Stay

No, please.

“Nurse?” Alexi shook his head.

Mia sucked in a breath. Good. She didn’t need a nurse. This was s

o embarrassing. What a klutz. She should have watched her footing. She struggled up to her elbows.

Alexi spoke into his phone. “Mia fell. Pull the car around and arrange for a doctor to meet us at the house.”

“Car? Don’t you mean limo?” Willow said, but Alexi ignored her.

Doctor. “What? No, I’m fine.” This wasn’t her first fall, or even her fifteenth. Maybe her balance wasn’t all that. She could be a base. Mia sucked in a deep breath and could smell the black spongy surface of the track. She bet she had marks from the track’s surface along the backs of her arms and legs.

More guys from the team ran over. A sea of yellow and purple workout clothes. The girls moved back in closer. A sea of stares. A whole team worth of stares. Willow got in front of her, right beside Alexi. She could see the dragon fire emblem on her socks. “Oh no,” Willow said, “you really could be hurt. That was at least two feet.”

It was way more than that. Willow was acting like she did whenever she was in a fight with someone. Like a big B. That someone had just never been her.

“We should take you to the emergency room.” Willow’s tone was super exaggerated and sarcastic. Some of the other cheerleaders and several of the guys laughed.

“The nurse is good enough.” Coach clapped his hands together. “All right, all right. Nothing to see here. Boys. Back on the field. One of you girls take her up to the school.”

“I’ll do it, Coach,” Jake moved forward as if Alexi would get up and get out of his way. Alexi stayed kneeling beside her.

“Fine. Fine.” Coach walked off and most of the guys followed.

Jake stayed, and Alexi stayed, too.

Willow’s heavy Asian perfume competed with the smell of the track. She sprayed it on mid-practice like deodorant. “Really, do you need a little more attention, Mia?”

“You’re the one who dropped her, you cow. Just because her brother won’t go out with you,” Lauren said. “It shows he has good taste.”

Willow rolled her eyes. “Yeah right, Alexi’s her brother.”

More girls giggled. Alexi narrowed his eyes at Willow, and he stiffened. With guilt or anger or annoyance, she couldn’t tell. Her own anger was smothered by embarrassment. Mia patted the side of his ankle, distracting him from his glare. “Help me up.”

Alexi put an arm around her and pulled her to her feet.

Her muscles protested, but she didn’t let it show. She straightened and tried for a smile. “I’m okay.” Mia squeezed Alexi’s arm. “Niko’s going to be so proud of you for making the team.”

Alexi didn’t respond.

Jake moved forward now that Alexi wasn’t blocking him. “You okay, Mia?” He reached for her and Alexi’s arms tightened.

“Yeah, I’m…”

“I’ll take her up to the school,” Jake said.

“I’m the captain, Jake. I’ll do it,” Willow said. “You’re acting like she broke something. She’s fine.”

“I’ve got her.” Alexi wore a serious expression, as he lifted her and carried her toward the parking lot.

“Bye, guys.” Mia waved, then hid her face against Alexi’s neck. She hoped no one had recorded that failed stunt. What a way to end up on the Internet.

Alexi carried her to the car. Jake followed, trailed by Willow and Lauren.

The driver, Vincent, jumped out of the front and ran to the back to get the door. He ran his gaze over her as if scanning for injuries.

Mia peeped over Alexi’s shoulder and waved. “I’m okay.” Please let this afternoon end.