30 Whats on the inside, is unknown (2/2)

”Yes”, Seb replied too normally without any expression. Is she lying? Or trying to pretend strong?

”What's so special about this team of yours anyways?”, Iven asked it out for which Seb didn't make it to their date.

”The Aphrodites!”, Seb corrected. She never liked her team being addressed casually. She takes that personally.

-Yeah, Aphrodites, sorry.

-Better be!

-But I'm curious. Was the match worth it?

-Obviously, we won too.

-That's obvious. But would it have made any difference if you didn't participate?

-I was the 'Man of the match'!!! Like every time. What are you saying!!!

-Ah, I was just wondering. Easy there.

-Basically the team is cripple without me.

-Sure, you're the Captain after all.

-Even if I weren't, things would be the same.

-What do you mean?

-Don't you understand? They need me desperately, they'll lose if I don't play even a single match!!!

-Really?

”Really.....”, saying Seb jumped in a huge explanation of her games. Iven had to fall back to avoid sudden attack to her wound.

She went on talking and Iven carried on his work. He also listened and occasionally replied.

But Seb only went on about her smashes, or her points, or her direction towards the team victory. It was all about her contributions. Iven noticed them seriously.

”You sure have a lot of confidence in yourself, little too much”, he was too direct at her.

But Seb didn't catch it and took the phrase in a opposite manner,”Of course I have. If I fail, they'll fall into ruins. I'm the top priority”.

”I meant.....”, Iven finished putting on the bandage and looked up at Seb with expressionless eyes,”...You're overconfident!”. He said it on her face with no hesitation,”You think that if you don't assist them, then it's all over for them. Stop prioritizing so much over your team. It seems as if you play for you own popularity”.

”But that's the truth.....”, Seb's voice lost the strength. She didn't have any idea why Iven was getting so serious.

”I think you're taking it too far Sybelle!”, Iven had no humor in his voice.

Seb was surprised. This was the first time he addressed her by her full name. He felt like a stranger, he was dead serious. But Seb didn't have a clue what did he want to point at.

She didn't say anything more. Clearly something she said didn't impress Iven. She let it slide for the moment.

Iven got up and sat beside Seb quietly.

”Sorry Belle...”, he spoke slowly but deeply,”It's cool that you're needed in your team, but you should never let your guard down. You'll never know when calamity will befall. There is someone who's better than you, know this always. You'll know what I mean when you taste defeat for the first time”.

”I hope there's none”, Seb murmured without looking at Iven.

Iven looked at Seb with bulged eyes. He understood whatever he says will have no positive effect on her. She is too full of herself right now. He looked away irritated.

What she need right now is a failure. That'll expose herself.

Either she'll become more strong and determined to be the best or it'll break her down to nothingness.

”Let me take you home”, he said icily and got up. He didn't want to make matters worse.

Seb didn't say anything too. She knew that Iven took her words in a wrong way. She couldn't make him understand what she meant actually.

The drive was very melancholy. Nobody said a word nor looked at each other. Matters were worse than before. Iven seemed disappointed in Seb and she had no reason why.

When they even had reached her home, without a word of goodbye, Seb got out from the car to leave.

Iven was the one mad, but he couldn't leave things unsettled and worsened like that. He hurriedly called from behind before Seb could disappear completely,”You....are coming tomorrow morning?”.

”No!”, Seb turned and was quick to reply. Her voice was colder.

”It's Sunday”, he reminded.

”I have a match on Monday”, Seb was short again.

”Another one?”, Iven sighed. Things were already bad because of these damned matches!!!

”It's an open match organized match by our college every year” Seb said when suddenly something struck her. She continued,”Actually, it's perfect. You should show up. Teams participate, and if any team wins against us, they can choose from 2 prizes. Either a cash prize or a free scholarship in college for one student. It's been 3 years that the chosen game is volleyball and no one is able is able to win against us since. You can see the style with which we play. May be then you can understand what I meant”.

”I completely understand. Fine I'll show up”. Iven didn't give it a single thought. He plotted something else too. It was high time to show what he meant.

It seemed like a match between Seb and Iven themselves. It's confusing who'll win.