When Emma saw Daniel at the class next, she noticed that his face had eased a lot.
The young Daniel wasn't as good at masking his emotions like his mature version. His dark eyes did not hold quiet anger and resentment towards her as usual, and he was willing to give her a proper glance.
Emma knew settling his mother's hospital funds took off a big burden from his shoulders.
This made Emma feel content.
Once the class was over and the students began to disperse, Emma's hand was grabbed by Ellie. Her friend adorned a bright smile on her face as she stuck her face to Emma's hand.
"Emma, are you going to watch the basketball game?" asked Ellie.
Emma was actually planning to go home, but seeing the excitement in Ellie's eyes, Emma changed her mind. She knew that her dear friend's favorite hobby was watching and admiring handsome men.
Seeing this playful Ellie made Emma want to indulge her. Ellie was her one true friend who stuck by her side through all her worst moments. That was enough to make Emma soft-hearted towards her.
"Let's go if you want to," Emma responded.
Only after Emma arrived there did she realize that Daniel was playing as well.
Although Daniel was in the team, he was busy running multiple jobs to have time to accompany others to play a game. Now that his mother's hospital issues have been solved, it made sense for him to be here.
Ellie dragged Emma over to the bleachers. As both of them sat down, Emma's eyes stayed on the youthful Daniel.
There was high spiritedness in the twenty year old Daniel as he ran through the fields, grabbing the ball from his opponent. He bounced the ball, bringing it over to his side of the court.
He bypassed everyone who blocked him before jumping high and passing the ball through the hoop. There was a second of nervousness on his face as the ball circled the rim prior going down the net.
Instant excitement could be seen on his face. His teammates patted him on his back in order to congratulate him. Loud cheers was heard.
Ellie clapped beside her.
Emma watched the game in a daze.
Before she knew it, the match was over. Ellie held her hand and pulled her up. "Let's bring over water to them."
As Ellie dragged her forward, Emma pulled away her hand from her grip and said, "You go ahead. I will stay here."
"Why? Aren't you always eager to bring over water to Daniel? Did he upset you?" Ellie questioned. Her dissatisfaction with Daniel was obvious on her face.
Emma shook her head. "There is no need for me to."
Emma's eyes then fell towards Daniel. That's when she noticed a ball coming towards her, and this made her eyes widen. She froze in her place, unable to move.
As she was about to prepare herself for the incoming pain, the rushing ball was stopped. Emma was surprised to find Daniel standing in front of her, blocking the ball with his hand. The ball bounced away.
Daniel winced slightly as he shook his wrist to alleviate himself from the pain.
Emma instantly snapped out of it and reached out to hold Daniel's hand.
"You're hurt," she commented— concern lacing her voice.
Daniel's silent eyes made her feel nervous.
He quickly pulled away his hand after that.
The boy who threw the ball towards her immediately rushed forward. Wearing an apologetic expression, he said, "I am sorry. I was playing around and didn't notice."
Emma was about to open her mouth when Daniel coldly said, "There is no need for you to come here to play if you can't be careful."
The boy stared at Daniel awkwardly and stated, "Yes, it is all my fault. I will be careful from next time onwards."
Emma's eyes fell on Daniel's reddened wrist. She voiced out, "You need to see the doctor."
Feeling slight pain in his hand as he moved it, Daniel nodded.
Should she follow after him?
Seeing how he got hurt because of protecting her, it would only made sense for her to tag along to check up on his condition.
---------
Once his wrist was bandaged, there was a deep set of emotions in Emma's eyes.
She looked down on the ground. "You know, you should have let the ball hit me."
There was confusion in Daniel's eyes as he looked at her.
"You hate me, right? After all, I forced you to this position. Even then, you got hurt because of me. Aren't you too much of a good person?" Emma voiced out. There was a mocking intent in her tone.
She didn't know who it was directed towards— her or Daniel.
"I would've done this for anyone else," Daniel responded.
This made Emma stand in front of Daniel, staring at him with reddened eyes.
Raising her voice, she shouted, "Well, they didn't blackmail into a relationship like me! I am sure you find me disgusting! I am well aware of how hateful I am! I can never make it up to you! But just fucking don't make me feel like I owe you any more than I already do."
Emma's sudden outburst caught Daniel off guard. As a drop of tear fell down her eyes, Emma instantly wiped it away. She did not know why she couldn't suddenly hold her emotions in after maintaining herself so well these few days.
Daniel furrowed his brows.
There was no denying he held a lot of stored resentment towards her. But looking at how the always high-spirited girl was a touch away from breaking down completely made him confused on how he should react.
Even though there was a lot she wanted to say, Emma held in her emotions, knowing that Daniel didn't deserve to be burdened by her.
She wiped away her tears.
"Don't be bothered by me. I will set everything right and make it up to you. You don't need to forgive me for anything," Emma made a solemn vow.
After that, Emma turned her back on Daniel, about to leave under Daniel's dazed eyes.