Along Came a Luna

Chapter Five

"Alright, everyone. Please take a seat on the stands and we will discuss today's lesson."

Why did Gym have to be compulsory at this school? They said in the brochure that I would have to have a good excuse to not participate. How is this of an excuse:

"Oh hey! Sorry, I can't participate in this class because my father beats me on a daily basis and my body cannot handle so much as 1-star jump. Don't tell anyone though, it's meant to be a secret, shh."

Yeah right...

"Okay. Now that you are all seated, let's begin. Since we have come back after a very relaxing weekend, I believe it is best we do a few drills..." The whole class groaned whilst interrupting the teacher, "If you will let me finish. It has also come to my attention that we have a new student. Welcome Arabella, you may call me Mr Smith. I believe we should start off on a good note with Arabella so that we don't scare her off. How's a game of Volleyball instead?" Mr Smith asked as the class whooped and cheered for their teacher's change of mind.

Everyone started to get up to get changed and set up the nets. I didn't know whether to be disappointed or happy. At least if we did drills, I would only disappoint the coach. But now, I will disappoint a whole team of people my age and probably the coach as well. Great.

"Arabella since it is your first day and I doubt you brought anything to change into, you are just going to have to wear what you are wearing. Is that okay?" Mr Smith asked me.

I slowly nodded my head and continued to watch everyone set up the court. I should probably be helping... oh well.

"Alright! Let's get going. James and Alyssa, you are team captains. Choose away."

"Hmm, Jessica."

"Daniel."

"Alexis."

"Chloe."

"Rob."

"Mack."

"Zoe."

"Luke."

"Phoebe."

"Chelsea."

"Ned."

"Jake."

"Cheryl."

I looked around me to notice that everyone was chosen, except me.

"Well looks like you are on our team," The boy captain said. I think his name was James?

I nodded shyly and walked to our team. I felt like saying that they should be prepared to lose with me on their team, but I didn't say a word. I tried to listen as much as I could whilst they panned their strategy, but I didn't understand anything. Instead of voicing my thoughts, I nodded my head and acted as if I knew what to do.

We walked onto the court and took our positions. Mr Smith blew the whistle and the next thing I knew, the ball was hurling my way. I placed my hands above my head with the hopes of hitting it to someone else, but the ball had other plans. Due to the fact that I had lifted my hands from my stomach to the air, the ball had full access to my ribs.

Smack.

I fell to the floor and felt a world of pain coming from my belly. Not the hungry kind, but the 'I had broken ribs and just made it worse' pain.

"Are you okay!? Oh my God, I am so sorry! Can you walk? We need to take you to the nurse!"

At hearing this, I froze. If the nurse sees the damage under my clothes, I will be in big trouble. Richard would kill me, literally. 

'No! No, that is okay! I am okay. No harm was done," I said whilst slowly getting up, much to my bodies distaste.

"Are you sure? You look like you are in a lot of pain..." Asked the girl in front of me with a look of uncertainty. Most likely the one that served the ball to my stomach. 

"Yup! I am sure." I stated.

The girl nodded her head hesitantly and walked back to her team. I turned to Mr Smith and asked if I could use the bathroom. He gave me a pass and made sure I was okay. After reassuring everyone that I was perfectly fine, I left as quick as I could- trying to hide the limp in my step. I got to the bathroom and noticed that it was luckily empty, closed the stall door and hunched over the toilet seat. I puked out anything that was left in my stomach, which wasn't much, and slowly opened my eyes.

Blood.