I crutched into school the next day. Yes, crutched. Unhappily. Everybody saw the kneebrace. Looks of concern were thrown my way. I was all by myself. Where on earth were my friends. Then I came to some stairs. Stairs I had to walk up to get to my class. I had no other choice. I wasn't allowed to walk, but how was I supposed to get up stairs?

The I heard my name being shouted. "Riley!" I turned around immediately. Lucas sprinted up to my, kissing me harder than ever before on the lips. His arms were wrapped around my neck, but I couldn't return the gesture because of the stupid crutches. I press hard back. It was exhilarating, he pulled away and basically everybody in the hallway was looking at us. They noticed me staring at them, then looked away quickly. "God, Riley. What was wrong? You wouldn't answer your phone. We all tried."

I shrugged. "It was dead. Lucas... it isn't good. I tore my ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL, Miniscus, Quad, and Patella." I took me almost half an hour to memorize it all last night. I was ready to explain to my boyfriend what that meant but he already knew, being as athletic as he was. "You need surgery then? When is it?" I sigh. "Monday."

Lucas looks like he might cry. "I'm sorry, Riley. And I never even got to see you play soccer." I tell him it's fine. But I was thinking the same thing. I wanted him to be so proud of me.

But I injured myself just turning around too fast. Was that a sign? I pushed those thoughts away.

"Where are the others?" I ask, adjusting my arms on my crutches. "Oh, we were looking for you. They're in the cafeteria." I sigh, knowing that's all the way at the opposite end of the hallway. "Let's go." I start to navigate on my crutches, but Lucas jumps in front of me. "Hop on piggy-back!" He exclaims. "Are you sure?" I ask. "Yes!" He shouts and motions for me to get on his back. I hold my crutches in one arm, wrap the other around him, and pull myself up into the piggy-back position. He makes his way through the hallway.

When we arrive at the cafeteria, Maya sprints over to me. I steady myself on my crutches before embracing her. "Oh, peaches!" She pulls away and looks at the brace. "Did you tear your ACL? My mom did that once when she was little." I nod. "I tore almost all the other tendons too. I need an operation to reconstruct my knee, Maya. It's Monday." She sighs. "Oh, Riley. I'm so sorry about our fight and stuff, please forgive me!" I nod. "Of course, Maya."

She hugs me again. "Well come on. You too, huckleberry, the entire gang is waiting your news." I crutch my way to the back of the cafeteria where Smackle, Zay, and Farkle are seated.

"Riley!" Farkle exclaims, jumping out of his seat to hug me. Smackle shakes her head. "I'm so sorry, Riley." Zay nods. "Lucas told me it was soccer?"

I nod. "I tore up my knee. I'm having surgery this coming Monday." Everybody says things like "Aww" or "Feel better". The warning bell rings, signaling we should go to class. It's just the beginning of the long day. Filled with questions, pity, concerns and lots, and lots of explaining on my part.