Page 20 of Did You See Evie

“Coach Cass?” Joanna’s voice echoes across the gym, interrupting our conversation. She’s still fiddling with the projector. “I don’t think this is the right cord. I’ve tried it a dozen times.”

“Let me help,” Beth says, walking over toward her.

“I can, too,” Evie says, turning away.

“Evie, wait,” I say, annoyed that the intensity of the moment has been broken. “I want to finish talking.”

“I’m fine, Coach,” she says. “I just want to have fun.”

Her expression is hopeful, but beyond that, I sense desperation. She’s determined to be as happy-go-lucky and carefree as her peers, keep all the difficult parts of her life buried. It’s something I remember from when I was her age. Even now, I find it easier to lock away the darker parts of myself.

I nod, accepting I’ll have to save our deeper conversation for another day. “From now on make sure you keep some with you in your bag?”

“I will.”

She runs off, her blanket flowing behind her like a cape. I told her that last part because, I realize, she may not have a reliable woman in her life to tell her these things. I know I didn’t. I learned about puberty and menstruation from a health science class in middle school, and there were several gaps in that lesson.

By the time I was Evie’s age, I’d had many embarrassing encounters on account of my changing body. Clearly there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, but preteens are easily ruffled, and I want to spare her anything she might deem humiliating.

“Joanna? I’ll be back,” I say, walking in the direction of my office. She waves a hand over her head, still fooling with the projector.

I look at my phone, half expecting another message from Nadia, but there’s nothing. By now, the plan is in place. All I have to do is wait. With each passing minute, my stomach twists with dread.

TEN

My office is at the back of the gymnasium, a section of the school that feels removed from the rest of the building, even though it’s still connected. There’s a small storage room and hallway which leads back to the main corridor, but it’s off-limits to students, and is hardly used by anyone other than the janitorial staff and me.

Shuffling through my bottom drawer, I grab a handful of tampons and slide them into the pocket of my hoodie. I think of how nervous Evie was when it came to discussing her cycle in front of the others. I rarely see that side of her. On the basketball court, she’s all spunk and fire, brimming with talent and attitude. It can make it easy to forget that these are young girls, still trying to figure themselves out as well as the world around them.

And I relate to Evie more than I do the others. She’s at Manning Academy on scholarship, something they didn’t even offer at the primary level during my day. Evie knows she’s not like the others, that if it weren’t for her talent, she wouldn’t be here. I know from experience that’s a lot of pressure to take on.

It’s how I felt when I first went to college. Most of the girls on our basketball team would have been there regardless of their athletic abilities. They could have sprained an ankle in the first game and still ended up graduating with a 4.0. I was different. Sports was the only thing that got me there, and knowing that was a heavy burden to carry.

If it was difficult for me at eighteen, I can only imagine how Evie feels. Regardless, she seems to get along with her teammates. They’re in awe of her talent, just as I am, just as we all are.

As I’m turning to leave the office, I hear movement to my left, coming from the direction of the main corridor. No one should be inside the building besides Joanna, the girls and me. I look at my watch again, checking the time. It’s nearing eleven, far too early for Nadia or any of her crew to be in the building. I haven’t even opened the door yet. I’ve not had a chance.

I tiptoe toward the door, listening. The sound of shuffling feet is unmistakable. Someone is on the other side of the door. I grip the handle, swinging the door open in one fluid motion.

Screams echo through the hallway, the piercing sound making me jump back, instincts to protect myself kicking in. When the sudden shock subsides, I see Connie and Delilah standing in the hall, their mouths agape.

“What are you two doing here?” I ask, angrily. “No one is supposed to leave the gym.”

“We’re on a dare,” Connie says.

“Beatrice dared us to run to our locker and back before you returned,” Delilah says.

“I ought to make you run suicides for breaking the rules,” I threaten them.

“We’re sorry, Coach,” Connie says.

Her tone works on me, or maybe my own nerves are already so rattled, I don’t care. There are far bigger issues on my mind than two girls wandering the halls.

“Get back to the gym. Now.”

The girls hurry off in that direction. I step into the corridor, turning my head from left to right, making sure no other players have snuck out. I’m annoyed with Joanna for not keeping a closer eye on them. She was probably so distracted with the movie setup it was easy for them to sneak away.

Shadows linger in the hallway from the windows on the walls, drawing attention to each classroom door. I get that familiar feeling of uneasiness, like I’m being watched, but I know it’s only the strange power of the place at night.

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