The library's stern atmosphere was interrupted by a woman in a black suit, who approached the table where four students were sitting and placed a red card in front of them.
"Leave the library immediately," Lucas read aloud, shooting an angry look at the woman who quickly walked away.
"You guys are trouble," Austin and Samuel remarked as they got up and left, holding hands, leaving Olive and Lucas behind.
"Anyway, we still need a player for the sports competition. We can practice for the sports competition in the afternoon and the debate competition at night. What do you think?" Lucas asked as he and Olive walked towards the library exit.
"Why don't we practice for the debate competition in the afternoon and the sports competition at night?" Olive suggested, rolling her eyes at Lucas as they reached the library entrance.
"How can we practice rugby at night? I know what you're thinking, but I'm not trying to avoid the debate competition. I'll be staying in the dorm now to practice with you at night," Lucas replied.
"I guess only tall people play rugby. I'm too short to be on your team," Olive said, crossing her arms. "And you don't need to stay in the dorm."
"Tall and short people can play rugby. What matters is agility, strength, and speed. I just need you to complete the number of players. You don't have to score goals," Lucas explained. " And yes, I insist to stay in the dorm." he added prompting Olive to roll her eyes away.
"So I'll just be in your team doing nothing?" Olive asked, looking up at Lucas. "I'm not interested."she added, with seriousness laced in her tone.
"You should be interested. I'm helping you with the debate competition, so you should help me too. Don't be selfish. Just be on the team, you won't have to do any work. Isn't that good for you?" Lucas said, staring at Olive.
After a pause, Olive sigh as she looked at Lucas and replied, "Alright, I'm in."
"Let's go then!" Lucas said with a smirk.
"What?! Now?" Olive asked, eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Of course! Mark, Aiden, and the rest are waiting. We need to win the sports competition," Lucas said as he pulled Olive away from the library entrance.
______
The rugby field at Belmont High was a meticulously maintained emerald canvas, showcasing the school's commitment to excellence. The vibrant green grass glowed in the sunlight, beckoning players to step onto its flawless surface. Trimmed hedges lined the field's edges, adding an elegant touch to the picturesque scene.
At each end of the field, the sturdy goalposts stood like sentinels, their silver surfaces gleaming in the sun. A discreetly embedded sound system played a subtle melody, providing a gentle background to the players' movements.
"Who do we have here?" Aiden inquired as he noticed Olive in the rugby blue uniform and protective gear, accompanied by Lucas. "He wants to join the team? Since when do scholarship students play rugby?"
"What are you doing here? This is rugby. I'm not sure you have the strength for this," Mark expressed his concern to Olive as he walked up to her.
"Mark, he's just here to fill in for a player. He's not aiming to score points," Lucas reassured, placing a hand on Mark's shoulder with a smirk.
"Why not choose another student? Why a scholarship student?" Aiden questioned, his expression showing his disapproval as he looked at Olive.
"Other students participate in various sports. Additionally, he is my chosen candidate," Lucas replied with a serious tone. And his name has also been officially registered with the coach.
"Please be cautious. Rugby can be dangerous if you're not," Mark said to Olive with a smile, to which Olive responded with a nod.
The coach, an experienced veteran with a discerning eye for talent, carefully observed the team. "Alright, let's begin with some warm-up drills. We need to ensure our passing and tackling skills are sharp if we want to succeed in the competition."
The team nodded in agreement, and the coach blew the whistle once more. The players started jogging around the field, their footsteps creating a rhythmic pattern on the vibrant grass.
Lucas, Mark, and Aiden positioned themselves at the center of the field, while Olive hesitated at the edge, looking slightly out of place. The coach noticed her uncertainty and approached her.
"Hey, don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Just follow the others and give it your best shot," he said with a reassuring smile.
Olive nodded, and the coach handed her a ball. "Okay, let's begin with some passing drills. Arthur, you're with me. We'll focus on your throwing and catching skills."
"Yes, sir!" Olive replied with a smile.
The team moved into their positions, forming lines and circles around the field. The coach blew the whistle once more, and the players, starting with Olive who had the ball, began passing it to each other, their movements quick and precise.
Olive watched in amazement as the ball zipped back and forth, the players seamlessly working together.
"He said I don't have to do anything anyway. Just here to make the player complete," Olive muttered to herself, a grimace on her face.
As the intensity of the practice increased, Olive found herself caught in the chaos of the game. In the heat of the moment, she failed to notice a stray pass from Lucas heading straight towards her. Suddenly, the rugby ball collided with her face, striking her nose with a resounding
"THWACK!"
The impact was sharp, leaving Olive dazed and reeling. She staggered back, tears welling up from the pain, as the ball bounced away. Her nose throbbed, and she could feel a trickle of blood starting to flow.
The team stopped their drills, worry evident on their faces. "Arthur, oh no! Are you okay?" Mark inquired, hurrying over to her.
Olive nodded, grimacing. "Y-yes, I'm okay. Just a bloody nose, I think."
The coach blew his whistle, signaling a short break. "Alright, let's take a quick break. Arthur, go clean up your nose in the bathroom, and we'll get you an ice pack."
"I really hope your nose isn't broken," Lucas said as he stepped forward. " You should have been careful, you're a guy afterall not a sissy." He joked.
"You did it on purpose, I know," Olive replied, throwing Lucas an angry glare with her hand still on her nose.
"Don't blame me for your misfortune, Arthur. You should have been careful. I told you not to do anything, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't watch out for yourself during practice. This is rugby," Lucas retorted, rolling his eyes.
"You're so despicable. You think you're perfect, but you're not. I hate you - your stupid blonde hair, your stupid tattoos, your arrogant attitude," Olive yelled as she stood up. "I knew you had ulterior motives when you asked me to join your team. I was stupid to agree. To hell with you, Lucas!"
"Arthur, calm down or you'll keep bleeding," Mark cautioned, looking concerned.
"I want to leave. I want to get out of here," Olive said, tears welling up in her eyes as she struggled to hold them back. She then walked away from the field with Mark guiding her, leaving Lucas stunned.