Fierce Red

Rivalry

"What did you do actually?" Almora asked, her voice low but firm, her eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion as she tried to understand what had just happened.

"He has removed all the pain in your back," the nurse answered gently, stepping closer to check Almora's vitals. Her tone carried both awe and professional certainty. "You’ll be able to leave by this afternoon, but no volleyball for you until after two days. That’s doctor’s orders," she added, scribbling something on her clipboard before turning and walking out of the room with quiet efficiency.

Almora turned slowly to look at Lucian, her brows furrowed in a mix of curiosity and frustration. “So, Mr. Lucian Harris,” she began, her voice cool but with a sharp edge, “What exactly do you want from me?”

Lucian smirked, leaning back slightly in the chair beside her bed. “You’re welcome, Mora,” he said with a wink, emphasizing her nickname in a way that was clearly meant to tease her.

Almora huffed and crossed her arms. “Okay, fine. Thank you,” she muttered under her breath, clearly reluctant. “But let’s be clear you're a Harris, and my father and your father have been rivals for years. That makes you, by default, someone I should not be associating with. My father’s enemy is also my enemy. Now, if you don’t mind, please leave. I need to rest.”

She rolled over, turning her back to him, and closed her eyes tightly, hoping he’d take the hint and just walk away. For a moment, there was silence until she felt the unmistakable presence of someone lying beside her. Her eyes snapped open, and she twisted around abruptly, only to find herself awkwardly positioned on top of Lucian.

"What are you still doing here?" I thought I told you to leave me alone!" she exclaimed, completely forgetting the awkward position they were in.

Lucian didn’t flinch. He stared up at her calmly, even though his heart was hammering in his chest. “If you want me to leave, use your powers and make me leave, Mora,” he said with a soft voice, almost like a challenge. There was something gentle, almost vulnerable in the way he said her name, even if his words were provoking.

Almora’s eyes narrowed, her face contorting with frustration and anger. “So that’s why you’ve been pestering me all along, huh?” she snapped. “You wanted me to lose control to get so angry that my powers would burst out without control. That’s what this is about.”

Her voice cracked slightly, the betrayal she felt evident in her expression. “Just when I thought you were different from the rest. But I guess I was wrong. My father’s enemy is truly mine too.” She pushed herself away from him and stood up abruptly, ignoring the tiny sting in her back. “I’m not waiting until this afternoon. I’m discharging myself now. And by the way,” she added coldly, “my name is ALmora.” She pronounced the first syllable with extra emphasis, her glare sharp like daggers.

Without waiting for a response, she stormed out of the infirmary, the door clicking shut behind her like the slamming of her heart.

Lucian remained lying there, completely stunned. He blinked a few times and sat up slowly, running his hands through his hair in exasperation. “I don’t even know how to talk to a girl anymore,” he muttered under his breath, clearly frustrated with himself.

He reached for a pillow and, with a growl of frustration, tossed it across the infirmary. The soft thud of it hitting the floor did little to soothe his rising anxiety.

Outside the infirmary, Almora wasn’t given even a moment to breathe before another storm approached her.

“Look who we have here, it’s the Red,” Melanie’s voice echoed mockingly through the hallway. She and her group of friends, Julie and Becky stood blocking Almora’s path like sentinels of drama, each one wearing a smug expression.

“Has your back healed, or are you still crouching like an oldie?” Julie taunted, folding her arms and c*****g her head with an exaggerated smirk.

Almora rolled her eyes and stepped to the side to walk away, but the girls blocked her again, deliberately moving in sync like a well-rehearsed act.

“Are you running away already?” Melanie asked with a sarcastic pout. “You scared or something?”

Almora stood tall, keeping her posture calm. “Get out of my way and go find something better to do,” she said, her voice calm but deadly.

“Was that an insult?” Becky asked, stepping forward.

“Do you think you can scare us away with those tiny little words of yours?” Melanie sneered, poking Almora on the shoulder with a pointed finger.

Almora stepped back slightly, brushing her shoulder where Melanie had touched her. “Get your filthy hands off me,” she snapped. “And stop hovering around me like flies that don’t know when they’re not wanted.”

Melanie’s eyes narrowed, but Almora continued without giving her the chance to speak.

“Oh, I get it now,” she said, a slow smirk curling on her lips. “You’re feeling insecure. My powers threaten your little popularity contest. Don’t worry though,” she added, patting Melanie’s shoulder condescendingly, “your popularity is safe. It’s not like it could ever match mine anyway.”

With that, she brushed past them, leaving the three girls frozen with shock and stinging pride.

“This school is full of crazies,” Almora muttered under her breath, still shaking her head when a voice echoed in her mind.

“Almora, come to my office.” The voice of Ms. Carmen spoke clearly through telepathy. Almora sighed heavily, the exhaustion already settling in. ‘Oh great… what now?’ she thought to herself.

The hallway was silent now, as most students were in their classrooms. Almora finally reached the headmistress's office, her hand hovering over the door for a moment before she knocked.

“Come in,” Ms. Carmen’s voice called from inside.

Almora entered slowly, cautiously, and took the seat Ms. Carmen gestured toward.

“I heard about your injury,” Ms. Carmen began, folding her hands on the table. “And the nurse informed me that Mr. Harris healed it for you.”

“Yes, he did,” Almora replied with a nod, her tone neutral.

Ms. Carmen’s expression grew serious. “I’m sure you’re aware of the long-standing rivalry between your family and his. I’d advise you to stay away from him for your sake, and for your father’s temper. Rest assured, we didn’t inform your family about your injury.”

“There’s no need to warn me,” Almora said coolly. “I’ve already decided to keep my distance. My father’s enemy is also mine.”

“Very good,” Ms. Carmen said, nodding slightly. “Now, how was your first day? I received your class performance reports. They were commendable.”

“It was great, thank you ma’am,” Almora replied quietly.

“You may take your leave now.”

Almora stood, offered a respectful nod, and exited the office. Once she was back in the hallway, she exhaled deeply.

“What’s with this whole rivalry thing?” she mumbled to herself, shaking her head. “Well, I guess I shouldn’t bother myself with things beyond my control.”