Coach Carter

Three

"Carson! You're gonna be late!"

I jolted awake, trying to comprehend what time it was. I grabbed my phone, seeing as it was 7:23 already.

"Shit." I rolled out of bed, keeping my basketball shorts on and slipping on a long sleeved shirt.

"I'm leaving and you better be out of bed." Jen yelled as I walked down the stairs.

"Yes ma'am." I said, reaching the bottom of the stairs and slipping on my socks.

"Good. I'll see you after school. Please don't be late." Jen said, grabbing her bag.

"Aren't you late?" I asked her with a smirk.

"Yeah, I am. Thanks to you." She said, kissing my head. "I love you, Carson."

"I love you too, Jennifer."

I ran back upstairs, brushing my teeth then heading out the door. I got to school just before the tardy bell. I rushed into English, taking my seat next to Christian.

"You're lucky she's not in the room, I heard she got a little snippy with Wyatt for being late to study hall yesterday." Christian said from beside me.

I chuckled.

"Good morning everyone." A-Miss. Carter said, walking into the room and closing the door behind her.

My breath caught in my throat as I took in her appearance. Her hair was braided over her shoulder, she was wearing tight jeans, and a simple tee shirt reading "Westbrook Girls Bowling 2015 State Bound" it made me smile. Maybe she'd help us get there this year, give us another shot at winning it.

"So today, I want to kind of get to know you guys. So I want everyone to state their names, any clubs or sports their in, and two things about you that maybe not everybody knows. I'll go first. My name is Anna Carter, I'm coaching girls Bowling this year; I bowled in high school and college; I'm one of the youngest athletes to win a PWBA title, at 17; I'm really excited to see what Centerville has in store for me." She smiled and took a seat at her desk. "Who's next?"

"I'll go." Christian said. "I'm Christian, I'm a bowler and a baseball player, I'm also in band; I'm not really sure what to say because most people know almost everything about me, but there's only one person in this room who already knows what I'm about to say." He paused and looked at me. He couldn't be saying what I think he's about to.

"Christian.." I whispered, catching Anna's attention, since the room was quiet.

"I was adopted at 13, after both of my parents died from.. natural causes?" He said as more of a question.

I knew that wasn't why, and I think Anna knew there was something more, but neither of us said anything.

"Who's next?" Anna asked, trying to get everyone's attention off of Christian.

I placed my hand on Christian's shoulder, knowing that was hard for him to admit, he just smiled at me. A few more kids went, and I didn't wanna be last, so when she asked who would go next I said I would.

"I'm Carson. I play softball, soccer and I bowl, I'm also in band; first off, as most of you know, I'm a lesbian, uh, and I guess these next two things kind of go together, so um, a couple years ago, my parents walked out on me because I was gay, and that really sent my life downhill, but I have a roof over my head and food every night, so it's all good." I smiled.

Anna went to say something, but thankfully the bell rang. Unfortunately, I had her next period, as did Christian. Hopefully she didn't make us do that again. I walked into the hall, leaning against a locker a little ways away from her room. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, I can't believe I just said that out loud. I've never told anybody about my problems, except Jen. I felt my phone vibrate, so I pulled it out of my pocket. I had three texts, sighing when I realized none of them were from Chloe.