Chapter 27
Zander knocks on my door to wake me on Wednesday morning. Wait, why didn’t my alarm go off? I shuffle through my memories of last night. I must have fallen asleep after the massage. Rolling over, I wince. No arnica, ibuprofen, or stretching happened last night. “Shit,” I mumble.
“Are you okay, Summer?” Zander comes in, scanning me from head to toe.
“Sort of,” I grimace. “I fell asleep, so I didn’t take care of my legs last night, and they seized up.”
“That’s not good. How do I help?” Zander offers.
“Can you get me some ibuprofen and maybe run me a hot bath? Epsom salts are on the counter in the bathroom.”
“Sure. I’ll be right back.” Zander quickly grabs the ibuprofen and a glass of juice for me. Swallowing the pills, I try to stretch out my legs in bed as I hear the water start in the tub. “How much Epsom salts do you want, Summer?” Zander calls from the bathroom.
“About a cup, please,” I holler back. Shoot, my legs are a mess this morning. Today is going to be painful.
I hear the water turn off, then Zander is back. “That should be plenty deep for your legs. Do you need help to get up?”
I try to sit up and swing my legs over the edge of the bed, but they aren’t cooperating. “Yeah, I might,” I groan.
Zander swings my legs over the side of the bed and immediately grabs my hands to pull me upright. I wobble a bit but stay standing. “This is bad, Summer. Is the coach pushing you too hard? Do I need to call her?”
“No,” I shake my head. “This is on me. I’m running on my own. This happens when I don’t take care of myself. I know better. It’s my fault.”
Zander still doesn’t appear happy, but nods, helping me shuffle into the bathroom. The next problem is getting into the tub. “Um, can you lift me, clothes and all, into the tub, please?”
Zander gently picks me up and lowers me into the water. It feels weird with my clothes on, but the heat from the water is outstanding. “Can I get you anything else?” He asks.
“No, I’m good now. Can you yell in a half hour so I know when to get out?” I wiggle myself backward to rest against the curve of the tub.
He nods, “Holler if you need anything else. I’m hopping in the shower, but I’ll be in the kitchen after that so I can hear you.”
“Thanks, Zander,” I smile. Once he leaves, I wrestle my pajamas off and plop them onto the tile floor and massage my thighs, trying to get them to loosen up.
A deep tissue massage would be perfect right now, but that’s not happening with my aversion to touch.
When I’ve massaged as best I can, I bend my thighs upwards gently.
I’ve nearly got both bent to my chest when Zander knocks, saying it’s been a half an hour.
I’m able to stand on my own, which is a good sign, so I carefully step out of the tub.
My legs are still stiff and sore, but usable.
I dry off and throw my robe on. Zander is waiting in the hallway for me. “I’m okay now. Thanks for the help.”
“Are you sure?” He seems skeptical a half hour can do much good.
“Yup, I’m good. Promise.” I hobble into my bedroom, apply the arnica, and get ready for school.
It feels like a comfy clothes day with Jake’s hoodie and leggings.
It’s the first time I’ve worn one of his hoodies since getting here, but it doesn’t make me sad thinking about Jake, only happy for the memories and comfort instead.
I put the arnica and ibuprofen in my backpack for today.
Zander drops me off at school, telling me to take it easy. Seb sees me hobbling up the steps and rushes over. “Sunshine, you’re hurt? Want me to carry you? Give me your bags. Is it your legs from running? What can I do?”
I see Alex and Bay coming up the steps behind me. “Yes. No. Okay. Yes. Nothing.”
Bay and Alex chuckle at my concise answers. “Did you overextend in training, Summer?” Alex asks with concern on his face.
“Not really. I fell asleep without doing stretches, taking ibuprofen, or applying the arnica cream. It’s my fault. I’ll be fine,” I wave him off.
“Shit, Sunshine, I never thought. I should have woken you up,” Seb says, mumbling to himself.
“Not your fault. I’m a big girl. I know better,” I reply, patting his arm.
Alex pulls his backpack forward and starts digging around in the front pouch. “Here, take some acetaminophen with the ibuprofen. The combination will work better.”
“Thanks, Alex,” I smile. I remove my water bottle from my bag Seb is holding and take the pills. “Let’s go inside,” leading the way up the steps. The guys are all watching and hovering close. I debate pretending to fall, but that’s probably too mean.
All three of them follow me to my locker. “Guys, really, I’m fine. Go get your books sorted,” I wave. They all reluctantly leave as I put my gym bag inside my locker and switch my texts.
As I’m about to shut my locker, someone leans on the locker next door. I glance up briefly.
“Hey new girl.” It’s Ben from yesterday.
“Hi,” I say back, not looking at him anymore.
“Did you know I was new this year, too? We should stick together so I can show you around,” he says, leaning closer. This guy is still giving me weird vibes. He seems nice enough, but a look at his eyes and I see they’re still not matching his emotions.
I step back into a broad chest. I’m not reacting, and I smell citrus, so it must be Seb. I arch my neck to catch a glimpse of his face. “She has friends to do that,” Seb says. He’s glowering at Ben.
“You can never have too many friends. I’ll see you in gym, Summer,” Ben waves, walking off.
I turn around to face Seb. “Who is that?”
“Not a good guy, from what I know. He started here in January. He doesn’t run with a good crowd. I’m texting Nick. He’s been trying to befriend him since he got here. That’s never a good sign.”
I gaze at him in puzzlement. “I don’t follow.”
“Remember I told you Troy helped him get away from his dad? Well, his dad was into a lot of awful shit. He’s a criminal who will do just about anything to make money.
” Seb explains Nick’s dad is out of state, but Nick has a reputation coming from the life he led, so people trying to befriend him are usually part of that world.
“Oh, I’ll stay clear of Ben.” I don’t need any complications in my new life.
“You do that, Sunshine. Come on, it’s time for class.” Seb walks beside me as I hobble along to class, counting the almost normal gait as a win.
The biology lecture is short today, and soon Alex and I are studying fruit flies. “So how long have you and Reesa been together?” I ask.
“Since the beginning of sophomore year.” Alex replies, focusing on the microscope to study the fly’s details.
“That’s a while. You guys must get along well. She seems like a nice girl,” I reply. I’m taking detailed notes as Alex confirms his findings.
“Reesa gets along with everyone, and yes, nice is a good word to describe her,” he replies without emotion.
What an odd way to talk about your girlfriend, I think, but Seb said they had a complicated relationship. “How was the fundraiser last night?”
“Tedious with the same food and people as every other fundraiser.”
“It sounds like you really enjoy going,” I joke.
“Wouldn’t miss one for the world,” he deadpans, looking up at me from the microscope.
I chuckle at that. “Is it common for you to go to these types of things?”
“Twice a month, sometimes more. I attend for my father when he is unavailable. His business contacts are important to him and to the family. With us being old Southern money, someone is expected to attend.”
“Oh, do you see E there? He said his family is old Southern money too.” I pull the microscope over to me, switching petri dishes to take my turn counting eye colors.
“No, E has avoided that fate. His grandparents, however…” he says, looking like he tasted something bad.
“Not a fan?” I call out numbers to Alex as I count flies.
He leans over so that no one can hear us. “Politically, they are wonderful people from a distinguished family whom I am honoured to be acquainted with. Personally, they are manipulative, rude, and far too entitled for my taste.”
“Well, then,” I say. “I can’t imagine the life you lead, Alex. Games like that were never my forte.”
“That is a positive quality, Summer,” he commends. “I dislike the games even though I have had to learn to navigate them.”
“I’m sorry you’ve had to learn, Alex,” I tell him sincerely. Frankly, it sounds terrible.
Alex shrugs. “I was born into it. I rarely think about it except at gatherings, which are a few hours at a time.”
Deciding to change the subject to something more pleasant, I ask if he and Bay are attempting any new dives.
Alex informs me they are working on a new one this week.
His eyes brighten as he discusses something he obviously enjoys.
The new dive should increase their scores and is harder than the rest of their team is attempting.
“That’s amazing, Alex. I wish you and Bay luck,” I smile.
We finish examining the fruit flies and put everything away.
AP English goes by quickly. My group decides to meet on Tuesday next week, after the basketball playoffs, to work on our project.
Nick, surprisingly, shows up at our table in AP Seminar and sits down with his laptop.
“Hello Nick. How are you?” I smile. He looks over at me, then back to his laptop.
“I didn’t realize you were in AP Seminar too.
” I get no response. “Did you transfer into this class, or have you been working elsewhere?” I say sweetly, batting my eyelashes at him.
Alex raises an eyebrow at me, and I smile back. “Did you need help with something today? Is that why you joined us?” Still nothing, but Alex is smiling now. “I’d be happy to help you.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Nick mutters, looking up at me.
“Hello Nick,” I smile.
He rolls his eyes, but I wait patiently with my chin in my palm, staring at him. Finally, he mutters, “Hi Shortie.”