I slapped Jack Aceson Juarez.

Only about a billion things were running through my mind when my hand met his face. 

The slap was triggered by the thought that he was just toying me the whole time. When he told me he fell for me, when he ignored me for five months straight and even right now as he looked at me with nothing but amusement in his face. 

Was my slap amusing to him too? 

Was I just a form of entertainment to him?

"Tony's right, nothing good ever comes from Beta," I gave him a disappointed look and he gave me a stare that I couldn't read.

"I came here to warn you because Tony is good in all forms of martial arts. I don't know if it was concern that made me do it, but right now I'm convinced that I no longer care so good luck, Juarez," and I left. 

I was pretty sure he had something else to say but I didn't stay long enough to find out. I just gave him a taste of his own medicine, leaving after making a point. 

I hurried towards the gym, still irritated by what had just occurred. I blamed myself for even wanting to warn him in the first place. 

It didn't take long, soon the group that was standing outside our examination room was at the gym on the fourth floor. Ace and Tony had changed into comfortable clothes and soon they were both on the mat. 

The gym was huge, it was cut into two different parts. One had all the equipment used for working out and the other had all the different kinds of mat needed for all the various martial arts.

Anne and Ronald were talking at the side. On the other hand, Tony and Ace seemed to be eyeing each other on the mat. 

It was pretty obvious who was going to win; it was going to be Tony.

Tony is a black belt in almost all martial arts, he was not an athlete, he was a martial artist. He started at a young age, he said it was necessary for self-defense since he was planning on becoming a detective.

On the other hand, Ace might have a good physical built, he is good at sports but martial arts was not his territory. 

Not unless he was hiding his skills of course. 

I heard myself heave a huge sigh before I sat down on the bench,  near the mat. The rest of the crowd was mostly standing some whispering while the others were cheering. Most of them were from Beta, I bet they were expecting Ace to win. 

Anne made her way towards me, "Are you sure you don't want to stop Tony? He will follow you, you know." 

"It's too late, asking him to stop now will only humiliate him in front of these people," I bit on my lower lip. 

"We're going to begin soon," she sighed. 

"Tell Tony good luck for me,"  I managed a weak smile. 

The crowd erupted when the match started. Ace and Tony were wary of each other, they started to circle the mat. I myself was not that sure of the rules of Aikido but Ace was the one holding the rubber knife. 

Tony was the one who went in for an attack, he grabbed Ace's hand, kicked his leg, and swung him in a swift motion. Ace slammed on the mat with a loud thud. The crowd went silent, amazed by Tony. 

I've seen Tony in matches before, this wasn't new to me. 

Ace only had one goal, it was to stab him with the knife around the abdominal area. Having the knife seemed easier for me but Ace was not able to make a single mark on Tony.  

The match went on, the same thing happening again and again, Ace falling to the mat. 

Ace was already sweating profusely when Tony was barely sweating, he was still calm and collected. Ace was staring intently at Tony's moves, trying to analyze it, maybe even copy it, but it was futile. 

It was going to be a short match for Ace.  

By the time that they had changed roles, half of those who belong in the house of Beta had left the gym. I  heard some of them whispering about how pathetic their house head was. 

In their house, the strong were respected while the weak were dejected. I wonder how they were going to treat Ace after this match. 

Tony was able to get a clean stab every time he moved close to Ace,  he knew all the techniques so well. I was expecting the match to reach the end soon when Ace made a sharp turn. He was able to catch Tony off guard, pushing him to the floor, he was able to pin him. 

The crowd roared but Anne raised her hand, signaling it was a foul move.

I didn't know what was wrong but Ronald nodded his head as well. 

Ace laughed, "Still, I was able to  pin you down." 

It was just one pin, it was even a wrong move, but the gleam in his eyes came back. He was going to lose, everyone knew that, but he looked as if he won. He even had the guts to do a small curtsy and smile. 

Another round happen and the match finally ended, Tony won. 

Ace didn't stay after the battle, he left the gym immediately but he still managed to shake Tony's hand. Some of those from Beta jeered at Tony before they left but he just ignored them. He went straight to me instead, smiling like a kid who wants to be recognized.

I sighed, contemplating whether I should congratulate him or warn him not to attempt another battle like that ever again. I decided to go with the former, I didn't want to ruin his mood. 

"Congrats Tony," I smiled and went for his hair, messing it up. He stood straight, preventing me from reaching it.

"You were great," Anne gave him a side hug. 

The three of us went out of the gym after Tony changed his clothes. We were on the way to the cafeteria to have a mini celebration when Ace caught my eyes. He was on the first floor, heading toward the infirmary room. He was alone and he was obviously favoring his left foot. He wasn't limping when he left the gym just now, was he hiding it? 

I was not able to hide my gasp when I found him stumble and hit the grass floor. 

"Cana, you ok?" Anne noticed me first. 

"Um, yeah, I'm fine. You know what, why don't the two of you head to the cafeteria first, I'll follow." 

I didn't give them time to stop me or complain. I started running towards the opposite direction, down the stairs and straight towards the school courtyard where I saw Ace. 

I didn't know why I rushed to go to him, it was out of impulse. I slowed down when I started to ask myself why I was heading towards him. 

I unlocked every drawer in my brain, trying to find an excuse to give myself. It suddenly dawned on me, he was the one who helped me when I got unconscious during Green Day. He had no reason to help me that day,  he could have just let me be, but he still helped. 

I mentally punched myself for trying to find a reason to help someone who was injured. I felt so inhumane. I was only able to stop my train of thoughts when I found Ace sitting on the bench at the empty courtyard.

It was already 5 pm, most of the people were probably resting in their own dorms since finals just ended this morning. 

I can't believe not one of the students from Beta, who was watching just now, followed him. No one consoled him, no one helped him. 

Was this how they treated a fallen house member? 

He noticed me from afar, there were about 5 meters between us. He had a listless look, exhausted from the match and probably from his exams too. 

His hair was not combed back and I could still make out the sweat marks on his black dry-fit t-shirt, he looked worst than someone living in jail and yet I still thought he looked handsome. 

Again, I mentally slapped myself, this was no time for such thoughts. 

"Are you here to laugh at me?" His mouth cracks.

I can't believe he still had that arrogant air around him. He was in such a mess and yet he was still picking a fight with me. I sighed and headed towards him, I remained quiet as I took his right arm and placed it around my neck. 

"I'm taking you to the infirmary. Do stay quiet, I hate it when you talk," I added. 

He didn't pull away, instead, he gave it his best shot to stand up straight. He barely leaned on me, I couldn't even feel his weight at all but every now and then I felt him tremble. He would lightly lean on me, regain his balance, and begin to walk again. I guess he was still being prideful.  

Beta's strength is pride but little do they realize it was their weakness as well. 

As I had requested,  he remained silent the whole time. We walked through the empty hallways of the first floor when he suddenly stopped again. He leaned on me a little, trying to regain his balance and when he couldn't, he held onto my waist. I stood completely still, my heart pounded. 

I suddenly regretted asking him to stay silent, my heart was getting louder. It threatens to be heard which made me speak. 

"No one from your house helped you," I stated the obvious. He didn't respond so I continued. 

"I warned you not to take Tony lightly, why did you still go through with the challenge? You should be thanking all the Gods that you got away with a light injury, are you that prideful? Don't you know how fatal those injuries can be? Aren't you on your way to becoming a doctor? On top of that you even picked a fight with him on the last day of exams, are you not tired at all? You coul-" he interrupted.

"And I thought the students of Iota do not have much to say," he laughed. 

I turned his way to find him laughing genuinely. 

"I told you not to say a word," I snapped when I felt flustered. I made sure I was looking down because I could feel my face start to heat up. He didn't say another word, not until we reached the infirmary. 

The first-floor infirmary was huge, bigger than that of the fourth floor's. The wards were not separated by mere curtain lines, instead, there were rooms. Out of the ten rooms, only two were occupied, we entered the fifth room and I helped him settle at the bed. I was about to leave and call for the nurse when he held onto my wrist, pulling me back. 

"I just need to rest, I don't wanna be treated by the nurse," he didn't let go. 

"Are you mad? You were limping, what if you have a broken bone?" 

"I have already accessed myself. I'm gonna be a Doctor remember, I don't have any broken bones, that I am sure of. Thus if I did break a bone, I wouldn't have been able to walk," he smirked.

He still hasn't let go of my wrist and I knew he had no plan of letting me call the nurse so I decided to scan him instead. 

"Take your shirt off," I commanded. 

I  only realized how sexual my sentence was when the words came out of my mouth. 

"Hold your horses Vandia, it's not in my plans to go against the school rules," he flouts at me. 

The heat went straight to my face, my hands instinctively hit his arm and he winced in pain. 

"I'm sorry, I- See! This was why I wanted you to take your shirt off, I was going to see if there are any other injuries," I rolled my eyes and gritted my teeth. 

"Alright, alright, and I thought I was the doctor" he tugged on the back of his shirt and swiftly took it off. 

I think my mouth went agape. 

"Don't drool." 

I found myself rolling my eyes again and gulp secretly. I moved closer toward him to inspect for any wounds and bruises. I really was seriously looking for possible injuries but I couldn't help and notice how fine his body looked. He wasn't that bulky, his muscles were just at the right places. 

I could see his chest expanding every few seconds, he still seemed exhausted. I rounded the ward bed and checked his back, it was well structured too. I shook my head, trying my best not to gawk at him. 

He had a rather big bruise at his right arm and there was an inflamed part at his lower right chest. It was where Tony had struck him with the knife, I could still remember that scene.

"You have a bruise both in your right arm and chest," I announced and he laughed.

"I have an ecchymosis bruise on my right arm and a hematoma under my chest. It is best to ice both to prevent it from getting worst, it should heal in about 4 to 7 days. If it does not, one should seek professional help," he pointed on his injuries and assessed himself like how a doctor would. 

I couldn't even understand what he was saying, I was just in awe. 

"It's not just a bruise, Vandia," he mocked.

I gritted my teeth and sighed as I headed towards the fridge, I took a few ice packs and wrapped it in the clean white clothing at the bed stand. 

"Lie down," I ordered.

He didn't complain and simply followed. 

I pressed the ice packs on his lower chest that was swelling, he grimaced when it touches his skin. I couldn't even imagine how painful that must be, it was starting to turn blue-black. This looked far worst than his injury at his arm. 

"You're not supposed to ice it directly you know?" he flinched again. 

"You complain too much," I muttered and handed him the ice pack. 

He would know how to do it, he was going to be a doctor, right?

This time, I went to the foot of his bed to check on his left foot. I held his right ankle and he arched his back, biting back the pain. 

"Careful there Vandia, remember you are an Engineer, not a Doctor," he sounded weak. His voice was more gruff than usual, it was becoming more hoarse. 

"And you still don't want me to call the damn nurse,"  I muttered under my breath. 

I took his shoes off, followed by his socks. I was midway, taking his socks off when a strange scar caught my attention. 

He had a scar above his ankle, a burn mark like he was scalded by hot water. This scar was definitely not from the match just now, it was old and it has also healed, it just left a horrible mark on his skin. 

I didn't ask about it. Some things should never be pried on, it should be told voluntarily. 

As I lowered down his socks more, pulling it off, I found what was hidden beneath. 

I gasped when I saw his ankle, it was so swollen. It looked like there was a small balloon placed inside it. How was he able to stand when he had such an injury? Forget standing, how was he still conscious. I would have fainted with such an injury.

"I'm calling the nurse," I shook my head. He needed serious help. 

"Vandia, don't," he was able to sit upright and swing his legs down but the moment his foot touched the floor, he flinched. I bet he won't be able to use that foot for a while.

"Vandia, you better stop right now," he almost choked. He wouldn't be able to catch up to me so I continued to make my way out. 

"Vandia, this is none of your business," my hands were already on the knob of the door when he called out again.

"Cana, please." 

I stopped on my tracks. 

This was the first time he ever called me by my name.

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