Numb ✔️

10: Patience

"Do you have to work tonight?" Ayla asked as she locked her locker.

"Nope." I shook my head, my blonde curls bouncing. "And I'm glad because I don't want to deal with Brogan."

"You know, " Kassie gave me a pointed look. "You're gonna have to learn to deal with him. You can't just dread going to work every day."

"I know." I groaned. "But today I just know I wouldn't be able to stand him."

My friends nodded in understanding. They knew what kind of person he was when he was in a bad mood.

And he definitely didn't look like he was in a good mood when I saw him in math today.

He wouldn't really talk to anyone, but that happens lots.

"So are you doing anything after cheer?"

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, and I couldn't help it.

"Kent's coming over and we're gonna do homework." My face turned a light shade of pink, and I looked down at my feet.

"Oooh," Ayla bumped my shoulder with her's. "Someone's having fun tonight."

Kassie raised her eyebrows at me, and smirked.

"What? Were just doing homework." I shrugged.

"Mmhhhm." Kassie hummed as we pushed open the doors to the outdoor locker room.

I ignored her, walking over to my locker and entering the combination. I yanked out my Under Armor bag.

I started changing in to my cheer uniform, but then I realized that the bruise on my collarbone was clearly visible.

Wow. You didn't think that one through, did you Ashlyn?

I tried adjusting the clothing, but it was no use.

"What the hell are you doing?" Ayla knit her brows, scanning me up and down.

I simply pointed at the bruise, and she caught on. A small smirk spread across her lips, and I smacked her arm.

"This isn't funny."

"Here." She said laughing, as she pulled concealer from her locker.

I applied the makeup, giving my best effort to to hide the dark spot. It sort of worked, but that was the best I could do.

Sighing, I threw my hair up in a ponytail, and headed outside with the rest of the girls.

Practice went as usual, we stood on the sidelines of the football field, and worked on routines for the up and coming game. Then we took a water break, while watching the football team practice.

After changing and biding a goodbye to my friends, I stood by the chain link fence. Patiently waiting for Kent.

Nothing on my phone seemed interesting enough, so I occupied myself by chipping away the pink nail polish on my thumb.

I'd probably want to paint them again for the next game. Manicured hands always boosted my confidence. And Kassie was really good at nail art. Ayla and I always bug her to paint them for us.