Chapter 27: So you wanna be friends?

"Bye Mrs. Ito," I called as I left out the front door.

I made my way to Bokuto's backyard. I reached into my pocket, pulling from it the key to his shed. He gave it to me to be able to lock my bike up.

I pushed open the gate to the back and there he was standing there, grinning.

"Z!"

"Hiro, what are you doing here?" I asked. Moving past him to open the shed.

"I told you. Bokuto said to look out for you. So I am. He told me I could use his bike to ride with you."

"Whatever," I said, yanking my bike from the crowded shed.

Hiro went in after, taking Bokuto's bike out. I locked the shed and went out to the street ready to go.

Hiro followed, laughing, "You know Bokuto makes it seem like you're a lot friendlier than this."

"I am friendly," I said in a dry voice.

I just didn't want to be bothered by this. I don't need any fake friends.

"Could have fooled me," he huffed.

I shrugged, mounting my bike and riding off. And again he followed. "So, how are you and the team getting along? Those 3rd years aren't the kindest to newcomers."

"Ha, no kidding."

"That bad?"

I shrugged, saying, "They kinda hate me. Keep saying that they don't need me."

"Well they're wrong."

He caught my attention for the first time. I slowed down a bit, looking his way. His clouded gray eyes still faced forward as he said, "I've been with this team as long as they have. They're good, good enough to make it to nationals. But with you here, they're different. Better. Perhaps good enough to win nationals."

"Yeah right," I huffed rolling my eyes.

He laughed, "No, it's true. It really is. There's a whole different energy on the court now. Like, like-"

"Everyone's trying to outdo me," I breathed as we turned the corner to the school.

"You know, I don't think that's a bad thing."

I turned to him as we put the bikes into the rack. He smiled at me, warm, "A little competitiveness is good. Let them try. In the end, you'll all grow."

"Hey Hiro," Some girls waved as they passed us.

His grin widened, "Hey ladies."

They giggled as they walked on, making me roll my eyes again. Who is this guy Bokuto hired to babysit? And why do so many people love him? Even Hina, I mean, I'm pretty sure I'm the only person she actually hates, but with him she smiles different. With him, she's playful. I suppose it would be foolish to be jealous of him, but I could stop myself from huffing sarcastically, "Geez, who doesn't love you." Too much time with the twins.

He smiled again, dropping his head some as he held the door open for me. "I think I'm a likable guy." I don't think I've ever rolled my eyes this much. And I think he has noticed, because he laughed now saying, "You don't dislike me either. You hate the circumstances, not me. Sure, nothing was perfect with Bokuto here, but it seemed easier, right?"

I didn't get the chance to say anything, the chance to lie. He saw right through everything. With a shrug and a grin he went on, "Bokuto has that effect on people. Makes mountains feel like mole hills. Then turns around and turns his own mole hills into mountains. I'm amazed you can put up with him."

"He's not as bad as he seems," I shrugged now. People don't know the real mountains Bokuto faces. Most couldn't even guess. He's too busy making everyone's lives feel effortless. The volleyball court is supposed to be the one place Bokuto has complete control. The one place where everything feels right. So when it feels wrong, no wonder he throws a fit. But all everyone else sees is a big baby.

Hiro was in class 3B. Right next to 3A, so we walked the halls together, everyone waving and saying their hi's and good mornings to him. Mr. Popular, I'm shocked I hadn't noticed him before now. But Bokuto is so big, and so loud, it's hard to notice anything but him.

As we approached classroom 3A, I saw the group of third years on my team standing outside the door. They were chatting about something, probably this sleepover that I'm not invited to. The moment they saw me, Hina's smile dropped. She looked as though she were ready to say something rude to me, but her eyes landed on Hiro and she stopped. She turned into the classroom with the one other girl in our class, and the other two walked down the hall towards 3B.

I was ready to just walk in and sit in my seat with my eyes forward. Ready for a day without Bokuto legs stretching out at the sides of my desk, without him leaning forward in his desk to whisper some comment about our teacher or something he had just said. No smiles today. Hina will make sure of it.

"You know," Hiro said, grabbing my arm and stopping me in the doorway. Classmates scooched past me as I turned back to Hiro. I hadn't realized how close he was. I had almost crashed into him, just from turning around. He was about my height, we stood, eye to eye, locked in shock, or at least I was. My heart was just beginning to settle when someone bumped into me, when trying to pass.

"You're in the way," I said, quickly placing my hand on his chest to push him backwards and out of the doorway. Back in the hall, he grabbed my hand, and held it to his chest saying, "All you had to say was move you know."

I wanted my hand back, but he didn't let go. He let it drop from his chest, but let it fall between us. "You know, Hina's not that bad. I've never seen her be a bad friend before."

"Well I'm not a friend," I said, pulling my hand from his and shoving both into my pockets. I didn't want him grabbing me again.

He laughed now saying, "You know, I'm not that bad either. Bokuto's not the only good guy around here."

He stepped back now, and turned towards his room, following the stream of flowing traffic. I shook my head slightly, and went into my room and straight to my desk. Only to hear Hina mutter, "There goes Big Mac being a hoe again."

And this is it. This is to be my Friday. At least, until practice ended. That's when Hina came up to me, she smiled now saying, "Look. I've been a bit out of hand. It's just, you're so good, and I don't know, just you being here made me feel like I wasn't enough for our team to win. But I'd be a fool to say that we were better off without you."

I stood back, not buying any of this. Just waiting for the bucket of pig's blood to be dumped on my head. I actually looked around the room, panicked, believing someone might be trying to pull something.

She laughed a little saying, "Zara, don't worry. No one is doing anything to you. I'm just trying to say I'm sorry. I don't want any bad blood between us once we step on the real court."

Bad blood? So there is a bucket of blood somewhere, waiting to be dumped on my head!

"Look, you probably heard about this bounding sleepover we do the night before tournaments. It's Sunday night at my house, and as your captain, I will say that I expect to see my whole team there." Her smile deeped as she said, "And that means you too."

"I'll think about it," I said, stepping back from her. Nervous, concerned. What if this is a trap. But, what if it is a peace offering. What if Hiro was right? Hina, may not but so bad. And even Bokuto said I needed some team bonding. Perhaps this could be good, or perhaps a trap.

I would ask Bokuto about it, but his coach takes all their phones away during training camps. Time should be used for good old team bonding, he thinks. Not staying up all night talking to girls. Even if the girl is me.

Hina smiled, "Hope to see you there," and ran off with the rest of the third years.

Hiro approached me asking, "What was that about?"

"She invited me to a sleepover."

His smile widened, "See! I told you she's not all bad!"

"I think she's going to try to kill me," I said plainly, walking towards the door.

"You're exaggerating."

"I'm not."

"Look, as your temporary Bokuto, I say, give her a chance. She might surprise you."

There is no way I'm doing this.