Chapter 3: Play With the Big Boys

Practice was... who am I kidding. It was just as bad as the first day. I got a decent first year to set the ball up higher for me but she's no setter. And the real setter keeps putting the ball so low I could stand on my tiptoes and hit it.

I'm a middle blocker. I jump, it's what I do. I don't understand why they want to keep me grounded.

I just put the nets away, shook it off and went next door to the boys gym to wait for Bokuto. Today, as I entered the gym, balls were flying everywhere. Serving practice. Something we didn't do today, but I know I need it.

No one really noticed me coming in. I'm sure they won't notice if I hit a few myself. I looked down the court. The net is a little high. But if I can get it over this net, then I won't have to worry about any net balls.

A ball came rolling towards me as I stood at the back of the court. I mean. It's calling to me at this point. I let my bag drop from my shoulder, and kicked it to slide it to the back wall. I was already back far enough for my 3 step approach, so I got low. Bounced the ball twice with two hands, and tossed the ball high, this time taking my first step with the toss. Changing up the time, hopefully this works better for me. Time it perfectly, so I hit the ball at my highest point. Not too far back sending it flying upward. Not too far forward sending it down like a spike. Everything has to be just right for it to work well.

And as I reached my peak, watching the ball downing down, I smiled, taking in air, knowing I got this one. I swung, hard and straight, sending the ball just over the net to the middle of the court with a bang. I felt the tingle in the palm of my hand as my feet landed on the ground. My feet even landed on the ground!

Now if only I could do it again.

I looked down to grab another ball when I realized how quiet it was. All the balls had stopped moving. No one called for everyone to stop, so why? Then I looked up, and I saw why. They were all looking at me.

Great. They noticed.

"Hey Akaashi, who's showing off now uh?" Bokuto shouted.

"Who are you?" Shouted a man from the sidelines. Their coach, he wasn't here last time.

Nervously I bow, "Z sir." Zara felt too girly in a spot like this. My friends back home called my Z anyway. It was my team name. Back when I had a team that liked me.

"Well Z, what the hell are you doing in my gym?"

"Uh, I'm on the girls team. And we finished practice and I was just coming to wait for Bokuto to finish so we could go home."

"Can't you walk yourself home?"

"I'm new sir," I admit, "I'm still learning my way around. Plus Bokuto promised my host family to walk me to and from practice. If I go home without him then we're both in trouble." I may have added the trouble part but, hey. Anything to get this to work.

He looked from me to Bokuto for a while. Bokuto stood, still so confident, as though he could do no wrong.

"Captain," the coach called out, "What do you suppose we do with this one?"

He looked to me. His eyes locked on me, and his smile seemed a bit mischievous, from across the net. "Let her practice coach. Maybe she'll learn something."

Crap. One serve, turned into an extra hour of practice. Thanks Bokuto.

The coach sat back down shouting, "Processed."

And the sound of balls bouncing and being hit began again. I picked up another ball, and readied myself for another serve. I can't aim these things, but it doesn't hurt to imagine I can. So I look across the net, find a spot I want it to go to. Got low and did it again.

I didn't hit what I was aiming for, but it's in. I stumbled on my landing, caving to one knee, but quickly got up ready to go again.

I grabbed another ball and looked across the net again. Eyes landing on Bokuto. He was smiling, and waving his hand for me to come to him.

I took my ball and jogged around the court to get to him. "Yeah," I said standing at his side. It feels better being on the same side of the net as him. But still I look out to the court to make sure no balls come flying my way. Bokuto's not the only powerful one on this time.

"You know Baby Bird-"

"Stop calling me that," I said as I bounced the ball a few times.

"Fine, Z, I can't help but get the feeling you're holding back. You're looking good, believe me. Landing could use some work, but looking good, just... I don't know." He turned to me saying, "What are you so afraid of?" His head cocked to one side, really making him look like an owl now.

I laugh a bit first saying, "Well falling on my butt in public for one thing. And I figured I'd lighten up a bit since yesterday I smacked one to the wall and the team had to have their laugh about Skyscraper and her temper."

His finger waved over my head as he pointed to the back wall, "You hit that wall?" He asked.

I nod as I went for a normal serve. This time putting more power into it, hearing the boom as it hit my hand. These I can control more. I know how to make them drop on my feet. At least most the time.

In the air, that's new territory.

"Do it," Bokuto said, shoving a ball into my arms, "Serve to the wall, I want to see it."

I looked to him with a curious look, but he seemed so certain so I just shrugged, taking the ball and backing up some. I get low, bounce it twice, toss three steps, this time as I jumped keeping my eye on the ball I breathed in deeply, feeling myself with air as though it was power, then pushing it out as I hit the ball with a loud boom, sending it flying, above the net, past the court, past some players who had to duck out of the way, and to the wall. Skyscraper has done it again.

Bokuto's laugh sounded behind me, "Well well well, Baby Bird got some muscles in those little wings."

I stumbled on my landing, fumbling backwards knowing I'm about to fall flat on my butt. Both my fears in one moment. Bokuto must be proud of his Baby Bird.

But, I didn't seem to fall. I felt a hand grab my wrist, and an arm wrap around my waist, keeping me from crashing to the floor.

"Nope, I got cha," Bokuto said, pushing me back onto my feet. He released my wrist, but his arms stayed around my waist as he leaned in saying, "Get 2 over and in and I'll let you hit Akaashi's sets.

I shared with him my longing for a good set yesterday at lunch. Now he's using this information against me. Or suppose for me. To motivate me. But no matter what he said, I was still going to try.

It took 3 shouts to get my 2 over and in. Leading Bokuto to wink at me, before convincing his coach to end practice with hitting practice.

Everyone lined up, hitters taking the positions they play while others went to the other side of the net to receive.

Bokuto grabbed my wrist again pulling me to join the line up, standing behind another boy just as tall as Bokuto.

Tatsuki, another third year.

And Onaga, a first year giant. Taller than Bokuto, maybe the height of him plus his hair.

Then there's me, not only standing with these guys but facing a net that's 7inches higher than normal for me. Why did Bokuto drag me into this. I can't do this.

But then, I saw that set. And I wanted nothing more, than to do this.

Akaashi went down the line setting to each hitter and patiently I waited and watched. His sets were definitely high enough for me. And they seem to fall in the same spot every time. I can start my approach whenever I want. With this set comes freedom.

Now I just have to jump. If I could just get at least my elbow to the top of the net, then I think I can do it.

It's my turn, now. My set was just as beautiful as the last. I start my approach as the ball hit Akaashi's fingers. Starting low, arms flying back, preparing for my highest jump. Once I was at the net I realized the difference 7 inches can make, but I'm not scared. I can jump. I jumped timing my swing for when the ball was just below my hand, snapping my wrist downward following my arm all the way through. It wasn't powerful like Bokuto's hits, but it's not easy to get to. A snap really. I wouldn't call it a straight down without having some umph behind it. For that I need to get higher on the net and that's not happening with this net. Not today. But still.

I dropped that ball right in front of the first line. The receivers dove for it, but they all crashed to the floor along with the fallen ball. They all look at me. No matter how tall they are, they all have to look up to me at this very moment. And that look, that lost look, that I can't believe I let this happen look. I did this to them. And they know it. And this is what kept me on that empty court. What led me to want to get better.

I can't blast through people like Bokuto, but this feels just as cool.

"Alright Baby Bird making you guys mop the floor," Bokuto shouted out.

I rolled my eyes getting back in line saying, "Stop calling me that."

"What every Baby Bird, let me show you how it's done." I looked over and sure enough, this guy is talking as he's making his approach. Whatever happened to focus? Are you that good that this is second nature to you?

And sure enough, he killed it. Sending it close to the outline cross court. I can't tell if he's risky, or just that skilled but I know one thing. The man is dripping with confidence. It contagious, ussing from him. Like I have to be in on this.

"Oh yeah," I say, "Just wait till my next one."