Sweet Lips

•TWO: Knockout Ball•

The moment that I was dreading for the whole day finally came. The bell rang through the halls and almost all the people in my class had already shot out the door. I had just got started packing up and I didn't plan on rushing so I could leave as well. I slowly shoved the science books into my bag and slid the zipper up ever so slowly.  To exaggerate how I was feeling, I grabbed ahold of one of the bag straps and dragged the bag behind me as I sauntered down the hall with my head low. Ms. Jingle didn't ask a single question when I left her science room. I will forever hold a grudge on her for not stopping me to chat. Even if she did, the conversation would have to end someway somehow and I would be right back into the boat I am in right now. My shoes squeaked against the school floors as I turned into the hallway that the Gym was in. My palms began to sweat as I approached the gym door. What if they make fun of my skinny figure that had bones poking out everywhere. They also might make fun of my inexperienced style of playing. I now stood before the gym doors. I sighed and pushed open one of the doors. "Here goes something," I say before heading towards the girls locker room. The girls locker room was at the back of the gym. The gym was currently empty so that means everyone was in the locker room.

Once I reached the locker room door, I decided there was no going back now. I pushed open the door and entered the room that voices were already coming from. All of their eyes shifted to me who stood awkwardly at the door. Before I could get a hold of all my senses a girl appeared by my side with a large smile stretched across her face. "Hey! I'm Hazel!" She juts her arm out for me to shake. I slowly bring my hand up to shake hers. "You must be Arlie. Coach told us about you joining the team. You look pretty worried but it's okay! You'll get adjusted and it'll all be very fun. We have practice every-" A tall- and beautiful girl came up from behind her and placed a perfectly manicured hand on her shoulder. I realized that she was Alexandra Bell. She prefers to go by Alex though. I've heard her name around school plenty of times.  Hazel immediately stopped her yapping and tilted her head up to look at Alex. "So you've met Hazel," She says with a small smile. Her voice was sweet, like a cherry. I nod and grip the straps of my book bag nervously. "Follow me. Your clothes are back here," She says before turning around and walking further into the locker room. I quickly got out my frozen state and followed her into the room.

By the time we stopped, I had already gotten plenty of curious looks from other team members. "Here." Snapping me out of my thoughts, Alex threw me a pair of red shorts and a white tee. "Judging by your size, I'd say you probably shop in the kids section, so I gave you the smallest size we have," She says. I hold the outfit out in front of me and it was certainly too big for my figure. "Thanks," I say in a small voice. She just nods. "Get dressed. Be out in five minutes," with that she pats my shoulder and leaves me in the corner of the locker room to get dressed.

I had the shirt and shorts on and it was safe to say that I needed a belt. My legs looked like sticks under the red material and my abdomen looked nonexistent under the shirt. I tied my hair up in a pony with a black rubber band. The locker room was empty by now and I was dreading going out into the gym. I have never been really open about my body. I never wore jeans or t-shirts. When I did, people would stare at the bones that poked out and their reactions became permanent in my mind. I knew this wasn't something I could avoid so I decided to go through with it without any thought.

I walked into the gym with my head down and stood there awkwardly. I could feel their gazes burning through me and I just wanted to disappear. "Hey! Over here!"My head snapped up at Hazel's calling. I looked towards her and saw that she was waving me over with her right hand while the left held the ball. Nice to know not everyone was focused on my boney legs. I started to walk towards Hazel. Her smile was a nice escape from the cold gym air that made bubbles form under my skin. "Let's play!" She says before serving the ball.

___

Sweat was forming on my forehead while I was bent over, gasping for air. This was the most exercise I had gotten in my entire life. I had only hit the ball two times and my ponytail already began failing on me. And I'm sure a deep red was visible across my face. "Come on, Arlie!" Hazel put a light hand on my shoulder and helped me stand straight. "How do you... do this... for so," cough "long?" I asked. She just let out a giggle. "You'll get used to it!" She says before running off the play. I can't do this. I really can't! I began walking over to the bleachers to take a break.

I finally calmed my breath and the sweating stopped. I stood up and began walking back over to the game. I felt a little off but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. I finally made it back to the game and they were about to serve the ball. I chose a spot towards the back so I wouldn't have to do much. Another girl, similar to Hazel's figure, served the ball. Both sides started to hit the ball back and forth and few players slid to save the ball from hitting the ground.

All was well until the ball came flying my way. I found myself getting ready to hit the ball. The ball was flying straight and I had the perfect shot at hitting it right over the net. I felt all the pressure from everyone on my side. I was about to hit the ball until... the ball hit me first. It came at full force, hitting me right in the face. My eyes shut on instinct quickly. My head swung to the side as if I had gotten slapped. Once the ball left my face, a stinging sensation was on my cheek. "Oh my God! Are you alright!" Hazels voice was blur as I opened my eyes. I couldn't focus on a thing as I took heavy breaths. Black dots completely covered my vision before I gave up and fell to the floor. There I laid unconscious.

___

I heard soft voices speaking around me. The surface I was resting on wasn't that comfortable, causing me to shift my position. I fluttered my eyes open and I was face to face with a plain, white wall. These weren't my bedroom walls. I panicked and turned around only to see the rest of the school nurses office. What the heck was I doing here? I saw Alex sitting in one of the blue chairs along the wall. She was looking down at her hands. "Alex," I called to her. She looked up at me with a crooked smile. "Yeah?" She asks softly. I rub my head and slightly winced at the soreness. "What happened?" I questioned. Her eyebrows then shot up as she gathered her words. "Uh, you were playing volleyball and the ball was coming your way. You tried to hit it but it um... it hit you in the head," she explains. I nod. That explains the soreness. "You okay?" Alex asks. I sit up then fix my messy ponytail. "Yeah, I think." I tell her. She only nodded with a tiny smile. "Practice ended a while ago. The nurse already called your mom so you don't have to worry about explaining much." She informs. I swing my legs to the side of the bed and hop onto my feet. I spotted my bag next to Alex and immediately went over to get it.

I swung my bag onto my shoulder and waved to Alex. "See you later." I said. She pushed her long, black hair behind her shoulder and smiled. "Yeah, you too." She waved. I turned and headed for the door. Time to get these sweaty clothes off. I ran to the girls bathroom and quickly swapped the sports outfit with my own clothes. It felt good to be back in my own pants. Mostly because it covers... more. I shove the shorts and t-shirt into my bag and zip it up. I run to the school entrance with the bag slipping off my shoulder.

___

My mother's car was nowhere to be seen. Maybe she's late? I pull out my phone to call her but see a notification on the message app.

Mom- I can't pick you up today, some work issues came up. Sorry! Love you!

I sigh and shove the phone into my pocket. Looks like I'm walking home. I take out the irritating ponytail and began to walk along the quiet sidewalks. My hair stayed behind me because of the soft breeze, making things easier. A car then slowed down beside me. I began to panic and was about to run before someone's voice entered my ears. "Hey, Arlie!" I turn to look at Alex who had her head poking out of the car window. She looked like a model with her thick hair flying in the wind and her face that defined symmetry. "Need a ride?" She asks with a her big brown orbs and a smirk on her lips.