Rumors (A Lingering Echoes Prequel)

  ***

  Shuffling into the gym, I hugged the sidelines while my teammates started the usual warm up by jogging around the court. Seating myself on the bottom bleacher, I put my feet out in front of me to elevate my ankle. Walking around on it all day had increased the swelling again, almost immobilizing the joint. I should have borrowed crutches, but I didn’t want to draw more attention.

  “Collins!” Coach Robbins voice boomed as he pushed his way through the double doors. I noticed my teammates slowing their jog as they made another lap around the court, all eyes watching Coach’s face with anticipation.

  I grimaced. I was about to get reamed.

  “What kind of stupid stunt did you pull on Friday?” He looked down at me from his towering height, eying my blue-and-purple ankle in annoyance and with zero sympathy.

  I dropped my gaze uneasily. I was used to him hollering at me on the court. That didn’t bother me because it was part of the game, but in this situation, when it came to my personal life, his tone put me on edge.

  Unsure of how much gossip had circulated back to him, I settled for, “I jumped a fence and fell.”

  “After being chased by cops?” he interjected.

  Yikes. So he had heard a few details. “There was a misunderstanding,” I began.

  “A misunderstanding? Well, we’re about to clear that up right now. Principal Hayden wants to see you in the athletic department. Let’s go.” He pointed to the assistant coach. “Jenkins, have them hit the drills.”

  The athletics department and the principal? Now this was really getting out of hand. It was one thing for students to spread talk amongst themselves, but bringing in the school authorities was another. My stomach turned as I rose to my feet. My eyes flickered to Tara’s, who was watching the scene while chewing on her bottom lip. My sisters’ concerned expressions also touched mine before I looked away. I focused on walking out of the gym, a feeling of dread weighing me down.

  Coach Robbins remained a step ahead of me the whole time, not pausing to hold the swinging door open for me as I limped behind. Not that I expected it. He didn’t believe in displaying a softer approach to girls than boys. According to him, training boys and girls should not hold different standards.

  As we entered the office, Principal Hayden sat in a chair next to Mr. Knox, the athletic director. The principal gestured to the two empty chairs across from them.

  “Hi, Allie. Have a seat please,” Principal Hayden said. His expression was kind, yet hinting that our conversation was of a more serious nature. “Coach Robbins, join us, of course.”

  I took my seat among the three adults, feeling like a young child in big trouble.

  Folding his hands into one another and placing them on the desk between us, Principal Hayden began. “So, Allie, it seems we need to have a discussion.”

  That much was obvious.

  He continued. “There’s a rumor going around that you were involved in some drinking and an arrest this weekend. Is there any truth to that?”

  “No,” I stated, my face flushing with heat from the inquiry. “I wasn’t arrested. An officer just… took me home.” I had a hard time maintaining eye contact. No matter what I said, there would be more questions. I could see it in their scrutinizing gazes.

  “Why did the officer feel the need to take you home?” Mr. Knox asked, one eyebrow raised.

  “I was—”

  “Were you drunk?” Coach Robbins accused.

  “Of course not. I wasn’t even the one drinking.” My fists clenched, realizing I’d slipped up with my word choice.

  “So others students with you were drinking. Who were they?”

  At my hesitated response, Principal Hayden jumped in, his voice calm and serious. “Allie, this is very important that you tell the truth here. If there were students who were involved with underage drinking—especially if they are part of the athletics’ program—we need to know so this can be handled appropriately. Students need to understand that this sort of behavior is not tolerated.” He rubbed his chin before adding, “Even from star athletes.” His word choice led me to believe he had a hunch of who was with me that night.

  I wanted to rephrase my answer and tell them that no one was drinking—that we’d only been chased by the cops for using a hot tub after hours, but I knew they wouldn’t believe me now. If I told them about the other students involved, every one of them might be suspended. They (and the rest of the student population), would hate me and call me a snitch. Still… they only had my word to rely on. Even if they questioned Mom, who knew Shane was involved, they couldn’t prove anything without me.

  “So what can you tell us, Allie?” Mr. Knox prompted, his tone softer and coaxing. “Can you help us out here?”

  “I—um…” I stuttered in thought, still undecided. After the last two confrontations with that group of “friends,” I knew I didn’t owe them anything. In fact, this would be an easy way to get back at them. Although, I’d have to decide if I wanted to exclude Shane and Tara from the name-dropping. But no… Aside from not wanting to face the wrath of the other students for ratting someone out, loyalty was something I valued in relationships. When Dad betrayed Mom and left us, I knew I would never be like him—would never turn my back on the relationships in my life. Even though my relationships with Tara and Shane were struggling, I couldn’t bring myself to tell on them.

  With three pairs of eyes watching me, all belonging to school authorities, I slowly shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”

  Principal Hayden’s nose flared, while Mr. Knox let out a breath of frustrated air. Coach Robbins kept his arms folded across his chest, staring at me with disapproval. Though, if he made the assumption that Tara was likely involved, I sensed a bit of relief in his eyes for my silence. He wouldn’t want one of his captains suspended from this Friday’s game against our top rival.

  The disappointed silence felt unbearable. I wasn’t a kid that got in trouble. I’d never been sent to the principal’s office. Quite the opposite—most teachers seemed to like me and consider me a “breath of fresh air” from the usual troublemakers in class.

  Mr. Knox spoke first. “Well, Allie, if you are choosing to withhold information from this incident, then I have no choice but to recommend suspension from this week’s game.”

  It was the rival game. I’d be letting down the whole team if I didn’t play. “I don’t understand,” I said. At the same time, Coach Robbins leaned forward in his chair, his voice a touch louder as he directed words at our athletics’ director.

  “Now see here, Will. I don’t see how that’s necessary.” His face reddened, and I knew it was a struggle for him to keep his tone level.

  “That’s not fair. I wasn’t drinking,” I restated. “What you heard about me today came from a rumor someone spread.”

  “A rumor that proved true in some regard,” Principal Hayden commented. He turned to my coach. “I have to agree with Will. We need to set an example that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.” He cut off my protest, adding, “Whether it be drinking or covering up these inappropriate activities.”

  There was no getting out of it. I would be benched from the game and hurting my teammates for something I didn’t do. Now, other students would assume the rumor was true, and that I was being punished for my misdeeds.

  There was no cure to this virus.