The Emotional Laceration of an American Girl.

Ch. 6 The Emotional Laceration of an American Girl

My side was still hurting but now I have to go to gym. Gym is always my hardest class because I have to hide my bruises. The coach is cool most of the time. He lets me wear leggings and long sleeves because of my "discolored skin". Don't ask about how I convinced him. Sometimes when the bruises are really bad I say I'm having "female problems" and he lets me sit in the bleachers. I used that excuse already so I guess I'll have to take one for the team. And there's an I in team. It's called iteam. Hey if they can put an I in front of pod and turn it into ipod why can't I?

Then coach blew the whistle. "Ok class! Today we are doing gymnastics. I want to see everyone flip, tuck, tumble, and roll until the room starts to spin," he said. Great! This is just what I needed. Notice my sarcasm to the highest degree. I tucked my long sleeved shirt into my pants and walked towards Nicole. "Hey," I said. "Oh hey Lita! I love gymnastics don't you," she asked with too much pep. "Not so much but I'm willing to give everything a try." "That's the spirit! Now let's stretch!" I got on the floor and without thinking stretched to the side. I winced. "Hey Lita are you ok?" I nodded. "Y-yeah. I hit the counter this morning and I think it bruised." "You're so clumsy Lita. You've got to be more careful," she said and I nodded. We continued to stretch. "Ok you guys! Enough stretching! Let's see you do a few cartwheels," coach said. I got up and looked around. The jock's looked buff, the emo kids looked...depressed (you must look really bad if I say you look depressed), the nerd's looked like they hated gym and were ready to leave, and the cheer girls were together laughing about who knows what. I turned back towards Nicole. "Nikki why don't you cheer? I know how much you like being recognized. That would be perfect," I said. "You have a point but you know how my mom is." I nodded. Her mom was very protective of her. Her mom is a really nice lady. She's just very concerned about Nikki. I guess all mother's are. I wish I could test my theory...

"Hey. It's Lalita right," someone asked. I turned around and it was Kayden. "Yep that's me. You're Kaylen," I asked. I knew his name but I didn't want to sound stalkerish. "Close. It's Kayden. So what's up?" "The sky," I replied. I know that sounded harsh but I can't have a boyfriend. It'll just make things worse. "True but is your head in the clouds," he asked. "Why do you ask?" "Because if your heads in the clouds, it means you can dream." "But you have to face reality." "In a dreamy way," he said. I was about to reply but Coach blew his whistle signifying for the cartwheels to start.  

I tumbled through classes without Nicki and now it's time for me to go to work. I ran to catch up with Nicole. Her mom always picks her up. "Hey Nicole," I said. She gave me a hug. "Oh hey Lita. Are you going to work?" "Yep. I've got to work hard or no cash." "Ok. Make sure you save up because we have to go prom shopping," she said excitedly. Is she inviting me to the mall? "But it's like two months ahead," I said. "Fine. But I'll say I told ya so when your dream dress is 40 more bucks than whatcha got." I grinned. "Why do you always have to be right," I asked and Nicki shrugged. Then her mom drove up. "Hello Lalita. How's school," she asked. "Fine Mrs. Reed, I like your hair." "Why thank you! I did it myself! Come on Nicole your appointment is in an hour." Nikki gave me one more hug and got in the car. I started to walk towards the bus stop.

Nicole's POV (wooo!)  

I got in the car and mom started to drive downtown. "So Nicole how was school," she asked. "It was fine mother. I got an A on both of my tests." "That's good. Any new people in your life?" Mom wanted me to have a boyfriend. "If you mean a boyfriend then no mother. I've already discussed this with you." "But honey girls your age date boys." "Lita doesn't," I replied. "What have I told you about comparing yourself? You're unique in every way." I sighed. We pulled up to the doctor and we walked in. I saw Sidney at the desk. "Hello Nicole," she said. "Hello Sidney. How's Robert?" That's her newborn son. "Oh just as fat as can be. His father says he was that fat. All I have to do is poke him and he starts to giggle. I hope he won't be the class clown." I smiled at her reply. Sidney always made me feel better. "Well Mrs. Jones is ready for you. Go on in," she said.

I've been here so many times throughout my life. It's always back and forth between my house, school, ER, and doctor's office my whole life. I've never been able to do anything risky. I used to be in beauty pageants but mom said it was more take then give. I walked through the door and sat in the chair. This cold room that seems intimidating to most is like my second home. I looked over at my mom and she gave me a reassuring smile. She always does. Then Mrs. Jones walked in. "Hello Nicole. How are you feeling," she asked. "I'm doing fine Mrs. Jones. Have the test results come in," I ask. "They sure did this morning. I just skimmed it." The room grew quiet. That wasn't good news. "Well has anything changed," my mother asked. Mrs. Jones leaned against the desk and put on a serious expression. "Well Mrs. Reed I hate to say it but the pills aren't working. They are slowing down the process but the result is still the same. She has about 3 months top," she said. It grew silent again. My mom took my hand. "W-well that's...it's...we just have to pray about it," my mom said. I could feel her start to choke up. My mom has been praying nonstop for my health. "Mom we've done what we can. It's just..." I couldn't continue. My eyes started to water. This was our last chance. It was all we had left. "Mrs. Reed I know this is hard but her disease is very new and rare. We are really trying our best and if anything new comes up I'll personally call," she said. "Oh I have no doubt your trying Doctor. We all just have to try harder. That's all we can do. Right baby," mom asked. I nodded.

"Well than here is a refill of prescriptions. Continue to take them regularly. We're doing everything we can Nicole," she said. She handed us the pills and we walked out of the doctor's office. We drove home in silence. Then we walked through the door. "What would you like for dinner honey," mom asked. "Italian is fine." "Ok how about ravioli," she asked. I nodded and walked towards my room. We don't have stairs because mom said that they're too dangerous. I put my bag down in my room and started doing homework. Why can't I get better? Why was I born this way? Did something happen with mom? Did she drink or smoke when she was pregnant? Did she commit a deadly sin and I'm the result? Am I just a mistake? I started to cry.

"Honey dinner is ready," mom said. I wiped my tears and headed to the kitchen. Mom was putting the last touches on the spaghetti. I fixed a plate and sat down. We ate in silence for a while until mom interrupted. "So...anyone you want to take to prom," she asked. I just looked at my plate. "Not yet mom," I said and looked up. She nodded and we ate the rest of the meal in silence. Then Dad walked through the door and kissed my check. "Hello cupcake," he said and then handed me a daisy. I smiled and then he walked over to mom and kissed her. He pulled apart and said, "Hello wife. These are for you." He pulled out a bouquet of 8 roses. She smiled and got up to put them in water. She also brought a vase filled with water for my daisy to go in. Dad fixed a plate and then sat down.

"So honey how did everything go today," he asked. "I...it...well..." I didn't want to say it. I looked up and saw his face go from confused to understanding. "It's ok sprinkles. Something will happen. A miracle for sure." I nodded. "Please excuse me," I said. "Wait! Make sure you take the pill," my mom said as she placed it in my hand with a glass of water. I walked back towards my room. I gulped down the pill and the water. Why do I have to take these stupid things twice a day!? Then I have to take a shot every two weeks. Why? I threw the glass at the wall and it shattered. Why can't I live a normal life with a boyfriend and hopes and dreams? I crumpled onto the floor and sobbed. I can't have a boyfriend because that would make things too hard when it's time to go. I know this for a fact because even without the fact I'm dying, boys are too complicated. Why do I have to go so soon? I don't want this life! At least Lita has a life. She has a job and more friends then I ever had and will have! I can't get close to people. It'll just be too hard. Lita has been my only true friend and I'm glad. Lita can live the life I'll never have. She can carry my memories when I'm dead.  

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I'm sorry. I started getting really emotional during the mom's part. I couldn't even make the girl say a joke. That's how serious it was. Then the last part was just too much. Please Comment and Vote.