Page 47 of Kicking It with the Point Guard

Oh…

“You also have a broken wrist, and you fractured your ankle. All of that, on top of a mild concussion, should have you feeling great!” She smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

I sigh, and pain shoots through my midsection.

“Ouch.”

“I told you,” the nurse says, matter-of-factly.

I roll my eyes, glad that most of the blurriness is finally fading. It’s easier to focus on stuff now.

“We should take her out of school right this instant,” Mom says, her voice finally steady. She pulls her shoulders back, reminding me of where I get my strong, defiant streak.

“No.” I try to shake my head, and a wave of dizziness rolls through me.

“Okay, parents.” The nurse’s tone turns firm. “You’re clearly distressing my patient. Let’s step outside and take a breather, shall we?”

Dad huffs, and Mom crosses her arms to glare at the bossy nurse.

The nurse winks at me, and I give her a small smile before she waves her hand, indicating that she’s not going to take no for an answer as she heads toward the door.

Mom stomps after her, followed by Dad.

When they’ve left the room, and the nurse has pulled the door closed, Mia snorts. “You’re just like your mother.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I wave my good hand and hold in a laugh, now very aware of exactly where my body hurts.

Oscar looks like he’s going to barf, and he takes my hand.

“Violet, I am so sorry. I should have followed you immediately. I shouldn’t have even let you go down there. I… I…”

Mia puts her hand on the big guy’s shoulder, and he shudders.

I squeeze his hand.

“Oscar, it’s okay. Don’t blame yourself. Please?” I give him what I hope is a pleading look. “You did try to stop me. You told me to leave. I’m just too stubborn for my own good.”

Mia snorts again, but this time I catch her brushing a tear away.

“Where’s Cameron?” I ask.

I was slightly disappointed that he didn’t appear behind Oscar when I woke up.

“He had to finish his game. But I got off the phone with him right before you woke up. He had just finished taking care of a few things, and he had already left campus. He should be here soon.”

“Violet.” Mia flinches and looks at me. “There’s something I feel like I need to tell you… as a friend.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “What is it?”

“Maybe I should just show you…” She pulls her phone out and snaps a picture, hesitating.

“Just let me see.” Exasperation saturates my tone.

Oscar grimaces when she hands me the phone.

I yelp, earning myself several seconds of intense pain.

The area around my eyes is bruised and swollen, but that’s not the worst part… My hair is… gone.

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