Chapter 28
“We only have two classes together this semester.” Ella frowned as she looked over her schedule.
“I know, it sucks.” The couple was walking hand in hand down the hallway on the first day of their senior year.
“At least our lockers are beside each other this year though.” Erin smiled as she put her bag into her locker and turned to face Ella. While the forward was putting her stuff into her own locker, Erin wrapped her arms around her girlfriend’s waist, and whispered in her ear.
“That means I’ll always get to steal a kiss between classes.”
“Mm that sounds promising.” Ella turned to kiss the keeper but was pulled away before their lips touched.”
“Save it for the bedroom lover girls, come on El we’re gonna be late.” Kealia shook her head as she dragged Ella off down the hallway.
---------------------------
“This new indoor field is so sick! I can’t believe we get to use it to train before the season in the spring.” Meghan exclaimed as the returning players finished their first training session of the new school year.
Ella was only half listening to what Meghan was saying, she was too focused on watching Erin across the field who doing doing a drill with the team's goalkeeping coach. The team would have two keeper’s this year as a new freshman had joined the team.
Ella turned her head for half a second to reply to Meghan when she heard her keeper cry out.
“Shit!” Ella sprinted across the field to where Erin was lying on the grass.
The keeper was clearly in a lot of pain as the team surrounded her.
“Guys give her some space.” Ella knelt down next to Erin who had rolled onto her back as a few of the girls ran to get their coach. The forward took Erin’s hand which the keeper immediately squeezed tightly causing her to flinch a little.
“Sorry.” Erin breathed out through gritted teeth.
“Don’t worry about it babe, just keep taking deep breaths, slow down your heart rate.”
“Fuck it hurts El.”
“We need to get you to the hospital.”
Ella was pacing up and down the hallway by the waiting room of the hospital while she anxiously waited for news on Erin.
I
“Ella sweetie what happened?” Erin’s mom rushed over to the forward.
“I don’t know, we were just training and she went down, she hurt her knee I… I think it’s really bad but they couldn’t tell me anything because I’m not family and-” Ella spoke without taking a breath until the keeper’s mom cut in.
“Sweetie why don’t you take a seat, I’ll go see if I can find out what’s going on alright?”
Ella listened and took a seat, trying to calm herself down while she waited for Erin’s mom to return with news on the keeper.
“McLeod?”
Erin’s mom and Ella stood quickly when they heard the doctor.
“Is she alright?” Sherell asked worriedly.
“I’m afraid Erin has torn her acl, and she will be needing surgery to repair it.”
“Shit.” Ella tried to say under her breath but it came out louder than expected. “How long is the recovery time after surgery?”
“The normal recovery time is between six to nine months, with a very positive support system to get her through all of the necessary physiotherapy, she will be more likely to be back to health closer to the six month mark. It is going to be a long road to recovery and Erin is going to need all the support she can get.”
Ella did the math in her head trying to figure out if there was any possibility that the keeper would be able to recover in time for the world cup.
“The most important thing here is going to be positivity, serious injuries like this often lead to things like depression, most often in athletes.”
“Can I see her yet?” Ella asked quickly.
“Yes, I’ll show you to her room.”
The forward turned to Erin’s mom.
“Why don’t you go first sweetie, if anyone will be able to keep her calm in a time like this it will be you. I’ll give you two some time alone and come by in a few minutes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive, go on now.” Sharrell gave Ella a quick hug and kissed her forehead.
Ella was almost shaking as she walked down the hall to where Erin’s room was.
“This is Erin’s room, I can’t stress enough how important it is to give off positive energy around her, and to let her know that she is not alone in this, it’s amazing what a little love and support can do in cases like this.”
Ella nodded, anxious to see the keeper. “Thank you.” She mumbled before opening the door and walking in.
Erin was laying with her left leg elevated, the tv was on but Ella could tell she wasn’t really watching it.
“Hey baby.” Ella spoke softly as she walked over and gently sat on the corner of the bed.
“Hi.”
It was silent between the two girls for a moment, before Erin reached for Ella’s hand, playing with her fingers.
“What am I going to do?”
“You are going to kick recovery’s ass that’s what you’re going to do.”
“What if I can’t-
“I’m going to stop you right there.” Ella cut in, with a serious tone.
“I don’t want to hear any what ifs, you are the strongest person I know Erin, and if anyone can fight back from this it’s you.”
“You really think I’m going to be able to play in the world cup still?”
“Absolutely. You just have to believe that you can okay baby? This is going to be really tough but you’ve just gotta stay positive through it, and I promise I’ll be here every step of the way until you are back on that field kicking ass again. I wish that you didn’t have to go through this but you will never for a moment be on your own.” The forward leant over and kissed Erin soundly on the lips.
“I love you so much Ella, I wouldn’t be able to do this without you.”
“I love you too Erin.”