Under Pressure by Emma Carlson Berne Read Free Book Online Page B

who cares?
    â€œYeah, my pills.” Elise spoke boldly. Sophie had already told them anyway. She felt oddly defensive—almost as if the pills were pets or something.
    The adults exchanged glances and Elise’s mother nodded. “You can tell her, Coach,” she said.
    Elise looked from one adult to the next. “Tell me what?”
    Sophie said quietly, “I told your mom where to find the pills. Sorry.”
    â€œElise, those pills are not FDA-approved,” Coach explained. “They’re not safe—in fact, one of the ingredients is known to cause heart palpitations. That’s what caused you to faint today. Your pulse was racing when I helped you up after you fell.”
    â€œI don’t understand how you could do this, Elise.” Her mother said and sat down on the edge of the bed. “You’ve always been so sensible.” Her voice held a note of desperation that made Elise look up in surprise. “Why? Why would you do this to yourself?” She paused and seemed to force her next words out. “Was it me? Dad wondered if I was pushing you too hard this year.”
    Elise couldn’t meet her mother’s gaze. The silence hung in the room. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Coach Berg delicately slip out the door.
    â€œSometimes, I just feel as though I’m never good enough for you,” Elise mumbled to the sheets.
    â€œWhat?” Her mother leaned forward, her hand cupped to her ear. “I can’t hear you.”
    Elise raised her head. “Sometimes, I feel like I’m never good enough for you,” she repeated. “Like I’ll never be a good enough player. Or fast enough or thin enough or strong enough.” She choked a little on the last words.
    Her mother sat still for a long time while her father patted her shoulder. “Elise, I’m sorry,” her mother finally whispered. “I don’t know how we’ve gotten to this point. But I promise you, we’ll work on it. I don’t want you to feel like you’re not enough for me.” Her mother reached out a hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, Elise took it. It wasn’t a hug, but it was the next best thing.
    Behind them, the door opened and Coach Berg came back in, holding a can of diet soda. Everyone straightened up. Elise’s mother released her hand with a squeeze and a little smile.
    Coach Berg sat down again and withdrew a small, blue-bound book from his pocket. “Elise, we’re going to have to discuss the consequences of your actions,” he said. “We might as well get this over with.”
    â€œRight.” Elise tried to sound brave.
    â€œNow.” Coach Berg put his fingertips together, his face suddenly growing stern. “You must know that there are consequences for taking any performance drugs while on the team.”
    Elise gulped. She felt Sophie clutch her hand.
    Coach Berg flipped through the little book. “According to the school sports code, the penalty for drug use is immediate suspension from the team and referral to the school’s disciplinary board.”
    Elise’s blood turned to ice in her veins. Oh, God. It was happening. She was going to be expelled. Her parents were going to send her to military school. She was so busy imagining herself marching in a uniform in the rain that she barely noticed Coach Berg was still talking.
    â€œHowever, since it is your first offense, I’m willing to be lenient. You will need to make a formal, public apology to the rest of the team, and you will be suspended for the rest of the season. And I’ll expect you to write a five-page paper, with references, on the dangers of drug use in sports and turn it in to me within two weeks.”
    Sophie squeezed her hand. Elise nodded. “Okay. Okay.” What else was she going to say? She wasn’t being expelled.
    Her mother spoke up. “Thank you, Coach Berg. That seems more than fair.”