Swim like Hell

° .• Chapter nineteen ° .•

With Elijah and most of my friends at practice, it was fair to say I was bored. I'd slept some more after Elijah left before waking up at nine, crawling out of bed and into a shower.

It felt amazing, exactly what I needed to wake me up. However, I couldn't help but let my mind fall onto the current issue at hand, my ribs. I was still concerned about my future as a swimmer and whether I'd heal. Missing the upcoming competition hurt me way more than my ribs ever could, knowing full well I'd be missing my shot at sponsorships and progressing onto the next steps of the upcoming olympic trials.

By the time I'd exited my shower, Elijah had sent me a text message letting me know he was finished up at practice and was now going to class. I chose not to reply, knowing full well he would be in class by now and I'd only be distracting him.

Instead, I focused on getting dressed, choosing sweats and a hoodie so I wasn't uncomfortable for the doctors. Then, I went to brush my teeth before scrolling through my phone for a while

Realising I'd messed around for too long, it was already time to head to my appointment. I quickly shoved my phone into my pocket and headed out my room, along the hall and down the stairs. It was at that moment, mum had walked out into the hall fully dressed.

"Hey honey, I was just going to come get you, I've arranged to take you to your appointment, save you driving," She smiled as I nodded, turning to put on my shoes.

It was strange having my parents around, let alone mum offering to take me to a doctors appointment. The last time she'd been to an appointment with me was well over two years ago.

Once I'd put my shoes on, we both left and headed towards her car which was now sat in the drive. I got in, feeling strange at being sat in her car, a highly rare occurrence.

"You don't need to panic honey, whatever this doctor say, it does not determine how successful you'll be in life alright?" Mum told me as we set off.

"I know, but this is everything I've been working towards, I'm still really scared," I truthfully told her, choosing to confide in her for the first time in a long while.

"I understand but I'm here for you, okay? So is your father," She told me as I nodded, choosing to focus my attention on the passing scenery to distract my mind.

The remainder of the journey stayed in a comfortable silence as mum hummed away and I gazed out the window. I think she could tell I was feeling anxious and needed space to be in my own mind about things. I just needed to think away from everyone.

It wasn't long before we pulled into the hospital car park, mum parking up and shutting the car off. We both unclipped our seat belts and hopped out the car, heading into the hospital and towards the out patient department where my appointment was.

Checking my phone as we walked, I had another text from Elijah saying to keep him updated. I chose to reply after my appointment, knowing there was no reason to distract him from class just now. I noticed the time displayed 10:50, allowing us to reach the department right on time since we were yet to arrive.

Just as I had thought, by the time we wondered around the hospital and to the department, it was almost 11am, the secretary letting us know the doctor would be a few moments and to take a seat. Still in a comfortable silence, mum and I took a seat in the waiting area as I noticed a small twinge in my ribs from all the movement I had done.

I gazed around the waiting area, only seeing one other girl in the waiting room who had her leg in a cast. She focused in on her phone, probably not even noticing the presence of someone else now in the waiting area.

"Alec?" The doctor asked as he came into the waiting room, noticing us being one of the few patients here.

I nodded as both mum and I followed him through to the room.

"you're going to be fine," Mum whispered to me as the last bit of reassurance before we entered.

"So, Alec, if you could hop up on this bed for me," The doctor said as I nodded, doing as he asked, "Do you want to explain what's brought you here?"

"Well, um," I began, now feeling a bit embarrassed, "I was running on the treadmill and fell off onto concrete. They confirmed it was bruised ribs and to take it easy till I recovered, which I did...mostly. When I tried to get back in the pool yesterday to start training again, let's just say it didn't go well."

"I see, do you mind if I have a look?" He asked as I shook my head no and lifted the side of my hoodie, revealing the nasty bruise.

"Ouch, you've certainly done a sore one there. I don't even want to try and touch that," He joked as I pulled my lip between my teeth out of stress.

I glanced over at mum who was looking at my side in sheer horror, probably not realising how bad it was until we were in a bright room with it on full display.

"Okay Alec. I've seen your x-ray from your last visit so I want to get another one just to see what's going on, you alright with that?" He asked me.

"All good," I told him, pulling my hoodie back down as he stepped back.

"Perfect, I'll take you along to x-ray now if you want to stay here mum?" He said as he turned to my mum who just nodded.

After that, we headed along to x-ray where they took some scans of my side. I was redirected to the doctors room after that and headed in to see the doctor and my mum chatting away making small talk.

"Alec, If you want to just head back over to the bed, I'm just waiting for your scans to come through," The doctor told me as I nodded and sat back over on the bed.

Anxiety was creeping up my spine as I sat there, listening to the doctor hit away at his keys, most likely looking for the scans.

"Ah here they are, I'm just going to take a few moments to look, don't be alarmed that I'm quiet," He told us both, mum and I both nodding in reply.

I sat there, clenching the edge of the bed as he analysed my updated x-ray.

What if it hadn't healed. What if I'm done with swimming. What if this is it for me?

I wasn't sure how I'd mange. I honestly wasn't sure how I could be around anyone or anything to do with swimming if that were the case, including Elijah. At least, only for a while.

"Okay Alec," The doctor sighed as he stood, coming over to speak to me.

This is it, this is where my whole future will be decided.

"I'm going to be honest, you're healing much slower than I'd like. You're making progress but you're not fit to be back in the water yet. I'm really sorry if this isn't the news you were hoping for but my recommendation is another three weeks out."

My world stopped. Another three weeks. I didn't know how to feel. I was already getting dangerously behind my peers, never mind adding another three weeks of no training. I'd miss the beginning of scouting and even at that, I wouldn't be in a position where I would be scouted.

My fitness was deteriorating and fast.

Sensing my lack of reply, my mum chimed in, thanking the doctor on my behalf and guiding me out of the doctors office.

Another three weeks.

I was fucked.

____

A/N

I am so sorry it took me so long to update, I'm only just getting back into the swing of things but I hope to keep this book more consistent moving forward.

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