Linger

N I N E T Y - F I V E

"Coincidentally," Mrs. Schultz began, following Tom outside the office as Chelsea, Alice, and I looked on. "I have a meeting with your coach later today regarding the details of the national league draft. From my understanding, you were invited to this draft, correct?"

Tom didn't reply as he lifted his hand up to his jaw, running his hand along the dark bruise that had formed there.  

"I suppose we shall see if this invitation still stands for you after he hears about this." 

My stomach plummeted. 

No. 

"So, what?" Tom shrugged his shoulders with a scoff. "I'm the only one who gets in trouble, and Ben and Tyler don't?"

"It's actually not really any of your concern, Thomas--"

"I'm captain--!" 

"Then perhaps it's time to start carrying yourself like one." She raised a stern eyebrow at him. 

Tom clenched his jaw as he glanced around before his eyes landed on me. A cold look settled in his blue eyes, sending chills down my spine. 

I turned away, my mind now spinning. 

What did this mean for Ben and Tyler? Were they in just as much trouble too?

I glanced up Mrs. Schultz. The stern expression on her face never wavering, as if painted along with the rest of her perfectly applied makeup. 

There was no doubt she would give the same punishment to them.

Why wouldn't she?

My heart clenched. 

Did I ruin this for them? 

All because I couldn't stand up for myself? 

I swallowed hard. If I hadn't been so pathetically weak, none of this would've ever happened. I could've just walked away from Tom instead of just standing there helplessly. Tyler's and Ben's bright futures wouldn't be risk. 

The knots in my stomach grew tighter.

We were just days away from graduating and now everything was slipping from our fingertips. Within a single moment, everything changed. And it changed for the worst.

Tom trudged off towards the door, a slight limp in his step as he exited outside.  

"Coach Andre!" Mrs. Schultz suddenly exclaimed as an older man in a matching sweatsuit and Hawks cap walked up to her. 

"Hello!" She bared a smile for him. "Come inside. I was just finishing up with a few of your players here -- Tyler and Benjamin." 

The two disappeared into the office, closing the door and Alice immediately turned to Chelsea and me with wide eyes. 

"What--"

"She can't keep them from going to the draft," Chelsea cut in, shaking her head. 

Alice raised her eyebrows with concern. "But what if--"

"Mrs. Schultz is scary but she's only the Vice Principal of the school. She only has power here." 

Alice gasped. "What if she expels them?" 

"With only three days left in the year?" Chelsea raised an eyebrow at her. 

Alice let out a long sigh. 

However, guilt and anxiety still weighed heavily in my chest. 

"Maddie, you can't blame yourself for this," Chelsea said.