Free Blow Out by M. G. Higgins Page B

you have the worst first period
ever
?”
    â€œUh, yes.”
    As they walked through the entrance, Nita asked, “Want to run this afternoon?”
    Lacy hesitated.
    â€œI mean, if you want to wait a few more days….”
    A few more days
, Lacy thought.
How about a few more months?
But she said, “No. I mean yes. I’m ready.” She had to be. Team practice would start in a few weeks. If she didn’t get in shape soon, she’d never be up to speed with teammates who’d played on club teams during the off-season. Who knew what soccer phenoms were trying out for this year’s team? The thought sent a nervous shiver through Lacy.
    â€œActually,” Lacy said, unlocking her locker and grabbing her chemistry book, “running after school is a
great
idea.”
    â€œGood!” Nita said. “See you at lunch.” She trotted off to her locker at the end of the next hallway.
    Lacy closed her locker door. Fraser High seemed more crowded than usual. The clamor of friends greeting each other reminded her of stampeding buffalo. She took a deep breath and stepped into the throng. Without Nita to distract her, she was suddenly aware of every enormous foot and every broad shoulder. She wished she wore a sign that read, “FRAGILE! DO NOT TOUCH!”
    You’re okay
, Lacy told herself.
It’s only first-day jitters
. She turned left. The sciences hallway beckoned, looking a little less crowded. Lacy sped up. She just wanted to reach her classroom and sit down.
    â€œHi, Lacy!”
    Lacy glanced over her left shoulder to see who’d called. At the same moment, someone’s foot struck her right ankle. If she hadn’t been in a school hallway, she would have thought it was a soccer tackle. Her right leg swung out behind her. It happened so fast, she wasn’t able to catch herself before she sprawled onto the hard floor.
    A scream lodged itself in Lacy’s throat.
My knee. My knee!
She sat up, her legs folded under her. Kids swarmed around her like gawkers at a car wreck.
    â€œBack off!” she cried, terrified they’d step on her. “Please!”
    â€œLacy!” Alyssa Duncan, Fraser High’s goalkeeper, crouched and touched Lacy’s arm. “You just went down. What happened?”
    â€œI … I’m not sure.”
    â€œAre you okay?”
    â€œUm … yes. I think so.” So far, she didn’t feel any pain. She stretched her legs out in front of her and gently pressed her fingers around her knee. No tenderness.
    â€œWant me to get the school nurse?” Alyssa asked.
    Lacy shook her head. “No. I’m okay.” She realized she was crying and brushed the tears off her face. “But can you help me up?”
    â€œSure.” Alyssa took Lacy’s hand as someone else said, “Here.”
    A girl Lacy didn’t recognize extended her hand. Lacy hesitated, then grabbed it, grateful for the help.
    â€œThanks,” Lacy said, brushing herself off.
    â€œAre you sure you’re okay?” Alyssa asked.
    â€œYes. I’m sure.”
    â€œI’ve got first period upstairs, so…”
    Lacy nodded. “You’d better go.”
    â€œYou
are
playing soccer this season, aren’t you?” Alyssa asked.
    â€œI hope so.”
    â€œGreat! We really need you.” Alyssa gave Lacy a warm smile and a thumbs-up before she headed down the hall.
    The other girl hovered nearby. She was the same height as Lacy, about five foot seven. Her blonde hair was cut short, with slanted bangs, and she wore a nose ring. Lacy could make out the tip of a tattoo on the side of her neck—it looked like a scorpion.
    â€œNasty fall,” the girl said.
    Lacy still felt shaken, but the fear was turning into embarrassment. Her cheeks felt hot. “I can’t believe this happened.”
    â€œFor real. Some kids sure have big feet.” She smiled and waved. “Well, see ya.”
    â€œSure.