Chapter 16: This is your reward

I had succeeded in those why I decided to continue the race. I had crossed the finish line and it seemed almost unreal. I didn't even have time to catch my breath before Konny and the others rushed over to hug me. Between the joy I felt, the warmth of their bodies and the pain I felt all over my body, I no longer knew how to react. I let myself be carried away by the current without putting up any resistance.

"I can't believe it, you did it David! ''

Adrien also seemed to find this ending unreal.

''You are amazing man! ''

Konny too. It seems that a good number of students had abandoned the race along the way.

I was congratulated by everyone. It was pleasant.

The euphoria now subsided, I felt a burning sensation on my left foot just below my knees. I pulled up my jogging pants and noticed that I was injured.

''Oh but you're bleeding. ''

Konny, who had been watching me, made the remark to me.

"It's nothing…"

I replied, taking off my jogging pants.

My words seemed not to have pleased Adrien who lectured me directly.

'' Eh ? There's no point in acting like a tough guy, go get treatment in the infirmary. ''

"Carole, can you accompany him? We're going to stay here for a while. ''

Said Morelle

"Y-yes, no problem. ''

So I went with Carole to the infirmary. We walked side by side without either of us saying a single word. Before, it wouldn't have mattered to me. On the contrary, I would have appreciated this moment of silence. But now it was different. I felt like the atmosphere was heavy.

This situation was too embarrassing.

"Congratulations again on your race! '' She said, gently tapping me on the shoulder.

Even though she slapped me, I could see from her behavior that she was also embarrassed by the situation. She at least had the merit of having taken a step forward by breaking the ice. I am grateful to him.

'' THANKS... ''

"Still, today you impressed me a lot. When you raised your voice to support me during the dodgeball ordeal, I was surprised. Knowing you, it must have been hard for you, but you still did it for me."

She said looking straight ahead.

''It was nothing. ''

If my chair hadn't gotten strangely hot, I don't think I would have had the courage to go for it. So receiving these compliments made me a little uncomfortable.

''Of course if it was something! You gave me courage at that time and I am enormously grateful to you. Honestly, you were so classy. ''

She stopped and looked at me with a smile. I was a little emotionally disturbed. It was also the second time she told me that she found me classy.

''Do you seriously think so? '' I asked shyly.

'' Yes. You were really cool. '' She said with an even more radiant smile.

It made him feel like he was glowing. There is no denying that this girl knew how to awaken all kinds of emotion in me. She who was a little awkward at first, seemed to have regained her usual demeanor. Still, she could easily express what she feels. For someone like me, it was something incredible.

Today... Only today, maybe I could let go and tell him what I really think.

I decided to thank her in turn. She and the others helped me a lot. It's thanks to them if I managed to cross this line

"You were incredible too. Your words and your choreography earlier helped me regain courage and surpass my limits. I thank you. ''

"There's nothing wrong with that. '' She said looking away.

I watched her observe the horizon as we walked. There was no telling what she was thinking. Her smile that she sketched told me that she could only think of happy and positive things.

She then turned to me and looked shy.

'' Said. How do you like me in this outfit? ''

She was referring to the one she had worn to encourage me and which she still wore. I could dodge the question or give him a crazy answer. But was it the right choice?

She was still staring at me impatiently waiting for my answer. Didn't she deserve me to be honest with her? I could at least make an effort and tell him what I really think. It's all really complicated, I had to calm down first.

I sighed and then spoke.

''To be honest, I found you really cute... You almost looked like a goddess. ''

After everything she had done for me, I had to be honest with her. This was the decision I decided to make.

While walking, she stopped abruptly upon hearing my words. When I turned around, she had turned completely red. The atmosphere had become even more stifling than at the beginning.

"Say, can you look over there for a moment? ''

Carole pointed the tip of her index finger to her left asking me to look in that direction. Maybe she didn't want me to look at her in her current state. I could understand how embarrassing it was to receive compliments from others at times since I was experiencing it recently.

Without asking why, I executed. I owed him that.

''Okay...'' I said.

She quickly came closer to me and gave me a kiss on my right cheek.

"Your rewards, as expected. ''

She whispered in my ear afterwards.

''Ah. ''

Her gesture and the words she whispered in my ear made me shudder. I thought my heart was going to give out. Now it was me who was turning red.

'' THANKS... ''

Afraid of saying something weird, I simply responded with a thank you while holding my right cheek.

We stood there for a short or long time looking at each other without saying anything. I had lost track of time. Seconds became minutes and minutes became hours or vice versa. Lost in my thoughts, I heard several not coming closer to us.

'' Oh ! How cute. Or maybe, what a horror. ''

I recognized this voice and I knew that I was bound to hear it in the near future. But I didn't think it would happen so quickly.

It was him...Michael.