10. Daniel

I couldn't get the image of Ethan beating Daniel mercilessly out of my head. It was still a few minutes before class started and I decided I had to sort it out before things got worse. I approached Ethan, who looked annoyed but pleased with his action.

"We need to talk "I told him in a firm tone.

Ethan seemed reluctant, but obediently followed me to the auditorium lockers. Once there, I shot him a stern look, showing my disapproval.

"I'll listen to what you have to say, but you need to talk soon "I warned him.

Ethan crossed his arms and frowned, clearly irritated.

"It's not fair, April. We've both saved each other's lives multiple times on our missions and now you're defending someone you just met, a peasant!"

His words made me even angrier. I couldn't believe he was justifying his actions so blatantly.

"That's precisely the problem, Ethan. You're hitting a peasant, not an enemy on a mission. You can't get carried away with your murderous impulses here "I chided him.

Ethan let out a snort and clenched his fists.

"Daniel is not innocent, he's clearly hiding something. And you barely know him, April," she replied.

I knew I was right about not knowing Daniel too well, but that didn't justify Ethan's behavior.

"That doesn't give you the right to attack him like that. We are not on a mission, Ethan. We are in a place where we should behave like anyone else, I want to enjoy being a normal person "I reminded him sternly.

Ethan looked frustrated. His dark eyes met mine for a moment before he looked away.

"Daniel is not what he seems," Ethan warned me, a grim look on his face. "A couple of days ago, he hit me first and knocked me to the ground. Don't blindly trust him."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, frowning at the new information. My mind was quickly going over recent events in search of something I might have missed.

"It's just...forget it," Ethan said, his eyes widening nervously, as if he had realized he had spoken out of turn. His concern was evident, but so was his reluctance to talk about what had happened.

"If you don't want to tell me, that's fine," I said firmly. "But don't address me unless we're on a mission."

I turned to leave, but Ethan stopped me by taking my hand. I looked into his eyes, trying to read what he was thinking. There was something that was clearly disturbing him, but he wasn't willing to share it.

"Please, April," he pleaded. "Just be careful with him."

"You're wasting your time" I replied, releasing my hand from hers. "It's like you don't treat me as your friend, just as a fool who blindly believes your lies, how can I trust you if you won't tell me the truth."

"It's okay," Ethan finally agreed, sighing. "A couple of days ago, I was in the parking lot with several friends. Suddenly Daniel showed up and asked to join us. Of course, I thought it was suspicious and told him to beat it. This seemed to infuriate Daniel and so he punched me."

I watched him carefully as he spoke, looking for any sign that he might be lying. But something about his story didn't quite fit, and my eyes narrowed as I noticed a certain insecurity in his gaze.

"Ethan," I replied coolly, "I know you're not telling me the truth. If you don't want to tell me what really happened, then maybe we'd better stop talking."

Ethan blanched at my threat, and his voice trembled when he finally relented.

"Okay, I'll tell you the truth. We met David, we were already long time friends along with Sam and Kyle, we thought he and could join us. But first they would have to initiate him into some kind of ceremony. We got David drunk and were about to take him to the parking lot, but then Daniel appeared out of nowhere and demanded that we hand David over to him, according to him he was his roommate. I wanted to confront him, but... Daniel beat me to the punch, fought like someone suspicious and took David."

The sincerity in his words left me stunned and not knowing what to say. I couldn't believe that Ethan had tried to take advantage of David like that. Although I knew he had his faults, I had never considered him capable of such a thing.

"Is that what you wanted to hear, April?" asked Ethan bitterly.

"Really...that's what happened?" I asked, still shocked by the story Ethan had just told me. I couldn't believe that Daniel had cared so much about David in such a vulnerable situation. Despite his violent past and his motives for revenge, there seemed to be something noble about him.

"That's the truth" Ethan inquired with some resentment in his voice. His dark eyes were full of uncertainty and desperation for my approval.

"It's disgusting" I replied helplessly. "First, trying to take advantage of David and then seeking revenge on Daniel for stopping you. why do you do these things?"

"It's guy stuff," Ethan defended himself. "I went through something similar when I was younger too. I don't see why it should be any different for others."

"Maybe it shouldn't be like that at all," I said, trying to remain calm. "The important thing here is that you complied with telling me the truth. But that doesn't mean things can go on as before between us."

"So, you don't want to stop talking to me?" asked Ethan with a thread of hope in his voice. "It's the truth, even though I'm ashamed to admit it. You have to accept that Daniel is suspicious, someone like him shouldn't be enough to beat me, he must have had some kind of training or something....

"Enough Ethan, he might be someone suspicious because he knows how to fight, but we'll find out what he's hiding our way, not by beating him up" I admitted, I was also furious with Ethan, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Daniel and David, who had been victims of his schemes.

"Now you know," Ethan said hoarsely. "And I hope that, despite this, you'll still talk to me."

"Right now...I don't know, Ethan," I answered honestly. "I need time to think about all of this." And without another word, I walked away from him and out of the locker room.

As I walked toward the auditorium, my mind was flooded with mixed emotions and thoughts. On the one hand, I felt betrayed and hurt by what Ethan had done. On the other hand, I didn't want to lose his friendship and complicity. What should I do? Could I forgive him and move on?

My heart was pounding in my chest as I struggled internally to find an answer to all those questions. But, for now, all I could do was move forward and face the challenges that life had in store for me.

As I left the locker room, I found my classmates waiting for the professor in the auditorium. In the distance, I could see Daniel and David chatting animatedly surrounded by other students. I had no doubt why they had become so close. Just then, Ethan came out behind me and joined the group without saying a word.

"What could Daniel and David be talking about?" I wondered as I watched their serious expressions from afar.

My thoughts were interrupted by Professor Chris Blackwood's arrival in the auditorium. With authority, he ordered us to line up in two lines and called Daniel to the front of everyone.

"Daniel," began Professor Chris, "Congratulations on your performance on the written test, but in sports it may be different. Let's see how you do today."

"Thank you, Professor," Daniel replied humbly, nodding his head.

"Everyone, do warm-up drills for five minutes and then start running around the court," instructed Professor Chris.

I began stretching exercises along with my teammates, feeling my muscles tighten and relax with each movement. When I finished, I glanced over at Daniel, who seemed to be concentrating on warming up thoroughly.

"Start running!" shouted Professor Chris, and we all set off around the court. The sound of sneakers hitting the ground filled the atmosphere, and soon I was deep in thought as I ran at a brisk pace.

"Come on guys, keep up the pace!" encouraged Professor Chris from the side of the court. I looked up and saw how Daniel seemed to have no problem with running.

"Don't slack off!" exclaimed Professor Chris, and we continued running under his watchful eye.

"Straighten your back, Ethan!" shouted Professor Chris, as if he was ashamed of his son.

I couldn't help but let out a small smirk as I watched Ethan struggle to correct his posture. It must be because of that punch Daniel gave him, I thought with some mischief.

Despite my grudge against Ethan, after about twenty minutes of running, I realized that only Daniel, Sophie and I were still keeping a good pace. The other students were starting to tire and slowing down.

"Stop running!" commanded Professor Chris at last. We all stopped our strides and took a deep breath, grateful for the break.

Then, addressing several companions, he added:

"Go to the lockers and bring several basketballs. We're going to play for a while."

As I watched my teammates go in search of the balls, I concentrated on catching my breath.

Once the balls were on the court, we divided into teams and started playing. At first, I had a hard time adjusting to the game, as it wasn't exactly my strong suit. But I soon realized that I was not alone in my clumsiness: Daniel also seemed quite inept at basketball, as if he was just learning how to play.