Chapter 20

We started running around the oval. The first and second laps were fine, but by the third lap, I was having trouble breathing because of the fatigue, so my pace slowed down.

"Laine? Are you okay?" Alzid asked, slowing his pace to match mine.

"Yeah, I'm just a bit tired," I said, still panting.

After a while, he took my hand, making me stop.

I looked at him, puzzled.

He then bent down and turned his back to me.

"What are you doing?" I asked, confused.

"Climb onto my back," he said.

I was surprised. We were both exhausted, and I knew that he was tired too, so I didn't want him to carry me.

"W-What are you talking about? I can still manage. Just stand up," I said.

"No, I won't. Hurry up! Let's get this over with," he said, sounding annoyed because I wouldn't agree.

"No, I know you're tired too. I can still manage. Just stay there," I said and started running again, not wanting to burden him.

He didn't argue further and just stood up and ran beside me, matching my pace.

"Lower your pride, Laine," he said disinterestedly. I glanced at him while we were still running, but he kept his eyes straight ahead.

"What pride are you talking about?" I said irritably. It wasn't about pride; I just didn't want to be a burden. It was frustrating that he didn't understand why I refused his help.

"I know you're tired. I don't want to see you suffering. Why don't you let me carry you?" he shouted.

"AND WHY SHOULD I? DO YOU THINK I WANT TO MAKE YOU SUFFER MORE BECAUSE OF ME?!" I shouted back.

I couldn't hold back my anger any longer. Even though I didn't want to tell him the real reason, I was so frustrated that I sped up and left him behind. I ran so fast that I suddenly lost my balance and ended up falling on the ground.

Alzid immediately ran towards me. I had a cut on my knee and it hurt so much that I could barely stand.

"Laine, get on my back. You'll have a harder time running if you push yourself further," he said. I didn't respond; I was embarrassed by my fall and my pride was hurt. I climbed onto his back, and instead of running, he just walked while carrying me.

"I'm sorry," I said softly, but it was enough for him to hear.

"I should be the one apologizing," he said.

"I don't want to run," I added.

"It's actually better because I'm heavy," I said. I knew it was tiring to run while carrying someone.

"I don't care... I want this moment to last longer," he said softly. I didn't expect that, and I felt my heart beat faster. Should I be touched? But no, maybe if it were Keivan. Ugh, why does he keep coming to mind?

"Hey, aren't you going to say anything?" he said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I didn't know what to say, so I just pinched him.

"Ah, that hurts," he said.

"You're so corny," I said, pinching him again.

"Sorry, sorry. That really hurts," he said, so I stopped.

By the fifth lap, he was still running while carrying me. Finally, we finished.

"Thank goodness it's over. Thanks for carrying me. You can put me down now," I said, but he kept walking.

"Hey, I said put me down," I said, still on his back.

"Don't talk. I'm taking you to the clinic," he said, which surprised me.

"B-But you could just—" I couldn't finish my sentence as he cut me off.

"Don't make me angry, Laine!" he said angrily.

He looked so intimidating when he was angry, so I kept quiet. Despite that, I couldn't understand my feelings. There was some happiness in my heart that I couldn't explain.

When we arrived at the clinic, he treated my wound.

After he finished, he wanted me to rest before going back to class.

"Sleep for now. I'll watch over you," he said.

"I don't want to. I want to go to class. I'm okay," I insisted.

"Laine, stop being stubborn. Just rest for now," he said with pleading eyes. I finally lay down.

"Alzid," I called while lying on the clinic bed. He looked at me.

"What?" he asked, puzzled.

"You're like a dad," I said, laughing.

"What? Dad? F***," he said, his face contorting with frustration. I couldn't help but laugh even harder.

"Hahaha P--- how could you—hahaha," I couldn't finish what I was saying because I was laughing so hard. He threw a pillow at my face, which made me laugh even more.

"What? Why did you throw a pillow at my face? Did you think I'd feel better?" I said, still annoyed but laughing.

"You're insulting me. I'm trying to be a good boyfriend, and you see me as a dad… f**k," he said, still looking frustrated, which made me laugh even more.

I enjoyed teasing him, so I threw a pillow back at him, and he retaliated. We ended up having a pillow fight, laughing the whole time. We only stopped when suddenly...

"GET OUT OF THE CLINIC, BOTH OF YOU!!!!!!" a nurse shouted at us, causing us to quickly leave.

"Did you see the nurse's reaction? It was hilarious!" I said, still laughing as we walked back to class. Alzid imitated the nurse's angry shout and expression, making us laugh even harder until my stomach hurt.