Radiate by Gibson Marley

Author:Gibson, Marley [Gibson, Marley]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Published: 2012-04-03T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.

—Gail Devers

Getting around school on crutches and making it to each classroom on time during my first week is a feat, but I do it.

I’m getting settled in all of my classes and the teachers are starting to treat me like simply another student. I guess they all had to get over the shock of what happened to me and how to “handle” me. Mrs. Kiaurakis, the guidance counselor, sent me an e-mail Tuesday after school telling me she’s “there” for me if I need to “talk.” She referenced having brochures and websites I could read about surviving cancer and rejoining society. Like I left it? Geesh, she’s as bad as Dr. Dykema and his team thinking I would need a bunch of psychiatrists to hash over how I “feel” about having cancer. They cut it out; it’s in a jar; I’m done. End of story.

The workouts with Gabriel are extra helpful. He’s not easy on me, either; expecting me to follow his directions and training. I started using one of the machines that strengthens the upper body. Turning backwards on the bench, I lift the weights from behind to simulate working with my partner. The weights are set for one hundred and ten pounds, a smidge more than what Lora weighs.

“Good, Hayley,” Gabriel says, noting the sweat rolling down my face. “You’re doing a great job.”

I let the weights fall back into place and take the towel he tosses at me.

“That’s hard as hell.”

“No pain, no gain,” my friend says.

I rub my sore arms and wince. “Oh, there’s definitely pain.”

Gabriel smirks. “The trainer I worked with last year told me to chant ‘hurts so good’ over and over in my head when things get bad. We’re not doing anything too straining on you, Hay, so be patient and go slow. You’ve come a long way in three days. It’s all in the consistency.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Tremblay,” I say with a really serious face.

He starts laughing, and I throw the towel back at him. Gabriel makes that he’s going to tickle me, and I squeal like the girl I am.

“What are you doing to my girl, Tremblay?” Daniel asks, sauntering up.

He’s wearing a tight gray T-shirt that reads “Property of PHS Athletic Department.” He’s all sweaty from some physical activity, and he looks absolutely amazing.

Gabriel’s mood changes and he clams up. “Workout regimen to get her back in shape.”

Daniel winks at me. “I like her shape just fine.”

I really need to stop blushing like all get-out every time he flirts with me. Daniel’s going to think I have rosacea.

“You have practice after school?” Daniel asks.

“Yep, and we’re making the run-through sign for the game,” I explain.

“I’ll give you a ride home after. Okay?”

“Perfect,” I say.

***

Practice is rough for me.

The aches.

The inner moaning.

The tug of my scar.

The biting of my tongue so no one knows how much it hurts.

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