18. Amelia

Amelia

Life has been so good of late. It’s been five days since Everett and I became real and it’s been all sorts of bliss. Classes, trainings—intense trainings, smooches in betweens…

Life’s been so good.

Everett is the best boyfriend I could ever ask for. And this might sound cliché but... I actuall feel with him what I’ve never felt with any other person. None of my exes made me feel the way this man does…

Twin: I’m here, baby.

I’m all smiles and I quickly down my milkshake and bid farewell to Jay and G. They had been sooo happy when I informed them of Everett and I.

“I knew it!” Janet had piped.

“Byeeee!” My friends chorus and I shake my head at them before heading out of Squarz. Silly.

I don’t need to do a scan as I spot Everett, ever so dashing in his white polo t-shirt, a pair of jeans, and white sneakers, leaning against his truck.

My heaven baby. Gosh! This man is mine? He’s so… distinct.

My heart dances with joy and I skip towards him. He claims me in an embrace at once and I inhale all of him as much as I can.

He really is. He really is mine.

“Had fun with you friends?” He kisses my lips.

God, I never seem to get enough of him.

“Hmhm.” I nod.

He smiles. He leads me around the vehicle, puts out his arm which I take without wasting any time, and I hop into the truck.

My eyes trail his ass as he makes his way to the driver’s side. Hmn. Mine.

I just wanna snuggle up to him right now. Sigh.

Not long afterwards, we’re on our way to Oakswood.

“Have you heard the news?” He asks coolly.

“Huh?”

“There’s going to be another friendlies before the championships.” He pauses, “but this time, both the men and women’s teams of both schools are playing together, against each other, if you know what I mean.”

My brows draw… wait, what? Mixed?

“That is new.”

It’s never happened before.

“Together?” I ask softly.

“Uh-uh.”

That’s crazy. My mind wanders everywhere at once.

“Have you applied for the transfer?” Everett glances at me.

That...

“No.”

I’ve been stalling since last week for no particular reason.

“Why not?”

“Iono...” I shrug.

We arrive home a while later and when we enter, we find the guys sprawled on the chairs, lounging and chatting. There’s a blonde haired girl on Spencer’s lap—only God can save him at this point. I doubt he can ever be devoted to one person. Not in this lifetime.

My eyes dart across to another person seated on another chair, and I freeze.

The person I least expect to find is seated in our living room.

My brows furrow. What is she doing here?

Rachel Lancaster.

Why is she here again?

What game is she trying to play?

I know she’s my queen... she has been since I was very young. But Everett’s my man. And I don’t joke with him.

My head snaps up at Everett and as usual, he’s already staring down at me. He smiles and takes my hand, leading me further to the center of the living room.

“Hello.” Rachel rises, smiling.

I simply nod in response. My mouth twitching, I sigh. “I’ll leave you two...”

As I turn to leave, her voice stops me. “I’m actually here to see you,” she pauses, “not him.”

Huh? I blink.

“Me?”

“Yeah.” She nods.

Huh... oh, okay...

“You guys can discuss in the back.” Everett kisses me and settles into a couch, beside Cole.

I awkwardly lead the way outside to the court. Does she want to fight me? Warn me to steer clear of Everett? Preach about how they’re meant for each other?

Funny.

We settle under the parasol umbrella which stands a little way from the volleyball court, its wide canvas casting a cool circle of shade over four lounge chairs and a mini center table.

“So,” Rachel breaks the silence after a while.

Girl, tryna show your true colors now? Damn, I’ll be so disappointed.

“...hi, Secret Admirer.”

My body goes rigid and my head snaps up at her. She knows!

“You found out?”

“Uh-hun.” She smiles a genuine smile. “Your man told me.”

Everett! I fake a grimace. You’re gonna get what’s coming.

“Thank you for loving me over the years, Amelia. It means so much to me.” She pauses, sighs, then continues, “you have no idea how your notes and gifts have kept me going on days I wanted to quit.”

She’s contemplated quitting? My chest clenches.

“You know, sometimes, I feel like I’m not doing enough... like I’m not worth the hype—”

“What?! Don’t you ever say that about yourself again,” I cut in. “You’re my queen. I’m in awe of you—you play so well, Rachel.”

“Thank you.” She mouths, tears glistening in her eyes.

I smile back at her.

“You know,” I relax back in my chair. “You once gave me something to look forward to when I had nothing."

Her rapt attention is on me, her brows furrowed.

“I lost my mum when I was twelve... I was drowning after she died during child birth. I was depressed... had no friends... despised my new born baby brother... and despised and blamed myself even more for her death.” I swallow.

Then I smile, “then one afternoon, I stumbled across a local volleyball pitch, and saw a girl... she was around my age and she was playing with another girl, and that girl was really thrashing her.” I chuckle, a tear escaping my eye.

“But the girl kept standing back after each fall—and she was falling a lot.” We both chuckle, silently sobbing now.

“Her resilience, her determination... awakened me. She brought life back into me—somehow. And from that day onward... I've been your fan, Rachel Lancaster."

“You work really hard. So, yes, you’re deserving of all the applause you get. You saved me, Rachel.”

She’s already sobbing really hard now. I reach over the round table and take her hands, caressing their backs.

After a while, her tears gradually cease.

“Thank you so much, Amelia. This means everything to me.” She says it with so much intensity, her eyes squeezing shut for a couple of seconds.

“Thank you too, my queen.” I beam.

About two minutes later, she speaks. “I heard you want to transfer to Pitchers.”

Everett! Gosh! It may seem as though my boyfriend is quite the yapper.

I shrug, “yeah. And it’s because of you.” My mouth twitches, “you made me fall in love with Volleyball, you know.”

She falls silent for a few seconds. “Do you like Volleyball only because of me?”

Now, I’m quiet for a while. Initially, yes... but over the years, now that I think about it, I’ve genuinely fallen in love with volleyball-ing. And my trainings with Everett have been more eye opening.

I love Volleyball.

“Both of you.” I respond. “And you know what? I change my mind. I’ll remain in my Uni. and I’ll join the women’s team.”

She smiles, “that’s good.”

“So, see you at the Championship, Rachel Lancaster.” I rise and stretch out my hand.

She looks up at me, her mouth curling as she tilts her head to the side. She stands too and shakes my hand. “See you, Amelia.”

We burst into laughter.

“In fact, come show me what you’ve got.” She’s already walked over to the ball cart and grabbed a ball.

She takes her stance on the other side of the court and I grin.

Game on.

“Bring it on.”

Thirty minutes later...

“Fine, I give up.” I collapse to the ground, my chest heaving heavily.

Gosh, she plays so damn well! Facing her wrath directly like this has made me realize... I still have a long way to go.

But I’m not going to give up. Never. Everett isn’t training no quitter.