The ambulance's siren echoed around the field as chants and words died down among the people. I looked down at my hands, playing with the hems of my skirt. My stomach churned and a lump formed in my throat.

Did I felt bad at him?

Should I, though? He was not my friend or even my acquaintance, but he certainly wasn't my enemy. He just my cousin's best friend and a person who went to the same school as me, that's all. So, it's normal to feel this way, wasn't it?

The referee blew his whistle, cutting through the silence but it sounded like a distance away. They must have continued the game because there were stomps on the ground and the chants began again, although they're not as enthusiastic and powerful as before.

A familiar hand touched my arm. "Are you okay?"

I looked up at Kate and flashed a small smile. "I'm fine. Just feel a little dizzy."

"You look pale," said Kate as she handed the plastic cup of lemonade that I placed in between our seats. "Drink a little. Maybe you're dehydrated."

I nodded and sipped the lemonade, not voicing out what I truly feel.

Our football team won the cup and as the substitute captain, Ryan held up the cup in the air proudly. I clapped and stood with the others as our team posed for the academy's magazine, I waved at Ryan when he smiled brightly and pointed at the cup to us, I smiled when our football team shook hands with their rival, but I still couldn't shake off the butterflies in my stomach.

Ryan met us at his car after he changed into fresh clothes, his bag slung over his shoulder. He jogged towards us when he spots us, his breaths ragged. He hugged both of us and kissed Kate's forehead. "Thank you."

Kate and I shared a glance before I asked, "Why, champion?"

"For watching and supporting me. You guys don't know how much that means to me," said Ryan, with a croak in his voice. Tears formed in his eyes but he entered the car quickly before anyone could point it out.

I smiled at his retreating figure, while he might be a tough guy most of the time, the simplest act could touch his heart.

As Ryan swerved out of the parking lot, my handphone ringed and saw Aunt Jane on the caller id. "Hello, Rose? Is everything all right? The chat group for the parents and teachers is active all of the sudden."

"Uh," I said, unsure of how to explain the situation to her. I could see Ryan glancing at me through the rearview mirror but he did not say anything. "Our team won the cup, auntie."

"That's great! W-"

"But," I added quickly. "AJ entered the hospital. We're on our way there."

"Oh dear, is it bad?"

"I'm not sure but he fainted from the impact. Where are you now?"

"We're on the way to the Academy. But since the match is over, we'll wait at home." She paused for a moment before saying, "And Rose?"

"Yes?"

"Can you tell Ryan to call me or Uncle Reed after you reach the hospital?"

I smiled. "Of course, I will, Auntie."

She hung up after saying thank you and I looked up to see that we had reached the hospital. Ryan unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to me. "What did she say?"

"She wanted you to call her after we reached the hospital."

He nodded. "I'll call her soon. Let's get inside."

I walked behind Ryan who led us to the lift and pushed the fifth-floor button. I was about to ask him if he knew where AJ was when Kate voiced out my thoughts. "Do you know where he is?"

"Yes, Mr Hall told me."

The lift dinged, indicating that we had arrived at the fifth floor. We walked in the hallway, nurses and patients passed by. Soon Mrs Jones and the teachers came into sight. A doctor and a nurse stood in front of them. Mrs Jones put her hand on her chest and sighed in relief. But when we reached them, the doctor and the nurse was walking away in the opposite direction.

"How is he?" Ryan asked as soon as he reached the teachers after nearly knock a poor nurse on his way there.

Kate rolled her eyes at him and apologised to the nurse on his behalf. I smiled at the teachers and AJ's mother when we stopped beside Ryan.

Mr Hall smiled. "He's fine. He fainted from the fall but it wasn't concerning. The doctor said he just needs to rest then he can go home."

"Can we see him?" Ryan asked.

"You can but let his mother enters first," said Ms Robinson, who nodded at AJ's mother.

Mrs Jones smiled gratefully and turned to Ryan. "I won't take long."

Ryan just shook his head. "Take your time, Mrs Jones."

Then, we took a seat opposite the door. The teachers asked us if our team win the cup, which Ryan replied excitedly before Kate and I had a chance to. Then, Ryan excused himself to fill in the other Elites, who were on their way to the hospital and finally call his parents.

Kate and I talked about random things, like why hospitals' walls were always white. Mr Hall joked a little to lighten up the tense atmosphere which Ms Robinson shook her head at. A few minutes later, Mrs Jones came out of the room and told the teachers to come in since Ryan was on the phone.

The teachers left after that, with another congratulation to Ryan and telling us to enjoy the one-week holiday. Mrs Jones thanked the teachers and turned to us.

"You guys can enter now. But he's sleeping."

I glanced at Ryan, who nodded. "Thank you, Mrs Jones. I'm sorry that we didn't bring anything."

"I should be the one to thank all of you for coming," she said, smiling. Then, she turned to Ryan. "Where are the others?"

"Joe and Noah were on their way. But as you know, Hayden and his parents can't come because they have a flight to catch. They sent their condolences."

Mrs Jones nodded and sat on the chair, permitting us to enter. Ryan tilted his head when he was about to twist the knob, beckoning us to follow him.

AJ was laying on the bed, a peaceful look on his face. Ryan went to stand beside the bed while Kate and I sat on the sofa to give him privacy. I took out my phone to kill the time.

Then, I felt Kate nudged my arm. "Rose, look! He didn't wear the wristband," whispered Kate.

"Uh?" I said at her before looking at where she pointed.

Ryan was inside the toilet of the private room, leaving Kate and me with the sleeping AJ. I looked at his right wrist, that bore his mark and saw it was exposed for the world to see. The area was a bit light compared to his forearm, due to the lack of exposure.

"Aw, come on. Let see what his mark is," she giggled.

I shook my head. "You're a troublemaker, do you know that?"

Kate pouted. "I just want to see his mark. This is a chance in a million, you know?"

"Or you can ask him to show you."

"As he would," said Kate, rolling her eyes. Before I could tell her otherwise, she already stood up and went to AJ's side.

"What if he wakes up?" I hissed, tiptoeing to her.

She just shushed me and grabbed the blanket to use it as a barrier between her hand and AJ's wrist, as if her touch would wake him up. Then, she twisted his wrist.

"What are you doing?"

I jumped and turned around to see Ryan staring at us with a hard look. Behind me, I heard Kate gasped. "Err, Kate w-wanted to s-see his mark."

"Are you out of your mind?" Ryan hissed, narrowing his eyes at Kate.

Kate didn't answer but by the look at Ryan's face, they had some kind of conversation exchanged between them. Confused, I turned to Kate who's staring at me with an emotion flashed in her eyes. Then, my eyes trailed to AJ's wrist, where his mark was. It's the shape of a heart with a line swirling around it.

My mark.