Coach's Number One

I should have known today was going to suck.

There were a few signs. Kind of.

First, it was raining. I like the rain, but not when I have to walk to school in it. I basically live in water and spend majority of my time in it, but that doesn't mean I enjoy rocking a wet shirt during school.

Secondly, the guy I've been trying to get with for the past month, asked my friend for her number.

And third? Mum's car was in the driveway when I came home from school.

For most families, this is relatively normal. It's not for me.

My mother is a well-known cardiovascular surgeon. Her life revolves around the hospital and her patients.

For a long time, I have accepted the fact that her career is her life, not me. Her career is amazing; her life is dedicated people who need it. However, since my father died when I was ten, mum is all I have. It's hard.

My mother and I live together, but we rarely see each other. She is hardly ever home and when she is, she's exhausted. Sometimes she even sleeps at the hospital.

I know she is on a double shift today. Her car being home is leaving an uneasy, squirmy feeling in my stomach.

As soon my feet are through the front door, I shrug off my over-sized gym bag and slip out of my shoes. The weight from my shoulders feels refreshing.

I can smell something baking.

I froze, my stomach tightening. Mum never cooks for me. The last time, was when my nan died. That's how she broke the news to me – chocolate cupcakes.

Wandering into the kitchen, feeling exhausted from my training session, I stop. There, spread neatly in front of me, were a line of delicious looking chocolate cupcakes.

Now, I know something is wrong.

"Hi, honey," my mum smiled, looking more exhausted than me. The bags under her eyes are so permanent, I don't remember what she looked like without them anymore.

"Oh no," I said, my voice heavy. "Who died?"

She cracked a wan smile. "No one. Don't be so dramatic."

"Seriously?" I deadpanned, flopping onto the kitchen chair in front of me.

"I have some news."

The wrinkles on her face made her look older beyond her years. Her hair has slight streaks of grey in it. She never had the time to do anything with it and it was permanently piled into a bun on the top of her head.

"Oh jeeze," I mumbled, reaching out for a cupcake and taking a bite. Even the deliciousness of the rich chocolate can't distract me. "What?"

"You know that hospital I told you about?"

"The new one they've been building for ages?" I asked, not liking the sound of this. "The big, private one?"

"Yeah, they need a surgeon." Her eyes dropped, and I narrow my eyes at her.

"Obviously."

"A cardiovascular surgeon."

"Right..." I trailed off.

"I took the job."

"Why does it need to be you?" I asked, my voice getting louder. "You're not the only surgeon in the state!"

"They personally asked for me." She managed to look smug. I glared at her and her expression wavered. "Best hands in the region, they reckon."

"They better have offered you a pay rise."

"They did."

"Good." I replied, feeling a little numb at the bomb shell she just dropped.

She nervously toyed with her coffee cup, chewing at her lip.

"That's a pretty long drive," I frowned after a few moments. "Does that mean you'll be sleeping at the hospital more?"

"Oh, I don't think you quite understand Grace," she murmured, her eyes pleading for my understanding. "We have to move."

I laughed. The sound was hysterical to my own ears. "Please tell me you're joking."

She blinked at me, edging to the table, fidgeting with a banana in the fruit bowl. I glower at her. She can't make me move right when I've reached my senior year at school. That would be a nightmare trying to change all my electives now.

I am also the best swimmer at my school. Only this year, I was elected the captain. She wants to take that from me?

"I know what you're thinking, but it's all sorted. I've already got you into another school."

"Oh God," I groaned, completely horrified. "You're serious."

"You're going to love Byron Elite Private School."

"And just when I- what!?" I shrieked, my heart slamming painfully into my rib cage. I place a hand on my chest.