Taming The Tomboy

HERMIA

"I'll take care of that."

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

An involuntary gasp escaped my mouth as I struggled to chase after the ball but it was slipping further away and I was being pulled back by a force.

"Hermia!" I could hear Sally's voice distinctively.

It just didn't make sense because she was in the spectators's seats and I was on the field, playing for the school team.

"Leave me! Let me go!" I screamed when I sensed someone pinning me against something.

It didn't feel right.

"Don't do that miss. Release her. Stat!"

"What?"

I felt the weight on my body go and the next thing I felt was a large hand tapping on my shoulder.

"Wake up Hermia. It's a dream."

With that single word, I jolted awake and sprang up from wherever I was resting my head.

"The ball...."

I stuttered my eyes open and close to adjust to the poorly illuminated environment.

"Why.... I'm supposed to be on the field..." I mutter to myself and started to take a proper look at my environment.

It looked like I was in one of the wards in the school clinic. I've been there a couple of times.

The fluorescent lights above me flicker, making me squint. I'm met with an unfamiliar ceiling, and for a moment, I'm disoriented. But as my gaze wanders, I notice the sterile smell and the sound of muted chatter in the distance.

Yeah, I'm in the school clinic.

I try to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washes over me, forcing me to lie back down. My head is pounding, and my mouth feels dry.

I glance around the ward, taking in the rows of beds, each with its own curtain for privacy. The walls are a pale blue, and the floors are made of polished linoleum.

To my left, I see a nurse's station, where two nurses are busy typing away on their computers. They occasionally glance up to check on the patients. I notice a few other students lying in their beds, some sleeping, others reading books or scrolling through their phones.

As I try to piece together how I ended up here, I notice a chart at the foot of my bed with my name on it. I try to remember what happened, but my memories are hazy. I vaguely recall feeling unwell on the field, crashing and then...nothing.

"Hermia..." A familiar voice whispered beside me. And that is when I noticed Sally

I tried to respond, but my voice comes out hoarse. She hands me a glass of water, and I take a sip, feeling the cool liquid soothe my parched throat.

As I drink, I take stock of my surroundings, trying to make sense of my situation. I'm not sure what happened, but I'm determined to find out.

"You gave out."

I cough involuntarily when I tried to speak.

"Relax." A man in immaculate coat spoke up. I guessed he's the doctor.

"You can't move around as of yet. You're just recuperating. " He said sternly.

I glanced at Sally and I regretted it instantly. She had a mortifying horror look on her face.

I just decided to focus on what the doctor was saying instead for now.

Why is having my period unexpectedly and maybe fainting so serious?

"Bed rest for the next 48 hours, no strenuous activities, and plenty of fluids. I want to run some tests to rule out any underlying conditions that may have contributed to the fainting spell. And, of course, we'll need to monitor your menstrual cycle to ensure that your periods aren't exacerbating any existing health issues."

I was going to protest when he went off again.

"In the meantime, I'm prescribing some iron supplements to help with any potential anemia, and I want you to take it easy. No gaming, no running around, just rest and relaxation. Can you do that for me?"

"N—"

"Yes. Thank you doc." Sally cut in.

_________

"Hey Alex!"

"Hermia?"

I nod brisky and rushed up to Alex, the captain for my team.

I can't be the one staying in bed for fucking 48 hours so I tricked Sally that I needed some snacks.

She was silly enough to leave to get them. Since the nurses were so busy chattering about hot celebrity guys, I had my chance to escape.

Alex was shocked to see me walk up to him. I knew I'd find him at the resting area. The game ended a while ago.

"Can you tell me why the coach isn't allowing me to play for the team anymore. I just went to confront him and he's behaving like an ass."

Alex laughed but when he saw I didn't roll with the joke, he shrugged, "Sorry, he just wouldn't allow you, I get. He probably thinks it'd take a toll on you."

"But I said I'm fucking fine! I haven't been practicing for a whole month just to be cast aside like that!"

"Actually... You should be in the clinic right now, no?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm okay. It's just the time of the month."

"Okay, Hermia. I really appreciate you but if the coach is adamant on not allowing you on the team, then it might be for your own good. "

"Bullshit. I get to decide what's best for me."

Alex let out an exasperated sigh next. I raised my brows signalling him to continue.

"I need to get down to something right now. If you need help with any other thing—"

"You're gonna walk out on me?"

"Well... You're just too stubborn. Just get some rest. Lucky you. " He chuckled and shook his head in amusement.

"For the record, if I was there. Maybe we wouldn't have lost badly. Nathan isn't exactly a good centre forward. Just saying."

"Well... We should have a win in the next match. Alright, see you around. " Alex said then walked away.

_____

When I was finally finding my way to the clinic again, because I figured the pain in between my legs wouldn't go sooner, Sally's call came through.

"Sally please, l not now."

"Okay. Where are you right now?"

Of all things, I wasn't thinking of talking to her. I was too busy battling the pain.

I deadpanned and rolled my eyes. "What happened?"

"Nothing. Should I come for you?"

I sighed when I realised she's not even at fault here. It's me.

"I'm sorry. I'm on my way back. Thanks Sally."

"Did you just say sorry?"

I rolled my eyes and hung up the call.

I could still hear the pandemonium going on at the stadium since this side of the school was really close to it.

My school lost to a lousy neighbour school, Holman Christian High. Fantastic.

I was lost in thought when a sudden tap on my shoulder made me turn. I spun around, instinctively assuming a defensive stance, my fists clenched and my eyes narrowing slightly, maintaining my composure.

"Any problem? " I asked in an harsh tone. No one could've guessed it was a girl speaking.

I turned to face the person who had tapped my shoulder, and my words caught in my throat.

The guy standing before me was effortlessly handsome, his chiseled features accentuated by the black frames of his glasses.

Heck.

"Hey, sorry to startle you," he said, flashing a charming smile. "Did you see a girl across this hall just now?"

I felt a flutter in my chest, but it was quickly replaced by disappointment as my gaze dropped to his jersey. My eyes widened in dismay as I took in the logo of our school's arch-rivals, the Wildcats.

"You're a Wildcats fan?" I asked, trying to keep the disdain out of my voice.

He chuckled. "Guilty as charged. What about you? Are you a Hawks fan?"

"I hate you." I replied without skipping a beat.

"Excuse me? "

"You heard me. "

He smirks. Wait, I thought he was a nerd.

"I recognise you, guy."

"Really," I rolled my eyes and turned to start going.

He doesn't even know I'm a girl. Then, why waste my time on him. He anyway has two malfunctioning eyes and a pair of artificial ones. No point talking to him.

My phone rang again and I saw Sally's name.

"Oh, your girlfriend?"

"How does it matter?" I snap at him. Why is he poking his nose in my business?

"No. Just wondering how she's coping with you, grumpy. Anyways I gotta go find my friend."

He was going to jog away when I called him back because he was going towards the girl's area of the resting area. "Hey!"

He turned a bit and smirked.

Despite myself, all I could say was "What's you

r name?"

"Aaron. You, pimpo?"

I frown. Pimpo?

"You've got pimples on your face, just like a girl's. Bye! "

Repercussions of my miserable state and a rub in the salt. How dare he?