Chapter 77: Relax

Breakfast with Mrs. B was, awkward, to say the least. Knowing that she was just moments away from catching her son and his girlfriend naked in bed last night.

I can't help but think that she made him. All of that muscle bond man came from her.

"How do you like it?" She asked, snapping my attention from her son to her.

The food, right.

"Compliments to the chef," I smile.

Bokuto's been awkwardly quiet too. Mrs. B must think something is up. We're not playing this off well and technically we didn't even have sex.

"We should probably get going," Bokuto suggested, "Girls are practicing in our gym today, so got to move some supplies over."

"Practicing together?" His Mom questions, "What, can't let your girlfriend out of your sight for a few hours."

I tuck my head and eat my food. Bokuto let's out a huff, "Around them, I shouldn't. But no, Z's family has some specialist coming in to help us loosen up before nationals. Stiff muscles are no good, don't need away getting injured. They'll be setting up in the girls gym."

"Plus, my coach thinks being around the boys will toughen them up." I rolled my eyes.

Mrs. B chuckled a bit, "It worked for you didn't it?"

I was only going to shrug modestly but Bokuto opened his mouth, "Baby Bird was already tough. From the day I met her."

And there he was, looking at me, golden eyes turning soft as he leans over his empty plate. I don't know if it's normal to have someone who admires you this much. But then again, Uncle Kaoru still looks at Aunty Bri like this. And Aunty Bri still smiles like some school girl. Like I do now.

The moment must have lasted too long because Mrs. B giggled, "So you two have fun last night?"

"No," we both say shaking our heads.

"Stats," he says.

"Really boring," I say.

She looks skeptical, "hm, must be." She took our empty plates and smiled, "Go ahead, run along."

And we do just that. Bokuto got his bike and did a stupid smile saying, "So last night was boring?"

"Shut up," I grunt hopping onto his back, "Oh and I-"

"Yeah, you forgot something. I know. Found them under my bed this morning." He laughed, referring to the underwear that didn't end up back on my body after his Mom came to check on us a second time, telling me that it was probably time to head home.

I'm starting to believe that there is such a thing as being too comfortable with someone.

I drop my forehead onto his back as he pedals towards the school, "Relax, I have them in my bag. You can grab them later."

When we get to the school, Hina is already there and we go straight to the girls gym.

"About time you and your little doll got here," She grunt, "I'm not carrying all this by myself."

All this was a cart of balls and some water bottles.

"Where’s your manager," Bokuto grunts. He flips his bag to his back and goes towards our storage closet and a follow behind.

And already, first thing in the morning, she's ready to start. "Who needs a manager when we have a slave?"

Bokuto stopped moving. I walked into him a bit. So used to this that it doesn't stun me anymore. But Bokuto commands, "Baby Bird, don't touch anything. Don't even get a ball for any of these girls. Got it?"

He does what he can. Leads in the spaces he can and I follow. I say, "Got it."

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his keys to the gym. He hands them to me and turns around to face me. He takes my face in his and whispers, "Strongest person I know." He kisses me, lightly. Fearlessly, before saying, "Go."

"Oh so you can boss her around but I can't? Must be some domination sex thing." She huffs.

Bokuto only throws back, "At least somebody actually wants to touch her. You nagging bitch. Now start grabbing things."

I turn, moving towards the door snickering as I head for the boys gym and unlock it just as Akasshi gets here.

"Hey, Akasshi," I say as we enter the gym, "Help me set up?"

"Of course, where's the bird brain?"

"Next door with Hina, probably giving her a lecture on being a better person," I shrug as we head for the supply closet.

We don't bother putting the next down now. We practice pretty much all day since we're not in school for break.

Akasshi helps me to roll out the two ball carts and says, "Probably won't work. I vote you beat her up, but-"

We both sigh, "Nationals."

"But after nationals is over just a few weeks until graduation and, me and Bokuto are out of here."

I hear a sigh leave Akasshi, look to him. His head hanging low as he turned a ball over in his hands. "Yeah, graduation… I have to say. I'm going to miss him."

A rare moment to poke fun at the always cool Akasshi, the one who always knows just what to say to make Bokuto better. Honestly, if Bokuto wasn't with me, I'd say Akasshi would be the closest thing to my competition. "Awe, you gonna miss the great awe?"

"Don't tell him I said that," he laughs, taking a ball and serving it over the net.

"I can keep a secret," I say, grabbing a ball. I set it towards him, "Unlike you!"

"What did I do?" He laughs.

"Tell my cousins about me and Bokuto," we pass the ball back and forwarth.

He laughs, "It's not my fault you two keep getting caught."

"Whatever," we pass for a bit more in silence before he says.

"You know, I came to this school because of Bokuto."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, heard about him in middle school. Big time spiker in his first year, and I wanted to set for him. Didn't exactly know what I was getting myself into with his mood swings, but, he was worth it. I don't know if there is a better feeling than sharing a court with him."

A coy smile appeared on my face as one of his perfect sets came me way to good of an opportunity to not take, "I don't know. Sharing a bed with him might be a little better." I joke before jumping up and slamming the ball down.

He swats away the spike and points a finger to me, "And you expect me to not tell your cousins this?"

"I'm joking," I laugh as others start to trickle in.

"Half joking," he states before winking and whispering, "Bokuto talks to me too you know."

People shuffle into the gym, Bokuto and Hina bring in the extra supplies.

Bokuto gathers us all to stretch and Hina doesn't even look at me. Which I prefer, but I wonder what Bokuto said to her.

The coaches come and we move through drills and the girls squealing a little less when having to receive their spikes and spiking a little harder when the boys have to receive.

I think the girls are starting to realize that these boys don't have any time for delicate flowers. I'm popular around here, because I'm strong. Also because I'm not an asshole.

3 days until Nationals. At any time now, we can start acting like a team.

Mid day comes and our coaches call us in. Teamwork is the word of the day. Then some partner drills before a specialist comes in.

And the coaches picked the partners. So of course, it's me and Hina.

Who only gets through a few passes before saying, "So after all this is over are you going back to Africa or whatever."

I sigh, as calm as I can be, "I'll be back in America as long as I'm not in jail for killing you."

"You'll feel right at home won't you?"

"You ever figure out what your problem with me is?" I as ask we pass the ball back and forth, "Like really? Some childhood trauma or something? What, were you a darker skinned Asian and grew up taking bleach baths or something?"

She takes this moment to spike. She tried to put power in it but I dropped. Digging it up just fine but realizing, "You know. Now that I think about it, I didn't see any pictures of you as a child at home. Plenty of your sister but, none of you. And with your mom in the beauty business."

"Shut up," she hissed and that was all the confirmation I needed.

"Damn, I was just joking at first, but you really are a bleach bath baby." I catch the ball, stopping our passing, "Aren't you?"

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh yeah because Japanese culture is the only one dealing with skin bleaching. Dark skin hate is around the globe, trust me I know."

One of the coaches shouted, "Ball moving Mac!"

"Yes coach!"

I set the ball towards her and snaps, "Oh sure like you would know. You come her and got everyone wrapped around your burnt little fingers. This was supposed to be my year. My chance to save the team and bring us to victory."

"You can still do that, you know. You're this teams leader. All you got to do is act like it. These girls follow you."

"While all eyes follow you, right?"

She's not wrong. Attention is on me. Eyes are on me. Sure she's the captain, but I'm the face of this team. I took that from her but still.

"Yeah but, once we win nationals. That trophy will be in your hands. And you'll never have to speak to me again. In fact, please never speak to me again."

"Not even in the Olympics?"

A smile crept to my face. What a joke. "You won't make the cut."

"And why won't I?"

When the ball came my way I jumped up and slammed it down as hard as I could. And the ball went flying off the side of her arm. Slow reaction time, she could of had it if she was more focused.

"That's why."

"Yeah well I'll be playing humans, not gorillas." She spits as she turns to get the ball.

Conformation. Now I know. She's a total cunt, no fixing it, and if she steps one toe out of line after nationals, I will fuck her up.

Normally I'm on aunties side here, handling matters civilly. But Mama's right, she didn't raise a punk.

Uncle Honey and Uncle Morí came in with a specialist who put of through some intense stretching. An hour of just stretching.

Until Aunty Bri and Uncle Kaoru's came in. Uncle Kaoru smiles and does the talking as his wife stands be his side, "Alright everyone. Next door we have some food set up for you guys as well as a few massage experts here to make sure you guys are loose and ready for nationals. Eat, relax, you have a three hour break before your coaches take over again."

Everyone starts moving towards the girls gym but Bokuto and I stop and stand beside Aunty Bri and Uncle Kaoru. "How's practice," Aunty smiles.

I don't smile, I just ask my question, "Hey how can I legally knock Hina's teeth out?"

Aunty only calls, "Zara!"

But Uncle Kaoru says, "Talk to your Aunt Haruhi. She went to law school."

Aunty slaps her husband on the arm and goes for other reinforcements, "Bokuto tell Zara here that there are other ways to-"

Bokuto throws his hands up, "I'm with Baby Bird here. Hina's a hopeless cause. Tried talking to her this morning, I think the only way she'll actually listen is if she gets some sense knocked into her. After nationals of course."

"Bri, Zara's case isn't like yours. You were a commoner going up against the wealthy class. You couldn't lay a finger on anyone. But with Zara, the tables are turned." Uncle Kaoru explained to his wife. He starts to guide us all out of the gym and into the next gym saying, "Now I'm for the non-violent approach as well, but if she comes after Zara and anyone in this family, she has to be dealt with."

"She gotta learn one day," Bokuto shrugged.

Uncle Kaoru, says, "I'll pay any court fees as long as you win."

Aunty sighs, "Fine. If you're gonna do it, beat her ass."

"That's what I'm talking about," Bokuto cheered, highfiving Aunty.

"Soooo, can I have Aunt Haruhi number or….?"

"I'll text it to you later, go eat."

We turn off to go eat but still I hear Aunty hiss at her husband, "What is the matter with you?"

Bokuto and I laugh but he clarifies, "For real though, you can't fight her unless you win nationals."

"Well I'm going to win."

He smiles to me, "That's my girl."