Page 148 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“Of course. I’ve got to meet my mom anyway.”

“Okay. See you later, Sofe.”

I watched her go. Wishing things could be different. Wishing that I could live free and reckless.

But it was easy living like there was no tomorrow…

Until you knew there might not be.

* * *

“Go, go,”Poppy cheered, bouncing up and down on her feet.

Dawson Stadium was electric, the crowd amped at the Raiders 27-11 lead. With less than one quarter to play it was pretty much a given that they had the W in the bag which meant the team were guaranteed a spot for the playoffs.

“Run, run.” The entire stadium seemed to take a breath, watching Ezra fly down the field toward the end zone, dodging Lion players as he went.

“Go on, babe,” Ashleigh breathed, clutching my hand. “Yes, yes—”

“Toooooouchdown,” the announcer roared, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

“They’re unstoppable.” Poppy grinned, and I nodded.

She wasn’t wrong.

Aaron, Cole, and Ezra worked like a well-oiled machine, and I knew I wasn’t the only one watching Cole tonight thinking how far he’d come. Quarterback was the most demanding position on the team, and he’d stepped into the role as if he’d been born to do it.

A wave of dizziness hit me out of left field, and I sat down.

“Sofe?”

“I’m fine,” I lied.

“You look pale.”

“It’s just the crowd.”

Another lie.

Two more days.

Two more days and then they would know the truth. If I told Aaron, I had to tell them too. I couldn’t expect him to keep my secret from Poppy. Besides, they would know something was wrong soon enough, once I started treatment.

But the light-headedness didn’t abate, and the crowd only grew more and more raucous when one of the junior players scored another touchdown.

“I’m going to the restrooms,” I said.

“Wait, do you want me to come?” Poppy asked, but I waved her off.

“No, stay and watch the game. There are only a few minutes left.”

Before either of them could argue, I hurried out of the aisle and made my way downstairs into the stadium. The sensation wasn’t as intense as it had been at the mixer last weekend, but I needed space.

I needed—

The world spun and I began to fall. Down… down… do—

…

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