I jogged with other students in my school athletic wear. Once dad found out there were school spirit clothes you bet he was going to buy them. Lucky for Peta who couldn't wear anything but his school uniform. For gym they on my change their pants. It wasn't like I hated the clothes it as just dad was spending a lot of money. And well the school colors were nice, red and black but it was still a bit hot. Dark colors attract heat easier and I already sweat easily, especially during gym which is my first hour!

“Are you okay?” a familiar voice asked and I turned head in the direction of it to see Bex.

I ended up almost running straight into someone. I keep forgetting Coach Fletcher's class is practically always with us. I'll admit it's kind of a pain, it was cramped and we had to include her class in everything. Bex was no problem but after her reaction to finding out I was her neighbor I thought she would stay clear from me.

“Yeah, I'm good.” I answered looking forward as I jogged.

“Are you pigeon toed?” she asked making me slow down.

“Um...excuse me?” I glanced at her to find her looking down at my feet and she looked up at me smiling apologetically.

“Sorry...I just tend to point out random things when I can't think of what to say.” she explains and I nod slowly jogging at a normal pace again.

I wasn't good at conversations sometimes myself. Nodding along is what I was good at. People talking to me out of the blue I usually did not like. Stepping out of my comfort zone wasn't always a bad thing but I rather step out on my own. Her speaking to me was putting me on the spot. Coach Mel's whistle following after Coach Fletcher's, saved me from the awkward silence, Bex went to her side for her class and I went to mine.

“I have an announcement!” Coach Mel yelled out with a smile, gaining most of our attention. “I’ll be hosting auditions for our school's cheerleaders! If anyone wants to join sign up for it after class. You have until Friday. Now we’re be prepared for learning how to play volleyball!”

Who would have known how fun it was to watch volleyball but not play it. Well I guess it would be fun if I was able to play and play well. Coach Mel took the longest to teach me to serve since I couldn't get it over the net. Lucky I wasn't the only one having trouble

A ball hit over our net all the way from the other side of us. It was sideways but besides that it went over the net. That was the goal, I was struggling to reach. Glancing over I saw Bex running over to get the volleyball.

She's shorter than me and got it over the net. Guess I couldn't use my height as an excuse this time huh? I just wasn't good at this.

I grumbled hitting the volleyball hard with my fist and it went over the net. It missed the net by just an inch and same with missing Bex's head. I swallowed hard, thanking the heavens she ducked in time.

“Aye, good job Karter.” Coach Mel said with her accent seeping through her voice. “Want to practice some more before playing with the others?”

“I'm good Coach Mel, I think I've practiced enough.” I replied and she nodded with a smile before leading me over to a group.

Bex was on the opposite group, which had an extra member than us. Even me joining didn't even things out. Once I was put in a position Coach Mel started to explain the rules. Rotation was the only thing I really remembered because I didn't want to rotate. That meant I would have to eventually serve and be in the middle meaning being responsible to hitting the ball over the net. Just being in the front at all gave me that responsibility I didn't want.

I started in the back and I had at least four rotations until I had to serve. Sadly I only had one rotation until I was in the front. Coach Fletcher's whistle cleared my head from my thoughts and brought me back to life and into the game that was starting. The other team served the ball. As I suspected the people in the front were usually hitting the ball.

When the ball came my way I instantly panicked. I wanted no part of the game and wanted to move to the side. But instead I tried to hit it and never got it over the net without help. Our team was losing against there's but eventually we won and had to rotate. Getting closer to the front made me want to hurl.

The ball came my way again but this time it started going to the side. I could let it hit the ground but I would be letting my team down. I started moving and ending up clashing with another. They hit the ball over the net and also hit me. There body collided with mine and knocked me over. I groaned loudly on the ground and rolled onto my side. I heard a whistle blow, some laughter, and someone apologizing constantly. Eventually I sat up to see groups of people surrounding me.

“Give her space!” I heard Coach Mel yell before eventually she was in my view.

She helped me up and I stretched rubbing my back and head. She frowned at me before telling others to go back to their game. While they did she lead me away from them.

“Do you need to go to the nurse?” she asked and I shook my head slowly as it felt like it was pulsing.

“I just need to sit out I think.” I mumbled and she nodded offering her fold up chair.

It wasn't much but I took it. Coach Fletcher glanced at me and shook her head looking back at her class. I sat there until it was time to go to the locker room to change. Coach Mel walked close by until I got inside the locker room. I got my clothes and changed in a stall. The only way I would change out there if there was less people around.

When Diara found out I got hurt again at gym she thought I shouldn't be doing gym anymore. That would be great but it was a requirement. Caleb and Diara were lucky to get it out of the way earlier. I tried to but it seemed a lot of others had the same plan and the classes kept being easily and quickly filled.

Mom ended up picking me up today instead of me riding the bus home. I wondered if Diara somehow got my mom's number and got her to come get me because of gym. Ma wasn't about to let me miss school unless it was serious. But Diara looked just as surprised as me to find mom parked near the american flag in front of the school.

“Is that boy her boyfriend or are you dating him?” she asked once I got in and closed the door.

Ugh, here we go. Caleb was attractive and so was Diara but I just didn't feel anything in that way about either of them. And I was pretty sure that wouldn't change. Plus Caleb didn't seem to be interested in anyone and I was pretty sure Diara was straight.

I groaned while putting on my seatbelt. “No mom, neither and no I don't like him like that either.” I answered.

“Hm.” was all she said in reply making me roll my eyes. “Watch them eyes girl or your back won't be the only thing that'll be hurting.”

“So you heard what happened at gym?” I asked glancing at her.

“Your Coach called me. I was at work so I couldn't come but you needed to finish school anyway.” she replied and I nodded, knowing she would say the second part.

“Well I'm okay and I'll practice with volleyball.” I said and she glanced at me then back at the road.

“Besides that, how was school?” she asked as I yawned.

“It's the same as always.” I mumbled sitting back trying to relax.

“Yeah I guess so, you getting hurt seems to be a daily task you do.” she replies making me huff.

“I don't try to get hurt.” I argued.

“I'd hope not.” she said as we got to our neighborhood.

When she drove up in our driveway I noticed Putt was running around our front lawn. Ma shook her head muttering to herself. I laughed and leaned in closer to see why exactly he was running. Soon I saw my brother come around with a stick chasing after the poor dog.

“Peta!” I yelled but he kept on running. I'm sure he couldn't hear me so I pressed the button for the window to roll down. “Peta!!!” I yelled louder and he glanced over then waved with the stick.

“Hi sis! Putt and I are playing!” he says with a big grin on his face that I wanted to smack off his face.

Ma parked and I immediately got out stalking over to Peta. Putt was chewing on the stick now while Peta tried to pull it away.

“No fighting ya hear?” I heard ma say before hearing the front door open then close.

I reached for the stick but Peta yanked it out Putt's mouth and put it behind his back. He stuck out his tongue while Putt whined, making me glare.

“Ma said not to fight.” Peta said waving the stick behind him.

“I know that, but I don't trust you with a stick and my dog.”  I pointed out glancing at the stick.

“Not your dog, dad says its the neighbors’.” he says dragging the stick in the dirt.

“Anyway, I would appreciate if you played nicely and fair.” I said rolling my eyes and bent down to Putt's level to play with his ears.

Peta's face twisted up and he kicked the ground, causing some dirt to get on me. I glared at him and he ran screaming. Putt's ears went up in alarm as he glanced over at my little brother who ran into the house.

I got in the house and went to my room to find Peta on my bed. He knew I didn't like him on my bed. I didn't like people on my bed usually unless I said they could be on it. Not only that, he was eating potato chips in my bed! And he was bound to get crumbs everywhere.

“Ma!!!! Peta is in my bed!” I screamed and Peta threw my pillow at me.

“Yours is more big!” he whined standing on my bed.

“I said no fighting!” I heard ma yell.

“I'm bigger than you!” I argued glaring as he dropped some chips in my bed.

“Not by much!” he argued back and I tackled him.

“Maaaaa!!!” Peta screamed pushing his greasy hand in my face.

“Okay, okay guuuuys.” Dad said coming into my room quickly and pulls us away from each other having each of us on a shoulder.

“Ugh put me down!” I grumbled as Peta was kicking.

“She's being mean dad!” Peta whined and I glared his way.

“Peta you know the rules. Stay in your bed unless you're told the opposite. And you know not to eat food in anyone's bed unless someone says you can.” Dad lectured as he put Peta and I down. “So clean up the mess.” he said making Peta grumble as he stumped over to my bed brushing the crumbs off.

“Thanks dad.” I muttered and dad shook his head.

“No need to thank me. Now you two get ready for dinner. Mom is cooking all our favorites for dinner.” he said smiling and Peta cheered running out of my room.

Dad followed him out and closed my door a bit. I brushed off my bed for good measure before leaving my room to wash my hands. I finished before Peta somehow and looked for dad to dry my hands. Mom caught on I guess and pointed at the closet. I grumbled and got a towel out and dried my hands before going into the kitchen.

“So I have some news to tell you all during dinner.” Ma said while stirring up some broccoli with beef on the stove.

“You’re not pregnant...are you?” I asked while getting plates and utensils.

It was dead silent. Was I right? I really did not need another sibling. Peta was far more than enough. I turned around to confirm it to see her glaring at me.

“I'm not pregnant.” she muttered before turning back to the food and I sighed in relief. “Set up the damn table before I hand your room over to Peta.” she said and I quickly left the kitchen.

Once I set the table up with dad's help, ma was finished making dinner. Peta ran in when dad and mom were making plates. We all settled down and dad lead the prayer before we started to eat.

“So as I bought up before I have news to tell everyone, I got a promotion at work so I might be working a bit more.” Mom announced with a bright smile stretched across her face.

Dad kissed her head congratulating her. We all did, well instead of Peta and I kissing her head we hugged her. Ma didn't seem very happy or maybe she just didn't smile a lot. So I knew that this was very important to her when she smiled.

Hey everyone! I decided to just update this chapter now instead of sometime next week since I'll be taking the ACT. Wish me luck! Also I posted my book Critical Thinking (by: K. Artsy) on the app Dreame, check it out if you can!