Part 3: Benni

I knew what they were thinking: here she comes, hot off the press and ready to jump back on the wagon again. Coach Johnson ran up to me, soccer ball under arm and a smile on her face.

"Glad to see you on your feet again Benni!" she exclaimed, slapping me hard on the back. I winced from the shooting pain coming from my ribs and down my spine, trying to smile through the pain.

"Can't wait to get back on the field coach," I said trying to shake off the pain that was now stuck in my bones. I can't go back I thought, hoping it would go as soon as I started my laps.

"I hope you're ready, we've got an exibition game next week, and we need our star player!" I felt a sudden pressure push down on my chest. It's just pressure, nothing to worry about, I thought, giving my chest a good rub before walking over to the rest of the team.

"Benni!" I heard my friend Jenny yell, running the distance between us to jump into my arms, almost knocking me off my feet.

Thump thump, I heard my chest scream in agony as Jenny talked loudly into my ear. I winced and released Jenny, noticing faint tears in her eyes.

"You scared me Benni," she said, holding my face in her hands, "are you sure you're okay to play now?"

I gave a weak smile, "I'm fine now Jen, I can play. The doctor even said I could."

I lied.

The doctors didn't even know I left the hospital, nor did they want me to play sports. I knew everything would go fine, it had to.

"Okay girls take your positions! Time to play!" I heard the coach yell over all of our small conversations, blowing her whistle as she spoke.

I jogged along side Jenny to the center of the field, my legs and head throbbing with every step. I took my place in center field across from Jenny, leading the opposing team, and grinned. The sun felt warm on my back, and the small wind coming from behind me was a wondeful addition to the beautiful day.

I heard the whistle blow, as a ball was dropped in front of us, both of us dashing towards it at top speed. I reached it first and kicked as hard as I could with my right, almost hooking Jenny by the kneecap, sending the ball hard into left field. I dashed after it, someone on my team reaching it first, and passing it over.

I felt my heart leap into my throat as I ran, fighting back the tears of pain as I went towards the goal, my spine begining to tingle.

A few meters from the goal post, I took aim and kicked with all my strength, knocking myself to the ground. I felt a rib crack and my heart spudder, an exaserbated breath escaping past my dry lips.

"Good shot Benni!" I heard Jenny yell over to me, feeling her approach. I just laid there on the green grass of the soccer field, trying to find the strength to move.

"You okay Benni?" She asked again, her face blocking the sun from shining on my face, her voice full of worry. I closed my eyes and began to cry, hoping nobody would notice the pain I was in, or how badly damaged I was.

"I'm alright," I managed to slip out past my trembling lips, lifting my hand up as high as I could. My arm shook for a moment, before falling painfully onto my chest, a breath of air escaping my lungs, leaving me breathless.

"Help!" Jenny screamed, her hands cluttching onto mine, "somebody call 9-1-1!" My heart lept in my chest one last time, before I screamed out in agony.

I couldn't hide it anymore.

Author's Note

ignore bad spelling and grammer

Reviews

[Aleyah]

I love your cliffhangers!!!!!!!!!!!!! They're amazing. Honestly. These are so good, and I loved how you developed this character, Benni. Awesome awesom awesome. I REALLY want to see where you're going with all this.