Fred's hand rested firmly on Clara's. It was warm, steady, and impossible to ignore. She stared into his eyes, and something in her gaze made him shift uncomfortably. He looked uncertain, even nervous. Clara's expression carried disappointment that she tried to conceal, but it was still visible. Fred was working for someone else, and that fact was unexpected. The realization hurt her deeply. Frustration and disappointment rose inside her, difficult to suppress.
She pulled her hand away from his, not only because she was angry but also because the contact felt unsafe. The moment was too intense, too overwhelming, and she needed distance.
"Who is he?" Clara asked, her voice sharp and filled with suspicion.
Fred hesitated. He could not simply say the name. If Clara discovered who was standing beneath the tree only a few feet ahead, she would leave immediately without hesitation. The man had not even turned around yet. He stood with his arms folded across his chest, staring upward at the sky as if nothing else mattered.
That stillness gave Fred a small opportunity.
"Please, Clara, just go and listen to him," Fred said. He dropped to his knees with quiet desperation that startled her. "He is in my department. Just hear what he has to say. Please, Clara."
Clara blinked, surprised. She had not expected Fred to beg. His humility was unusual and caught her off guard. She glanced toward the figure again, her curiosity increasing despite her reluctance. The man remained motionless.
She stepped forward, hesitant but intrigued. "Hello?" she called.
Only then did the figure turn.
"Hello, my princess," Hough replied. His arms were still folded, and his voice was smooth.
Clara recoiled slightly. "So you are the one who asked Fred to bring me here?" Her tone sharpened with disbelief. "Are you out of your mind, Hough?"
"My apologies, my princess," Hough said, bowing his head slightly. "I needed to speak with you. I wanted to express what is in my heart. I am sorry for every inconvenience I have caused, but Clara, I am serious about this."
His voice softened and carried a sincerity that startled her. Clara watched him, stunned. Her lips parted, but no words came.
"I am in love with you, Clara," Hough said. "When I do not see you, even for a single day, it becomes unbearable. Please give me the chance to show you how much I care."
Clara stared at him, disgust rising inside her.
"You are unattractive, Hough," she said coldly. "That is how I see you. And you smell unpleasant from head to toe. Any girl who ends up with you would have to be completely unreasonable."
Her voice trembled, not from fear but from the effort of controlling her anger. She felt betrayed by Fred for convincing her to meet Hough. She turned sharply, storming back to where Fred waited with wide eyes.
She stopped inches from him, her voice razor-sharp. "Do not ever involve me in this kind of nonsense again, Fred." The disappointment in her tone was clear. She had hoped, even slightly, that Fred had been the one who wanted to speak to her.
Once Clara was out of sight, Hough stormed toward Fred, rolling up his sleeves with slow, deliberate movements. Without warning, he struck. His fist connected with Fred's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Why does she reject me every time, Fred?" Hough growled. "And you - "
Another punch landed, followed by another. Fred grunted, unable to fight back. The pain was overwhelming.
"She looks at you in a way that hurts me, Fred! You are trying to take what belongs to me! Clara is mine, and mine alone!"
Before Hough could strike again, Jerry appeared suddenly. He rushed forward and shielded Fred with his body.
"What is wrong with you, Hough?" Jerry shouted, his voice filled with anger. "Why are you doing this? Why are you always such a bully?"
"I do not have business with you, Jerry," Hough snapped. "But if you keep interfering, I will deal with you too."
"I do not care what you are planning," Jerry shot back. "What is your problem? You are always dragging unnecessary conflict around as if it is your right."
"Watch your mouth, Jerry," Hough hissed, his chest rising and falling heavily. "You should have told him who I am. This is my territory. No one competes with me for a girl at Greenlight. No one!"
Jerry's expression twisted in disbelief. "Fred? Competing with you? He just arrived."
"Exactly!" Hough roared. "And already Clara is paying attention to him. Everyone knows she is off-limits. Everyone!"
Jerry froze, his lips parting in confusion.
"Wait… Is it that serious? Clara likes Fred?" he asked, his voice low and stunned. The strength seemed to drain from his body. He looked down at Fred, who winced in pain but said nothing.
"Is that true, Fred?" Jerry whispered.
"He is lying…" Fred began, but Jerry did not hear the rest.
"Wow," Jerry muttered under his breath, dazed. He remained silent for a period of time.
Hough continued ranting in the background, but Jerry was no longer listening. His mind was overwhelmed.
"Is something wrong, Jerry?" Fred asked from the ground, squinting up at him.
Jerry snapped out of his thoughts. "Nothing is wrong," he lied. "Let us just get to class."
He helped Fred up, brushing dust and debris from his clothes. Jerry tried to hide the storm of emotions unraveling quietly behind his calm exterior.