Please read and review so I know what you think! This is my first fanfiction. I know there are a few things to fix which I periodically go through to do. I would like opinions! Thanks!
We talked very little on the way. Dumb questions about the weather and other random things. When we get to urgent care he checked me in and filled out my paperwork. My wrist was very painful at this point to where I couldn't write.
10 minutes later we are called back and they immediately take me for X-rays. It's slow for a Sunday morning. It's only 10:30 so most people are still in church or asleep. That's where I wish I was. I wish I was cuddling with Charlie making out. No, have to be at the urgent care.
Now I'm the exam room with Charlie. There's a knock on the door and the doctor walks in.
"Nice to see you again Adam," said Dr. Patton. "What's the damage this time?"
"The usual I announce casually." He's been my actual doctor since I was 4. He also works at the urgent care a lot on the weekends. He's treated every single hockey injury I've ever had. Except for the initial wrist injury that happened during the Goodwill Games.
"Hockey. Wrist again I see," he said flipping through my file. "Well, let's look at it."
I unwrap my wrist and hold it out for the doctor. You can see a purple bruise going up and down the inside of my wrist. My whole wrist looks puffy. He turns my wrist different directions to get better views.
"Someone get you with a stick again? It looks like a sprain to me. I didn't see any concerns on the X-ray. Are you still taping or wrapping your wrist while playing?"
I nod my head. Most of the time at least. Mainly when it's sore.
"Well, I'm going to give you a new wrist brace today. You need the added support for healing purposes. Take a couple days off from hockey," he says eyeing me looking for a reaction, but I didn't give one.
"How are the pain killers working? Do they help?"
I nod again, "Yes they do. Buttttt I ran out."
Dr. Patton pulls out his prescription pad. "Here is a prescription for more pain killers. Call me whenever you run out and I will call in the refills if you feel you still need them. The nurse will be by with a new brace for you then you can leave. See you next time Adam. Don't rush back to see me." We shook hands and he left.
The nurse promptly came in with my new brace and off we went.
After lunch we went back to our room. We laid next to each other on my bed. My back was to Charlie. I woke up to his light snoring and his arm around my waist. I must have dozed off trying to read my book assignment for freshman literature.
I felt stiff. I didn't want to move, but I needed my pain killers. I didn't take any before homework because I like to wait until I can no longer stand the pain. This is one of those moments.
I roll onto my back and nudge Charlie.
"Yes?" He asked sleepily.
"Will you get my meds?" I asked while wincing.
"I was wondering how long you would last this time." He moves from his warm place on my bed and comes back with two pills and a water bottle.
I say thanks after swallowing them and snuggle against Charlie this time taking an intentional nap.
"Wake up!"
My eyes open slightly. Who the hell is yelling at me.
All the ducks are standing there. We need to learn how to lock our door. I look at the time. 5:30. Dinner hall is open now.
Julie speaks, "Come on. We're all hungry."
Charlie and I slowly get up from bed and start getting our shoes on. I take my wrist brace off. Better for varsity to see the bruises than the brace.
Personally, I hate going down for meals because I'm required by varsity to sit with varsity. However, I guess I should count my blessings that they didn't make me move into the varsity dorms. On the other hand, I would like one meal where I'm not almost getting my hand stabbed with a fork or being verbally belittled. Also, today I don't want them to see how sore I am.
I get my food with the rest of the ducks and work my way towards varsity's table. I make sure to hide my wrist with my sleeve pulled down. I also force myself to walk a normal pace despite my soreness. I take my usual spot between Scooter and are the only two that treat me with respect on the team.
"Hey Banks," says Scooter happily.
"What's up?" asks Avery.
"Just a homework day today," I comment.
He turns his body fully toward mine as if to hide me from the rest of the team. He motions for me to pull up my sleeve. He must remember the hard hit yesterday by Riley directed towards my wrist.
I pull up my sleeve and he only shakes his head in sadness. He doesn't think it's right I'm treated this way and neither does Avery. They are my only actual friends on the team.
"One day they are gonna go too far and cause permanent damage," he scoffs quietly.
The three of us are all silent. My mind is running a million different directions. Practices are already rough. Imagine if they found out I was gay. That would be the end of me. The roughness would only magnify.
The only people that know I'm gay are the ducks and Charlie's mom. He came out to her about a year ago along with telling her I'm his boyfriend. The ducks don't care. Half of them saw it coming. Maybe not necessarily me dating Charlie, but they expected me to come out soon. I wish I had the guts Charlie did to tell his mom. I can't tell my parents. Not yet anyway. Varsity can never know.
"Banks. Banks!" Riley is yelling in my face.
"Yes?" I reply tensing up.
"How are you feeling today after practice yesterday?" Him and Cole make a big toothy grin.
I shrug my shoulders. "I feel fine," I lie. I make sure to keep my hands under the table. Wrist would be a dead giveaway.
"Well that's good. We wanted to make sure you were okay to practice tomorrow and play in the game Wednesday night. We need all our players in good shape. Even though we all know you shouldn't be on this team in the first place." They step back watching me.
They are looking for any flinches or winces.
"Put your arms on the table," Cole demands. Hesitantly I do as I'm asked otherwise he will do it himself.
"Roll up your sleeves," Riley commands. Again, I hesitantly follow directions.
"It looks beautiful, Banksie. It must feel just as wonderful," Cole winks. He always sounds like an idiot. Rarely, does he make intelligible comments.
I don't say anything. I just watch Riley and Cole. Suddenly, Riley grabs my arm. He lifts and squeezes it with as much pressure as he can give while holding it in a twisted angle.
"Now how does it feel?" grits Riley. He doesn't like when no one responds.
"Great," I muster out through clenched teeth.
"That's better," as he continues to squeeze and twist my wrist. "I expect answers when talking to you Banksie."
I can see all the ducks watching us. Some look shocked. Some look worried. Then there is Charlie and Portman about to jump up to come straighten this out.
Scooter cuts in, "He's got the picture Rick. Leave him alone. He hasn't done anything to you."
They stare at me, then Scooter, and go sit back down when they are left unsatisfied.
"Let's get out of here Banks. Get you some ice," Scooter says while glaring are Rick.
Scooter, Avery, and I get up and dump our trays. We go wait in the hallway.
"Let me see it," Scooter looks concerned.
I hold out my arm. You can see Ricks hand print. This is definitely going to bruise.
"Banks. This isn't right," Avery said quietly kicking the leg of a chair.
That's when all the ducks walk out. Scooter and Avery are still looking at my wrist, so all the ducks get a good view too. They all give me a look of sympathy.
"I just want to go lay down," I say. We all go our separate ways to our rooms.