Chapter 1

“I can’t believe it’s only Wednesday! Ugh!” I say with dread. I hear the other gymnasts mumble in agreement.

“It should be Friday. This week feels like it’s been ten years long,” Soleil says, exasperated.

“Only two more days until Friday though, and we only have two more meets. The next one is close, so we have to work hard today. Practice is almost over!”

“Yeah, that’s true. But the meet after this one is so far away.”

“Allie, it’s your turn!” Coach yells.

“Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention! I was talking to Soleil.” I very quickly look at the clock over the mirror and wipe the sweat off my nose. Soleil chuckles at me.

“Hey!” I look at Soleil as I run to do my tumbling pass. She shrugs. I wonder if she really thought that was funny? Or if she was just laughing at me. When Soleil is done with her turn, I laugh at her as she throws herself up against the wall that’s covered in mats. I lay up against the mats. They are freezing compared to the gym.

“You have too much homework don’t you, Soleil?”

“Just reminded myself how much I have. I think my head is going to explode; you better watch out.”

“Mood.”

“Allie, just wait until you’re in tenth grade.”

“Hey, I’m only in eighth, but I’m taking advanced classes.”

It’s my turn again. But this time, when I run from the corner of the floor to the mats, something doesn’t feel right. It’s like, something's off. I’m not even sure if I should go for my pass. But I have to. The meet’s coming up. But I’m petrified. I have so little time to decide if I want to go. So I just do. Oof. Big mistake. As I put my feet down, I know that not stopping myself and going for my pass isn’t a good idea.

My eyes are crying out. The pain in my foot feels like someone ripped out a bone. I roll over to the side of the floor, away from all the mats.

“Are you okay, Allie?”

I shake my head.

I’ll call your mom,” Coach tells me. I look up, trying to get words out of my mouth. I am biting the inside of my check so hard I can even taste the blood. I can see everyone staring at me. They can see I’m in pain. Soleil’s face is worried even though she has a shocked look. Her, hand placed over her dropped jaw, is as wide as a laughing hyena’s.

“Your mom is on the way. Where does it hurt?” he asks. I reach up and grab the ice pack, which is so cold that I feel a chill up my arm.

“On the side, right here.” My foot is in agonizing pain.

“Wrap the ice around your foot until your mom comes.”  I nod. Soleil comes over with some tissues and my water.

“Thank you so much.”

“I feel so bad, Allie. I hope you’re better soon,”

I give Soleil a hug. As I sit there waiting for my mom, my foot starts to feel relieved. I’m guessing it’s the frigid ice.

I’m scared because I know that we are going straight to the urgent care to see the doctor. I’m anxious to know what they are going to say, yet I don’t want them to say anything at all. I don’t even want to go. I’m completely dreading it. Good thing this day hasn’t been going by quickly.

I see my mom rush in. I give her a look of disappointment, and her face follows mine. I slowly get up. I don’t use my foot; it’s paralyzed. I lug myself over to the door, which seems to be ten miles away. Soleil scrambles over to help me. I say goodbye to everyone, and my mom hoists me to the car. It’s awkward just waiting for my mom to walk to the car, carrying me in her arms.

The ride starts in silence as I sit and gaze, seeing all my surroundings zip by. “I don’t want to go, Mom.”

“You have to. I understand that you don’t want to hear what they are going say because you know it could be bad. But we have to go, Allie.”

Again. Silence. I never want to get there. But then I see the urgent care sign, and my foot gives a sharp pain. I hold my breath. My mom finds a spot, and again she carries me out.

We check in, and they tell us it’s going to be a while. I sigh. We sit, and the only thing I’m wondering is what’s going to happen to my foot. I look around and check out the other people waiting to be taken care of. I’ve been and done this before. It’s Deja vu. I feel like I’ve been sitting here for hours, just inspecting the sophisticated paintings on the blank, dusty walls. I look at my phone. It’s only been ten minutes.

“I just want it to be over with already!” I exclaim as I kick my feet, frustrated.

“I know, Allie.” My mom kisses me on the head.

After what seems like hours, the nurse finally comes in the waiting room, crutches in her hand. She calls my name. I gather all my things and hand them over to my mom. The nurse tells me to follow her to get x-rays. Those are always stressful. Sometimes they move you in a way that hurts what you injured, but all you can do is cringe. It’s almost like they injure it more. It’s hard to stay in the position I’m in while they’re taking pictures. You have to be unbelievably still. Frozen even.

“You’re finished,” the nurse tells me. I relax.

“Thank you.” I struggle over to the room my mom’s in.

“The doctor will be right with you.”

“Okay,” my mom and I both say.

I’m still dreading it, listening to how long I’ll be out for, what I have to wear, whatever. It’s not even the worst part though. The worst part is waiting. Waiting for that nice but deadly, “Hello.”

“Can we just go? We’ve been here for so long already,” I desperately ask.

“No, Allie. I know you don’t want to be injured, but better now than later.”

I hear the door crack open. My palms sweat; no need for a warning.

-Emma Oertel