Fractured Bonds

The next day, Andrew hobbled down the hall, his right ankle wrapped in a bulky boot and his hand grasping a pair of crutches. Nate walked beside him, holding Andrew's bag and offering support as needed. Andrew was still feeling the effects of his fall from the mountain, and the pain was a constant reminder of his fragility. As they turned down the hall, Andrew's heart sank as he spotted Missy's locker. He hadn't seen her since the incident, and he wasn't sure how she would react. Nate seemed to sense his unease and gave him a reassuring smile. But as they approached, Missy's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly made her way towards them. "Andrew, what happened?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. Andrew opened his mouth to explain, but before he could, Missy turned to Nate. "What happened to him?" Nate hesitated, and Andrew could sense his unease. "He fell off the mountain yesterday. Broke his ankle and needed stitches." Missy's expression darkened. "You're kidding me, right? He's always getting into trouble. I'm starting to think it's a pattern with him." Andrew felt a surge of embarrassment as Missy's words cut deep. He had expected her to be concerned, not accusatory. "Andrew's told me a lot about his past mistakes," Nate said calmly. "I think he's trying to make amends." But Missy wasn't having it. "Amends? Ha! He's going to ruin our relationship with his antics. Every mistake he's ever made, he's going to repeat it. I just know it." She rattled off a list of Andrew's past mistakes, her voice rising in anger. Andrew felt his face burning with shame as Nate listened quietly. And then, in a fit of rage, Missy snatched the crutches from Andrew's arms. "He doesn't even need these," she spat. "He's just faking it." Andrew cried out in pain as he tumbled to the ground, his weight landing awkwardly on his left ankle. There was a sickening snap, and Andrew's eyes welled up with tears as he realized he had broken it too. Nate rushed to his side, helping him sit up as Andrew wailed in agony. "I'm so sorry, Andrew," Nate said, his voice filled with concern. Missy stormed off, leaving Nate to help Andrew. With a quick glance around, Nate scooped Andrew up into his arms and rushed him to the nurse's office, leaving Andrew to cry and curse his bad luck.