A Rare Apology

As Lucas entered the school building, the hallway was empty as there seem not to be a single soul in the building. He soon noticed Mark and Olive sitting on a bench, Mark's head resting on Olive's shoulder as she held an ice pack to her nose. Lucas's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly hid behind a nearby pillar, watching the scene unfold.

"Can you move your head?" Olive snapped, pushing Mark away from her shoulder making him stumbled, nearly falling off the bench.

"Hey, be careful!" Mark said, scowling as he opened a bottle of water and took a sip. The sound of the water bottle cap twisting and the liquid pouring into his mouth added to the tension.

Lucas muttered to himself, "I should just apologize and leave, right?" He swallowed hard, his heart racing with anticipation. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out from behind the pillar and approached Mark and Olive.

The sound of his footsteps echoed through the hallway, drawing their attention. "What's going on this time?" Olive asked, her eyes narrowing as she gazed at Lucas.

The tension was palpable as Lucas apologized, his voice sincere. "I'm sorry, Arthur, I realize my mistake"

Mark's eyes widened in disbelief and he almost choked on the water he was drinking as well as Olive's expression changed from anger to shock.

The silence that followed was thick with emotion, the only sound being the distant hum of the school's ventilation system. Finally, Mark spoke up, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Oh, wow! The mighty Lucas of Belmont actually apologized to someone. "Are you sure the world isn't ending, Arthur?" He added as he burst into laughter, the sound filling the hallway.

Olive still couldn't take her gaze off Lucas as she still couldn't believe her ears.

Lucas playfully punched Mark on the shoulder, breaking the tension. "You should both stop staring at me now." He said as he sat between Mark and Olive.

As they sat down on the bench together, the creaking of the wooden slats beneath them. Lucas turned to Olive, his eyes locked on hers. "And you, don't go spreading this around."

Olive crossed her arms, her eyes flashing with anger. "Wait, I'm confused. Did you apologize because you meant it or just to make yourself feel better?"

"Why would I apologize to you just to make myself feel better? And why would apologizing to you make me feel good? You're giving yourself too much credit, huh?" Lucas replied, arms crossed, looking directly at Olive, who now appeared angry.

"You..." Olive began, but Mark intervened, placing his hands on both Olive and Lucas' shoulders.

"Alright, guys, let's not start this again," Mark said as he placed his arm on the two argueing pairs shoulder.

"He's the one who started it. Why don't you tell him that?" Olive retorted, her voice filled with anger.

"No, you started it first, jerk. Lucas replied, his tone filled with anger.

"Enough!" Mark shouted, interrupting the argument, as his hands tighten on both Olive and Lucas shoulder "I don't care who started it first. Lucas, did you mean the apology you gave to Arthur? And do you promise not to hurt him again?"

"I meant it," Lucas sighed. "I know I was wrong. But I can't promise not to hurt him if he doesn't change his stupid behavior."

"Who do you think you are to demand that?" Olive snapped, her eyes flashing with anger at Lucas.

"Enough, both of you!" Mark stood up, now facing the arguing pair. "Arthur, can you forgive Lucas? He's realized his mistake and won't do it again." Mark turned to Olive, who looked grumpy.

"I forgive him, but he doesn't look like someone who has turned a new leaf," Olive said, rolling her eyes.

Before Lucas could respond, Mark cut in.

"Don't even start, Lucas. We all know you're the cause of this," Mark said with a serious expression.

"Huh? Wait! Which side are you on exactly? My side or his side?" Lucas asked, his eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"On my side? What are you going to do about that loser?" Olive replied, sticking out her tongue in a playful manner.

"I'm on no one's side," Mark replied. "Now that you both have resolved your differences, it's great that there's peace once more."

"Anyways, are you still going to participate in the rugby game?" Lucas asked, looking at Olive.

"There's no way in hell I'll ever join that team again," Olive replied firmly.

"You see! He's always like this. I'm participating in his debate competition and he refuses to participate in the rugby game," Lucas lamented, his face showing frustration.

"Arthur, are you part of any sports team? No, right? Your name has already been registered for the rugby team, so you are now a member of the rugby team until you graduate," Mark said, his expression serious as he kept his gaze fixed on Olive.

"I'll join a different sport then. I won't be joining the rugby team again," Olive replied.

"All the other sports teams don't need new members. Besides, you're a new scholarship student who just received a red card from the 3RM. Tell me, which sports team would accept you and allow you to cause trouble for their team," Mark said with seriousness in his tone.

He then moved closer to Olive and whispered in her ear, "Wait until the sports competition and debate are over. Wait until the red card no longer has an impact on you, and you will be treated more kindly by the other students. Then you can join whatever sport you want," he added before stepping back.

Olive's lips curved into a satisfied smile as she nodded in agreement.

"What were you two whispering about?" Lucas demanded, raising his eyebrows in curiosity.

"What do you want to know?" Olive asked, standing up. "Let's go practice the rugby game more!" She added with a smile on her lips.

"How did you convince him?" Lucas asked, looking at Mark who ignored him and walked up to Olive.

"Let's go!" Mark said, heading towards the school building exit with Olive by his side.

"Are you still my friend, Mark? Why have you changed so much? Arthur! Give me back my friend, you jerk!" Lucas yelled, following Olive and Mark out of the school building.