Execution (Off Balance 2)

"But you never skip," I stated in shock. If anything, she would've gone to the doctor after class like she had in the past.

"It's just…my cramps are really bad right now and I've been nauseous." She paused. "I think I have the flu."

"You skipped over period cramps?" I asked, my voice raised in surprise.

"Not everyone can be as perfect as yo

u, Ria," she bit out, insulting me at the same time. I flinched.

"I…I’m" I stammered, pulling into World Cup. I shifted into park and stared at the glass windows of the vast gym. "I'm just concerned because it's so unlike you. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I didn't mean to snap at you, I've just been grouchy lately from lack of sleep. What's up that you had to disturb me from my beauty sleep?"

I laughed. "I wanted to tell you that I'll be there in a couple of weeks."

"Really," she squeaked. "I get to see my BFFFFFF?"

I laughed again. "Yes. My mom asked if I could be there for Easter dinner, so I'll be home for a few days."

"I can't wait! It's been so long!"

I smiled. As excited as I was about seeing her, I was still very worried about her behavior lately. "Really, though, are you okay? You're harder to get ahold of than the president, and now you're sick and missing school. This doesn't sound like you."

"I'm fine," she insisted. "Don't exaggerate, I just have a lot going on right now. How are you calling me in the middle of the day anyway? Shouldn't you be at practice?"

"I just pulled into the gym, actually. I have to start therapy on my Achilles today and Kova is doing it."

"Your Achilles? Kova? Please tell me you've used your brain and stayed away from that fine piece of meat. I know he's got those banging fish lips and Greek god body going on, but nothing good can come from that."

I gave Avery a rundown of all the things that had happened the past couple of months. From my injury to my meets to my parents. I had her caught up within a handful of minutes. My life was basically wash, rinse, and repeat. It didn't take long.

She ignored everything I said and focused on Kova. "Are you staying away from him?"

I sighed dramatically. "Yes. Nothing has happened. I promise I've been a good little girl."

"That's not what your broth—I mean, your mom said."

My brows furrowed, paranoia swirled in my chest. "When did you talk to my mom?"

"Ah, I mean"—she cleared her throat—"I overheard your mom talking to my mom and she made a couple of comments about how close you and Kova seemed at a competition. I thought I heard her say he put his arm around you in his jacket? I can't remember for sure."

In his jacket? I didn't understand that comment.

Nausea stirred my stomach. My first big meet in Las Vegas was the only one my parents had attended yet.

"When did they talk? What did she say?"

"It was a couple of weeks ago, I think? Shoot, I'm not sure exactly when. Things have been kind of hectic here."

"Focus, Avery. When?"

Her calmness rolled into annoyance in mere seconds. "I don't know. Two months ago?"

"You just said a couple of weeks. Now it's two months?"

"I didn't think it was that important, so I didn't log it in my diary," she snipped. Avery didn't have a diary.

"You didn't think it was important to tell me the moment you heard something about my coach being too cozy with me and my mom seeing it? That's huge," I screeched, shocked she'd not mentioned this sooner. "I can't believe this."