Coach Carter

Twelve

I opened my eyes, but quickly shut them.

"Too bright." I mumbled.

I heard someone chuckle and the light got turned off. I slowly opened my eyes again.

"Hey. You're awake." Jen said, grabbing my hand.

"Did you carry me down here?" I looked at her, remembering I was in my bathroom last and now I'm in the living room.

"Yeah, after I cleaned you up." I gave her a questioning look. "What's the last thing you remember?"

"I sat down in the bathroom because I felt like I was going to pass out." I said, sitting up on the couch. I felt a wave of nausea run through me. "Jen.."

She handed me the little trash can that was sitting next to her. After only dry heaving for a few minutes, I felt okay enough to put the can on the floor. I groaned and threw my head back on the couch.

"Do you want some food?" She asked quietly.

I shook my head.

"You gotta eat kiddo."

She handed me a pack of saltines. I sat them next to me, closing my eyes again. My head was pounding, all I wanted to do was sleep. So that's what I did; all week. I slept, ate a little, barely made it through school, and attempted to do some homework. I wasn't on my phone much, so didn't talk to Anna, I also didn't practice. I hope I'm feeling good enough next weekend, there's no way I'm missing next Friday. I sighed and got out of bed. I just had to make it through today; Friday. Then I could sleep all weekend. I threw on some clothes and my vans and went down stairs.

"Morning." Lex and Jen said in unison.

"Morning guys." I slumped down on a stool in the kitchen. "Can I just have two pieces of toast for breakfast?" I asked Jen.

"Still not feeling good?" I shook my head, and she kissed my forehead. "Well, your fever's gone, so that's good."

I nodded. I've had a small fever for the passed few days, but we think I just have a stomach bug so we haven't worried about it. I slowly ate my toast. I felt so weak. It was hard to even hold my head up.

"What's wrong?" Lex asked, coming over and giving me a hug. I didn't realize I was crying until she wiped a tear from my face. "You're crying Car."

"I'm just so tired." She squeezed a little tighter. "It hurts to even hold my head up. I feel so weak."

"Do you want me to take you to urgent care? See if it's something more than a stomach bug?" Jen asked, giving me a smile.

"Maybe after school? Let me see how I'm feeling." I wiped the rest of my tears and got out of Lex's arms.

"Ready for school?" Jen asked, receiving a nod from Lex and I.

We hopped in the car and left. Lex walked me to class, carrying my bag for me even though I told her I could take it.

"Thank you." I told her before she left.

We were a good 15 minutes early, so nobody was in class yet, but I wanted to sit down. I was tired. Anna walked over and sat in front of me, grabbing my hand.

"How're you feeling baby?"

I could tell she was concerned, and I knew she noticed I haven't been feeling well lately. I shrugged.

"I think Jen is going to take me to urgent care after school." I sighed.

"What's going on though? Like I obviously know you don't feel good, you've looked rough for about a week now; but is it like, your stomach or are you not sleeping or what's up?"