Brightside

03 | comeback

Walking into the gym to the sound of Rush Tua singing Picture to Burn had never been exciting for Eddie but that day? There was nothing better.

"Eddie Yamaguchiiiiii!" Rush yelled, like he was an announcer at one of their matches. He had enough of a voice that he didn't need the microphone coming from the ceiling to amplify him. A microphone would make Coach toss him out on his ass without a second strike—a caught foul ball. The second reason that Coach would probably kick him out of the gym was the with great tits comes great responsibility crop top he was wearing. "Back from her little stint in prison! Ready to attack!"

"You're so fucking loud for no fucking reason," Eddie said—taking the headphones off her ears. "These are supposed to be noise-cancelling."

"Not Rush cancelling. That's why you can hear me."

"And to think I almost missed you—oof."

Unfortunately, Rush was a hugger. He had been for as long as Eddie had known him. Not a soul on the earth could've told him to get off them because it only resulted in him hugging them tighter. Eddie gave him a couple slaps to the back if only to eventually get him off her.

"I missed you." Rush pulled away after overstaying his welcome in her bubble.

"Gross."

"You didn't deserve what they gave you."

"Well," Eddie said. "I'm here now. Whatever. We move on."

"You don't have to move on."

"I would love to move on," Eddie said. "I was being reactive and stupid and reckless."

"Is that you talking or—"

"What the hell else do you want me to say?"

"That he fucking deserved it, Eddie," Rush said. "Because he did. You know we've got your back. Half the fuckin' association has your back."

"Doesn't matter a damn, Rush," Eddie said. "Can we get to work?"

"Now I know you're not okay," a voice said. Coach Tenadii was always lurking around the corner. Never one to announce his presence, but also never one that needed to. His voice alone—never one to lose the Kiwi accent—could command the attention of a room. One with a thousand Rush Tua's and their deafening decibel levels. "You actually want to be on task."

"I'm actually fine," Eddie lied. "The reason I'd love to be on task is because I got my period this morning because I haven't been working out and that clearly changed my cycle and I'm about ready to kill myself because of it. Something needs to be right about today."

"You get to see me—"

"You are not a highlight of my day."

"Why you gotta be so mean—"

Eddie almost growled. "Quoting Taylor Swift at me is not the way to get me to want to spend time with you, you stupid fuck—"

"Oh-kay," Coach said. He placed his hands in the pockets of the hoodie Eddie had never seen look new. Always distressed, edges fraying after too many washes. "I didn't miss this."

"Yes, you did."

"Believe me, son, I didn't."

"How was the week of just Taylor Swift music—" Eddie dropped her duffel bag on a nearby bench. She pulled her wraps out of her bag, sitting down on one of the benches near the ring, holding them out to Coach. "Please?"