Crossing Hearts- A Maidstone Love Story

Chapter 23

TW: Mentions of broken bones and people being sick.

The week had flown by, a whirlwind of lessons and revision, and now it was Friday, the last day before the weekend. Jasper had been looking forward to the final lesson of the day—PE. Normally, PE was a highlight of the week, a time to let loose and enjoy some friendly competition. But today, as he walked towards the changing rooms, Jasper felt a strange sense of unease. He couldn't put his finger on it, so he pushed the feeling aside, attributing it to the stress of exams and the long week behind him.

Mr. Adams, their PE teacher, greeted them with his usual enthusiasm as they entered the changing room. "Alright, lads, listen up!" he called, clapping his hands to get their attention. "Today, we're splitting you into two teams—half of you will be on one side, and the other half on the opposing side. Same goes for the girls. We're playing a mixed football match on the astro."

The announcement was met with a chorus of groans and cheers, the usual mix of excitement and reluctance that came with any PE lesson. Jasper found himself on the team with Tyler, Casper, and a few others from their year. Alessia and her friends were on the opposite team, but Jasper didn't mind; he enjoyed the challenge of playing against her.

As they made their way out to the astro pitch, the cold air bit at their exposed skin, but it did nothing to dampen their spirits. They lined up, and Mr. Adams blew the whistle to start the game. The match began with the usual frenzy of activity, players jostling for the ball, shouts of encouragement and instructions echoing across the pitch.

Jasper quickly found his rhythm, chasing the ball down the field and passing it off to Tyler, who was playing forward. Despite his earlier unease, he felt the familiar rush of adrenaline as he threw himself into the game. For the first half, the match was evenly balanced, with both sides scoring and defending with equal intensity.

Then, halfway through the match, something happened that would change the day—and Jasper's life—for weeks to come.

The ball was launched high into the air, and Jasper, positioned perfectly, jumped up to head it. He soared above the other players, his eyes locked on the ball. But as he came down, something went horribly wrong. His foot landed awkwardly, and before he could react, he felt a sickening snap in his leg.

Pain, sharper than anything he had ever felt before, shot through his body, and he collapsed onto the ground with a scream. The world around him seemed to blur as the pain overwhelmed his senses. He barely registered the horrified gasps from his classmates or the way everything on the pitch suddenly went silent.

Jasper tried to move his leg, but the sight that greeted him was enough to make him nauseous. His shin was bent at an unnatural angle, the bone clearly snapped in half. He could hear the sound of retching nearby—some of the others couldn't handle the sight of his injury.

"Fuck!" Jasper screamed, clutching at the grass beneath him, his entire body trembling from the shock.

Mr. Adams was at his side in an instant, his face pale but his voice steady. "Stay still, Jasper. Don't move. Casper, go to the office and tell them to call an ambulance and notify your parents, now!"

Casper, usually quick with a joke or a sarcastic remark, didn't hesitate. He sprinted off the pitch and disappeared into the school building, his heart pounding with fear for his brother.

Alessia, who had been on the other side of the pitch, was suddenly there, kneeling beside Jasper, her face a mixture of worry and determination. "Jasper, hey, look at me," she said, her voice trembling slightly but still managing to stay calm. "It's going to be okay. Just keep your focus on me, alright?"

Jasper nodded, though it was difficult to concentrate on anything other than the searing pain in his leg. He focused on Alessia's eyes, trying to block out the pain and the sounds of his classmates being ushered back into the building by Mr. Adams.