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Beth flips around, sharp eyes on me. “Nobody talked to you, broke girl.”
My mouth falls slack at her stupid insult. The door to the locker room opens slowly as Coach Thompson makes his way in, his limp slowing him down.
“Miss Lam, cheer practice has started. Out,” he mumbles.
Beth doesn’t wait a second longer and hurries out of the room.
Coach sits down on one of the benches, huffing, and puffing as he tries to find a comfortable position.
“Alright, White” he starts in a stern voice. “It has come to my attention that you may or may not have forged your parents’ signature on the tournament slip.”
“I don’t have parents, coach, I thought you knew that much,” she chuckles.
But I know that kind of chuckle by now. It’s the one she uses when she can’t be bothered to face reality and serious conversations. The one that’s a little too high for her voice, a little too fake to the ears who know her. Her chuckle is the equivalent of me biting my inner cheek. A stress reliever.
“Let’s not play around with words, kiddo. If something happens to you at the tournament and yourguardianwants to sue us because he wasn’t aware that you were at a tournament in the first place, the school could be in big trouble. Now if you ask me, I only care about kicking St Anne’s ass. But if you ask Mr. Parker, he has a different opinion.”
Rose runs a hand below her hood and huffs loudly for the third time tonight. She pushes her glasses up her nose with the knuckle of her forefinger.
“Principal Parker literally cannot stand me, Coach. He’ll do anything to ruin my life. He’s got a vendetta against me and my brother.”
“Oh my, I wonder where this could have come from. You two are such exemplary students.”
I have to pinch my lips to suppress a smile.
“I’ll get it signed, Coach. Real one,” she assures. “Can I ask who told you about this slip?”
“No. Now get to practice. Why haven’t you changed yet?”
“About that.” Her voice is slightly quieter now, which makes it raspier. “I can’t play today.”
Coach laughs and both Rose and I grimace. I know she’s serious when she says that. Everyone has respect for Coach Thompson, Rose included. Every player on his team hates to disappoint him.
His laughter slowly dies down. “I’m sorry, for a second I thought you said you weren’t going to train with the rest of your teamoneweek away from the most important tournament of my career.”
“I’m so sorry, Coach.” The desperation in Rose’s voice pinches my heart. She loves lacrosse and it’s the only thing at this school she never misses.
“Anything to do with that?” he says pointing at her now fading black eye.
She pinches her lips but doesn’t say anything.
“Coach, she really isn’t feeling well today. She spoke to me about it, she wasn’t in class during the day,” I say, desperately trying to get her out of trouble. I owe her one for stopping Billie from destroying my face a week ago.
“Rose,” Coach T. gets up from his seat and limps to our side. He stands in front of her, raising his head slightly because she easily towers over him.
His hands are locked behind his back like anytime he’s about to tell us something motivating. Rose is avoiding his gaze. I think she would play if she could. I just don’t see what’s wrong with her.
“Duke’s scouts will be at the tournament,” he finally says.
“What?” she chokes.
“I’ve told them so much about you and this is how you thank me? By skipping practice? You’re good, Rose, you’re my best player, but you’re notthebest player. They’ve seen countless girls like you this year, dying to get into their dream university and play their dream sport. You know how rarely Duke gives full rides. I don’t need to remind you.”
Rose walks in a small circle, her hands going under her hood again. She’s so stressed, I can feel it in my own stomach.
“Coach, thank you, thank you so much. I won’t disappoint, I promise. Just give me today, I can’t. I really can’t right now. I’m in too much pain. Next week, I’ll train every day. I promise, every day I’ll be on that field–”
“I’ll help,” I chime in. “I’ll train with her. And Luke, Coach. I know he’ll want to help. We can have Cole as well to do some drills.”
