About a Loser

Chapter 5

Gemma's point of view

"Are you alright, Crazy? You really should have stopped before passing out, but goddamn it, if this didn't earn you that nickname, then I don't know what did. Have some water, you're probably dehydrated"

I open my eyes slowly, though at the sight of her face, I want nothing more than to close them again.

I fainted. I actually goddamn fainted in front of a girl who already thinks I'm a lunatic. Way to go, Gemma, way to go.

"I've gotta say, I'm quite surprised you kept going" Grace continues. She doesn't even seem to understand that every word she says might as well be a knife into my chest. Or another 200 m. At this point I'm not sure if there's a difference between the two.

"Everyone else stopped, you know? It is a shitty workout, to be fair, I don't blame them. But even most of the boys have left. And so has coach, no surprise there, I guess. I really don't know why they haven't fired that guy yet. Such a dick. I'm kind of glad though that you passed out, it kind of gives me an excuse to take a break myself. Goddamn it, that's a rough workout. Wait ... are you alright, Crazy?"

No, I'm not.

I'm most definitely not.

I usually keep my tears inside, you know. I save them for when I'm in my room and can bury my sobs in a pillow so no one hears. Haven't cried in public since third grade. Guess you've really made an impression.

"I'm ... sorry" I hiccup between sobs. I really am. Mostly for myself, though, because this day is going to follow me in my nightmares for the rest of my life. Now that I've started, though, I can't seem to stop crying.

"Crazy? Did I say anything wrong? Oh my God, are you alright? What am I supposed to do? Just tell me what I'm supposed to do! I thought you just passed out from the workout, shit happens, ya know, wouldn't be the first time, I do it all the time. Should I get help? Oh my God, just tell me what's wrong, you're scaring me, Crazy"

"Stop calling me that" I hiss.

Fuck.

Shouldn't have said that.

Definitely shouldn't have said that.

What the hell was I thinking?

Rule number one, you don't tell your bully to stop bullying you. That's not how it works, Gemma, that's not how fucking anything works.

"Oh my God" As much as she says that, I'm getting the feeling that God has gotten more attention from her in the last thirty seconds than he has from the entire catholic church since Jesus was crucified.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, you're new to this, you must think we're being mean to you on purpose"

How else would you be mean to someone if not on purpose? I've never seen anyone accidentally bullying me in case you're wondering.

"Let me introduce myself properly" she continues, oblivious to the hate that must be showing on my face by now, "I'm Blisters."

Maybe she has done a few too many sets of 200 as well, because the girl has apparently forgotten her own name. Her hoodie says Grace Gardner, and blisters isn't even a name.

As she starts taking of one of her old trainers, I decide that her brain is definitely lacking oxygen. Maybe she's been in the sun for too long. What the hell is she doing?

"I know, I know" she mutters, "I look like alunatic. Don't worry, I'm about to explain."

Author's Note:

Aren't we all waiting for an explanation? I am definately looking forward to seeing Gemma's reaction when she understands how the nicknames work.

And as if that wasn't good enough, the next chapter won't only give us that explanation, it will also be from a different point of view ...

Anyone want to have a guess?

I hope you'll all have a fab day, stay tuned for the next chapter and don't forget to vote and comment.

Oh, and while we're on the topic - thank you so much for all the votes and comments so far, or even for just reading the story! <3 <3 <3 It really does mean a lot to me, even if it's just a few people!!!!!