One Last Chance

Chapter 1

"Azaelia Adams is sprinting down the field! Will she score?"

The announcer shouted as I sprinted faster than I ever imagined I could down the field. I heard my teammates cheering me on as I neared the net. A loud roar came from the crowd as I dodged the last player and shot. The ball hit the net with a "thwack" and the people in the stands erupted into cheers and applause. I pumped my fists as my team mates swarmed around me, hugging me and cheering. I smiled harder than ever until I felt a sharp pain in my thigh.

I doubled over in pain crying out. It felt like my leg was being ripped apart from the inside out. I looked around to see if anyone would help me and it appeared that no one noticed that I was in severe pain. I groaned again and looked down in horror as the skin on my leg began to melt away, then muscle, then bone, all landing in a melted mess on the ground until I was left screaming in pain, and one-legged. Still, no one noticed. I lay there sobbing until I felt a tapping on my shoulder and a voice saying, "Zay, Azaelia! Hey!"

I looked up to see my cousin Manni looking at me with big, concerned eyes. I looked around and saw that I was in my bedroom. I pushed him off. "It was just a nightmare Manni I'm fine." I said, rolling over and pushing myself out of bed.

"Yeah, I know. Was it about you leg again?"

I hated it when he mentioned my leg, or lack of it. I looked down at the space where my right leg should be and clenched my fists. Every day I wake up and remember the accident and how it ruined my life and Manni makes it worse by mentioning it. I turned around and glared at him, he looked away sheepishly. Manni has dark hair and dark olive skin and giant round hazel eyes. His face is so child-like, especially when he is hurt that I feel guilty every time I yell at him for bringing up my leg. He's always trying to be helpful but it just ends up making me feel worse.

"You have to get up. You know what day it is." He said carefully, as if I might explode.

"Yes of course I know what day it is could you just give me a minute!" I snapped, tears forming in my eyes.

I turned around to see guilt wash over Manni face but he saw me looking and hardened his expression. "Of course." He replied.

Today was supposed to be my day. The day my life changed forever and I would be able to get out of this place and onto my new life. This was supposed to be the greatest day of my life. Now it's going to be one of the worst.