Emma's Not-So-Sweet Dilemma Read Free

bridge of your nose,” said Sam. “I’m so sorry.”
    â€œOh no!” I groaned. “Is it broken?”
    â€œI don’t think so,” said my mom. With me having three brothers, she’s seen a lot of injuries. “I’m more worried about you losing consciousness. We’ve got to go see the doctor and make sure it’s not a concussion. I already have a call in to him.”
    â€œWait, I blacked out?” I said. “I’ve never done that before.”
    â€œWe carried you in,” said Matt. “It was scary.”
    â€œThanks. Sorry.” I shrugged.
    â€œWe’re not sure if you got knocked out or fainted from the pain. It makes a difference,” said my mom.
    â€œWhy?” asked Katie.
    My mom tipped her head to the side. “If she only fainted from the shock, then it’s a normal reaction to a trauma. But if the ball knocked her out, she might have a concussion, which is when the brain has been traumatized by the hit. It can be mild or severe, but it has to be handled carefully. Emma will need to lie low for a little while.”
    â€œIs there a treatment for concussions?” asked Mia.
    â€œNot really,” said Sam. “It’s such a bummer. We had three kids sidelined from my soccer team this year with concussions. One guy—it was his second, so he can’t play contact sports ever again.”
    â€œGosh,” Alexis said breathlessly. “Someone needs to invent something to prevent this. . . .”
    â€œSensing a business opportunity, Lex?” I tried to joke, but it hurt to even smile, so I stopped. My nose started to tickle a little from the laughing.
    â€œOh, she’s bleeding again!” said Sam.
    My mom dabbed at my nose with a wet paper towel. I could see that it already had quite a bit of blood on it. Looking at the towel made me feel alittle woozy. I can’t deal with the sight of blood.
    â€œDo you have a headache, sweetheart?” she asked.
    â€œNo, I have a nose ache,” I said.
    â€œDo you feel queasy?”
    â€œNot really.”
    â€œGood,” said my mom, patting my arm.
    â€œCan I look in a mirror?” I asked.
    â€œNo,” said everyone all at once. Then they laughed nervously, but I didn’t.
    â€œThat bad, huh?” I asked.
    The Cupcakers smiled supportively, but I caught Jake nodding before Matt spied him and quickly cuffed him on the back of his head. Then Jake started shaking his head.
    â€œOooh.” I groaned. “Good thing I don’t have any modeling jobs lined up. Hey, how were the cupcakes?” I asked.
    â€œWe didn’t have the stomach to try them . . . ,” explained Sam.
    â€œI ate one! I thought it was delicious!” said Jake.
    Mia smiled at him and gave him a sideways hug. “You’re our best little customer, aren’t you?”
    He nodded, in heaven. “Can I have another?”
    Mia laughed. “And an opportunist, too! Sure, come on, let’s go get you another.”
    â€œHey, wait up!” called Sam. “Feel better, Em,” he said with a wink, and he headed into the kitchen.
    Matt trailed behind them, and my mom went to call the doctor again. I was left with Alexis and Katie. “How bad is it?” I whispered, now kind of dreading seeing it.
    â€œOh, you know . . . ,” said Katie vaguely.
    Alexis set her lips in a grim line. “You’re going to look awful for a few days. But then it will be fine. No permanent damage.”
    â€œAlexis!” said Katie, shocked at her bluntness.
    â€œWhat?” said Alexis, huffy now. “It’s true. Why should I lie to her?”
    â€œHey, no. It’s fine. I wanted the truth,” I said. “It’s better to know. I’ll see it, anyway, sooner or later, right?” I reached up to try to feel around, and I could definitely feel the swelling all across my face.