Chapter 69
Lirian took it from me, his fingers brushing mine briefly, and tilted the bottle to his lips. He gulped down the water while I stood there, half–amazed and half embarrassed by the sudden attention.
Eric, who had been hanging around nearby, stared at the scene in disbelief. He had been trying so hard all day, playing his heart out to impress me, yet here was Lirian effortlessly stealing the noment without even trying.
Lirian finished drinking and handed the bottle back to me. “I’ll go change,” he said, his voice calm and composed. “Wait for me, and we’ll head back together.”
blinked, surprised, but nodded. “Okay.”
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving the crowd buzzing with questions.
Eric’s jaw was practically on the ground as he watched Lirian walk off. He blinked a few times and finally gathered his thoughts, rushing over to catch up with Lirian. “Wait–hold up! Lirian, do you actually know her?”
Lirian didn’t miss a beat. “I’m courting her,” he said plainly.
Eric stumbled over his words, shocked. “Courting her? Like, seriously? Aren’t people saying that… well, you know, that she was adopted by some old guy? And you’re still interested?”
Lirian shrugged off the gossip like it was nothing. “I’m pursuing her. Whatever people say doesn’t
matter.
Eric looked at him in complete disbelief.
“Lirian, seriously? You of all people, having to “chase someone? Usually, girls are lining up to be with you!”
Lirian turned and gave Eric a calm, almost indifferent look. “Does that bother you?”
Eric quickly backpedaled, waving his hands in front of him.
No, no! I just didn’t know! If I had known, I wouldn’t have teased her earlier. Honest, man, I was just messing around!”
Lirian’s expression didn’t change. “It’s fine. She doesn’t care about you.”
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Eric looked slightly wounded at that but said nothing, just rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
After a moment, he hesitated. “So… how far have you guys gotten, then? Like, are you two…?”
Lirian’s gaze softened for a moment.
“She doesn’t have feelings for me yet,” he admitted quietly. His voice, for the first time, had a tinge of something vulnerable. “But that doesn’t matter. I’ll wait for her.”
Eric, sensing the seriousness of the moment, nodded slowly. “I see.”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the stadium, Ryan had just changed and was making his way out, his expression dark and brooding.
He’d always hated Lirian, that much was clear.
Seeing Lirian outperform him on the field today, and now seeing Lirian with me–someone Ryan had long believed was beneath his attention–seemed to infuriate him.
Mia and Linda trailed behind Ryan, clearly sensing the tension.
Mia, ever the gossip, couldn’t hold back her frustration. “Is Lirian *blind*? How could he possibly be interested in her? She’s… well, you know what she is!”
Linda’s face darkened with jealousy.
She’d always thought that no matter what happened, Ryan would be hers. Now, watching Lirian, who was even more impressive than Ryan, showing interest in me, made her blood boil.
Linda bit her lip, her thoughts swirling with envy as she watched Sofia walk out of the gym, head held high. Why should someone like Sofia be able to chase after Lirian? A girl with a murky background, constantly surrounded by rumors,
“Did she deserve someone like Lirian, the heir to the Iron Claw Pack, admired by many and unreachable for most?”
“If it were me,” Linda mused bitterly, if I had cheered for Lirian with my beauty and charm, maybe would be the one in his favor.” But the truth was, Lirian’s attention was all on Sofia, and that truth stung
As I walked out of the gym, a group of girls who had been sitting near me earlier hurried over, their eyes gleaming with curiosity.
*Sofia!” one of them chirped. “You and Lirian knew each other before, didn’t you?”
Chapter 69
Inodded, not really
the mood to entertain their questions, but knowing that avoiding them would only make things worse.
“So you guys are dating now?” another girl asked eagerly, her face flushed with excitement.
I shook my head firmly. “No,” I replied, though I could feel their disbelief. They had seen Lirian’s
eyes too, the way they softened when he looked at me. I knew they had noticed. How could they not?
“But you were so close today,” one of the girls pressed. “Are you sure?”
