Strength

18.

Excuse any mistakes. Roman in the mm.

LA
Same night

"I'm here to create a lane of my own, and whether it inspires you or offends you I'm still gonna do me, regardless."

Kourtney

—

The runners were set and the gun sounded meant that the race had begun. Nia took off at the sound of it, getting off to a good start. It doesn't take her long to gain separation from the rest of the pack and it looks as if the race is going to be a breeze.

As she crosses the finish line, she slightly limps in pain. Although she won, she knows she just pulled her hamstring.

Placing her hands on her hips as she attempts to catch her breath, she limps back into the locker room and sighs in frustration. If it isn't one thing, it's another.

Her coach tries to ask what's wrong but she quickly brushes him off. She doesn't want to talk right now.

One of the trainers tends to her aid, helping her to the training room. She slowly gets on one of the benches, and lays back allowing them full access of her thigh.

   "I don't think it's that bad. Just probably need a few days off." The trainer suggests. Nia nods her head and sighs. "I know you were going hard this past week."

"Well, I won." She sits up and looks at him. "How long?"

    "I'm not sure. I'll need to do a MRI to make sure it's nothing severe. I'll do that tomorrow and I'll let you know."

Nia nods again. "Okay."

    "In the meantime, rest." He points at her and she holds her hands up in defense. "Congratulations by the way."

"Thanks." She mumbles as she watches him wrap her thigh with ice and a big bandage.

   "This will keep the swelling down. When the ice melt, she put another one on it and keep your leg elevated."

"Got it, boss."

    The short, scrawny white kid looks up at her. "You have aspirin at home?" She nods. "Good, you'll need it. You're gonna be in pain for a minute."

Nia doesn't say anything, she just waits until he's finished. A knock on the door sounded causing the two of them to look in that direction. Her family is standing there including Ashton, and that makes her feel a little bit better.

    "My poor baby." Ashton pouts as he goes to stand by her.

"I'm fine, Daddy. Your presence has made me feel better." She smiles up at him as she grabs his face and places a kiss on his cheek. "I missed you."

    "I missed you too, princess." He returns the kiss and looks down at her thigh. "Does it hurt?"

"Hell yeah." Nia looks at him. "Excuse my language."

    "Girl, better be glad your mama not here." Zeke snorts.

"Her being mad at you would save her." Jamila looks up at him before going to the other side of the table.

    Zeke kisses his teeth, mumbling something under his breath. Chase chuckles at his dad and shakes his head. "Mama stay mad at you. She wear the pants."

"Duh." Saint blurts out causing Ashton to laugh out loud.

    "Dang, Mr. Ingram, it be ya own kids huh?" Shiloh puts his hand on Zeke's shoulder and shakes his head.