You sit on a throne of lies
The next thing Jack knew, he was half hobbling, half being lifted to the nurse. He tried to protest saying that he didn't actually need to go to the nurse and that he could walk by himself but the coach took one look at him and said. "Not on that ankle you can't."
Aster continued to apologise to him but at this rate, Jack was hardly listening. Breathing was tough that much he knew. Talking would 100% percent be tougher.
He was helped onto the bed thing that was always in medical places but he couldn't be bothered actually figuring out the name of it.
"What happened?" The nurse asked as he entered the room, taking in the sight of the pale teen with the wonky ankle.
"It was an accident, we were playing dodge ball and I hit Jack with the ball at the same time someone fell into him, he went down badly onto his ankle." Aster explained, worry coating his voice. "I didn't mean to hurt him."
The nurse knelt down and began to remove Jacks shoe. Jack hissed in pain as his ankle was moved around. It was agony.
The nurse inhaled sharply taking in the sight of the bruised ankle. "Mr Frost, has this ankle been damaged before or is it just from the incident that took place today?"
"Just today." Jack said trying not to wince as the nurse turned his ankle from side to side.
"It appears there's some muscle damage, but I can't be sure. There seems to be a tear. I don't think it's broken but there is still a chance. Also I don't like the amount of bruising that has developed in such a short time frame. It's usually a sign that something isn't right. We may need to take you to the hospital."
No sooner were the words out of his mouth when Jack began shaking his head.
"No hospital, it's honestly not even that painful, I'll be fine." He said stubbornly.
The nurse shot Jack a look. "If it is broken or badly torn and you don't get it set, you could end up with a permanent limp, you do realise that?" The nurse asked.
Jack bit his lip but didn't answer him. No way was he going to a hospital.
Realising that he wasn't going to get a response the nurse continued with the examination. "Did you hit you head at all?" He asked and Jack tried to think back. His head was sore but he didn't recall hitting it so he shook his head, regretting it immediately when his vision swam.
"He banged it a little when he fell." Aster answered for Jack. "It didn't seem too bad but he still hit it."
The nurse began to examine Jacks head, shining a torch over and back and looking into his eyes. "You seem to be slightly concussed but it doesn't seem like a fresh concussion, it's almost like you're recovering from a past one. Have you concussed yourself as of late?" The nurse asked.
"Not that I know of." Jack answered. "I was ill yesterday though, unless that has anything to do with it."
"Ill? What sort of illness?" The nurse asked.
"Stomach bug, I threw up a few times but that's all really." The nurse frowned slightly. "The ball hit you in the stomach, didn't it?"
Jack nodded.
"Can you raise your shirt for me please?" The nurse asked writing a not down.
the "I'd rather not." Jack said glancing slightly at the boy that helped him in and Aster. The nurse noticed this look. and asked them both to leave.
"Now Mr,Frost, could raise your shirt for me please."
Jack hesitated but he knew he would have to do it at some stage so he might as well do it.
The nurses eyes widened as he took in the patch work of bruises that covered the boys chest. "These aren't all from today are they?" The nurse asked, worry eminent in his voice. "Did something else happen? Did someone do this to you?" He asked trying to get an answer from the boy whilst keeping his voice level, not easy to do to be fair.
"It's nothing, I bruise easy." Jack said quickly trying to make it seem normal. "Really it'll be fine."
"Are you having any trouble breathing?" The nurse asked examining the area, deciding that he would deal with the injury first and how it came about second. But he would find out who did it.
"Um, a little? But like I'm fine, honestly." Jack said
The nurse frowned at this before his face darked at something he discovered whilst examining Jack.
"You need to go to the hospital." The nurse said as Jack frowned at him.
"What? No, I can't-" Jack cut himself off with a wince of pain as he tried to sit up straight. "I'm fine, really." He said breathlessly when the pain finally subsided.
"I think you may have broken a rib, if you have there is a chance that it could impale your lungs, causing them to fill with liquid. The first sign that this has happened is usually shortness of breath, have you felt any shortness of breath?" He asked Jack who didn't answer him
"Do you have a parent or someone we can call to accompany you to the hospital?" He asked.
Jack's mind raced trying to think of what he could say. Obviously he couldn't say his parents. But how could he explain Julia? But they probably wouldn't allow him to go alone.
"My aunt, Julia." He said. "She'll probably be able to come with me. Mum and dad are at work and they don't have their phones on while they work." Jack sighed, guilt building in him at his lie.
The nurse nodded. "Give me her number and I'll call her after I call an ambulance."
Jack sighed and nodded again before he gave a start.
"Ambulance?!"