Tiana's Story

Chapter 16

As we pull up to the training ground I realise all the players are looking at the car wondering whose in it. They don't know as we have tinted windows and the bright red car won't let you see through it. As my mum parks up I realise the players are glinting slightly trying to not let their nerves get the better of them. I decided to keep my curly hair down today so I quickly tuck it behind me ears. I get out and shut the door. As I get out I realise that the casual glances over turned into stairs. My mum sees my laughing to myself and slaps the back of my head not too hard to hurt but hard enough to make me stop laughing. My mum gives me a kiss on the head and tells me to be at the coach by 11:50. She says happy birthday and I start walking into the training ground. Then I feel a heavy arm around my shoulder making me look next to me.
"Hey Gio."
"Hey kid."
"Why you calling me kid your only 5 years older then me" is say remembering i am 14 now.
"Cant you do maths kid your 13 im 19 that is a 6 year difference." She says a little to smugly making me giggle.
"I'm 14." I say.
"Since when?"
"This morning 8:09 am" I say causing her to think before realising.
"Birthday girl! We gotta sing for you."
"No you don't."
"Yea we do."
"Don't"
"Do"
That could of gone on for ages before we walked into the cafe still arguing.
"What do you or don't you need to do." Beth asks answering everyone's question.
"Sing for Tiana!" Gio says loud and proud.
"What why would we sing for Tiana?" Leah asks confused.
"Because it's her birthday" Gio says smiling brightly. I face palm.
"How old are you kid?" Jen asks me.
"Not you tooo." I say
"What?"
"Everyone keeps calling me kid I'm not that young!" I argue causing people to look at me and laugh.
"Your 14 mate." Katie says causing me to laugh aswell of the others.
"Fine I might me youngerrr but atleast im not an old lady" I say smugly.
"Whose an old lady?" Viv asks as she sits down next to Beth.
"Anyone whose a girl and is 16 or over!" Saying this it caused all the players to have shocked faces.
"16 is not old!" Some of the players argue. I just laugh smugly and eat a starburst. I look at the time on my phone and see my wallpaper. Yes the one of me and my father. Shit. This shouldn't happen still. Every year it happens. I'm 14 now it shouldn't. But it does. I start having a panic attack. I don't want everyone to see me so I run out the room causing players to be confused. I started sweating and tears were flowing out of my eyes. I ran to the toilet and locked myself in a cubicle. I breathed heavily and couldn't stop. I closed my eyes and I wanted to disappear. I couldn't call my mother no she was busy. My friends aren't here so they can't help. I was alone. Well and truly alone. That was until I heard people.
"Is she in here?" I don't recognise the voices.
"I dont know. Wait look."
I am still crying I can only hear them my eyes don't work and I am really freaking out. I hear someone speak next.
"Tiana. It's me Beth. Can you unlock the door please." She speaks calmly but I can't move. I can't talk. I can't breathe. They can probably hear my heavy breathing but it doesn't matter at this point.
"Tiana breathe for me. Just reach out slightly and unlock the door." She speaks calmly but firmly directing me what to do. I build up the strength to open the door but after that I keep panicking. I feel Beth sigh a sigh of relief and then she instructs me what to do.
"Tiana can you breathe for me darling?" She speaks softly. I shake my head.
"I-I can't." I manage to stutter out.
"Shh yes you can. Look follow me." She puts my hand on her heart and breathes with me. Eventually I calm myself down.
"Your very brave do you know that?" She says to me. I realise she's the only one in the room. I hug her and she hugs me back.
"You don't have to tell me but do you know why that happened?" She asks me so calmly. I nod my head.
"My d-dad died on my 9th birthday ." I start. "He was driving home from t-the Barcelona training ground after he did some training with me. Mum was still their she was finishing stuff up. I got tired I made him take me home." I start crying. "I made him. It's my fault." These last words were the last I could say. Beth pulls me into a hug and strokes the back of my head.
"It's not your fault Tiana. I promise you that." She says this softly calming me almost immediately.