Accept, Not Forget (SLOW UPDATES)

Chapter 8 - Punishment gone wrong

Lunch break was over one hour ago, and I am now making my way to PE class. All of my friends have sports at the same time as me, but the school decided that boys and girls should do it separately. Occasionally, if the coaches were in a good mood, they would let us do a mixed class with more fun games. I didn't think that would be the case today though, in fact, it is most probably the opposite. Rumors were going around that the school had to cut on the sports teachers' salaries to have more money for science equipment. They are bound to be unhappy about that.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I make my way to the girls' locker rooms to get changed. Shoot! I'm late, I think to myself as I see that there is no one here anymore. I quickly change into my sports uniform and make my way outside to join the others. I try to sneak in between the girls, praying that I don't get caught by coach Mayers, but luck is never on my side, and she spots me even before I can take one step.

"Luna Hart! What do you think you're doing? You are late to my class, and now you try to sneak in!? To the track! Now!" She shouts, furious at me. The girls don't do anything to hide their giggles and snickers, making me feel uncomfortable. In return, they receive one of Alison's mighty glares and shut up immediately.

"How many laps, coach?" I ask her in a small voice, fiddling with my fingers in embarrassment. She laughs at me a humorless laugh while shaking her head.

"The days where you only had to run 10 laps as punishment are now over. You will run for the whole class, and if you stop, I'll have you do push-ups for two hours." She threatens. Hearing this, I feel myself pale. I can't even run 10 minutes without wheezing for breath, let alone in this heat. How am I supposed to run for one hour and a half nonstop!? When I don't make a move to go to the track, she shouts at me again, making me jump.

"Today, Hart!" From the corner of my eye, I see Lottie giving me a sympathetic look. Help me, I mouth at her, but I know there is nothing she can do. I slowly make my way across the court and closer to the boys' class, where the running track is. The scalding sun shines strongly, unpleasantly burning my skin. As I pass by my friends, they give me a questioning and concerned look, probably seeing the petrified expression on my face. Their coach then barks at them to pay attention, and their gazes are torn away from me.

I reach the beginning of the track and start running slowly, saving my energy, knowing I'll need all of it. 10 minutes later, and I'm already panting for breath. 20 minutes in, and I can barely breathe. 30, and I am ready to drop dead. I start feeling a little dizzy and trip over my own foot but, fortunately, catch myself before I fall on my face. I sense someone's presence running beside me and look to see up to see Roman.

"Hey, Luna? You don't look so good. Are you okay?" He asks, looking down at me. I can barely make out the concern etched on his face through my blurry vision.

"Oh my god!" He exclaims, a mixture of deep worry and fear in his green orbs as he looks at me.

"What?'" I barely manage to ask in between breaths, coming to a very slow jog before Roman pulls me to a stop. A dizzy spell hits me, and I lose balance once again, only to have Ro steadying me with a hand on my back.

"Your nose... it's bleeding." He tells me, his frown deepening and his eyebrows furrowing even more. I bring my hand to touch my nose, and sure enough, it comes back covered in a crimson liquid.