chapter 4: Just a Run

I felt someone shaking me in my bed. I rolled over expecting it to be Mrs. Ito. This is my first day off from practice, maybe she made me a nice breakfast. But, no. My eye cracked open, just to shut again at the sight of his white tipped hair. 

I rolled back over, throwing the blanket over my head muttering, “It’s Sunday Bokuto, we don’t have practice.” Then the reality hit me, I sprung up, holding my blanket tight, “Why are you in my room?”

Bokuto stood up, stretching. His long arms allow his finger tips to just barely miss the ceiling. “Mrs. Ito let me in. Come on, I wanna go for a jog.”

I snatched my phone from the night stand, checking the time. “It’s 6AM. We literally have all day. Why so early?”

He shrugged as he went into lungs, “Early bird catches the worm.”

I dropped my phone on my bed and threw the blanket back over my head as I plopped down, grunting, “I don’t like worms.”

I felt my bed going down from the weight of him. I rolled my eyes sitting up again, but this time he was right there. Those amber eyes inches from my face as he kneeled over me on my bed. I yelped a bit out of shock and scooched back until my back was to the wall. 

“What the hell man?”

He rolled his eyes, “Come on.” He stood up from my bed, this time taking my hand and dragging me out of bed as well, “I’ll buy you ice cream later.”

This intergeded me. Now he’s speaking my language, but I can’t seem weak. So I cross my arms saying, “Fine, I’ll let me get ready.”

“Whoo,” He cheered, throwing his arms in the air before leaving my room, closing the door behind him. 

“Ugh,” I sigh. If I was home I would be dead right now, and I didn’t even do anything. How much trust do these people have around here when it comes to teens and the opposed sex, because my family has pretty much none. 

Well besides with my aunt Bri, but that was special circumstances. Half of her school wanted her dead when she moved in with her boyfriend and his family for like a quarter of the year.

Whatever. I shake it off, and change out of shorts and a tee shirt, to another pair of shorts and tee shirt. I pulled on a pair of sweatpants over top and grabbed a hoodie as well. The morning chill can still be brutal even if you’re moving around. Besides, I can always take layers off. 

I left my room, heading to the bathroom. I saw Bokuto sitting at the kitchen table as Mrs. Ito cooked. He looked to me, smiling wide and waving like a goofball. 

I sighed, but still a small smile rose to the corner of my lips. The kids growing on me. I head to the bathroom to handle my business and to brush my teeth before heading to the kitchen. 

“Good morning, Mrs. Ito. I’ll be back soon.” I turned towards the door, nudging Bokuto’s shoulder as I passed him, “Let’s go, Bokuto.”

“Alright Baby Bird.” 

I heard Mrs. Ito giggling in the kitchen as I put on my shoes practically whispering to Bokuto, “Bokuto, I told you not to call me that.”

He looked up as he tied his shoes, his eyes looking sad as he asked, “Why? Don’t you like it?”

Dang it. Is This guy puppy eyeing me? I lived with three little cousins and this never worked with them. What’s with this guy? What’s with me, why would I say, “Whatever.” And just leave it at that. Why would I smile as I bent down to tie my shoes? I mean yeah, it does feel nice to have a nickname. To feel like I have a friend. Not just a friend, but an old friend. Someone easy to talk to and goof around with. 

“I’ll have to find an annoying nickname for you then,” I said as we both stood. 

He opened the door saying so surely, “You won’t.”

I walked outside as he held the door open, asking, “Why won’t I?”

I closed the door, with a shrug and a smug smile, “You like saying my name too much.”

“True,” I mutter before realizing I had. Dang it! I stared at the ground wide eyed. Why would I say that? I never really thought about it before now but he’s right. I do like saying his name. I like the way my lips pucker together at the start of it, and the sound of the U and O. He had a fun name to say.

“Ha,” He boomed stretching some more, “I knew it. I thought you were saying my name a lot all week. Like every time you talked to me, Bokuto this and Bokuto that, even when we’re alone.”

I just shut up and stretch. Getting nothing out of me he went on, “It’s cool Baby Bird, secrets safe with me. Besides, kinda nice hearing it too.” 

“What?” I asked looking up to him as I lunged sideways, but he just smiled saying, “Come on,” and took off running. 

“Bokuto wait,” I called out, running after him, realizing that I did it again. I said his name when I didn’t have to. 

I caught up with him as he slowed down, barely even moving now. I lunged beside him saying, “I wasn’t ready. If I pull a muscle it’s your fault.”

“Don’t worry,” he laughed, “If you pull a muscle I’ll carry you home.”

He took off running again going a little faster, causing me to get up and catch him. And once I do, he doesn’t try to move past me. He lets me jog beside him holding a steady pace. I realize now that he had his bag slung over his shoulder, slightly bouncing against his back as he jogged. 

I typically jog with nothing but my phone and headphones. What could he be carrying? Then again, he probably has water and snacks in there. Or carries it in case he gets hot and decides to take off his hoodie or his sweatpants. 

I put it out of my mind, and try to just enjoy the early morning sun warming my face. But my mind still wanders back. What is with this guy? Crawling on my bed, offering to buy my ice cream, talking about his name, now carrying me home? 

Has this guy been flirting with me all morning.

I looked at him now. Running, but still smiling as he breathed in the crisp air. I can’t get a read on this guy. So I just straight up ask, “Have you been flirting with me this morning.”

His calm face, twisted and he thought about the question. Then said, “Good question. Didn’t really think about it. I would say I’m more outspoken than flirtatious so I’ll go with no for now.”

“Um, okay.” What the hell is that supposed to mean?

His smile grew a little more saying, “I think I’m just excited to have someone right next door who might be able to keep up with me.”

He picked up his pace a little and so did I, now focusing on my breathing to stay in this. Might be able to keep up, ha, of course I can. Or at least I can try. 

We turned a corner to our school and he grinned, calling out, “Race you to the school!” Before taking off in a sprint. 

Dang it, just two strides and he’s already so far ahead of me. But I have long legs too, and quick feet. I right there behind him, pushing, to get to him, he’s just out of my reach. Then suddenly, he’s too close. I had forgotten to stop at the school. I wasn’t even watching the school really, just him. And when he stopped, I tried to as well, but coming down from top speed can’t be down so sharply. So I crashed into his back. Pushing my arms out in front of me to soften the impact before my body slammed into his. Man this guy is solid. Like hitting a wall. I’m not sure if there’s any fat there to bounce off of. I want to rub the sting away, but the sting is literally everywhere. 

He turned around, placing both hands on my shoulders pushing me to stand straight, “Zara, are you okay?” Worry was in his eyes, but a smile was still on his lips. 

I settled for rubbing the cheek that collided with his shoulder blade saying, “Yeah, your bodies just hard.”

He laughed, throwing his arms behind his head, flexing, but it’s hard to see anything under his hoodie so his efforts are pointless. “What, did you expect for me to be all squishy?”

“No, I just didn’t expect to crash into you at any point.”

He shrugged still with his arms up and nod towards the gym, he didn’t say a word, but his curious, playful, excited eyes were asking, You wanna?

“It’s Sunday, both our coaches said to rest. Besides, I just went through a whole practice with you guys yesterday.” Since that day Bokuto told the coach to let me practice, I’ve practiced with them after putting the net up in the girl’s gym. Including yesterday, when the girls didn’t even have practice. 

The boy’s practices are way more intense. I typically get there after the hard stuff and come for drills and little matches. But yesterday, ouu.

“Come on,” He pleaded, “We’ll work out the kinks of your jump serve.”

That does sound nice, but, “I don’t have my shoes,” I shrugged.

Bokuto turned his bag forward. He unzipped it reached inside and pulled out my black court shoes. I can’t believe it. This little birdy baited me into practicing with him.

“It’s locked,” I tried at last.

He just reached into the bag again, pulling out a key ring with 2 keys on it. He smiled, “Does the word captain mean anything to you?”

I was out of excuses and he knew it. He stepped to the gym door, unlocked it and stepped back out grabbing my hand pulling me in with him. He closed the door saying, “They technically don’t like it when we’re here on Sundays, but they don’t do anything besides tell us to clean up and go home. Still though, I’d rather not go home just yet.” 

“So we’re sneaking in here to smack some balls around?”

He just smiled again saying, “Come on, we’ll put the net to your height today.”

“Yay,” I say softly. 

He still heard, grinning over his shoulder as we moved towards the supply closet. Once set up at 7’4” which is the women’s height, I put my arms up, stretching my finger tips above the net. It feels good to feel tall again. The boy’s net is 7 inches taller, and it challenges me everytime I step to it.

“No way,” Bokuto laughed, “No, we gotta put the net up, look at you, you already can reach over it.”

“The net stays,” I said. I backed up, made my 3 step approach and swung as if I was hitting the ball, swinging for the corner like Bokuto does. It’s nice to get my eyes above the net again. Actually now, it feels like my whole face is almost over the net. I seemed to jump higher now, lips reaching the top of the net. 

“Bokuto,” I said as I landed still looking at the top of the net, “I think I’m jumping higher.” 

“You’ve been pushing yourself to do that all week, trying to keep up with me and all.”

“Shut up,” I muttered.

“So we’re raising the net then?” He asked.

I grabbed the ball cart, wheeling back to the end line calling out, “The net stays!”

Time to work on these jump serves. And Bokuto does just what he said he would. Helped me work through the kinks. I’m still not perfect, but I can do enough to make it look like I know what I’m doing. Which I kinda do know what I’m doing now. 

I was self taught when it comes to my jump serve. No one was around to help me with it. There’s not even anyone on the girls team that can do it. Heck, it’s only two people on the boys team that does jump serves. My skill in this has been trial and error. At least before.

Now, I still get low, I stay low and breathe as I bound the ball once, twice. I toss with two hands as I take my first step, I toss high, letting it spin, I jump and each time, I hit it right in it’s sweet spot. Making the booming sound, feeling the string in my palm, and now, pushing my legs out forward, ready to land on my feet and move about the court. 

Bokuto clapped, “Beautiful.”

I just smiled and grabbed another ball, but he placed his hand on top of the ball, stopping me from moving it. I looked up at him and he smiled still, but eyes looked serious as he said, “You know you’re allowed to cheer for yourself?”

“What, I’m just supposed to short, hey,hey,hey every time I do something cool?” I asked mockingly.

He shrugged saying, “That’s my thing, but if you want to borrow it some time go for it. I just want to see you get excited that’s all.”

“I am excited.”

“You don’t look excited.”

“I’m thrilled,” I nodded.

“Why does thrilled look so dull when you do it?”

“Dull?”

“Yep,” he said, “Get a few more good ones and I’ll set you up.”

He moved around the court to collect the scattered balls from practice. I do another one. Weaker this time, but I wanted it to stay in. And Bokuto noticed. He didn’t even see it, he just heard it and shouted, “Remember, don’t try to sacrifice power for accuracy. Find a way to use them both.”

“Find a way to use them both,” I mocked, as I grabbed another ball and went back to my starting spot. I’ll show you power.” I do it again. This time filling myself with air, and pushing it all through me, pushing everything from my swing. It bounced off the end of the court flying up darting for the back wall and just falling short of it. I landed on my butt this time though. Sitting on the floor watching as Bokuto stared at the ball on the other side of the court. He had three balls in his hand but dropped them all when he threw his arms in the air shouting, “Hey hey hey, that’s what I’m talking about!”

I smiled, dusting my butt as I got up, “That was a good one,” I called back. 

He fist pumped shouting, “Do it again!”

And I did, until I tossed the ball too short, causing it to fall on my head as I jumped. He laughed now saying, “Alright. Come on, I’ll set you up now.” 

We gathered the remaining balls and went to the net. I asked for them high, and close to the net. Which he listened to. Nice to have someone who listens on the same side of the net as you.

Perfect for straight downs. Dropping the ball before the first line. Changing myself to get it as close to the net as I can. Up to where no one can get it.

He ties setting me back a little farther, telling me to practice my cross swing. Then my line shots. Then mixed it up a bit. But every time I get the chance, I snap my wrist and swing down for the straight down. 

“Those are sharp Baby Bird.”

“Thanks, most girls are so scared of the net they go nowhere near it. So, in middle school the coach just had me working on all net plays. Especially since I was the only one who could get over the net enough to get on top of the ball and bring it down.”

“What do you do when you get blocked?”

I shrug a bit, “Dropping it down right in front of them is always fun.” I chuckle a bit, replaying a moment in my last game. The girl jumped up to block and the ball just dropped between her and the net, bouncing back and forth between them before hitting the ball. She looked so embarrassed, so foolish. Probably because our team had 0 attack power, but her face was priceless. 

“What if they're closer to the net?” 

“They hardly ever are. Girls like to overestimate their boobs, as if their little A cups were actually gonna hit the net.”

He smiled a bit, “Ouu you’re mean.”

I shrug again saying, “They were mad first,” As I got down to pass a ball to myself. I got to four passes before it got away from me. Controlling the ball is still something I’m working on.

“I usually go over the block?” Bokuto said, tossing a ball over to me, readying himself to receive my pass.

We pass the ball back and forth, “Over?”

“Yeah, a loub. It goes right over the blockers hands and follows right behind them.”

“You’ll have to teach me that one.”

“Of course Baby Bird. I’ll teach you everything I know. And you’ll teach me to get the snap down that you've got going on.”

I smiled a little saying, “Will do,” as we passed some more.

Until Bokuto’s stomach rumbled. It was the first time I checked the time since I got here. It was 10 AM. Now and we’ve done a lot on an empty stomach. Mine stomach would be grumbling too if it wasn’t too busy eating itself right now. 

“We should clean up and head out,” I said, tossing my ball into the ball cart. He agrees, and we put the net and balls away. 

He sats down on the floor beside his bag, with his back to the wall. I sit beside him as he raises his t-shirt to wipe sweat from his forehead. Just the bottom of his stomach shows, but I don’t think that that can even be called a stomach at this point. I am now sure that there is not fat on the body of this boy, because his everything is just so toned. Though I only saw it for a brief moment, like when his spikes whip right past me. 

He dropped his shirt, and leaned into his bag, dropping items into my lap. A granola bar, an apple, and a bottle of water. He grabbed the same items out for himself, setting all but his apple on the floor between us. 

He bit into his apple, holding in his mouth as he reached for his phone. He was on it only for a moment before handing it to me with the New Contact open. 

He drops the phone into my hand and reaches for his apple to complete his bite. “Give me your number,” He said pushing his apple bite to one jaw. 

It probably would be best to have his number. So, I typed in my phone number, and in the contact name, put, Baby Bird🐣. I smiled to myself as I looked at the name in his phone. I saved my number and name and sent a text to myself. A simple ‘Hey.’

I tossed the phone on Bokuto’s lap, then reached over him to get into his bag. I had put my sweatpants and hoodie in there earlier along with my phone. 

He seemed to back into the wall a bit as I reached over him, on my knees. “Hey, hey hey,” he said this time a bit nervously.

“Relax, Bokuto” I muttered, “I’m just getting my phone so I can save your number.” I got my phone from the pocket of my sweatpants and shoved my sweatpants back into his bag, before sitting back down beside him. 

I slouched against the wall, pulling my knees up. Bokuto’s loud bite made me look up at him. His face was a slight shade of pink, as he chewed on his apple. Did really think about what happened until I realized just how I reached over him. My supporting hand held between his legs, with my butt in the air with rather short shorts on. Opps.

Been a while since I’ve been in close proximity with boys, or anyone that’s not my family for that matter.

I saved his number in my phone under with Bokuto🦉. I knew then what could make him smile. I grabbed my own apple, biting into it before sending a text to Bokuto saying, ‘Hey, hey, hey.’

His head was back against the wall and his eyes were closed as he chewed more reasonably. The phone buzzed in his lap, still with his head back he raised his voice to see what caused the vibration. 

A smile rose to his face, still his head leaned back against the wall, but he closed his eyes again saying. “I knew you liked it