Change

Change Chapter 01: Responsibilities

It was late morning, around 11:00, and I, Emily Robinson was just waking up.

The sun was shining through the ripped curtains in my dorm, blinding me when I opened my eyes.

"Oh, no..." I said, looking at the time.

I leaned over and grabbed my iPhone off the night stand.

As soon as I turned it on I knew I was in trouble. I had over 20 notifications. Text messages, phone calls and one reminder. One reminder that said; "Jacobs Final Ball Game, 10:15, DON'T FORGET!"

"Nononononononono!" I screamed. "This seriously can't be happening!"

I jumped out of bed and threw on my blue jeans, red Tshirt and jacket labeled "Asst. Coach".

I applied a light coat of mascara, ran out the door and jumped into my red punch buggy convertible.

I put the key into the ignition and started up the car. Or at least I tried to.

"Are you kidding me?!" I cried as I tried to rev the engine.

'Oh, this just makes my day even better.' I thought sarcastically to myself as I got out of the car and sprinted towards the gym three long blocks away.

*

"Oh god I never want to do that again." I muttered, arriving at the gym doors out of breath. I ran into the gym thinking about how I didn't give the team their lucky pre-game pep talk. I looked up at the score clock. Our team was down by seven with four minutes left to go. They had a very slight chance of winning.

I took my seat next to my father in his coach chair. Mine was labeled same as my jacket. 'Asst. Coach'

"Why didn't you answer any of my phone calls?" Dad asks me quietly.

"Listen dad, I'm so-"

"No," he said interrupting me. "Don't apologize to me." He said

"Dad please just-"

"Jordan! Sub in for micheal!" Dad yelled as the other team got a basket.

I figured that was the end of the conversation so I just stopped trying and watched the game.

*

"Hey, James," I said after the game. They lost by five. "I'm really sorry I wasn't there at the beginning of the game..." I said looking down at my feet.

"Whatever," he said as I looked at up him. His usually handsome, warm grey eyes were replaced by a steely cold glare directed at me. "We lost. We aren't going to provincials. It's your fault because you didn't show up." He said. "Just like the science fair all over again. Just leave me alone." He said as the corner of his mouth pulled down at the corners. I could tell he already felt bad for saying those things to me, but he wasn't taking them back any time soon. His anger was real.

He turned and walked away from me, towards the rest of his team, and the parents. Mom gave James a hug and didn't let go for a while. I saw her whisper the words 'I'm sorry' and he looked back at me and said 'well its not your fault.'

I ran out the doors towards the parking lot.

"Where's my-" I said and then realization hit. "Car." I said frowning.

"Perfect," I said. "I guess I'll have to walk."

*

When I arrived back at my dorm I called my best friend, Callie, and told her about the whole fiasco.

"Jeez, Em." She said as I finished. "You screwed up big time."

"Thank you captain obvious," I said rolling my eyes.

"We'll before you get a phone call from your Dad, why don't I come pick you up and we can go for a walk or something?" She said.

"Sure, why not?" I replied.

"Alright I'll be there in ten minutes. Be ready," she said.

A/N: photo of callie to the side :)