Taming The Tomboy

H E R M I A ' S P. O. V

The bustling energy of the school courtyard was the perfect backdrop for me. I loved thriving in a fierce competitiveness environment.

I could hear the spectators screaming in anticipation already when the name of my school was briefly mentioned in the commentator's ramble.

Sally's dramatic sigh got me smirking.

Sally is my best friend from nursery school. We practically grew up together and

"How do I look?" I ask with a slight air of pride.

"Tall... Lean and s-"

I gave her a perpetual scowl because I knew the word she was going to say next.

"Okay, you look okay except with that tangle of messy hair. And smile please..."

"It's not time for the shoot yet."

"I know."

I nodded a few times and adjusted my t-shirt at the neck. The heat from the backstage was getting to me. I was aware we were in the midst of boys from the school hockey team but their stares had little meaning to me.

I was picking up my bat when I noticed Sally's eyes suddenly remained affixed to a certain part of my cheeks.

"Is that shit still visible or something?"

I was referring to my pimple. My time of the month decided to show up unexpectedly this morning when I'm supposed to have an amazing match playing for my school's mixed hockey team.

Her awkward smile said it all. "I thought the concealer did a perfect job."

"Well, whatever. Who cares? I was against it in the first place. It's just gonna ruin the group picture now." I clicked my tongue and swung my bat forward. "Let's go anyway."

"Yeah!" Her squeal was followed by a murmur of groans from the guys. Not many of them were too comfortable with sharing the area with girls.

____

I adjusted my helmet and grasped my hockey stick tightly, my heart racing with excitement. As I stepped onto the field with my teammates, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, their cheers and chants echoing across the field. I couldn't help but grin, feeling the infectious energy of the crowd coursing through my veins.

I scanned the sea of colorful jerseys, hats, and scarves, my eyes picking out the familiar faces of friends and family in the stands. The sound of horns and whistles pierced the air, adding to the electric atmosphere that seemed to reverberate through every molecule.

As the game began, the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch. I felt their eyes on me, their voices cheering me on as I clashed with the opposing team's players. Every pass, every shot, every save was met with gasps and groans, cheers and applause. The energy in the field was palpable, a living, breathing entity that seemed to pulse with the crowd's emotions.

I was in my element, my spirit thriving on the rough-and-tumble action of the game. I clashed with the opposing team's players, my stick flashing in the light as I battled for control of the ball.

And then, in a flash of brilliance, our team scored a goal. The crowd erupted into unbridled joy, fans hugging each other, screaming with delight, and high-fiving complete strangers. I grinned, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment as I high-fived my teammates.

The stomping of feet and the cheering of voices created a thunderous cacophony that shook the very foundations of the field.

It was an exhilarating experience, one that combined athleticism, skill, and raw emotion in a way that left everyone breathless and begging for more.

As the second half of the game got underway, I felt a subtle but growing sense of unease.

At first, I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. I had been playing well, my team was ahead, and the crowd was cheering us on.

But as the minutes ticked by, I started to feel a creeping sense of discomfort. My stomach was churning, my legs felt heavy, and my mind was foggy. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

I tried to brush it off as mere nerves or fatigue, but deep down, I knew it was something more. My body was sending me signals that I couldn't ignore.

Could it be this shitty thing?

It's just the fucking first day and my pattern includes just minor breakouts and dehydration.

I've taken enough water before coming unto the field...

"What's up baby girl?"

I rolled my eyes as I turned around to face the jock who just called me that.

"My bat works pretty well, you know?"

And with that, I trudged off the field.

I paid no mind to the gossip amongst the men. Sometimes I wonder if they aren't any good for the gossip magazine than players.

Well...

Even though my head was spinning and my body ached, I tried to put up a bold front.

By the time, the referee whistled a break, I reached for the sidelines and collapsed onto the bench, gasping for air.

"Hey, looks like the tough girl's got a weakness after all," a snide voice said from behind me.

I turned to see Jake, one of my teammates, sneering at me. We'd never gotten along, and he loved to jab at me whenever he could.

"Shut up, Jake," I muttered, not having the energy to deal with his crap.

"Aww, come on, baby girl," he teased, using the nickname he knew I hated. "Can't handle a little pressure? You're always so tough, so fearless. What's wrong, period got you down?"

I felt a surge of anger at his thoughtless words, but I was too exhausted to fight back. I just shook my head and looked away, trying to ignore him.

It wasn't his fault. Sally was way too loud in there. I knew even though they weren't talking, they overheard everything.

But Jake wouldn't let up. "Hey, maybe we should get you some Midol or something," he said, chuckling at his own joke.

That was it. I'd had enough of his crap. I turned to him, my eyes blazing with anger. "You know, Jake, you're really showing your true colors here. You're not just a bad teammate, you're a crappy human being."

Jake's smirk faltered, and for a moment, he looked taken aback. But then his expression hardened, and he sneered at me again. "Whatever, baby girl. You're just mad because you're losing your edge."

I shook my head, disgusted. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Jake. Just leave me alone."

He was going to go again when the whistle went off again and I shot him a last glance before juggling my way to the main field.

The break ended too soon...

As I ran down the field, my eyes scanning the opposition's defense, I felt a sudden wave of dizziness wash over me. My vision blurred for a split second, and I stumbled slightly, my stick wavering in my hand.

I recovered quickly, but the incident left me shaken.

What was going on with my body?

I was a tough, no-nonsense player, not some fragile flower who couldn't handle a little physical discomfort.

But as the game wore on, my symptoms only intensified.

My cramps were getting worse, my stomach was churning with nausea, and my head was spinning with dizziness.

I knew I had to do something, but what? I couldn't just quit in the middle of the game. My team was counting on me. But I couldn't keep going on like this, either. Something had to give.

But just as I was about to make a crucial pass, a sudden, searing pain shot through my lower abdomen.

I winced, my eyes widening in surprise as I realized that my period had started - and with a vengeance.

I gritted my teeth, trying to power through the pain as I had done countless times before. But this was different. The cramps were intense, making it hard for me to focus on the game.

"The ball..." Someone from the team yelled behind me.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do.

But then I remembered the words of my coach: "A true athlete never gives up, no matter what."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenge ahead. I would not let my period get the best of me. I would play on, no matter what.

So I hurried after the ball and swung my bat in the direction of the net.

The ball first, then your bat...

And another goal to my credit.

As I slammed the ball into the goal, a rush of elation surged through me, and for a moment, my exhaustion and pain were forgotten in the thrill of scoring another point for my team.

The game wore on but I could feel my energy dwindling. The cramps were getting worse, and my head was spinning with dizziness. I tried to push through, but it was no use.

As I was running down the field, I suddenly felt my legs give out beneath me. I stumbled, my vision blurring, and then everything went black.

I felt myself falling, but I couldn't do anything to stop it. My head hit the ground with a thud, and I was out cold.

The next thing I knew, I was being lifted off the ground by my teammates. I was disoriented and groggy, but I could hear the sound of concerned voices around me.

"Hey, are you okay?" someone asked, shaking me gently.

I tried to respond, but all that came out was a weak mumble. My head was pounding, and my body felt like it had been put through a wringer.

I was vaguely aware of being carried off the field, but everything was a blur.

The last thing I remembered was the sound of my coach's voice, shouting for someone to get the trainer.