Outside Cleave Hills High School, Eric and Zoey rush towards the football pitch, their pounding footsteps echoing through the air like a drumbeat. The warm sun casts a golden glow over the scene, illuminating the worried expressions on their faces. As they approach the pitch, they spot Coach Dominic and a tall, hefty, broad-shouldered guy with rough hair, wearing a number 10 jersey. They're trying to reduce the crowd of students frolicking around an injured teammate who is being administered medicine to by the Cleave Hills High School Red Cross. The sweet scent of freshly cut grass wafts through the air, mingling with the sound of worried murmurs and the rustling of leaves.
COACH DOMINIC: (firmly, his voice like thunder) Marcello, take charge of the injured kid. He's been put on a stretcher. I'll meet you at the clinic after a quick stop at the gym.
MARCELLO: (nodding, his eyes locked on the coach) Got it, Coach!
COACH DOMINIC: (turning to a girl who's been following the boy on the stretcher, his expression softening) You've been sticking around. Are you his sister?
GIRL: (worried, her voice trembling) Yeah... I just wanna know if he'll be okay. Please tell me he's going to be alright.
Eric scans through the disorganized teammates, some sitting on the grass, others moving about or just standing, waiting for their coach to return. His eyes frantically search for a familiar face, but he doesn't see his brother among them. Suddenly, his gaze lands on Elena talking to Coach Dominic, her voice barely audible over the din.
ZOEY: (pointing, her voice urgent) Isn't that Elena over there talking with the coach? Eric, look!
ERIC: (alarmed, his heart racing) Oh no... I hope it's not what I'm thinking. (He and Zoey share a concerned look, their eyes locking in a moment of shared worry) This can't be happening! Elvis is hurt! (Running to the direction of the stretcher, his footsteps pounding the ground) Wait!
ZOEY: (calling out, her voice chasing after him) Hey! Wait up, Eric! (Running after him, her breath catching in her throat)
As they reach the clinic, the school nurse stops them at the entrance, her stern expression a stark contrast to the worried faces of the students.
NURSE: (firmly, her voice firm but kind) Sorry, only one of you can go in. I don't want the patient to be crowded.
ERIC: (panting, his chest heaving) I'm his brother... Please, I need to see him.
NURSE: (nodding, a hint of compassion in her voice) Alright, you can go in.
Eric turns to Zoey, holding the door open, the sound of beeping machines and murmured conversations filling the air.
ERIC: (apologetically, his eyes locked on Zoey's) Sorry to leave you like this. I'll catch up with you later, okay?
ZOEY: (understandingly, her smile soft) It's okay, Eric. Take care of your brother. I'll be fine.
ERIC: (smiling, his eyes crinkling at the corners) Thanks, Zoey. You're really cool. (He smiles and steps inside, the door closing behind him)
07:03 pm, the Mance's place. Emily is worried that her kids aren't back from school yet. She tries calling the boys, but their phones are either switched off or not connecting. She dials Elena's number, and immediately starts hearing a vibration coming from the dining table. She walks over to the table, the soft glow of the evening sun casting a warm light on the room.
EMILY: (surprised, a hint of amusement in her voice) She forgot her phone? That's so unlike her. I hope everything's okay.
As she goes to fetch Elena's phone, she hears a car drive into the garage. She rushes to the rear window and pulls the window blind, seeing her husband and kids. The sound of the car door opening and closing fills the air.
EMILY: (surprised, her eyes widening in concern) Ethan picked up the kids from school today? I thought he said he was gonna be busy. And why's Elvis limping?
She walks to the door to welcome her family, the sound of her footsteps echoing through the hallway. Ethan parks his SUV, gets out, and slams the door angrily, the sound making Emily's heart skip a beat.
ETHAN: (furiously, his voice like a storm) That's it, Elvis! No more football until you get your grades up! You're grounded from the sport until you prove yourself in the classroom!
EMILY: (concerned, her voice soothing) Ethan, what's going on? Why are you yelling?
ETHAN: (ignoring her question, his anger simmering) Go against me and I'll have you grounded during weekends, Elvis. No football, no friends, no freedom. You'll do your homework and nothing else.
Elvis remains quiet, his siblings doing the talking, explaining to their mom what happened. The nurse wouldn't let him out of the clinic without the presence of a parent, so she called their dad. Ethan is mad because it's the fourth time Elvis is getting injured this summer.
EMILY: (soothingly, her voice a gentle breeze) It's okay, sweetie. We'll get through this. You're going to be fine, Elvis. We'll figure it out together.
As Emily tries to cheer her son up, Ethan's anger still simmers, his frustration evident in his stern expression. The tension in the room is palpable, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved conflicts.