Allégro

Chapter 01: Benched

          I grit my teeth against the rubber like material of my mouthguard as my tailbone collides with the solid and unforgiving ground. A sharp pain spreads across my lower back causing a familiar tingling sensation in my legs. I brought my arms up, folding them over my face as the backs of my eyes stung and tears welled up in my eyes.

"Emryn!" I heard my Uncle call out. The alarm in his voice is nearly tangible as he races toward me. The sound of velcro ripping fills my ears as he tears the padded practice gloves from his hands and drops to his knees in the grass beside me. "I knew that move was too advanced."

"I'm good," I mumble around my mouthguard. Blinking back the tears, I clamp down on the mouthguard as I force myself to sit up. The movement sends another wave of pain through my lower back. I bite back a wince. "Let's go again."

Before I could stand, my Uncle's hand wrapped around my bicep–effectively holding me in place.

"Ryn, you're done. You think I didn't see you gritting your teeth as you hit the ground? Or the way you were clamping down just now? Rate your pain."

I remove my mouthguard and give my Uncle an incredulous look. I've gone through way worse pain than this. Martial Arts is pain. "Uncle Jax, I'm–"

"Rate your pain, Ryn."

The look in my Uncle's storm cloud colored eyes tells me everything I need to know. He's going to bench me no matter what number I give him, but I can't lie to him either. Not about this. I take a breath before dropping my gaze, removing the mouthguard from between my teeth. "Seven."

"Are your legs tingling?" I nodded my head, refusing to meet my uncle's gaze. "You're done for the day."

"You've always said to fight through the pain." I argue, finally looking up at him. I watch as he stands from his crouch, his expression hardening.

"Not this time, Kiddo." He states before tucking an arm under my legs. The other braces my back as he lifts me from the ground with ease, earning a small wince from me. "Back injuries aren't to be taken lightly, Emryn. Not now, not ever."

He's right. Back injuries have the potential to ruin even the best of fighters careers. Not only that, but if not taken seriously and tended to, they can potentially lead to paralysis. Although I didn't get my injury from Martial Arts, I can't allow it to interfere with my training anymore than it already has and I can't ignore it.

I wince once again as Uncle Jax places me down on the couch before turning around to close the sliding glass doors leading to the backyard. At our entrance, my aunt looked up from her book. Her warm chocolate colored eyes flickered up to Uncle Jax as he settled into a nearby armchair. Closing her book, Aunt Vic uncrosses her legs and leans forward–a look of concern taking over her soft features. "What happened?"

"We were practicing a new advanced counter attack," I explained, wincing as I shifted in my seat. "It kind of went...wrong."

"And how did this 'advanced counter attack' go wrong?" She questioned, leveling her famous disapproving scowl on my Uncle.

"Why do you automatically assume it's my fault?" He questioned with a slight chuckle.

"Because Jaxson, you're supposed to make sure Ryn is ready for these advanced moves. That way mistakes like this don't happen." Aunt Vic stood from her seat and started for the foyer. Rounding the corner, she made her way into the kitchen.

"She is ready, Vic. It's Martial Arts. Mistakes are made and people get hurt." Uncle Jax states loud enough for my aunt to hear. I found myself nodding in agreement as she rounded the corner once again, this time with an ice pack in her hand.

"You're right, Jax," She handed me the ice pack before returning to her seat. "People do get hurt in Martial Arts, but Ryn's not people."

I don't miss the way Aunt Vic's tone switches from light hearted to serious. I also don't miss the way Uncle Jax's smirk falters ever so slightly, the playful twinkle in his eyes disappearing. I shuffle uncomfortably in my seat as both my Aunt and Uncle stare each other down. It's as if they were having some telepathic conversation I wasn't invited to.

"I'm fine. Really," I intervened, earning both my aunt and Uncle's attention. Leaning forward, I wince as I shove the ice pack in the empty space between the couch cushion and my lower back. "I'll just have to ice until the Archers come tomorrow."
At this, Uncle Jax leans forward in his seat. His eyes bounce from my Aunt to me as he rests his elbows on his knees and interlocks his hands. "Ryn, I don't think–"

"You already benched me from Martial Arts, Uncle Jax." I snapped. "I'm doing Ballet tomorrow even if that means I'll have to sit in an ice bath all night."

A handful of seconds pass as he looks to Aunt Vic, who just shrugs.

"Okay," He states with a shrug, sitting back in his seat. "If that's what you want to do."