Match

19: Are You Scared?

Cole:

    yo nate, hows kaceys condition?

    Nathan:

    He was pretty scared. I'd be the same too. Thank God his aunt came by as soon as she heard the news to calm him down. Doc says he has a sprained ankle. Might be done this season. All depends on his recovery.

    "Shit..." Cole utters as he reads the reply.

    Cole:

    i dont have his number so tell him i wish him well.

    He sits up, places the phone on the drawer by his bed, then stretches out wide and yawns. His forehead didn't like that, reacting with a pulsing pain right where he got smacked by the ball. He flinches and covers his forehead.

    "Fuck!"

    Tender fingers trace across the bruise. He's been afraid to even check how bad it looks. Last night it appeared as a faded blue mark, but he just knows the pain tells him it's worse. He grabs some spare clothes and trots into the bathroom.

    From across, his reflection stares back under the ill-lit room. Only thin bands of sunlight peer in from the small window above the shower. He flicks on the light and lets the shame set in. On the left side of his forehead is a blue-purple, circle shaped bruise.

    "Fuck."

    While he leans closer to get a better look, his fingers travel to feel around the bruise. It's not too big, but it's still big enough to be visible from a few feet away. He runs his hands through his hair, flicking strands in an attempt to cover the battle wound. He takes note that his dark roots are starting to settle in. Should I re-dye my hair again? he thinks. He remembers how painful it was to bleach it, and shrugs away the sudden thought. Maybe next year. Hair colour isn't important right now.

    No matter how much he tries to cover the bruise, it still peeks out. He flops his clothes beside the sink and turns on the shower, having given up.

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    Nathan:

    Will do :) How's your head btw?

    Cole:

    doesn't hurt all the time so thats good. got a bad bruise tho.

    Nathan:

    Yikes bud. Ice the fuck outta that. C ya at practice.

    He feels bad having not asked Nathan if he wanted to come see the movie too. It's too late now. He pulls into the large lot and scours for an empty parking space. The dread hits him when he realizes how packed it is the closer he gets to the cinema entrance. A lot of people are out either going in the cinema or other neighbouring stores. Are they all going to see the same movie? He turns into another packed lot and decides to park at the very back. It's much more roomy, giving him less worry about awkward space between cars. Once he pulls into a spot, he puts the gear into park and shuts off the engine. His phone lights up with a notification.

    Dakota:

    Meet me and Lil at the front entrance. We're wearing bright clothing with neon socks. :D

    Before he steps out of his car, he adjusts the rear view mirror to get a better look of his forehead. He styled his hair the best he could so that it covers most of the bruise. He sweeps a couple lone strands for extra measure, then opens the car door and steps out. Scores of people emerge from their cars and walk along the lot. Some are couples, some are families. He shuts the door and locks it. As soon as he turns around, he sees Jonah on the other lot. He waves and jogs up to him.