The next Wednesday arrived, and I still felt unprepared to return to class. Today marked a full week since I had last set foot in school, making it the fourth consecutive day I had chosen to skip classes. I had a reason.
Thankfully, the injury on my nose had healed, but a faint mark remained, a constant reminder that I resented for marring my features. With careful application of powder, I hoped to mask it.
A wave of sadness washed over me when I thought about missing out on soccer. Julian, with his infectious enthusiasm for the game, was one of the main reasons I had been looking forward to it, along with Leah. The thrill of playing was enticing, and I didn't want to fall behind my peers. I promised myself that I would muster the strength to attend the club and register by next Wednesday.
I lay on my bed, feeling the soft sheets envelop me, as Leah and Coco made their way out of the dormitory. I took the last dose of my medication, then flopped down, allowing sleep to overtake me. Ever since that incident, Julian hadn't responded to my messages, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for his presence at school. What was keeping him from replying?
As Leah set off towards the soccer club, She recalled how frustrating her last attempt to register had been. Carol had gotten injured, forcing her to leave for an important class right when the club sign-up ended. This time, Leah was determined to get there early and ensure she secured her spot before it was too late.
Across the field, nestled among the lush grass, sat a small structure resembling a tent, a temporary haven for the seniors who were either graduating soon or had recently finished. They were responsible for overseeing the registration process, their presence adding a layer of authority to the bustling environment.
As Leah crossed the field, someone called out to her, and she turned sharply to see Julian approaching, clad in a vibrant green jersey. It was evident that he and his friends were gearing up for an intense game, but without Roman around, the mood felt a little less charged.
"Should I run for my life now? Last time was pretty messy," Leah joked, glancing nervously at the group of guys stretching and warming up for the match.
Julian chuckled, closing the distance between them. They walked side by side along the track, escaping the chaotic energy of the field. Finding a quieter spot, they paused to catch their breath.
"Hey, are you registering for soccer too?" Julian asked, his tone light and friendly.
"Yep! You know I love it. We used to have a blast playing together back in high school," she replied, playfully nudging his arm, sharing a moment of warm laughter that momentarily eased the weight in my chest.
"How's Harper? And your brother... how's the family?" Leah inquired, her smile shifting into a more concerned expression as the laughter faded.
"They're fine," Julian responded, squinting toward the field, where the game had yet to commence. The coach hadn't arrived yet, allowing him a moment to gather his thoughts. Suddenly remembering something, he turned to Leah. "By the way, Marie left. I need someone to look after Harper. Rome and I are good, but we need a caretaker for her," he explained, his urgency palpable.
Leah's eyes narrowed as she processed the information. "Who will be employing, you or Rome?"
"I will. Rome said I should handle it," Julian replied, sensing a flicker of relief dart across Leah's face, which made him chuckle softly.
"Why'd you ask? You already got somebody in mind?" he teased, his amusement evident.
Leah met his gaze, her expression earnest. "Yeah, a friend of mine is looking for a way to earn some money. I know how generous you are," she said, resting a hand on his arm, her eyes glinting with confidence. "If you're willing to pay well, I'll talk to her about it."
"Sure," Julian agreed. "I'll get the contract stuff ready."
Leah raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in her voice. "It's that serious?"
Julian nodded, his demeanor shifting slightly. "I need someone who can commit long-term until we find a permanent solution, someone trustworthy enough to leave Harper and the house with," he explained, the weight of responsibility echoing in his tone.
"I got your back, Julian," Leah said, giving his arm a reassuring tap. At that moment, their long-standing friendship felt even more tangible, solidifying the bond of trust between them.
"If it doesn't sound too weird, can we have her sign the agreement tomorrow?" he asked, a sense of urgency laced in his voice.
"I doubt she'll refuse it," Leah replied, a smile spreading across her face as pride swelled in her chest for being able to help a friend in need.
Okay, Julian thought to himself, his gaze drifting back to the field where he noticed the coach finally arriving. He needed to hurry to avoid any reprimands later.
"I'll send you the meeting details tomorrow,"As Julian dashed away from Leah, his dark locks bounced in the sunlight with each step. He pivoted back toward her with an eager gleam in his eyes, declaring, "I hope she lives up to my expectations!"
Leah, exuding confidence, shouted in response, "She will!" She observed Julian waving before vanishing into the field to join his teammates.
As Leah ventured toward the registration tent for the soccer club, she entered and noticed a senior girl. The girl sported a neatly tucked-in jersey, a skirt that barely reached her thighs and a face cap indoors. She laid the table with a register, pen holder, and flyers, along with meticulously arranged books.
"Hello," the girl greeted with an enthusiastic smile, and Leah responded with a faint one.
"I'm here for the registration process," Leah stated, and the girl nodded, opening the register and running her manicured fingers over it, asking Leah to inscribe her name and sign.
As Leah began to write her name, she hesitated for a moment. "Is it permissible for me to register on behalf of a friend?" she inquired.
The girl pursed her lips, expressing uncertainty. "You do realize there's a registration fee for joining the club," she stated matter-of-factly.
"I'll pay for both of us today," Leah offered.
The girl hesitated, "The issue is, what if your friend changes her mind? There will be no refunds, and we want to avoid any problems."
"I understand," Leah said, "But I can assure you that won't happen."
"Very well," the girl agreed, and Leah proceeded to sign for Carol before time ran out. The soccer club only recruited a few members as interest was limited. Most girls favored cheerleading, dance, and cooking clubs. Those who didn't register early would miss out. Even if Carol had intended to join next week, registration would have closed, so Leah decided to sign her up then.
Subsequently, she paid the registration fee, which amounted to 500 for each person and later paid 1000 for both of them.
"Thank you for joining the club," the girl said, "All activities will commence next week, so be prepared," she urged, and Leah nodded.
As she exited the tent, she overheard a deep, masculine voice emanating from the tent's corner. Strangely, she hadn't noticed his imposing presence until now. It turned out he had been flipping through a sports magazine, which he had used to shield his face earlier. She turned to look and found Roman. She offered a slight nod.
"How's your friend?" Roman inquired, shifting his gaze to the magazine. "The one with the broken nose" He added.
Leah subtly frowned. It was all because of him, yet he was sitting here casually and addressing Carol the way he pleased. Still, she masked her annoyance and responded.
"She's doing well," Leah replied. "I believe she'll be starting classes tomorrow." She wasn't certain if she should share this detail, but she felt it would reassure him that Carol was improving.
"Very well," he said, and Leah exited the tent without another word. Internally, her heart raced from the brief exchange she had with him. He was still as daunting as ever, each breath, each word he spoke sent shivers down her spine. And she began to worry. She contemplated sharing this news with Carol- about the job offer. Julian was the one employing her but that doesn't mean she wouldn't see Roman.
Leah needed to be sure if Julian was capable of protecting Carol from his brother who was bent on claiming her life.