54 Mental mess (1/2)

”Iven?”, called a timid voice from behind.

Iven turned around recognizing the voice.

Erica was standing right behind him with a broken expression on her face.

Iven couldn't read it. He just prayed that she won't plead to go home together with Seb or tag along with them to the hospital.

He can't help it though, she's her bestfriend and has the right to care.

”Hey”, he replied back with less enthusiasm.

”I saw you in the stadium, at the front rows”, she said.

”I didn't see you, where were you?”, Iven asked.

”I was little behind”, Erica chuckled,”...also, you seemed pretty engaged in the game”.

Iven got embarrassed and rub his head.

”Waiting for Seb?”, Erica asked

Iven nodded once.

”Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something...”, Erica spoke again after a little pause. Her voice was down. She was introvert indeed, and based on her character it might be something too serious for her to say.

Iven diverted his eyes at her.

”Right now, I actually saw you both by the corner.....” Erica started, slowly drifting from the volume.

-What are trying to imply?

-Well, it's not unknown to me....about you and Seb....

-Yes, I wasn't trying to hide it but Seb.

-Honestly, I was little disappointed at the first too.

-Really? Well, it would be a lie if I said it wasn't obvious.

-Was.....I???...Seb knew?

-I don't know about her, but I did. Even if she did, she pretended not to bring it up in case she hurt you.

-I see. But I want you to know that I have already given up, because I want to be happy for Seb. I haven't seen her any more lively than now. So, just for you to know, I hope we can maintain our earlier relationship from before.

-Even if you wouldn't have brought this up, we would've let it pass.

Iven gave a short smile at Erica.

To his politeness, unexpectedly, Erica didn't return it. She looked away and started twitching. It seemed as if she had more to say.

Iven didn't make any initiation and waited.

Finally Erica sighed once and spoke again,”but that wasn't what i wanted to highlight'.

-What is it then?

-You see Iven, Seb is my only friend and we've been together for years. Surely I will want what is the best for her, which will bring her happiness.

-And so?

Iven's voice dropped down from his usual self. Erica flinched but didn't back down.

”I....”, she said,”...just saw whatever happened a while ago”.

”Out with whatever you want to say!”, it sounded like a command when Iven growled.

Erica wasn't meeting his eyes because he was scary for her. But Iven's straight gaze was piercing through her.

”The way you treat her...”, Erica said wtih a low voice,”...have you been treating her the same this whole time?”

Iven's eyes were shot open.

What is she saying? She's doubting him? Moreover, is she intervening between his and Seb's relation?

His narrowed his eyes and waited as she continued.

Iven....he was losing his calm.....

”To put it this way....”, Erica said gathering up her courage,”....your entry in her life was rather sudden. I don't even know what do you do or where are you from. Often I have noticed bruises on her skin

which she tries hard to hide from me,...are those.....your doing?”

She noticed Iven's pent up stony face and quickly explained it further,”...because before you appeared, I never saw her with such injuries. Even now, I just came to know she is hurt and the first thing I saw was you