Bad News

"I'm telling you, it's fine, I just fell awkwardly." Andi repeats for the thousandth time, with each successive attempt being less and less convincing. The school nurse had given her an ice pack to try and reduce the swelling before he could take a look for any signs of a break. Rosie had informed us that this was the result of a sliding tackle gone wrong, just an accident, the other girl involved seemed distraught that she'd hurt someone. No one to blame. Sucks when the only thing at fault is random chance, there's no catharsis in blaming a roll of the dice.

"Leave the lying to the experts, yeah? You suck at it." I implore her. "We're here for you, you don't have to be so... Cheery." It's true, Andi's been cracking jokes and smiling almost the entire time, but I can tell it's a front, her eyes jolt with pain whenever she tries to move, and her lips tremble when she forces herself to smile.

Of course, she waves off my concerns. "I have to be the happy one in our relationship, you're too sarcastic and Echo's too antisocial." She smirks. There's that wince of pain again, she's convincing no one right now. The nurse had left her in Echo and I's hands for a while, so there's no one else to be strong for, but that's Andi, I suppose.

"I'm plenty social, just not when people do stupid things like lie about how hurt they are." Echo grunts, unimpressed with our girlfriend's stiff upper lip.

"Look, I just don't want to wallow in pain, okay?" Andi finally admits. "Can we talk about something else? How's Rosie doing?" That's a good question, everything happened so quickly, I haven't had chance to check in with her.

Echo shrugs defeatedly before accepting the new topic of conversation. "She's alright, haven't heard anything about her beloved or anything, figured you'd be the first to hear about that." She answers honestly.

"She said she'd tell me after the match, gonna guess it's over now, so she owes me some gossip." Andi chuckles. "You couldn't go and find her for me, could you?" She requests, looking expectantly at me. Not like I'd ever say no to her, but I think it gives Echo an opportunity to lecture her, so that works for everyone.

I nod with a smile. "Sure, but I'm not responsible if Echo slaps you silly for worrying us." I joke, before making my exit. As I leave the room, I hear a commotion down the hallway, with Ty being visible at the centre of the small crowd. I can't help but approach, and notice Poppy on the other side, looking a bit listless amongst all the commotion.

I can't make out all the chatter, but it's mostly girls fawning over Ty, the words 'hero' and 'amazing' seem to be commonly thrown around by the five or six girls fussing over their new object of affection, apparently ignoring how terrified the guy looks. Damn it, these two, I guess it's time to go into big brother mode again.

"Hey, hey, ladies! I'm sure your support is appreciated, but I've gotta talk to the man of the hour, could you give us a bit of space?" I announce, cutting through the gaggle of girls, who at least seem to understand that's their cue to leave, giving Poppy, Ty, and I some peace. "Well, that was a shitshow, if you're going to be the school's new idol, then you've gotta learn how to deal with your adoring public." I groan, slapping Ty playfully on the shoulder.

"I didn't... People don't usually approach me. The ones that do usually want a fight. Those are easy, but all those people talking." Ty stumbles over his words. It's unnerving how punching people comes easier than talking to him, but then I suppose I should've gotten used to that after our introduction.

I look over to Poppy, who still seems uncomfortable. "I'm going to go home." She interjects meekly, before hurriedly rushing down the hall. Ty attempts to follow after her, but I step in his way.

"Not right now. Let her have a bit of time to process, then talk to her, trust me." I advise. Poppy's the type that, when she says leave her alone, you should leave her alone. It's not like she'll bite your head off, but it just doesn't help her. "Come on, you can help me find Rosie, Andi's asking for her."

Ty relents, and the two of us begin our search through the PE block, assuming my sister headed there to get changed. Occasionally one of Ty's fans appear, but I'm able to sweet talk them into leaving us be, hopefully he's paying attention, it's a skill he's going to need. Eventually I come to the conclusion that enough time has passed since the game that there's only two options, either she's gone home without checking on Andi, unlikely or...

"You can't go in there." Ty reminds me, the worry obvious in his voice. The only place left that she could be is in the locker room, either moping or thinking, either way, she's most likely alone. "If you get caught, then you'll be kicked out, or worse."

"That's why you're standing guard out here." I decide with a grin, patting him on the shoulder again. "If someone comes, give me a signal or something." I add, not bothering to decide what the signal would be. Truthfully, if someone came in, I'd just talk my way out, but it's fun to mess with Ty.

I enter the locker room, the silence confirming my suspicions that no one else is in here, and it doesn't take me long to notice Rosie, now changed back into her uniform, laying on one of the benches, tapping away on her phone. "Upset you didn't get to shower with Andi?" I joke, approaching the bench.

"Who wouldn't be?" She laughs. "No, just... You know... Chatting with Sienna." She adds cheerily, well, that's a good sign... Not talking to the object of her affection isn't. Honestly, I'm not sure how to take that statement. Maybe she's realised...

I sit down by Rosie's head, who barely acknowledges my presence. "Yeah, makes sense, you're really focused on your personal development plan." I reply sarcastically. "What's she giving you advice on? Biology?"

"Just advice." She replies plainly. "She does have more experience than the rest of us." Okay, this is getting frustrating now, it's like talking to a speaking clock.

"Alright, enough, you gonna tell me what happened earlier?" I demand. "I noticed she missed most of Music, you have anything to do with that?"

My sister groans, before sitting up and meeting my gaze.

I guess it's story time again.