Chapter Two- Don't Touch Me
Jadyn Mackenzie Baker
"Come on Jadyn, I know you can do it." I wanted to slap my peppy physical therapist right then and there. She wanted me to push my right leg against her hand as hard as I could; and I was. But the most I could was pathetic. I knew it and she knew it, the difference was that she wouldn't accept it. I pushed harder but it was no use. The most force from my leg wouldn't even knock a paper bag over.
"That's all I can do." I said through gritted teeth.
"Does it hurt?" Anna, my physical therapist asked.
"Yes." She gently lowered my leg to the ground.
"You can change now. We're done for today." She said. I went in the bathroom to change out of the navy blue sweat pants into jeans. I never wear shorts anymore; not in public anyways. I looked at my leg. There are scars all the way from mid calf to mid thigh where the doctors reconstructed it. They are red and angry lines. I guess reconstructing an ACL, MCL, a shattered knee cap and eighteen fractures didn't look pretty. I probably should be happy to just be alive; most people don't pull out of comas and I did. But I don't feel lucky. I shuddered and pulled the pants on quickly. I looked in the mirror and threw my long dark hair into a ponytail. I wiped the mascara from under my hazel eyes and went out to the waiting room. When my mom saw me, she stood up and began to walk with me. Here's the thing; when I walk, I limp. Always. And let me tell you, it sucks.
"Hey Honey." Mom said. "How'd it go?"
"It was okay." I told her. I only started walking again a couple of months ago. Will I ever walk normal again? I don't know. The doctors all say 'maybe' or 'it depends.' One thing I do know, I'll never play basketball again. It's impossible. It doesn't matter that I made the Varsity team as a freshman and Captain as a junior...after that night, I lost everything. I couldn't help but think about tomorrow. Tomorrow I would start school again. I was homeschooled for a year after the accident. Now I would be going to Tree Hill High again, where everyone could stare at me when I walked. I didn't have any friends anymore...I haven't talked to Chloe since Caleb went to jail and everyone else got on with their lives.
"Tatum's at Chelsea's." Mom said bringing me back to reality.
"Oh…okay." I said getting into the car and staring out the window.
"It's some kind of last day of freedom thing." Mom laughed. I nodded. Last day of freedom…
After dinner I went for a walk. I needed to clear my head. I sat under a tree at the River court with my back to the trunk. I stared at the court. Memories flooded back to me and I wanted to cry. I thought about all the times I played Caleb and Tatum on that court and every shot I made. I wanted to hate him. I did hate Caleb. Hitting me...I guess that could be forgivable but not leaving me. He knew it was me and he left anyways like I was an animal. I could never forgive him for that. Leaves crackled and I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up and nearly fell over. I had to remember to breathe. Caleb, the boy I hate, was standing in front of me. He looked different than before. Sure, he still had those dark blue eyes and dark messy hair but he bulked up. One year did a lot to him. He grew a few inches and I could see the outlines of his abs through his tight, white shirt. I scrambled up and lost my balance. I almost fell when Caleb caught me and had one hand on my elbow and the other around my waist. I yanked away from him.
"Don't touch me." I said and walked away as fast as I could.
AN: I promise the chapters will be longer soon! Review please! (:
