Chapter 21: Confrontation

My forehead furrowed. "This tournament is planned, Isaac. According to Lydia, you've been dealing with this for so long, then in a flash, you will give up?"

I can't believe he said that when he's the one who pushed me to join. He doesn't seem to give up. He grabbed my hand to convince me, but I've already decided.

"I know but listen to me--" I cut him off.

"I'll just pretend I didn't hear you say that. Drop that topic, Isaac. Or else I'll never talk to you again," I said.

I didn't mean it that way. I also don't want to take advantage of how he feels, but this tournament, I know it's important to him and if he's going to give this up because of me, isn't it too much?

"Althea..." he uttered my name. I took his hand away from mine and smiled.

"Goodnight, Isaac." He walked out of my dorm and I immediately closed the door and went to bed.

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"Class dismissed," Mr. Fin said. I went to his class for the first time, but he did not introduce me to my classmates. He said they all know who I am already. I wanted to ask how but I remembered that they know me because I'm one of the members of team Alexandria Academy. They know me as the hoaxer.

I picked up my things and went out of the room to go to my next class, but I was surprised when Mr. Hawkins came out of nowhere. He's wearing a formal suit just like usual and his hair is well-fixed.

"Good morning, Sir." I bowed down to show respect. He smiled at me. "What can I do for you?"

"I want to talk to you. Shall we?" He pointed the way out of the room. I nodded even though I was nervous. I wondered if I had done something or if I had broken the rules, but I know I haven't. Aside from not attending classes, though.

He led the way toward his office. I don't know but I have this strange feeling that this won't go well. When we got to his office, he immediately asked me to sit on the swivel chair.

"I want to show you something," Mr. Hawkins said. He searched the papers on the table for a moment. I remained silent, and I can feel my hands trembling especially when he handed me a lot of newspapers.

When I opened the pages of old newspapers it was full of Isaac's picture and articles about him. Even at Magical University, there are also articles about how good he is as a leader, but I don't see the point why he's showing this to me.

I frowned as I looked at Mr. Hawkins. "What are these for?"

"Althea, can you do us a favor?" he asked. I feel uncomfortable that I couldn't even answer him. "Will you stay away from Isaac for a while?" I was stunned.

I tried to open my mouth to utter a word or defend myself, but I couldn't. I closed my eyes. Why can't I speak? Is it because I can't do what he said? How will I suppose to stay away from someone who became a big part of my life already?

"Althea, I know it's hard, but Isaac is changing." He took the newspapers in my hand and looked at them. "This tournament is everything for him, as well as his position as the President and the Leader. I know Isaac for so long and he never acted this way. Even when Rhian was still alive. That's why I don't understand--" I cut him off.

"So, what are you trying to say, Sir? That I'm Isaac's distraction? That I will lead him to his downfall?" He was silent for a moment. I can feel my eyes watering that's why I look away. When I remember what Isaac told me last night, I was even more confused.

"You fell for him, didn't you?" I was cut off guard when he asked that.

I sighed. "That's impossible--"

"Isaac is...everything, you know? He got everything that every girl will fall for. Even Rhian fell for him. As well as you." He smiled as if he's remembering something. "But I'm just protecting you, Althea. Isaac's heart..." He paused for a moment. "...never forgets."

Everything he said during that time meaningful and I didn't know what to say because I couldn't understand him.

I touched my head. This wasn't my intention. I don't want Isaac to be distracted, and I don't want myself being attached to anyone, but here I am. Being attached to him and the team.

"We just want what's best for Isaac, and his decision last night, that's what makes us worry about him." I looked at Mr. Hawkins full of confusion. Please, tell me he didn't really.

"W-What decision?" I asked.

"Isaac put you out of the team, Althea. In return, he was fired as the Leader of the group." I was completely speechless.

When he told me last night that he would make a way, always, what was he referring to? Damn. I closed my eyes and my tears started to fall

"Isaac..." I muttered. Why is he doing this? He's so selfish. For the first time, he did something so selfish.

"Althea, do the right thing," said Mr. Hawkins and then left. I hit the table and it cracked. I walked away in that room and searched for Isaac.

I saw him walking along the hallway with Kurt. They were shocked to see me. But I already pulled Isaac away before they could even ask me.

I took him to an empty classroom. "What's wrong with you?" he asked as if he had no idea.

"No, what's wrong with you? Do you have any idea what you put me into? You know what, Isaac? I hate you so much! I fucking hate you! Why did you that?! Why do you have to abandon your position to just get rid of me in the group? What right do you have to lead me--" He cut me off.

"I did it for you. Because I don't want what happened to Rhian to--" I slapped him that made him stop from talking. A tear fell from my eye. So, this is about her again?

"Rhian! Rhian! It's always about Rhian! For once, can you stop telling her name and face the reality? She's gone! Rhian is gone, Isaac! I'm Althea! What happened to her then, it won't happen to me now! Stop being so fucking selfish, and please! Stop liking me because I can't do the same." He was stunned. His jaw clenched and he looked at me with so much frustration in his eyes.

"You kissed me last night..." He did not finish what he was going to say, I saw his eyes and it was turning into a bloodshot one. "...you kissed me."

"Have you asked me if I want that kiss?" I have to convince him of the lies I am telling. I couldn't even look in his eyes now that he's starting to cry. "Take back your position, Isaac, and I need you to stay away from me because I will never like you. If you think something is going on between us, think again. I don't even know what love feels like, and you can't change that. I will never fall for anyone and you're not an exception to that."

I walked away but I felt his hand on my arm. "Althea, take it back, please." His voice cracked. "You're hurting me, and you know that. Do you want this--"

"I do. So, please. Never talk to me again." I pulled my arm and walked out of that room. I could not stop the tears in my eyes from continuing to drip. It's exhausting. I made myself believe that everything will pass away, that my feelings for him will also disappear.

I made myself believe that this pain in my chest will vanish. After this tournament, I will return to my former world and will never return to this place.

When I turned to the other hallway, I was shocked to see Rica. I was about to pass through her when she held my arm.

"I heard what happened to Isaac." She walked towards me. "Did you know that when I'm with him, he always talks about you?"

"I have nothing to do with him--" she cut me off.

"Oh, you do care for him. You act like you don’t, but you do. Stop hurting him," she hissed. I violently pulled my arm away from her grip.

"You know nothing." I rolled my eyes and was about to walk away when she said something that made me stop.

"For the first time, he chose what he wants, and you turned your back on him." She shook her head. "He's a selfless person, Althea. But for the first time, I saw him choose the other way around. So, no matter how much I like him, I let him go for you. But you're so stupid to hurt him." She walked away, leaving me.

I sighed. Yeah, I'm stupid I know. But this is the only way I know to protect him and all that he has. I'd rather lose him than see his world fall apart because of me.

Isaac, I'm sorry.