Chapter 6: Team Player

Again with this. Setting so low, punishing me for my height. What good is increasing my jump if the ball will never be as high as me. I am on the same team as these girls. I don't get it!

All the hitting drills today I had fumble with the ball, getting it over anyway I can. The only time I get to do a full swing around here is when I'm serving. It’s not fair. I mean I get it. The team is good without me. I see them up close. They’re strong, and smart about their moves. The setter knows everyone’s preference and accommodates. It’s just me. They won’t even give me a chance. 

We’re in a 3 on 3 match right now to finish up practice and I’m trying to not kill every single one of their spikes because they’ll just hate me even more. But ever since I’ve been practicing with the boys team, this net seems awfully low. And they move awfully slow. There’s no trick plays. They have few opinions for avoiding me. And due to their low jumps, not a lot of time to figure out how to get around me. And none of them have the power to blow through me. 

Someone goes up for a spike on the left. From the middle position it only takes me 3 steps to get there, before shooting up. The I’m not even blocking with my hands anymore. The ball is ricocheting off of my forearms and back into their court, where another girl dives to the ground to try and save it. Unsuccessful. 

I smiled for a second when she looked up to me. But once I looked around, seeing the faces of my teammates; my smile faded. Bokuto told me to cheer for myself more often, but around here, they make it feel like a crime to be good.

“You’re up Skyscraper,” said a girl as she rolled the ball towards the end line. As if she weren’t standing there right in front of me. She could have easily handed it to me, but hey, it's an improvement from last week.

I go to get the ball, then pull back for the end line, readying myself for a jump serve, remembering all of Bokuto’s advice. I breathed deeply, his voice ringing in my head, Don’t sacrifice power for accuracy. Find a way to use them both.

So, I jump. And find a way to use them both. Sending the ball straight to the center of the court. The same girl who just got up from the floor had to dive back down to it to save the ball. She makes it, but it's not a good pass. 

The ball bounces off her wrist instead of her arms, making it go flying across the net and out.

That was good. But I only shrug slightly before turning to get the ball. The girl shouted from the floor, "What the Hell are you playing at?"

I just pick up the ball, trying to stay calm. "I'm just playing volleyball."

I turned back to the couch. She was staring at me wide eyed.She's impressed. That's enough for me to do it again.

I can't keep bringing myself down for these girls to like me. I guess it's just time to show them that I'm a weapon they can use.Even if they don't like me. They can't deny me.

I do it again, the ball going a little farther back this time. She raises her shoulders to lift her platform to receive the ball, but she is still taking back, falling to her butt as the ball bounces back to our side of the net. 

"Chance ball," I shout, running back onto the court.

The girl to my left gets it, sending it towards the setter. It was a great pass, high, pretty close to the net, but just short of the setter. It was perfect, it was calling for me. And I went for it. 

Eyes locked on the ball I made my approach, leaping into the air. This is it. This one is perfect. I arch back, filling myself with air, right as someone jumped to block me. I twisted my body in the air, swinging fully through, sending the ball cross court, close to the line at a speed the other two girls could catch. 

“Yes,” I cheered in an excited whisper.

But everyone else was quiet.

Looking at where the ball had been. The ball that none of them could save.

At least until the setter on my side shouted, "That ball was for me! What kind of selfish player steals the ball from the setter! Coach!" She shouted looking back to the coach.

The coach shouted as well, but her shouts were filled with excitement. "You can do that!"

"Coach she-" the setter started but the coach shuts her up.

"Look do you want to go to nationals this year?"

The girls quietly muttered, "yeah."

"I'm sorry? Do you want to go to nationals?"

"Yes coach!" They all shout.

"Then play and practice as a team God damn it! Set the ball higher. She's taller than you all, so what? She's on your side of the net. So every block, every serve and ever hit she does here, she's going to do to the girls out there. She's not your enemy, she's your teammate, so suck it up and deal with it!"

So the coach can speak. Nice.

"Zara, go ahead and get out of here. Your team will clean the gym."

I don't argue, I grab my things and head out. I went to the boy’s gym, but no one was there. Well no one but the coach who looked to me then said, "Z, you're early. They should be finishing their first lap around the school now. They got 3 more to go, you can wait till they get back."

"I'll join them," I shrugged, heading back to the front door to wait for the group. 

I saw the team turning the corner, Bokuto leading them all. He smiles when he sees me.

I wait for them to get closer, before hoping in their running path joining them, staying just a step behind Bokuto. As we were finishing our final lap around the school, the girls team was coming out of our gym. 

They waved to the guys as we approached them, but the waving stopped once I stepped out from behind Bokuto, sprinting the final length. And like always Bokuto started sprinting as well. We were pretty far ahead before other teammates joined in, pushing themselves for this final stretch. Bokuto jumped in front of me almost right away, but I stayed on him. Not letting up, and this time not crashing into him. 

I moved around him, slowly myself with a few more steps, making me step closer to my team. I turned sharply before I could actually get to them, stepping back to Bokuto who dropped his hand on my shoulder, "Not this time Baby Bird!"

"I'll get you one of these days," I smiled playfully, brushing his hand from my shoulder and heading for the boy's gym, asking the team, "What we got left today?" I was breathing deep, but still smiling from the run. 

The boys brought an entirely different energy than the girls did. I didn't feel like being bothered by the girls anymore today. I want to do good without being afraid. And I want to be happy about it.

Something they simply just don't understand.

……

My arms feel like they might fall off.

I was on receive today, and just considered it a good thing that I didn't run from the ball. Especially whenever Bokuto was up to hit. I was knocked back almost every time. I only got one good receive from his hits, but one is good enough for me. 

We were all seated around the coach as he announced a practice match at the end Friday. This doesn't concern me, so my attention was more on my red arms. With such deep brown skin, it's pretty difficult for me to go red, but dang it Bokuto. You got me.

I could barely even receive those hits, and he expects me to block them. He's crazier than I thought.

We put everything away and started heading home. Bokuto texting his friend from the school they play Friday. Seems just like Bokuto to make friends with the enemy.

I just trug alongside him with my arms dangling beside me, feeling raw from receiving such powerful spikes. I'd hit him right now if I could lift my arms.

"So why were you out of practice so early?" He asked, still looking down at his phone.

“Coach finally got on the team about how they’ve been treating me, after I nailed a couple of jump serves and a cross court shot. She told me I could go while everyone else stayed to clean the gym.”

He chuckled, sliding his phone into the pocket of his shorts. "Finally standing up for her recruit?"

"Finally," I sighed with a smile though, "Pretty sure they hate me more now."

He shrugged, "They'll get over it. Now tell me more about this cross court shot."

And it's that easy with him. Talking so easily, about anything. It almost pained me to see him stepping towards his house.

"I thought you were staying for lunch and dinner?" I called out to him.

He turned, stepping backwards for a bit saying, "Just bout to take a shower. Be over in a sec."

With a hop he turned again, jogging towards his house. 

I shower does seem nice. Those laps really did make me break a sweat today.I typically run in the early morning when it's cooler. Not as early as Bokuto likes to, but something tells me I got to get used to it.

And if I want to take a shower, I'm pretty sure I got to do it fast. Bokuto seems like the quick shower type of guy.

I grab a pair of overall shorts and and tank top. Good enough for this summer day. And went to the bathroom for a cool shower. I tried hot but my arms still stung. Stupid Bokuto and his muscles! 

At least I can lift my arms now.

I get dressed and went out to find that Bokuto was already here, sitting at the table watching Mrs. Ito prepare our lunches. 

Her back was turned and Mr. Ito was locked into the TV as normal. I figured this was my chance. I walked up beside Bokuto, and punched him in his arm.

He jerked back rubbing his arm but laughing, "what was that for?"

"For hitting those balls so hard at me."

"Hey, you handled yourself just as good as everyone else did." He stood and I noticed for the first time that his hair wasn't up.It flopped down the sides and back of his head. The front seemed to be pushed back, but just by his fingers. Nothing held the hairs there, a few still tickled down his forehead.

I smiled, "Did you shrink 4 inches?"

"Shut up," he pouted, "I was in a hurry."

Mrs. Ito handed us our lunches and shooed us outside.I grabbed the blanket and handed my plate to Bokuto as we went out back.

I spread the blanket asking, "What was the hurry."

He looked good with it down. He looked good with it up too. Maybe I just think that Bokuto looks good in general. A reality I can live with. I can have friends I find attractive. Right?

He handed me back my plate saying, "Wanted to get back to you." He said it so casually. So nonchalant about this. Then again, this is casually and nonchalant.

So I play along saying, "awe, you missed me that much?"

He gave a side smile, looking down to his plate, "You're a lot more fun to be around than my parents right now."

"When's your dad heading out again?" 

"Friday."

I huffed, "So no morning runs, backyard picnics and evening strolls planned for this weekend?" 

"Morning runs are still on the schedule," he said with a wink.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he had my whole summer planned out already. He just had a better schedule in time to work on my summer work for school. I'm sure he has some too.

Perhaps we can get some done after lunch today. Do something productive. Even if another nap in the sun sounds good.