Without Myself

Chapter Five

     "Run faster!" I scramble to get off my knees, determined to finish this.

      "Get up and RUN!" With that I push myself up and run to the balance beams, pulling myself up onto them. I start turning to smile at Adam, I finally did it- when a hard yellow ball hits me in the stomach, making me lose my balance. I let out a scream and fall to the ground.

      "DON'T throw another one unless you want a fist in the jaw," I hear Alex boom and I get up slowly, and see him walking over to me.

      "Emmy, are you ok?" Another thing about Alex, he is the only one that I'll allow to call me Emmy.

      "I'm fine, now stand over there," I shoot him a look that says he better listen as I get back onto the beam.

      "Run!" Adam says again and this time, I know what's coming. The first ball misses my head by inches but only because I see it out of the corner of my eye. I dodge the next two balls, almost at the end. I do this so many times I lose count. Each time getting so close to the end, but always ending up on the ground.

      "Emmy, watch your feet-" Alex yells but I'm already sprawled out face down on the ground.

      "Get up and start over!" I hear Adam yell but I shake my head. I'll stay here as long as I want.

      "Emilie! START OVER!"

      "No," I sit up and glare at him, daring him to do something. But no matter what, I am not going to do it again. I'm tired and I know I'll have tons of bruises all over my body. And if I have to run across that balance beam one more time, just to get considered for Costa, then forget it. I don't need to work for Costa, I'll find other ways to get close to my parents.

     "Get up onto that balance beam and do it again!" Adam starts to walk over to me, and I stand to face him with a defiant look in my eyes.

     "No, I don't want to." I cross my arms and start to turn away, having every intention of leaving.

     "You are not done until I say you are finished! Now, get back up there and do it again." I gasp when I feel his whole hand circle around my arm. I know I'm not exactly super strong, but some girls might call me butch. My medium wide shoulders are to blame, and although my arms are pretty muscular, they're no where near buff. I push my bangs away from my eyes and try to keep quiet as Adam drags me over to the end of the beam.

      "Get up!"

      "No, I told you I'm done," I squeal when he picks me up and sets me up on the beam.

      "Get across without falling off and I'll dismiss you," He says before retreating back to his spot where he has perfect aim at me. I take on step then another, watching him as he raises his eyebrows.

      "Run," I start jogging along the small surface, making sure I watch Adam out of the corner of my eye. But no balls are thrown at me. I pick up speed, sure that they'll come soon, wanting to make it this time. I stop at the end, sure this is a joke, I did it. I start to hop down but instead of landing on my feet, I find myself again lying on the ground. I stand up, anger flashing in my eyes as I stomp over to Adam.

      "You didn't make it. Go try again," He smirks and I push him, although It doesn't do much.

     "No! You did that on purpose, I won't do it again."

     "She has had enough," I hear Alex say and all Adam does is nod. I make my way to the change rooms, wanting to just take a shower and sleep.

     "Emilie, take a shower, change and meet me in my office." Adam tells me sternly, leaving me wonder why he even tried to act nice in the first place.