Read Online Rumors by Erica Kiefer - Free Book Online Page B

I wanted.
What was the
point? Why was I hanging around these supposed friends anyway? “Forget it.” I
abandoned my sandwich, ignoring Tara calling after me. When Shane
caught up to me, I resisted his touch and asked for some time
alone.
    ***
    Limping
into the gym, I hugged the sidelines while my teammates started the
usual warm up by jogging around the court. Seating myself on the
bottom bleacher, I put my feet out in front of me to elevate my
ankle. Walking around on it all day had increased the swelling
again, almost immobilizing the joint.
    “ Collins!” Coach Robbins voice boomed as he pushed his way
through the double doors. I noticed my teammates slowing their jog
as they made another lap around the court, all eyes watching
Coach’s face with anticipation.
    I
grimaced. I was about to get reamed.
    “ What kind of stupid stunt did you pull on Friday?” He looked
down at me from his towering height, eying my bruised, blue and
purple ankle in annoyance and with zero sympathy.
    I
dropped my gaze uneasily. I was used to him hollering at me on the
court. That didn’t bother me because it was part of the game, but
in this situation, when it came to my personal life, his tone put
me on edge.
    Unsure
of how much gossip had circulated back to him, I settled for, “I
was jumping a fence and fell.”
    “ After being chased by cops?” he interjected.
    Yikes.
So he had heard a few details. “There was a misunderstanding,” I
began.
    “ A misunderstanding? Well, we’re about to clear that up right
now. Principal Hayden wants to see you in the athletic department
right now. Let’s go.” He pointed to the assistant coach. “Jenkins,
have them hit the drills.”
    The athletics department and the principal? Now this was really getting out of hand. It was
one thing for students to spread talk amongst themselves, but
bringing in the school authorities was another. My stomach turned
as I rose to my feet. My eyes flickered to Tara’s, who was watching
the scene while chewing on her bottom lip. My sisters’ concerned
expressions also touched mine before I looked away. I focused on
walking out of the gym, a feeling of dread weighing me
down.
    Coach
Robbins remained a step ahead of me the whole time, not pausing to
hold the swinging door open for me as I limped behind. Not that I
expected it. He didn’t believe in displaying a softer approach to
girls than boys. According to him, training boys and girls should
not hold different standards.
    As we
entered the office, Principal Hayden sat in a chair next to Mr.
Knox, the athletic director. The principal pointed to the two empty
chairs across from them.
    “ Hi, Allie. Have a seat please,” Principal Hayden said. His
expression was kind, yet hinting that our conversation was of a
more serious nature. “Coach Robbins, join us, of
course.”
    I took
my seat among the three adults, feeling like a young child in big
trouble.
    Folding
his hands into one another and placing them on the desk between us,
Principal Hayden began. “So, Allie, it seems we need to have a
discussion.”
    That
much was obvious.
    He
continued. “There’s a rumor going around that you were involved in
some drinking and an arrest this weekend. Is there any truth to
that?”
    “ No,” I stated, my face flushing with heat from this
uncomfortable attention. “I wasn’t arrested. An officer just… took
me home.” I had a hard time maintaining eye contact. No matter what
I said, there would be more questions. I could see it in their
scrutinizing gazes.
    “ Why did the officer feel the need to take you home?” Mr. Knox
asked, one eyebrow raised.
    “ I was—”
    “ Were you drunk?” Coach Robinson accused.
    “ Of course not. I wasn’t even the one drinking.” My fists
clenched, realizing I’d slipped up with my word choice.
    “ So others students with you were drinking. Who were
they?”
    At my
hesitated response, Principal Hayden piped in, his voice calm and
serious. “Allie, this is very