"Yes... if Eleanor really loves Mateo, maybe Olivia is being too harsh," another student said uncertainly.
But Olivia did not panic. She let her sobs grow louder, clutching her pen tightly in her hand. She stood up suddenly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.
"I cannot take this bullying anymore!" Olivia cried, her voice breaking, yet strong enough to fill the room.
The class flinched at her words, and Eleanor froze, her mouth half open.
Olivia pointed at Eleanor, her hand trembling.
"When did I ever say you cannot date Mateo? When did I ever stop you? I only asked you why you did not tell about it. I only asked why my best friend hid it from . Is that too much to ask? Is it bullying if I expect honesty from you?"
Her voice cracked again, and her sobs grew harsher. The entire classroom felt their hearts twist. Many lowered their heads, unable to look at her red eyes.
Eleanor panicked. She bit her lip until it almost bled and whispered, "I... I was worried you would oppose . I was scared you would not approve."
Olivia suddenly laughed through her tears, a broken laugh that shook everyone’s hearts. "So now you are saying I restrict your movents? That I control you?"
Her words cut through the air like a blade. The students around them nodded unconsciously.
"Yes... it does sound like that," soone muttered.
"Eleanor makes it sound like Olivia is so tyrant who won’t let her live her life," another added.
"But Olivia just said she never liked Mateo. Then what was Eleanor so afraid of?"
The whispers grew again, this ti sharper, heavier against Eleanor.
Eleanor’s face turned pale, her lips trembling. She had thought she could push Olivia into a corner, but Olivia had turned the trap around so easily that now it was Eleanor who looked like the selfish friend.
But then, like a sudden clap of thunder, Mateo’s voice cut through the noise.
"Enough!" he shouted, his chair scraping as he stood up.
The entire class jumped at his outburst. Heads turned at once, and silence fell.
For so long, Mateo had been quiet, watching everything like a shadow, but now he was the one commanding all the attention.
Slowly, with firm steps, he walked over to Eleanor. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest.
Gasps filled the room. A few students even covered their mouths. Eleanor, who had been trembling monts before, clutched Mateo’s shirt tightly, her eyes widening at the sudden hug.
Mateo raised his chin and spoke loudly so everyone could hear. "No one has the right to misjudge or insult Eleanor." His voice was firm, steady, and filled with pride.
"You do not understand her feelings. You cannot know her heart. But I know. I have seen how much she loves ."
The class buzzed with shock. People glanced at each other, not sure whether to believe what they were hearing.
In Mateo’s heart, a strange warmth had blood. He had always loved Olivia. He had chased after her, again and again, hoping she would soday give him a chance.
But Olivia had never once accepted him. She had never admitted to liking him, never once shown the courage to say she wanted him.
And yet here was Eleanor. Eleanor, who did not hide. Eleanor, who openly claid she loved him, even in front of her best friend.
Eleanor, who dared to fight for him when everyone was against her. For a mont, Mateo was deeply touched.
He thought to himself, ’This is what a woman in love looks like. This is what I want.’
Tightening his hold on Eleanor, Mateo turned to Olivia. His eyes were cold, though his voice carried pride. "You have bullied Eleanor too much, Olivia. If you are unhappy with our relationship, then vent your anger on . Do not hurt her. Do not make her feel so insulted."
Olivia stared at him in disbelief, her red eyes wide. Her tears had dried, replaced by speechlessness. She could not believe what she was hearing. Was this man out of his mind?
She wanted to laugh, to tell him he had so sort of delusional disease. But before she could open her mouth, Mateo went on, his voice growing even louder.
"If you want," Mateo said,
"I am willing to give you so attention. But that is all. Beyond that, do not expect anything more from . Yes, I loved you once. Maybe I still have feelings for you. But now Eleanor is my girlfriend. And I love her more than anything."
He looked around the classroom, his arms wrapped proudly around Eleanor. His gaze swept across the students like he was daring them to argue.
The students, however, did not look impressed. In fact, many of them were struggling not to laugh.
"Does he think he’s in so kind of drama show?" one boy whispered.
"Why is he acting like the hero of a cheap romance novel?" a girl muttered under her breath.
Still, Mateo ignored them all. He lifted his head high, his face glowing with pride, and continued,
"Olivia, I know you. You may want to explain yourself right now. But you do not need to. I already understand. You must be regretting rejecting all this ti. But it is too late now. Eleanor is the one who stood by , who confessed her love to openly. Since she has done that, I will take responsibility. I will protect her and love her."
Eleanor buried her face against his chest, pretending to cry harder, though deep inside she was secretly smiling.
She had not expected Mateo to speak such bold words. Now, in front of the whole class, he was not only defending her but declaring his loyalty to her.
Olivia, however, nearly exploded. She felt sick, almost ready to vomit at the sight of the two of them hugging so tightly.
Her body trembled with fury, and finally, she shouted, her voice echoing across the classroom.
"I do not like you!"
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