9. Amelia

Amelia (Cheerleader by OMI and Felix Jaehn)

You know one sweet thing about being the captain of the volleyball team's maid?

You get to ride with the team to their match.

Right now, I'm seated beside Everett on the team bus as we head to Pitchers for today's friendly. The women's team had theirs last Saturday, and today, it's the men's turn.

I steal a glance at Everett. His eyes are closed, one hand propping up the side of his face, his expression unreadable. He's barely said a word since we left the house this morning.

Captain mode, most def.

The closer we get to the arena, the quieter he becomes. I suppose that's the weight of being responsible for an entire team. Everyone's looking to you to lead. To win...

A shiver runs down my spine. I don't think I'll ever know what that feels like, but I can imagine.

Then there's the complete opposite sitting a few rows behind us. Spencer, Cole, and Harper. Goodness gracious. Those three have been laughing, arguing, and chanting loud enough to legit wake the dead since we got on this bus.

Didn't they spend the entire night partying? How are they even alive?

I shake my head and try to block them out. No luck. A smile finds its way onto my face anyway.

You know another really sweet thing about being Everett's maid?

I get to see my queen today.

Well... probably. I'm not exactly sure Rachel will be here since it's the men's friendly, but a girl can dream, right? Even a tiny glimpse of Rachel Lancaster today will make my day.

About fifteen minutes later, we arrive at Pitchers.

Oh baby, I'm back! Did you miss me?

Since I obviously can't follow the boys into their locker room, I head straight for the arena and settle into the stands.

Just before they disappear down the hallway, though, I catch Everett by the sleeve and tug him aside.

"Good luck today," I murmur. "You better win. I didn't raise no failure."

He simply looks down at me. For a second, he doesn't say anything. Then the corner of his mouth lifts, and a quiet laugh rumbles from his chest.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Thank you, Maid!" Spencer hollers from behind him.

I turn and pull the ugliest face I can manage. He laughs even harder.

"Thought you were a Pitchers fan," Everett says.

I wrinkle my nose. "Point of correction... Rachel fan. Not Pitchers."

"I see." His smile lingers. "See you around, Hart."

With that, he turns and jogs after the team, disappearing down the hallway with the others.

I watch him go for a second longer than necessary, then shake myself.

Focus, Amelia.

The moment I settle into my seat, the arena begins to fill up. Students stream into the stands in clusters, some carrying banners, others already chanting their school's name before the match has even begun. Somewhere to my left, a drum starts beating, and before long, the rhythm spreads until the entire place is buzzing.

Goosebumps prickle across my skin.

God... it's been one week and I've missed this already.

The lights dim ever so slightly before the announcer's voice booms through the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's men's volleyball friendly between the Gladdis' Wolves..." A roar erupts from one side of the arena. "...and your home team... the Pitchers' Falcons!"

The cheering grows even louder. One after another, the players are introduced, each getting their fair share of applause as they jog onto the court.

Then...

"And captaining the Wolves... Number Four... Everett Griffin!"

The atmosphere explodes! The screams that follow are almost deafening, and my brows shoot up.

Okay... I mean, I knew the guy was popular, but... this much?

Something swells inside me and I don't know what it is. Pride? Excitement? I can't tell. All I know is a grin spreads across my face before I can stop it.

Amelia, compose. I frown instantly.

Girls are literally screaming his name from different corners of the arena while he jogs onto the court like none of it concerns him.

Show-off much.

He exchanges quick handshakes with his teammates, says something to the referee, then begins warming up. One after the other, the remaining players from both teams are called, and soon, the game begins.

A setter tosses Everett a ball. He jumps and slams it clean over the net, and the entire arena erupts all over again.

Crazy, Captain.

A tiny smile finds its way onto my face.

Somewhere in all the cheering and hollering, time slips away, until the final whistle pierces the arena. For a split second, everything goes still.

Then... the arena erupts.

Gladdis wins three sets to one.

"YES!" I'm on my feet before I even realize it, jumping up and down like an idiot. "THAT'S MY..."

Wait. What?

I quickly stop myself.

My what?

I clear my throat. "GO, WOLVES!"

I'm super proud of my boys! Gosh! No wonder Everett's the captain even though he's a junior. Gosh! The teamwork, HIS spikes!!! My man!!...

Huh? My what?! Amelia, what is wrong with you? Get a grip!

I blink rapidly, slapping my cheeks with my palm. Sense, come back to me.

My eyes wander across the celebrating players. Spencer is already jumping on Harper's back, Cole's hugging the setter, and their coach is shaking hands with the officials.

Then...

Everett.

Out of everyone in the arena... he's looking straight at me.

My heart thumps hard, and warmth spreads through me. I smile at him, mouthing, "Well done."

He grins and mouths back, "Thank you, Hart."

I grin harder.

Suddenly, I feel a scorching gaze on me, and my eyes drift to the sidelines at once.

...

MY QUEEN!

Rachel is standing on the sidelines with the other girls from Pitchers' women's volleyball team...

For the briefest moment, it almost feels like our eyes meet. Then I blink, and the next second she's turning and heading down the tunnel.

My brows furrow. I must have been daydreaming.

Rachel Lancaster, looking at me?

Funny.

She's out of sight now, and that tiny glimpse is no longer enough to make my day. Who knows when I'll see her again?

I shuffle out of my seat and hurry down the tunnel.

After a while, I finally arrive at the women's locker room, and my mind drifts back to last week. A smile forms on my lips.

It's right here that I made a deal with Everett.

How time flies...

That deal ends tonight.

I push the thought aside and peek through the slightly open door. It's quiet... and empty.

Did Rachel not come in here? I swallow, take a quick look around, and slip inside.

The locker room looks exactly how I imagined it would. Rows of neatly arranged lockers line the walls, each marked with a player's name and number. There are benches in the middle of the room, a few volleyballs tucked into baskets against the wall, and framed pictures of the women's team hanging above the lockers.

I smile.

Then I spot her.

Rachel Lancaster.

My eyes light up and I hurry toward her locker like an absolute maniac, running my fingers over the nameplate.

Rachel Lancaster. MY QUEEN.

I grin like an idiot to myself. I wonder what she keeps in there. Probably volleyball shoes. Knee pads. Maybe a cute little...

The sound of voices makes me freeze.

My head snaps toward the entrance.

Shit.

Someone's coming. Shit, shit, shit! Too late! There's more than one of them, and the voices are getting closer.

My eyes dart around the room, searching for somewhere to hide, but there isn't exactly a secret passage conveniently waiting for me.

What the hell do I do? My heart is pounding so loud.

Just as I'm about to give up and accept my fate, a hand closes around my wrist. I nearly scream, but another arm wraps around my waist and pulls me back. My mouth opens again, but before I can make a sound, a palm covers it.

"Shh."

My eyes widen at the familiar voice.

I slowly turn my head... Everett.

What the hell is he doing here? My brows furrow.

His face is barely inches from mine. Eyes narrowed, he pulls me along, eases a bathroom door open, and drags me inside.

God, the space is so tiny we can barely both fit, and I stumble right into him. His hands settle around my waist to steady me.

My eyes fly to his. Neither of us moves.

For one stupid second, I become painfully aware of how close we are. His chest is pressed against mine, his face so close I can feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek.

Then... the voices get louder.

Everett's expression changes instantly, and he places a finger against his lips.

I nod.

The bathroom door stays slightly cracked, just enough for us to see what's happening outside.

"...I'm not asking you to perform miracles, Rachel."

Rachel? My eyes twinkle and I lean closer to the door. Everett's hand immediately catches my wrist, keeping me from leaning too far.

"But we're running out of time. You can't keep carrying the team by yourself."

My brows pull together.

Rachel sighs. "I've been trying to train them."

"I know you have. But the championship is around the corner, and we're still struggling."

What?!

Rachel is silent for a while. "They're my teammates, Coach."

"And I know that. But being their captain also means knowing when something isn't working."

She doesn't respond.

"Get them training harder. Push them. If they can't keep up..." He pauses. "Then we look at our options."

Rachel exhales slowly. "I'll do better."

"Good. Come on, time to train."

Some shuffling. Then silence.

They've left.

Everett steps back first, and cool air rushes into the space where his chest was. I sag against the wall in relief before reality catches up with me.

Hold on.

"Why were you even in here?"

"And you? Does it even matter?"

My mouth twitches at the first part. The second part...

It does. It absolutely does. But his hand is still around my wrist and my brain is still rebooting, so I let it go.

My lips purse as I think hard.

It's true... it's obvious Rachel does almost all the work on the court. She needs capable teammates.

If only...

My eyes widen as an idea slowly forms in my head. I turn to Everett.

He's already looking at me. And from the scowl on his face... he knows exactly what I'm thinking.

"No."

I blink. "But I haven't even said anything."

"You don't have to."

I stare at him for a second, then my lips curl into a smile.

"Train me."