TROUBLE MAGNET - Completed

Chapter 5 - Nuclear-Wink-Zap

Chapter 5 - Nuclear-Wink-Zap

I feel like a human Popsicle... I'm sitting here in a freezing cold arena, shivering, and thinking that I'd do just about anything to lay my head down on a soft pillow right now and just close my eyes. I would even leapfrog a unicorn... okay, no I wouldn't, but I'm suffering from a wicked hangover and I swear to whoever will listen that I will never drink again.

Alex and I only managed to get a couple of hours of broken sleep at the hospital. It's next to impossible to sleep in an emergency ward. There were so many people constantly coming and going. It was almost a relief when the coaches showed up. First they escorted Alex away to talk to her privately. While they were gone a nurse came around and removed the IV from my arm. She told me that I was getting released and that I should make sure to eat something as soon as possible. She said I should continue to drink lots of fluids throughout the rest of the day. Then she added, "Preferably non-alcoholic fluids."

Everyone's a comedian. Obviously I had lost my sense of humor.

I dressed as quickly as possible, slowing down only to allow the world a chance to stop spinning around me. My head felt like it was locked in a vice that was slowly being wound tighter and tighter. The dizziness though not as bad, still came in waves when I moved. The last thing I put on was Trace's gray Abercrombi sweatshirt. It was made of the softest cotton material and amazingly it still smelt like him. It was a little big on me so I rolled up the sleeves.

When Alex returned, she did not look happy. I didn't get a chance to ask her how it went though because Allison, the assistant coach was with her. Allison told me that I was to meet up with Coach Taylor in her office as soon as we arrived at the arena. Needless to say it was a very quiet drive to the arena. When we got there Alex was instructed to go get ready for practice. Allison then led me to Coach Taylor's office where the rest of the coaching staff were waiting.

It felt like I was going before a firing squad. I felt physically ill and mentally unprepared. I was so nervous, that I couldn't stop shaking. At least they let me sit down before the inquisition started. Coach Taylor did all of the talking. Sounding like a cop, she questioned me on my version of the events that took place the previous evening. I decided to keep it simple. I explained that because of writing my SAT's and the plane mix up, I hadn't had a chance to eat. I then confessed that I did drink alcohol, and admittedly too much, and too quickly, especially for not having eaten all day. But, I refused to name the people who had given me the alcohol no matter how many times they asked. I didn't keep quiet to be noble. It's just an unwritten rule that you don't rat out a teammate and even though they weren't my teammates yet, they might be one day. Truthfully I couldn't remember most of their names anyway and bottom line no one forced me to drink. When they asked if I had any final comments I said I hoped that I hadn't blown my opportunity to attend Tanner University.

My parents had been called and of course they were shocked at the turn of events on top of everything else that had gone wrong. Needless to say they were very upset and disappointed in me, but mostly they were just concerned that I was all right. There was absolutely no doubt though, that when I got home I would be in big trouble.

The team had a meeting right before their practice, which I was not allowed to attend. Instead the coach handed me a folded towel and a little plastic pouch with a travel sized toothbrush and toothpaste in it. I could have kissed her when I saw the toothpaste, but I didn't want to press my luck. She then told me I could go get cleaned up in the team shower room. I must have looked as bad as I felt. Alex lent me her shower kit, which had soap, shampoo and cream rinse in it. I was told I had to be finished and dressed within twenty minutes. I have never taken such a quick shower. It was so fast that the water barely had time to warm up. It felt great though, to wash away all the grime and to finally brush my teeth and wash my hair. When I was done, I felt almost human again.