𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 • Paige Bueckers

𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝'𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠

A FEW WEEKS have passed yet Nailea was still having rashes all over her body and headaches that would randomly appear every few weeks at first she thought it was an allergic reaction but it's been constant for the past 3 months, one day it's there and stays there for a week or two then everything just disappears but appears only a few days later

She recalls that time in the gym with Nick when her joints were aching her and how she almost fainted,

Once again she pushed it away thinking it was nothing more than low iron and that she pushed herself too hard.

But It's been over two months since then and Nailea was still experiencing the rashes on her body and they start hurting really bad.

She doesn't tell anyone though,how could she they've made it to the big east semi finals if it was something bad it would risk her chances of playing .

After several games, practices and rash flare ups it was now Semifinals day.

Nailea had woken up and intended on getting out of bed however she couldn't. Her body was in so much pain, not only was it the joint pain but also the pain she has from trying to push through it.

Nika Muhl saw this and looks at the girl

"Nai, you okay?" She asked worriedly

"Yeah. Good" she said grunting slightly as she forced her body out of bed

"Probably pushed myself to hard yesterday" she explained brushing it off.

Nika doesn't push the girl but notices the deep red rash on her foot as she limped to the bathroom. Nika waited for the girl as was the one driving today. Nailea came out in her warm up kit and grabbed her bag following Nika out the door.

They arrived at Gampel statium as It was a home game which everyone was happy about glad they'll see familiar faces.

As they exited the car Nailea's face cringed as she tried to lift her leg out of the car

"Nai why are you wincing" Nika asked now trying to get it out of the girl. Something was wrong

"it's nothing." The brunette replied forcing a smile as she tried to walk past her. Nika grabbed Nailea's arm to prevent her from leaving but the girl winced again. Nika looked confused and then rolled up Nailea's sleeve to see a harsh rash. Nika was now worried that the rash that she had previously asked about last month was still here and infact worse. Nailea pulled her arm out of Nika's grasp

"It's just a rash"

"Just a rash?!" Nika yelled "Nai that looks bad like really bad! Have you got it checked?" Nika asked worriedly

Nai just stayed silent avoiding eye contact with the Croatian girl.

Nika glanced at Nailea, this time more intently, she noticed the stiffness in her movements as she tried to hide the pain that was evident in her eyes.

"Nae, talk to me. What's really going on?" Nika asked, anxious for the girl. "You've been off for weeks, and it's not just because of the practices."

Nailea sighed, a mix of frustration and exhaustion in her breath. "Nika, I'm fine. I'm just pushing myself a bit more, that's all and I don't need to get my arm checked it doesn't hurt"

Nika wasn't convinced. "You're wincing when I just touch it, Nailea. Your arm looks worse than it did last month. This is not just about pushing too hard. I'm worried about you."

Nailea looked away, her guard momentarily down, revealing the truth in her expression. "I just... I can't deal with this right now, Nika. We have the semifinals today, and I need to be there for the team."