It's Complicated

Chapter 13: Drama

My stomach begins to hurt & my palms get sweaty. Why did my coaches want to talk to me? What was going on? Did they find out about what happened? Is there a bigger issue happening that I haven't paid attention to? I feel like I'm about to throw up. I can't focus on my stretches anymore & ask to be excused to the restroom. I seriously feel like death.

As I make my way into the restroom I begin to think of all the things going on around me. I have a million thoughts running in my mind at once. I splash my face with water in attempt to calm me down. It doesn't help, but it feels good on my flushed face. I sigh deeply before prompting a self-motivated speech.

"Okay Annie, gain your composure & go talk with your coaches. Do not crack! Under any circumstances, DO NOT CRACK! You're strong & you don't need anyone trying to meddle in your life!"

After my pep-talk I felt sort of confident walking into the office, I wasn't going to show that I was concerned. Keeping it cool & collected will definitely take everyone off my back, I just want this dumb meeting/lecture to be done & over with.

I can see the office from where I'm at, I smooth down my hair & make my way over. The door is open; I see Mary in her desk chair while Kim sits on the desk. This seems like an intervention more than anything. I wasn't nervous after I talked myself down, but the looks they had on their face only made me get nervous again. I slowly walk in, their eyes never leave mine, it's actually creepy. I sit down in this creaky, cushioned chair & sit Indian-style. This was it, I have no idea what was in store for me but I'm hoping it isn't anything crazy.

"So Annie, as you know there's been a different vibe in the gym for a while. Coach Kim & I noticed, as well as some of the other parents too. We're just concerned with what's going on. You're usually the one who helps us with finding out things, so please tell us. We need to address this issue!"

Phew, that was close. I was almost worried they knew about the drama between me & Liv. That's the last thing I needed them to find out about.

"I can't really help you much. I don't really know what's going on either. I've been busy lately so I really haven't gotten the chance to talk to the girls."

"You've been busy or distracted? There's a difference!"

"Whoa Mare, let's not get crazy now. We know how busy the girls are, we can't expect them to know everything!"

"I'm just saying Kimberly, there's something going on & someone knows the issue. I need to get to the bottom of it!"

"Honestly Coach Mary, I don't know anything. Well I mean there was a thing a few months back but I don't know, I don't think that's the issue anymore."

A few months ago, around the time I met Daniel, there was drama between Mia & Amanda over Brennan. Apparently Mia was dating him but Amanda kissed him, I don't know how that happens but things escalated & lets just say there weren't many nice things to say about Brennan afterward.

"What do you mean?"

"Yeah. What's going on? Or should I say what went on?"

"I don't even know if it's the issue anymore but a few months back there was drama between Mia & Amanda over a boy. I don't know if things got resolved but I would say not only because they're still so standoffish."

"Ugh, boys. They're so much drama & not worth the time."

Coach Mary was on this "anti-guy" kick after finding out her boyfriend Luke, who was a coach & photographer in the gym, was actually with another girl while dating her. I swear, it's like she went from being Cupid to being the Scrooge of love.

"So that's it? That's what caused all the drama? A silly little boy? Oh my, you girls are so funny. Don't stress over boys, you're young! Enjoy the finer things in life!"

Yeah, easy for Coach Kim to say! She's been married for like a bazillion years & lives the white picket fence life. Her life was a story out of a Disney book; it was nauseating.

"Ha yeah, you know us girls, over-dramatic about everything!"

My stomach begins turning & I feel myself become flushed again.

"May I be excused back to the gym? I need to work on vaults."

"You know, maybe you should rest for a few minutes. You don't look too hot there kiddo."

"Yeah, sit back & I'll grab you a cold water. Do you want is to call your mom back up to the gym for you?"

They were right. I began feeling terrible, but I didn't want miss my sleepover with Katie tonight. I needed to push through, I was determined to have this sleepover.

"No, I'm fine. I think it's just my allergies flaring up. I should be ready to go in a few minutes."

My coaches stare at me & shake their heads. Kim hands me a water bottle from the fridge; I drink some water & then press the cold bottle across my forehead. This feels so good, so relaxing I could just fall as—

"Um, is this a bad time to speak with y'all?"

"It's fine, Annie is just resting. Come on in sweetpea!"

I can tell just by the voice who it is. I don't want to be here anymore. I'm slowly becoming overwhelmed with rage & I need to leave the room before I blow up & say things I shouldn't say in front of my coaches.

"Ugh."

"Everything alright over there Annie?"

"Yeah, just leaving."

"No it's fine, you stay Annie, I'll go. I'll come back later."

"Okay, whatever, I guess."

Liv walks back out of the office with her head hanging low. I wonder what she wanted to talk to Mary & Kim about. Part of me wonders if she's still with Daniel or even if she cares that she hurt me?

"What the hell was that all about?"

Uh-oh, here we go. Let's hope I can get through this without spilling the beans.

"Nothing?"

"Let's not lie here Annie, you're better than that."

"What's going on? Tell us! The issue isn't between Amanda & Mia is it? It's between you & Liv, right?"

This has officially turned into an interrogation & I'm the prime suspect.

"I don't know! I don't talk to her! We have our own lives you know!"

I felt myself raising my voice, it's shakey.

"Annabelle, this is not the time to be lying! We need to resolve the issues before things get any worse! Parents have noticed the different vibe & that's not alright if we as coaches don't even know the issue!"

I can't deal with this. This went from 0 to 100 faster than I could blink.

"I don't know! I don't know! We've grown apart! I don't know what you expect me to say!"

I begin tearing up. My heart is pounding, the room is spinning, I feel so dizzy. I stand up from my chair & walk towards the door way.

"Dammit Annie! Stop with the lies! Just tell us the damn truth already!"

Mary slams her hands on her desk out of frustration. Kim jumped, she wasn't expecting this to happen. I've never seen Coach Mary so upset. She scared the crap out of me that everything went blank. Everything went black & for a few moments it felt like the world stopped. What the hell happened?