Chapter 11

Mathieu took me to the infirmary, I am currently sitting still on the bed as per his instructions.

"This is going to sting a bit." He notified before gently dabbing the cotton ball soaked with disinfectant into my scratches and blisters.

I whimpered as soon as the cotton balls touched my skin. It stings a lot and felt as if my skin is burning. I have a lot of scratches on my face as well as my arms, which I got from fighting Marianne and her friends.

After putting a disinfectant, Mathieu started to apply some ointment on my visible bruises.

"I, I can do it myself."

"Just stay still. You also have blisters over here." He murmured while looking at my elbow.

"But..."

"Stay still." He firmly said, which made me nod in defeat.

I silently watched him. Since we were kids, Mathieu was always the one who took care of me. He's always been there to get me out of trouble,, and he always had a way to calm me. But I'm afraid that I keep on bothering him, and I feel like I'm getting too dependent on him.

"I'm sorry..."

"Idiot, what are you sorry for?"

"Y, your book. It wasn't destroyed because of me."

Mathieu lightly flicked my forehead, "It's not your fault, and it's just a book. I can just buy a replacement anytime."

"But..."

"And don't you dare say, that you're a bother to me."

"But it's true... I, I keep on bothering you with this useless things," I tightly clutched my skirt and drops of tears fell on the back of my hands.

I couldn't help but to cry, I feel so helpless and little. Why am I so pathetic? I only wanted to retort them, but in the end, I fell into their provocation and ended up getting into a mess. I even dragged Mathieu in this kind of situation again.

"Ssh, it's okay." Mathieu gently patted my head.

"Heck... I-I was just feeling angry because of what they did. But, I didn't expect them to turn me into a liar. I-I tried to tell my side, but no one tried to listen to me. I don't know what to do... Hick, hick... I didn't mean to get into trouble. Will my mom's husband kick me out of the house? He warned me not to get into trouble, but look what I got myself into? I don't know where else to go? What if the principal informed my mother about this? I'm afraid to go home... I don't want to get scolded, it's not my fault... it's really not my fault..." I sobbed with my head bowed down.

Furthermore, I don't want Mathieu to see me like this. Furthermore, I told him that I was okay, but I couldn't help but feel upset. Furthermore, I really hate myself for being this weak.

Mathieu let me cry. He patiently stayed by my side until I managed to calm myself down. He offered me his handkerchief to wipe my tears, which I gladly accepted.

"What do I do now, Math? I'm afraid to go home. I can imagine my mother fuming with anger as soon as she sees me."

Mathieu fell into silence, he was rubbing his chin and seemed like he was thinking about something.

"Hey, listen...do you want to come over to my house? It's been a while since we had a sleepover. We can play games until late at night, and watch anime or movies, since tomorrow is the weekend."

"Huh? That would be nice b-but...well, wouldn't I be a bother?"

"How many times do I need to tell you, that you're not a bother." He said and flicked my forehead, "I'd be really happy if you agree. It's been a while since we hang out together,, and I think you also need a change of scenery."

"Ouch!" I pouted while rubbing my forehead, "I don't know if mom will agree..."

"It's okay, I'll tell my mother to come up for an excuse. You don't need to go back to your house, you still have your sleepover clothes in my house. And, you can just borrow my clothes if you want to."

"Okay," I gave him a small smile. It's probably okay to go there, plus I also miss aunt Jennie's cooking.

"Alright!" Mathieu exclaimed cheerfully, "I'll fetch you after class. Stay here and rest, okay?"

"Mn."

* * *

Mathieu closes the curtain after making sure that Sid is comfortable. He turned his back and left the infirmary completely. His smile and gentle appearance vanished, like a mask taken off from his face.

He walked silently through the hallways to get into his next class. It was only a few minutes left before the bell rang, unfortunately he was stopped by Sid's classmates before he can arrive at his classroom.

"H-hey Mathieu, can we talk for a moment?"

"Sure," He smiles at the two girls who approached him. It was none other than Sid's classmates, Linda and Marianne.

"Um, about what happened earlier...it was really a misunderstanding. Please believe us." Marianne said with pleading eyes as she looked at him.

"It's true. We were just joking around. We didn't know that Sid would take it seriously. She's quite the sensitive one, and we didn't expect her to push Marianne. We were surprised about the whole thing, and we tried to separate her from Marianne,, but she just wouldn't let go," Linda explained pretentiously with an innocent voice.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I don't know what Sid told you, but it's really just a misunderstanding. Please, believe us."

Pfft... How shameless can they be, trying to convince him to believe their lies? Do they really think that he would believe them over Sid? Pathetic.

Mathieu leaned forward and looked at Linda, "Liar," He said smiling, yet his eyes were sharp as a blade.

"H-huh?"

He was smiling at them the entire time, but now, there is no need to maintain that kind and friendly persona in front of them. Mathieu's face is now completely void of expression, with his bluish gray eyes glaring at them coldly.

"I'm completely amazed by your audacity to appeal your 'innocence' in front of me. Do you think I'm a fool?"

"What?! N, no... that's—"

"Then what? Oh, are you perhaps desperate for attention?" Mathieu laughed in a scoffing manner.

"Hey, why are you being so mean to us all of a sudden?" Marianne aggressively said.

"Mean? I'm just kidding. It's just a misunderstanding, did you feel attacked?"

"Misunderstanding? No, you are being mean to us. You are suddenly saying hurtful words, Mathieu."

"Ha...haha!" Mathieu couldn't help but to laugh, "You guys couldn't take a small insult, yet you're doing much worse to Sid. You empty-headed donkeys! Are your heads just a decoration that you couldn't think anything else but to bully Sid and play innocent? The only thing you parrots are good at, is to lie and make stories."

Mathieu took a step forward as he arrogantly looked down on Linda and Marianne. He could see their hands tightly formed into a fist, and their jaws clenching in anger. Their faces were as red as ripe tomatoes because of shame and embarrassment.

"Don't you ever try to approach or bother Sid again. If I catch you doing something funny to her—" He purposely stopped as he looked at them with a warning gaze.

"Why? Why do you defend that ugly bitch so much?"

Mathieu walked past them, "Because Sid is very precious to me."