The Nerve Wreckers

part 3: I hate you

Carrie's

I dropped my basket of food on the floor and stood frozen to the ground. The loud thud made him look over. I was dumbfounded. I am so dead. I can't even run away now. I have no control over my legs. Oh shit, he's coming over. Okay Carrie, act cool.



"It seems like we meet again," He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning over me. Wow I did not expect him to be that tall. He was practically towering over me.



"Stop following me, okay. I've had enough" I brushed him off.



"Excuse me? First things first, I did nothing wrong. So will you quit that attitude?" He chided me.



Nothing wrong? I rolled my eyes. Clearly somebody has the memory of a goldfish.



"Look here, I don't know what's up with you, but I am your coach. When you see me, you don't just sass me. I fell down because I chased after you, and look at my leg now?" He stated angrily.



I tried to flee but he grabbed me by my wrist.



"Trying to run away again?" His grip on my hand tightened up and my wrist started to swell. "Not even an apology? Who do you think you are? You have a major attitude issue." He shook his head in disgust. "You are not leaving until I get a full explanation young lady."



I couldn't think of anything, except my hand. The pain worsened so badly that a tear escaped my eye. No one had ever treated me like that before. I looked down at the floor, trying to keep the pain in. The last thing I needed was for him to see me cry.





Marcus's



I swooped my hand under her chin and tilted her head up. Oh no.



"It... hurts" She cried, tears crawling out of her forced-shut eyes.



Marcus what the hell did you do...



She looked at me red-eyed, and out of her mouth came the three words I never wanted to hear.



"I hate you."



She flung her hand out of my loosened grip and ran away sobbing her heart out. Her groceries were strewn on the floor. I stood there, feeling angry along with a tingle of heartbreak.



God damn it.



Oh my god since when was I so rash and violent.



A week went by, with a substitute coach since Marcus's was in no condition to coach. Carrie felt more at peace with swimming but knew that all this was only temporary. Marcus, on the other hand, was still baffled and filled with regret, downing almost six cans of beer every night. 'Surely this misunderstanding can't get any messier. I'll apologize and clear the air next lesson' he sorted out his thoughts.

***

Marcus's



"Hey guys!" I greeted the team enthusiastically after a weeklong break. All of them flocked towards me and surrounded my partially bandaged leg.



"Are you okay now?"

"Oh my goodness what happened?"

"You should have stayed home and rest!"



"I'm fine guys, relax. Thanks for your concern, don't worry" I assured them. The entire team treated me like I just survived a car wreck; all of them fussing over me like I was an infant. Well, except somebody.





There she was. She tried at all cost to avoid eye contact with me.



I understand where she is coming from. I was a dick to her. I guess I'll just go over and apologize later.



"Get into pairs, lets start physical training." I loudly instructed.



Everyone scattered into groups of two. Carrie had a partner. Surprisingly, since her only friend, Andrea, was absent today and the attendance was odd numbered today. She probably tried really hard to find a partner if not she'd had to pair up with me.



"Hey Marcus," Sophie slurred, "Today we are odd numbered, guess we're a pair now!" She grabbed my hand leaning forward, obviously trying to expose her cleavage. But I'm not that type of guy. I know, it's my loss for not wanting a sexy and beautiful girl like Sophie Goodwood, but her personality sucked- pretty sure there arn't any cosmetic enhancements for that.