Chapter Two – I was supposed to be running laps. Coach had made that clear when he had dismissed the rest of the team at six, telling me to stay until the field lights turned off at ten. But instead of laps, I was leaning against the goalpost, arms crossed, while I watched the empty bleachers. I mean, he couldn't blame me. I was exhausted, especially since I had also stayed until ten PM, the previous day as per his order. I heard his footsteps before I saw him. The gravel crunched under his feet, and the steady rhythm of his stride approached. He rounded the corner of the tunnel, still in his coaching polo and shorts, a whistle hanging around his neck. When he saw me standing still, not even stretching, his jaw tightened. “You're not practicing”. I didn't answer. I just stared at him. He walked closer until he was a few feet away. “You forgot what I told you? You forget my disciplinary action?”. My breath hitched at the words as I remembered the mat, the burn, and the way
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