the fall • s.m.

21 • games

// margot kate franklin //

@margotkatefranklin: "harder building trust from a distance, I think we should rule out commitment for now, cause we're falling apart."

• • •
• two months later •
October

"You're not going to a party on Halloween? Margot, you're such a goody two shoes," Bec said as she popped a grape into her mouth.

"I wish you would be more like Margot, Bec," Cal told her, and she rolled her eyes.

"I'm not a big party fan, ok? I don't think there's anything wrong with that," I said with a shrug.

"Agreed. We're staying in and pigging out while watching scary movies," Remi said, and I nodded in agreement.

"But we'll probably end up quitting on the scary movies and just watching rom-coms instead," I added.

"True."

"You guys are invited if you want to save yourself your reputation and possible brain damage and liver cancer from alcohol. But it's up to you," I said, and Remi chuckled.

Bec rolled her eyes, obviously not caring. "No thanks. But I'm sure Cal would love a good rom-com, right?" she said, smiling sweetly at her boyfriend.

"I would prefer a good rom-com, actually," he told her, and she rolled her eyes.

"My door is open to anyone," I told them, and Bec shrugged. "Maybe," she said. "Or you could just come with us to a party."

"Bec, the answer is no. I don't like them," I told her firmly.

"Margot, you can't swear off all parties forever," she replied. "You know Evan wouldn't —"

"Don't bring Evan into this, please. I don't care, I don't want to go. It's that simple," I told her, and the bell rang. Saved by the bell.

I didn't say anything to the rest of them as I got out of my seat. "Margot, I didn't mean to —"

"It's fine, Bec. I'm not mad," I told her, picking up my backpack. "I'll see you guys later."

My brain was dizzy with thoughts for the rest of the day, as usual. When the dismissal bell rang, I headed to the gym as usual, to the locker room to get ready for our game. My head was pounding, but I quickly got ready and out in the gym for warm ups.

I didn't feel the best at all, but got through warm-ups, and then the game began. I was the setter for our team, which is a pretty crucial spot. I basically am the connecting piece between a good pass and a great kill. Luckily, my play wasn't off like the rest of my body.

It seemed to drag on, until we finally made it to 25 points in the third match. I was so relieved when we said good game.

My head was pounding still, and after taking the nets down, I made it back into the locker room along with the rest of the team.

"Are you alright, Margot? You played great, but seem a little...off," Ariel, one of my teammates, asked, concern in her eyes.

I shook my head. "I'm fine. I just don't feel the best," I said with a shrug. I fished around in my bag for ibuprofen and popped two pills into my hand, swallowing them dry.