Chapter 7: Owls and Cats

Ringing.

Such peaceful slumber ruined by ringing. So loud. So continuous. So early!

My alarm is set 6AM.

Who calls people before 6AM?

Who has the audacity to do such a thing?!

I lift my head from my pillow, staring at my ringing phone, realizing just who would have the audacity to do such a thing.

The freaking owl himself.

I roll my eyes snatching the phone from my nightstand and sure enough. It's him. Bokuto 🦉.

I looked at the clock, 5:40 AM. This guy, ugh.

"I still have 20 minutes!" I grumbled still half asleep.

"Come on," He whined, right before I heard a tapping on my window.

I jumped up, staring at the window. The orange light of the morning sun came pouring through the sides of my blinds, glaring off the wood floors. There was someone there.

"Bo-Bokuto?"

He laughed out loud saying, "Stop freaking out, it's just me."

A huff left my lips before hanging up the phone. I got out of bed, marched to my window and pushed my blinds up. Revealing a smiling, waving, frosted tipped, fool standing on the other side of the glass.

I opened the window, leaning on the seal as the morning breeze hit my skin, chilling my exposed shoulders and legs. "What do you want? And why couldn't it wait another 20 minutes?"

"I couldn't sleep," he said excitedly, "I got my Nekoma match today."

I crossed my arms, staring at the goof with my eyebrows raised. "So, because you couldn't sleep, you have to wake me up?"

"Oh come on," He said leaning on the window seal now, "It's not like you have double practice today due to our game. You can sleep later."

"You'll be here later."

"As if that matters," he smiled, "Besides my dad should be gone by the time we get back. So get dressed and let's go."

I rolled my eyes again, shutting the window and blinds. The nerve of this kid. Yet, I still do what he says. I get dressed, pack my things, and head for the door, leaving a note for Mrs. Ito.

Bokuto had made his way from my bedroom window to the front of the house, waiting where the property ends, and the sidewalk begins. He looked to me, smiling smugly, he bent down and brought his face to my level as he said, "I knew you would come."

I just stepped around him saying, "Whatever. There was no point in going back to sleep now."

"Well," he turned sharply, keeping his back from with his arms behind him, "For getting out of bed you have won yourself a reward. But first you must pick, left hand or right?"

I turned to face him. Watching the parts of his arms that I could see as if it were to give me any hint to what it was. But that's not gonna happen. So I think.

Bokuto is right handed. He'd probably keep the good stuff in his right hand, but he's also strategic. Thinking that I might notice that or that since I'm right handed, I'll favor the right side too. Meaning he would put the good stuff on the left. But either way. Both hands have something, so there truly is no losing here. Especially since Bokuto is kind enough to give me the one I actually want if I choose something I don't like. Though sticking with my plan, I say, "left."

And from behind his back he pulls out a shiny red apple. I'm okay with this. I smile reaching for it, but then from his right, he pulls out a shiny green apple and I pause saying, "Wait, I want that one," pointing to the green apple.

He smiled, tossing it over before biting down into the red one. He bent down, picking up a volleyball he had set beside him then started walking towards the school, nodding his head for me to follow.

So I didn't, walking at his side, turning my apple in my hand before biting down. So crisp, juicy and sour. I had to slurp a little to stop the juice from running down my lips, but my hands are gonna be goners by the time the apple is gone. Just sticky and scented or green apple.

"So," I started, "What's Nekoma's deal? They got a crazy strong guy like you too?"

He chuckled in flattery but didn't decline it. "No, the thing with Nekoma is that they're smart. There's no superstars on their team, but there doesn't have to be. Everyone is just good enough at what they do, to make it work."

"You seem to know a lot about them."

His smile widened, "Oh yeah, we wipe the floor with them a couple times a year."

Cocky little -

"Actually right before you came we had just got back from a training camp with them, we do it every year."

"Do we go to a training camp?" I asked.

"Not that I know of," he shrugged.

Since we got to school way too early, Bokuto decided to show me around the whole school campus. Walking slowly with no worries. Listening to him talk about him and Akaashi getting into trouble by this fountain or that bench. Though it seems like he's the one getting into trouble and Akaashi is just there.

I hope this doesn't mean the same will happen to me.

Though, it seems that Bokuto can just smile himself out of anything.

As he showed me the wing for 3rd years I asked him, "What class are you in?"

"3A."

"Same."

"Looks like I have a study buddy then," he beamed before saying, "Let's head to the gym."

By the gym of course he means the boys gym since he has the key. We still have time before everyone gets here but he's anxious.

We left the door open as I helped him set up the net and stretched with him. I sat in front of him with my feet holding his legs wide spread across the floor. His hands were in mine and I leaned back, pulling his body forward into a deep stretch.

He's more flexible than I thought he'd be, but in the sport flexibility does come in handy. Chasing after that ball can land you in a lot of odd positions.

After his 10 count he returned the tug, pulling me forward as he went back. I felt the deep strength in my thighs and flexed my feet to feel it in my calves.

This was our final stretch. When he released me, I folded my legs in, still sitting in front of him. He just pulled his knees up, leaning back onto his hands.

"So, if you get a break you gonna come watch us play?" He asked, turning a slight shade of pink.

He's cute. But he doesn't need to know that. His ego is already big enough. But why now, would me seeing him play embarrass him, or make him worry?

Either way the answer is still, "I can't. Part of shorter practices means no breaks. We just get a drink and keep going. If it was for that I would though."

I honestly expected a pouting Bokuto, but he still smiled. His mouth opened slightly as if ready to speak but someone shouted his name through the open door.

One of my own teammates called, "Bokuto, good luck today."

He waved saying just, "thanks," before turning back to me.

But again she called out, "Um, Zara. Can you come help me with the net?"

I looked back to Bokuto, shaking my head as I smiled, "Now they want me."

I was sure to be quiet, so only he heard me. He did not follow that same courtesy shouting, "See ya Baby Bird." As I got up.

My foot steps quickened moving towards the door, muttering, "Dork." Before following the girl to our gym. Practice was going to be starting soon and players from both clubs began to shuffle into the gyms.

As we set up the net, the girl kept glancing over at me. I've gotten used to the staring, the glaring and the ignoring, but she just keeps glancing over at me and turning away like I just don't notice her brown eyes repeatedly looking at me.

Regardless of the way her and the rest of the girls treated me, I decided to approach her civilly saying, "I don't think I ever got your name?"

She jumped a little from the other side of the net. "Oh, um Aiko," she seemed so small now that she wasn't rolling the ball ten feet away from me.

I placed my hand below the net towards her smiling, "Zara. Nice to meet you at last. Middle blocker. You?"

"Outside," she said softly still. The bangs of her black hair cover her eyes as she looked down.

"Oh, same as Bokuto." I said, just trying to keep this going.

We haven't been doing any specific practices yet for our spots so I don't really know where everyone plays.

She looked up now, with a weak smile, "Yeah, same as Bokuto." She paused for a moment, looking back to the ground, "So, um... Do you know him well or something?"

"Or something," I chuckled, now drawing my attention to completing this net set up. I cranked it to tighten it up, "I live next door to him now. We walk to and from practice together, hang out most days."

"And you practice with him?"

Another two girls came up, "All of the boys?"

I was starting to feel cornered, my back to the pole of the net as more girls closed in around me.

"Um... Yeah, I practice with them after we're done here."

"Well that explains it," said a girl with hair so blonde it seemed white, "That's why you play so aggressive."

I leaned against the cool pole, "Well shouldn't we all play aggressive?"

"Yeah, with the other teams. Not with us." Said another girl.

This makes no sense, "But if we practice aggressively then we get stronger. If we always take it easy on each other we'll never grow."

"She even sounds like Bokuto," one girl muttered to another.

"Makes sense," said the other, "She's his baby bird."

Great, now it's my turn to shy away from glances. I looked down to their sneakers saying, "That's nothing."

"Oh good," said the girl with the almost white hair, "Now let's stretch before coach gets here."

"Yes captain," A few girls mumbled.

Ah, so this is my captain. Well, at least I'm getting to know my team.

The coach came and practice went on. Serves and receives came first. We were just starting hitting and blocking when the gym door flew open. Right when it was my turn to hit. The setter got distracted by the loud banging of the door, turned her head and let the ball drop right in front of her. I could have hit that thing. But no, someone had to come in here making all these noises and now they're shouting, "Sorry coach, we need to borrow Z."

I froze, at the sound of Bokuto's voice. Why is he calling for me?

"Who?" The coach asked.

"Sorry, Zara. We need to borrow her for a while. We have our practice match with Nekuma and we're down a few players."

The coach laughed, "Oh Bokuto. You expect one of my girls to stand in for a play over there. You boys are too rough."

I finally looked up, ready to explain but I didn't have to. I saw Bokuto, leaning in the door, grinning proudly as he said, "Zara's been practicing with us every day since she got here. She's tougher than she looks." He looked to my smiling, "She can do this."

Coach just stared at me, but I didn't wait for her response. She just seemed so shocked. Will probably look even more shocked after I fly out this door. But not worrying about that now, I ran, snatched my bag and ran for the door shouting, "Sorry coach."

Bokuto also shouted, "Sorry," before shutting the door and running next door with me.

In the gym, I saw the whole team there. Just three of them running laps around the gym. The other five members, including Bokuto, were standing around the coach on the side of the court. Quickly I joined them, looking to the three jogging saying, "Hey coach. What's going on, everyone's here."

"Yes," he nodded calmly before saying loudly and not so calmly, "But some of our members thought they could show up late and still play on my court! And they were mistaken."

I took a step back from his loudness, but he spoke calmly again saying, "We tried taking them with just five but they're smart and found gaps in our defense every time. We needed a sixth player. And those fools aren't going to cut it!" He shouted the last part as the three ran behind us. "Just get out there and listen to the team. They'll know how to use you best." He tossed a blue practice jersey at me.

We broke, the six of us jogging onto the court, but I kinda just stood in the middle wondering where they wanted me as I slipped the practice jersey over my t-shirt. Turns out I was exactly where I needed to be. With Bokuto to my left he said, "You're still a middle blocker Baby Bird. Just use your head and get a hand on it."

I nodded, before looking at the managers and the scoreboard. It's the start of a new game. Our serve. I stepped up to the net, raising my arms and a boy with black hair sticking up like a roaster laughed, "This is your sub?" He looked to Bokuto chuckling, "This isn't what I imagined when I asked if your girlfriend was coming to the match."

I didn't even have time to react and Bokuto seemed unbothered just going on about how we'll crush them this game while Akaashi was muttering to me, "You good with quick attack?"

"I think so," I said. We don't really do them on our team but I've seen them do it and I think I can get it down.

"Good," he nodded, "Don't hold back. They won't and keep an eye out on their setter. He's sneaky." He glanced over his shoulder shouting, "serves up."

And it begins.

Pass, set, spike. I was slow on the block when rooster top hit, but I noticed something. He's not so scary.

I haven't blocked for Bokuto, but I've seen him hit, and I've received his hits. That's scary. That's power. That's accuracy. Rooster top here is nothing to worry about. Not that I was so worried to begin with. Didn't have time to worry, just got thrown in.

The ball was received and heading to the setter, and I started my approach for a quick. Leaping into the air with the ball, but it was off.

I still managed to get my hand on it, with a double block in front of me, closing off my right hand.

Dang it.

I swing, it's blocked. Falling to the floor behind me.

This will be harder than I thought.

"It's alright next one, Baby Bird." Bokuto called out.

Akaashi then said, "Sorry, you're faster than I thought."

"I can slow down."

"No." He said sternly, "I'll adjust."

Words I worry, I'll never hear from my own setter.

So it's the serve. Receive from the back row, heading straight for the setter. I make my approach, thinking it's no way he'll send it to me twice in a row. But everyone else seemed to know he would. This time the ball was perfect, but that double block was still there, closing off my right hand. I could go straight. Cross court was someone waiting to receive but he was far, back.

Well, farther back than I intended to send it. I twisted my body in the air, turning to the left to get past the blockers. I snapped my wrist on the ball, swinging through to bring it down in front of the first line. Where no one was waiting for it.

The guys prepared for the cross court dove for it but wasn't close. The ball came down too fast for him to get to it. The setter was there as well, but he didn't even make a move for it. He just watched me. Studying me with cat like eyes. Trying to read me.

This doesn't seem right.

When playing volleyball with girls, it feels like a more completed game of hot potato. When playing with them, it feels like a game of chess. There's strategy, everyone is always thinking. And that, that's the scary part about being on this court.

"Our serve I believe," Akaashi said smugly.

Bokuto stood there, grinning at the rooster top on the other side of the net. Causing him to say, "Don't get too cheeky yet. Short stuff still has to block."

"She will," he said with so much confidence.

I can't let him down.

...

We took the first set. Between my short hits and Bokuto's cross courts, their defense was so confused, moving backwards and forwards trying to pick up on if this was going to be one of his deep shots or one of my close straight downs or snaps.

I've gotten my hands on a couple of blocks, but haven't been able to shut any down. These guys are taller than me and stronger than me. To stop them would take skill and strategy that I don't hold. But, I will. I want to be able to shut a spike down from this height. I want to but the one who jumps higher than them all on the girls team. This higher net is a challenge that can get me to new heights. And I'm accepting it.

Quickly I moved over to Bokuto's side, jumping my highest height as Rooster Top hit. It's like he was aiming for me, but I was ready. The ball hit my fingers, bending them back with a string, but I got the, "Touch," I shouted.

My fingers stung but shook it off and went on with the game. We have match point, but they are so close to us. It's like I can feel them breathing down our necks. The air making the sweat cool on my skin.

The last ball was sent to Bokuto, of course. The last ball should be for the ace.

He jumped, arching his enter body, looking as though he put everything he had into this swing as his hold body pushed forward. It went flying towards the line of the court and right outside the court.

I realized now that I was holding my breath for this hit. The air released from me with a sigh before saying, "Don't worry, you got the next one." I put my hand out for him to slap then got back in place.

I was so sure that this next ball was going to be for Bokuto. But when I looked over at him, he seemed to be in no shape to hit. Slouched over, pouting, looking at the ball but not making any moves for it. He didn't even call it to hit. Where the heck is he. I was late coming in for my approach and the ball was coming for me. As well as a tall block from Rooster top. I jumped, finding no place for the ball to go, but down. Rooster top had jumped a little far back from the net, giving enough space for me to flick my wrist, sending the ball downward right between him and the net. Such a lovely waterfall.

I smiled as I watched the ball bounce back and forth between him and the net, before falling to the court.

I looked over and Bokuto was watching, closely, like he was right there next to me, staring over my shoulder.

"Ignore him," Akaashi said, "He gets like this when he messes up."

"Oh, okay," was all I said, backing up from Bokuto, still shaking my right hand. That last block still stung on my fingers. I felt the pressure on the joints of my middle and ring finger. But the game is almost over, one more point and it's ours.

Their setter looked to me again, then to Akaashi, then to Bokuto before calling his team to the center of the court. I wish I could hear what he was saying. What was he plotting? Man, this court is really starting to feel more like a chess board than a volleyball court. And our King seems to be cornered.

What's the move that can save him?

My eyes widen with a gasp. "Akaashi," I call out but without even looking at me he nods. This next ball is mine. And I know just where to put it.

The serve went up. I jumped for the block on my own, getting another touch, pulling at my fingers even more, but I shook it off calling out, "Here!" I made my approach, blockers on my right hand again, but I turned, and just as I thought, the defence was pulled in short, readying for my straight down, but not this time. This time I went for the cross court shot I've been working on, going deep where no one was, and staying in as it hit their side of the court.

The whole team was cheering but Bokuto seemed to be the loudest saying, "Hey, hey, hey," as if he were the one to hit that ball. "How's that Kuroo? Baby Bird here just outsmarted your brain."

"Bokuto, stop trash talking," Akaashi said, "It's not like you made the hit."

"No but my student here did," He said looping his arm around me, so sweaty, but I am too so what's the difference really, "That means any win she has equals a win for me as well."

"That's not how that works," I said trying not to smile.

"Yes it is," he said, reaching for my right hand, "Now let's take a look at these fingers, make sure they're not jammed."

He took my hand in both of his, rubbing the joints of my middle and ring finger. "How did you know?" I asked, truly surprised. Not only did he notice, he got the right hand and the right fingers that are in pain.

"I was right next to you when it happened the first time, after the second time it happened, I figured I'd check it out." His fingers intertwined with mine, pulling me from the court to the serve line saying, "I'll tape you up just in case."

He let go as we bowed saying, "Thank you for the game," then his hand was in mine again, pulling me towards his bag by the bench.

That was when I noticed that a few members of my team were here, and my coach. I was so into the game, I didn't notice at all. But now I did. They were watching me as Bokuto held my hand, guiding me to the bench, where he sat me down. Oh I am not going to be able to live this down. The way he's kneeling before me, holding my hand. Sure, he's wrapping tape around my ring finger, but in the imagination of those girls, they see a ring. And I'm guessing it's not just the imagination of the girls either.

Roost top came over sitting beside me on the bench as everyone else worked to put the net away. He put his arm around my shoulder saying, "Bokuto, you know, I think I jammed up my fingers back there too. Mind tapping me up?"

He laughed a little saying, "Do it yourself Kuroo."

Kuroo leaned into me more saying, "You see how mean he is to the rest of us? You'd be wrapping your own fingers too if you weren't so cute."

"Jee, thanks," I muttered as Bokuto finished up. He didn't bother standing just rocked back onto his butt.

"Kuroo, this is Zara. Zara, my friend Kuroo."

Kuroo held his hand out to me and I shook it.

"Bokuto's been telling me about you. Said you'd give my blocks a run for their money."

"Well I did, didn't I," I laughed.

"Ouch," Kuroo said as if he were actually in pain, "Bokuto, you're gonna let her talk to me like that."

Bokuto stood now saying, "I'm out of this," before slapping Kuroo's knee saying, "And hands off my Baby Bird."

He turned to help his team and I was going to do the same but I was called over by my own team.

One girl said, "I had no idea you could play like that."

Another saying, "No wonder you like practicing with the boys." But her eyes went on me. They were following Bokuto as he ran across the court to grab one of the net poles.

And so it begins.