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“Hey...” Her voice seemed softer on the other side. “It's okay, Kendra. Your cousin will be fine, don't worry, my love.”

A breath escaped me like a confession:

“I don't want to be scared, but I am scared.”

“Dear, calm down, please.” A sigh left her as I heard movement on the other end of the line. “I'll tell your uncles, but stay calm, everything will be fine.”

A few more words were exchanged until I finally hung up the phone. However, the deafening silence of the cold hospital corridors was replaced by a doctor approaching Karlee.

“Colleen Bryant's relatives?” He called. Me and the two coaches introduced ourselves. “Well, she broke her shoulder and elbow. We had to have emergency surgery to put pins in her shoulders and this will require physical therapy afterwards so that it doesn't limit her movement.”

"She's going to have her elbow immobilized, right?" I questioned.

"Yes, for eight weeks in a cast."

“Shit…” Karlee mumbled. The coach took a few deep breaths before adding: “At least it was just the arm, that fall could have been much worse.”

A shiver took me by her saying. I needed to see Colleen.

“Can she have visitors?”

The man in the white coat looked at me carefully.

“She's sedated. I think it's a good idea to just warn her parents.”

“They've already been informed.” I assured him, even though I wasn't sure if my mom had already acted. “She's my cousin, please, can I see her?” I insisted and then he finally gave in.

I felt my hands shaking a little, but I followed him to the room where Colleen was.

She was still sleeping peacefully even after an hour. I remained quiet, sitting on the uncomfortable sofa in the room.

The temperature inside was colder than usual and I hated that feeling. Which, in a way, was terrible, because, in the end, I was heiress to a gigantic and important hospital in my hometown. I looked at my phone screen once again and gave my teammates and Veronica an update on Colleen's condition.

My mother, on the other hand, hadn't given me any updates. Her damn cell phone didn't even receive the messages I sent her. It was too irritating.

VERONICA:Hey, when my class ends, I'll come see you.

KENDRA:There's no need, Roni.

VERONICA:Yes, there is. Besides, I want to. I'll take you something to eat.

I smiled at the care and attention she was giving me. I wasn't used to that.

KENDRA:Okay, thanks!

Time continued to pass until sleep won over me due to the boredom of doing nothing. I dozed off at some point and woke up to Colleen calling me.

“Hey...” I straightened up on the sofa and smiled at her. “How are you feeling?”

My cousin's eyes still seemed too heavy. The effect of the sedative didn't seem to have completely worn off.

“In pain…” She mumbled, then laughed weakly. “Was the fall that bad?” I was forced to nod. “Damn…”

“But you'll be fine!” I tried to cheer her up.

“Not in time for the competition.” The conclusion threw me into a cruel reality. Her eyes began to fill up with tears and the pained smile remained until she wiped her face with her left hand, which was not in a cast. “Fuck…” She whispered softly, but then screamed. “FUCK!”

“Colleen...” I tried to call her, but the hurt and sadness on her face were very clear now.