Chapter 308 - 309: Gritting Teeth
In any case, Mia Warren had brought this accident on herself.
Yet she was blaming an innocent person for it all.
Shawn Styles was disappointed and saddened by Mia Warren’s behavior.
"You never know what life will throw at you. This is her own problem, so why is she blaming you?"
Chloe Sinclair, however, shook her head. "If an accident kept you from competing this year, how would you react?"
Shawn Styles froze.
After a moment of thought, he answered earnestly, "I’d be devastated, maybe even get depressed, but I would never, ever blame anyone else. It’s my body, my choices, and my accident. I couldn’t blame any of that on someone else."
Hearing this, Chloe Sinclair started to see Shawn Styles in a new light.
"You have a great mindset, but do you care what other people think?"
"Of course I wouldn’t..."
Shawn Styles trailed off, his eyes widening as he looked at Chloe Sinclair in surprise.
"Chloe, are you saying that Mia Warren is afraid of what other people will think?"
Chloe Sinclair didn’t deny it. She nodded. "That’s right. She’s afraid, and I just happen to be a convenient punching bag and scapegoat for her."
And with a perfectly justifiable reason.
Shawn Styles was dumbfounded.
"How could that be?"
"But the girl is only eighteen. She’s poured her entire youth onto that track. Without competitions, she feels like her life is ruined."
Then someone shows up, and it’s like she’s been thrown a lifeline.
As if doing this could shield her from some of the rumors.
But she never stopped to think that maybe no one would have looked down on her to begin with.
Shawn Styles looked utterly shocked, completely unable to understand how Mia Warren could think that way.
"So you’re just going to let her keep saying that?"
How would the other members of the sports team think of Chloe Sinclair then?
"Let her talk," Chloe Sinclair said, her expression unreadable.
It wasn’t that Mia Warren’s words hadn’t affected her at all. Along with the surprise, she felt an even greater sense of disappointment and sadness.
But Mia Warren was still so young, with a long road ahead of her. Chloe didn’t want to let someone spiral into depression.
Seeing the indignant look on Shawn Styles’ face, she suddenly let out a soft laugh. "Alright, it’s really fine. I heard the ambulance sirens earlier. We should get back."
Her anger had subsided, but training couldn’t stop.
Seeing her reaction, Shawn Styles felt a pang of heartache, mixed with a sense of helplessness.
"Let’s go."
When the two of them returned to the indoor track, the other athletes were already in position.
But they were all looking at Chloe Sinclair with probing stares.
Nearby, Professor Young’s expression was also grim.
His expression eased slightly when he saw Chloe Sinclair return.
"Chloe, you’re back?" Professor Young put down his clipboard and hurried over, forcing a smile onto his aged face.
Chloe Sinclair hummed in response, glancing at the assembled athletes.
An empty spot in the front row belonged to Mia Warren.
"What are you all staring at me for? Go on, start your warm-ups," Chloe Sinclair said with a sudden smile. It was a small one that didn’t reveal her true feelings.
But even after hearing her, no one moved.
Shawn Styles was the one who shouted, "Go run two laps to warm yourselves up! We still have training to do!"
The captain had spoken, so everyone naturally listened, lining up and starting their run.
Once the athletes were off on their warm-up run, Chloe Sinclair finally asked Professor Young, "How is Mia Warren?"
"She’s fine. Perfectly conscious," Professor Young said, almost through gritted teeth.