Her Roller Skates

Humiliation

There I was, speeding around the rink. I hadn't learned any tricks yet, so all I could do was go faster and faster.

I looked to the right and watched my friends flash me a smile.

I smiled back, trying to focus on them instead of the crowd.

My song was almost over, and a drop of sweat rolled down my face. It was almost time for my big stunt.

I slowed down as I approached the other side of the floor. I glided into the middle of the rink and bent down.

I was attempting to do a cart wheel and perfectly land on my feet.

My skates were in the air. I was so happy. I knew I was going to pull it off.

*Crack.*

I felt a sharp pain. I looked at my right wrist and saw red spreading around it.

I cried out help as I landed on my head. All I could feel was a liquid forming around me, and my wrist throbbing.

I could hear Zoe and Breeze call out my name.

A crowd of people ran to me, while the DJ was on his phone calling the ambulance.

My face turned red. I knew what had just happened. I completely ruined my stunt, and now there is no way I would've won.

The room became darker when I heard sirens at the front door.

My head spun in circles, and I closed my eyes, hoping this was all a dream.

The next morning I woke up with a bright light in my face. Wiping the crust from my eyes, I saw my Mom sitting in a chair next to me.

"Honey, are you ok", she said, leaning in with her hand on my head.

"Ouch!"

My head was in pain from the roller rink.

Her eyes softened and she apologized.

"It's ok. Is it bad?"

"Well, it could be worse."

I smiled at her, but on the inside I felt like nothing could be worse.

"Mom, I humiliated myself in front of everybody. How could it have been worse?"

She stared at me with sympathetic eyes, but didn't say anything.

"You did great honey."

I offered a weak smile.

A doctor came in with a clip board.

"Oh good, you're awake. How are you feeling."

I gave a small moan. "My head hurts a lot."

The doctor nodded his head and wrote on his clip board.

"You fell on your head pretty hard. You should heal in about, I don't know, 6 months?"

"What? 6 months?"

"Yes. Until then, you will need a lot of rest."

I sighed and lied my head back.

My Mom took a deep breath in and stood up.

"It'll be ok honey. I have to go home now. I'll be back tonight."

I nodded my head and looked around my room. There was a soft glow surrounding the small space.

I looked over at the TV. The news was on. Great. There was a remote on a night stand to the right of me.

Lifting my arm, there was a tingle in my wrist.

I looked down to see bandages covering my hand.

Dang it.

I wasn't even going to try to grab the remote. It was useless.

I set my hand down on my stomach, and closed my eyes, dreaming of a perfect world where I was the center of attention.

It felt like I was surrounded by a force field of protection.

Suddenly, I was at the roller skating rink again. I was standing in the exact same spot I was before I attempted the stunt.

I started skating towards the middle of the rink. I bent down. My skates were up in the air again.

Here it comes, I thought.

I looked over at my wrist. I didn't see or feel anything yet.

What?

Before I knew it, I had landed on my feet. I looked around. People were staring at me with amazement.

I actually did it. I survived the stunt!

Everybody cheered for me. I felt invincible!

Baylee! Baylee!

The crowd was begging for an encore.

Baylee! Baylee! Baylee! Baylee!

"Baylee, Baylee, Baylee, wake up."

I open my eyes to see my doctor shaking me.

"I just got your test results. You have serious head trauma. We need to get you in surgery right away."