Our two eyes met.

She smiles at me warmly.

After leaving the infirmary, I attended the tests of Morelle and Konny according to the respective schedules.

Carole then joined us later. As expected by the ultra supporters team, their support was up to par. Me on the other hand, I timidly supported them in my corner.

I don't know if it was because they had bad luck that day, but they all lost in the first round.

End of chapter.