The Boy Who Broke My Leg

Chapter 3

On Monday morning Kayla's shaking me awake. We'd both agreed I'd take the week off school to rest and that if I needed anything while Kay is at school, I'd call Mrs. R. Which seemed unnecessary seeing all the food, drinks and books piled onto my nightstand. Which is why I'm unclear as to why Kayla's waking me up at this ungodly hour when my only job is sleeping.

All I can make out in my groggy state are the words "math test".

"Chill Kay, the teachers will let me retake the test. It's not like I need a more valid reason", I mumble.

"It's Mrs. Karrington's math test", Kayla exclaims. "I completely forgot about it. And it's already 8 we're going to be late. You have to suck it up and do something on this test."

This wakes me up. Mrs. Karrington is the strictest teacher in all of Redwood High. She's famous for never giving retests. She literally has a poster above her desk reading "If you don't take the test, it's an automatic F." It's concerning really. But I needed to take this test it was for a good portion of my grade and I couldn't afford to flunk it.

I sit up too quickly and groan at the pain. I've practiced using my crutches a little so I manage to use the bathroom and sit down to brush my teeth at the chair in front on the sink.

I get back to the closet and automatically reach for my black skinny jeans before I realize the problem. I can't get skinny jeans over my cast. Considering the fact that all my wardrobe consists of is black skinny jeans and an assortment of dark colored t shirts and tops, I don't have much of an option for bottoms. I can either wear pajama pants and possibly break the dress code. Or I can wear black shorts. I opt for the latter and throw on a black t hoodie with a band emblem. I toss my hair into a messy bun since I haven't washed it in days. I have to forgo my usual winged eyeliner and lipstick, leaving me feeling unnaturally naked.

But I didn't have time to dwell on that now. We literally had to leave now to get to the math test. Kay had it third and fourth hour but mine was the first two hours and since I couldn't drive, she had to give me a ride.

I frantically run through integration formulae on the way to school as I nibble on a granola bar. The shorts were honestly a stupid idea because it's about sixty degrees outside and even with the heater blasting, I'm freezing. I should've worn the stupid pajama pants. Add it to the list of regrets.

People blatantly stare, as Kayla helps me out of the car and grabs my books. Girls whisper to their friends as I crutch my way into the building and I can't help roll my eyes as I catch a girl say "She's it, she's the one Alistair LeBran fell on". 

"Glad you figured it out granted the abundance of broken legged girls in the school", I can't help grumble back as I pass her and into Mrs. Karrington's room just as the bell rings. She's already starting to hand out the test papers. Oh lord.

"Nessa wait!" Kayla calls. "I forgot to tell you-"

"Excuse me, young lady, I'm sure whatever you have to say can wait till after the test", Mrs. Karrington's stern voice interrupts her.

Kayla sighs. 'I'll be outside' she mouths, before flashing me a thumbs up for good luck and disappearing.

Oh boy, it was math test time.

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Let's be truthful. If I suck at math normally, I'm probably not going to be magically better at it when I'm tired, hungry, sleep deprived, cold and in pain. I send a quick prayer hoping I at least hit a C as I turn my paper in and clumsily make my way out. A few people ask how I'm feeling, to which I mumble a quick fine but it's obvious most of them are talking behind my back. I'm past caring at this point. My leg's throbbing and I just want to get home and roll into a ball with some food and pills.