Taming the Beast

6- Not All Wounds Heal

(Caroline's POV)

I pulled my tight short sleeve shirt on before I exited the bathroom stall. I always changed in the stall because of my scars. No one knew about them or saw them except Danny, Mariana, and Stacy and I wanted to keep it that way. I weaved my way through the other girls, who were also changing, and to my locker. I pulled my knee pads out and slipped them on before sticking my feet in my shoes. I had to steady myself again as Natasha bumped me as she passed me. I glared at her back as I heard her laughing with her friends.

"She's pathetic," I caught her saying. She glanced at me with a smirk before she exited the locker room. I puffed out a breath before I stood and stretched gently. I made sure that the ace wrap around my stomach was smooth before I walked out also. Stacy slapped my butt as I got onto the court. She smirked and laughed at my expense as I rolled my eyes at her.

We were volleying today; almost like a scrimmage. I was serving first. I tossed the ball in the air and waited until it came down a little bit before my hand smacked it across the net. I sprinted to my position on the net as the other side hit it back to us. We had a good volley going, but finally, we got a point. Natasha picked up the ball and walked to the net as I held my hands out for it. She smirked and shoved the ball into my stomach. My tender scars ached as I doubled over and tried to catch my breath. The ball fell to the floor as I held my stomach. Tears sprung to my eyes but I held them in as long as I could.

"Listen here bitch," Stacy started as she stormed under the net and into Natasha's face.

"Don't test me, Stacy," Natasha growled back. I felt Mariana's hand on my back as she led me to the bleachers. I sat gently and she rubbed my back. Stacy and Natasha were still yelling at each other.

"Are you okay?" Mariana asked me.

"No," I managed to choke out. My insides were blazing and not in a good way. My scars were really sensitive to touch. From the inside, it was no problem, but if something hit it, I was in a world of unbearable, teeth grinding, and tear-inducing pain. And right now, I was in unbearable, teeth grinding, and tear-inducing pain.

"Just because no one wants your bitch ass, doesn't mean you can take it out on Caroline. She hasn't done anything to you!" I heard Stacy yell.

"You have no idea what you're talking about!" Natasha yelled in her face. The coach walked into the room and her eyes scanned the scene quickly before she blew her whistle. Stacy and Natasha didn't stop. And I couldn't stop the tears. My lip quivered as I silently begged the pain to go away. Mariana stood quickly.

"I'll be right back," she said before she ran out of the gym. Coach didn't even notice. She was too busy trying to break up Stacy and Natasha.

"That's why nobody likes you! You're a fake bitch and the freaking spawn of Satan! You have no idea what friends are supposed to look like because you don't have any. You're a twat! No wonder Keegan dumped you!" Stacy yelled at her. Coach blew her whistle three times and stepped in between the two of them. She put her hands out as she looked between the two of them.

"What in hell is going on here?!" she yelled at them. They both started trying to talk at the same time, getting louder and louder. I looked over as the doors burst open. Mariana came in... and Keegan was right behind her. I lowered my gaze as I held my stomach gingerly. Without a word, Keegan scooped me up bridal style and headed for the door again. His touch was comforting and I welcomed it.

"Hey, don't say that. Every inch of you is beautiful. Your scars tell a story. I don't have to know that story yet," he said gently. I let his fingers trace my scars. Eventually, I relaxed into him. He kissed my temple before he let go all together. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding before I turned to look at him.