Jordan took on the responsibility of putting the girls through their weight session while Kelsie hardly made an appearance from her office. The bell rang and all the girls left except Jordan. She watched Kelsie struggle to put the mats away.
Jordan started to help when Sally called back in “Hey you coming we have that movie to watch.”
“Yeh yeh I’ll be up in a moment.”
“What are you doing, just leave it.” Said Sally
Jordan annoyed with Sally’s persistence “Look I’ll be up when I’ve finished.”
Sally stormed off slamming the door closed. Jordan turned around only to see Kelsie looking at her. “Go on Jordan.”
“No I’m sick to death of giving Sally my attention when it suits her only to have her push me away when I need some.”
“Jordan.”
“No I remember you telling me that taking time out was the best thing to do and you were right.”
“Yes but I didn’t mean for you to push her away completely either.” Kelsie immediately clutches her back in pain.
“Kelsie you still sore.”
“yeh, I think my ego is bruised the most. I’m sorry for the way I acted, it was irresponsible behaviour.” Kelsie doubled over and curses.
Jordan walked over to her “Let me see.”
“Jordan really it’s ok.”
“Let me see for myself.”
Kelsie tried to reach behind but the pain was too great. Jordan lifted her shirt part way up her back
“Jezzus Kelsie you need to see the nurse. Your back is badly bruised.”
“It will get better.”
“No I’m serious you should get medical advice.”
“NO.” snapped Kelsie. “Sorry…..I can’t explain to them how I did it without it jeopardizing my future here or a school being investigated for injury claims.”
Jordan put a hand lightly over the bruised area, it was still giving off a lot of heat. Jordan gently lowered Kelsie’s top and got an ice pack, wrapped it in a towel.
“Here you should put this on it.”
Kelsie nodded. Jordan could see Kelsie was close to tears decided to leave to save her any embarrassment.
Next morning Jordan bounded out of bed, dressed quickly then went to check in on Kelsie at the gym. She wasn’t around so Jordan went back to her room and jumped on top of Mary waking her up.
“Get up you lazy bones.”
“Oh Jordan do you have to be that cheery in the morning.” Groaned Mary and pulled her covers up over her head.
“It’s a beautiful day lets go for a run.”
“I don’t want to.” Came Mary’s muffled reply
“I want to talk to you about something.”
Mary leaped out of bed and got dressed and left the room with Sally still in bed. Tears rolled down her face. She was feeling the effects of going from being the centre of Jordan’s life to practically not in it at all.
They talked most of the way on their run. Mary talked about her father and how she still hated her step mum and Jordan only talked about Kelsie.
“I’m really worried about her Mary. I went down this morning to check if she was alright, she wasn’t in the gym or her quarters.”
Mary stopped and grabbed Jordan “Wait you went into her quarters.”
Jordan nodded as if it was no big deal.
“Jordan what is going on between you two?” asked Mary
“Mmmm nuthin’”
“Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not.” Jordan pauses “but I’d like something to.”
“JORDAN LANGE are you crazy that woman must be at least 30.”
“Actually Kelsie’s 27, she will be 28 in December and with any luck I hope to share it with her.”
Mary’s jaw dropped in disbelief. “And she feels the same way.”
Jordan hesitates with the question “I think so, she lets me call her Kelsie when we are alone.” Said Jordan proudly
“Jordan she could lose her job if anything should you know……happen. Have you told Sally?”
“No and don’t you say anything either.”
“She’s worried about you.”
“Look she has David now and I have Kelsie so we are all happy.”
“Umm Sally and David are going through a bad patch, she could really do with you being there.”
“And where was she when I needed her eh? She didn’t waste any time when she dumped me. She went out and screwed the first guy that came along. I was there, I saw the whole thing, she literally ripped my heart out that night and nailed it to the tree. Kelsie helped me get through it, she believed in me.”
Mary dropped her head.
“Hey I couldn’t have done it without my Mary too. I couldn’t get through the day without a hug from you. You are my energy source and Kelsie is my strength.”
Later that day Jordan again searched for Kelsie but she didn’t seem to be on the grounds. Her car was still parked. Jordan was becoming really concerned now.
That night all the girls were in their bedroom either reading or listening to music. Sally spoke up
“Anyone for cards.”
Mary agreed but Jordan declined.
“Cmon Jordan look.”
Sally whipped out a full bottle of scotch, loser sculls.”
Jordan thought about it “Deal me in.”
They played for a couple of hours with all girls ending up slightly inebriated. They eventually turned in. Sally waited until Mary was asleep and crept into Jordan’s bed. She caresses her cheek running her fingers over her lips. She then presses her lips to Jordan’s. Jordan let out a low moan, which Sally interpreted as encouragement. Sally’s tongue darted into Jordan’s mouth as her hand slipped down inside Jordan’s pants. Jordan moans again and rises up pulling Sally on top.
Sally whispered in her ear. “I’m leaving David, I want you back in my life.”
Jordan’s eyes snap open and pushed Sally away. “No Sally, go back to your bed.”
Sally starts to cry “Don’t you love me anymore Jordan.”
Jordan stroked Sally’s face with the back of her hand. “Yes you know I do, I just can’t go through it again. It has been hell for me these past few months I don’t want to go through that again.” Jordan rolled over.
Next day Jordan and Sally started a new class. Health and Physiology. Jordan was excited because Kelsie was teaching, but to her surprise it was Jane Sedgewick in the classroom.
“Right Ms Morton is off on sick leave so I will be taking her class.”
Jordan let out a loud groan of disapproval, which was ignored
“You are to read chapters 1-6 and answer the questions at the end of each chapter.”
Jordan put her hand up and Jane sighed
“Yes Jordan what is it.”
“When will Ms Morton return.”
“It is unclear at the moment and quite frankly Jordan none of your business.”
Jordan opened her text book slamming the cover on the desk.
“Jordan what’s wrong.” Whispered Sally
“I’m worried about Ms Morton.”
“Why she’s only a stupid teacher.” Said Sally sarcastically
Jordan glared at her “Don’t you ever say that again.”
The bell rang and Jordan got her gear together.
“Hold on.... those of you in my Maths class next can stay I will be giving it here today.”
Sally and some other girls sat back down but Jordan continued to make her way to the front.
“Jordan did you not hear me.” Growls Ms Sedgewick
Jordan ignores her and heads for the door. “You go and see Mrs Jaeger.”
“All ready on my way Jane.”
She walked into the office and asked the secretary to see Mrs Jaeger
“You will have to take a seat Jordan she is with someone.”
Jordan sat down impatiently tapping her pen on her folder.
“Jordan can you stop that it’s very annoying.” Asked the secretary
“Oh sorry” she smiled “What is she doing in there having tea and scones with the Queen.”
The door opened and Mrs Jaeger escorted a gentleman out. “Please keep me informed on her condition.” She then lays eyes on Jordan
“Jordan don’t tell me you’re in trouble again.”
“I want to know what’s wrong with Ms Morton?”
“She is on sick leave and that’s all you need to know.”
“Is it about her back.” Asked Jordan.
Mrs Jaeger frowned “In here now.” And closes the door.
“What do you know of it.”
Jordan thought carefully not wanting to get either her or Kelsie into trouble “I knew it was pretty bruised the other day.”
“Do you know how it happened.”
Jordan shuffled her feet “Umm no, no idea.”
“Ms Morton is….. in hospital.”
Jordan’s mouth dropped “What.”
“Apparently the injury to her back is more serious and has developed blood clots in one of her kidneys.”
Jordan felt the room spin and had to sit down.
“Jordan are you alright dear.”
Jordan ignore Mrs Jaegers question. “Is it life threatening.”
Mrs Jaeger hesitated, she could see the distress look on her face. “It can be if left untreated, but she is in the best place now.”
“Can I go and see her.” Asked Jordan keenly
“Absolutely not.”
“I’ve told you more than you should know so back to class.”
But Jordan didn’t return to any of her classes for the rest of the day, choosing instead to sit in the coutyard gazebo smoking. Mary and Sally came up and sat with her knowing Jordan was upset