Chapter 5 - Practice Match Starts!

I gulped. “I-I just think that she looks like an angel.” 

Jackson nodded furiously. “He’s an angel that came down from heaven so that she could shower us with her beauty and innocence!” They all laughed at how fanatic Jackson became. But I’m just glad that there are people that like Lia so much. 

“Aren’t you interested, Mitch?” 

Mitch shook his head. “I prefer matured women.” That’s quite unexpected of him. So that’s what his type. 

“Heh~ that’s unexpected. But since Mitch is also pretty, doesn’t it make it harder for girls to choose you? They might think you’re going to hog all the boys.” Taichi commented but Mitch didn’t bother and just laughed. 

I sat on my chair and was about to mind my own business but my other classmates came back with sour expressions on their faces. “What happened to you guys?” Mitch asked them as if they’re already friends with each other. 

“Kyros skipped class again.” One of them answered. I think his name is Taurus. They said that he’s the smartest in this class but he’s also a total klutz. He broke his glasses yesterday and is now forced to wear contact lenses.

“AAAAAAAAAAA! I don’t want to study anymore.” Dusty screamed as he placed his head on his desk. They’re all making their way to their seats while complaining about that guy named ‘Kyros’. Which makes me wonder what kind of a person he is. He’s already well-known even though it’s just the second day of the class. I heard he’s been a troublemaker ever since middle school years. 

The lunch break was over and the class started. I don’t really like studying too like Dusty, but I can’t afford to have a low grade. My mother wouldn’t like it if I failed some of my lessons. 

Our next class is English class which I find the easiest, what I hate the most is mathematics. I don’t know why but when the lesson involves numbers, my brain wouldn’t fully function. That’s another way to say that I’m stupid. 

“Haaaa, finally! Classes are over.” Mitch said as he quickly packs his belongings. He’s showing us how excited he is for the game with the upperclassmen. 

I don’t think it’s fair though, we wouldn’t be able to beat them even if we try. “Hurry, Lexi!” He pulled my arm as soon as I wore my backpack and he quickly raced out of the room while pulling me.

We arrived in the locker room and saw Royce already changed into his training clothes. “That’s fast. Are you excited too?” Mitch asked with a cheeky smile, but Royce ignored him and slammed the door which made me flinched. 

Mitch clicked his tongue. “What’s wrong with him?” He then began removing his clothes while humming to this song that I don’t even know.

While we’re busy changing, I could hear the loud cheers at the field. The soccer club’s already having its initiation game. There are only a few female students in this school, and almost all of them are cheering there in the field. 

“Must be nice to have fans like that,” Mitch commented after he finished changing clothes. “I would like to be famous too.” He smiled while I didn’t say anything and just get over with changing clothes. 

We quickly made our way to the gym, but the emptiness in the hallway makes me somehow feel calm. The sun is setting while the other students are already making their way towards the gate. Silence surrounds the hallway and the only thing I could hear was the sounds of our footsteps as we walk towards the gymnasium. 

“Doesn’t this school looks like those from an anime?” Mitch giggled while he walks in front of me. “I’m glad that I quickly made friends with a teammate.” He looked at me with a smile that could compare to a ray of sunshine. He’s so bright. 

“Hey! Ezra! Stop doing stupid things!” That’s the first thing we heard as soon as we got inside the gymnasium. “Just because your injury already healed, doesn’t mean you can do reckless things again.” The Captain kept reminding Ezra as he keeps doing stunts near the balls. 

He’s just too happy if you ask me. Other freshmen like us were just sitting on the corner while they watch the upperclassmen warm up. 

I have decided to just sit first and watch, but then our coach arrived. “Is everyone already here?” We all gathered to where he is to show him our faces. I don’t understand why but his eyes once again landed on me. “I’ll leave it to you, Captain. We have a meeting today so I’ll go now.” He quickly left after saying that. 

Captain Leroy stood in front of us. “Like what coach said, I already planned everything and divided you all into groups.” He said as he looked at the list the manager is holding. “Since I want to see how the freshmen would fit with the upperclassmen, I chose to mix everyone. And so, the first group would be…” 

“Yay! We’re in the same group! Toss for me!” Ezra placed his arm on my shoulder as he excitedly laughs and started jumping around. Having him near me is already exhausting enough! 

The other freshmen look like they’re nervous around the upperclassmen, well I’m the same. It’s just, Ezra is so clingy towards me that I couldn’t absorb everything that’s happening. 

“Hey, I’m in the same group,” Dwight said while he flashes an awkward smile. I already know him because he's called the second ace, and he has this two-block with bangs hairstyle that really catches one's eyes. 

I just bowed my head to show him respect, since I’m also socially awkward and I don't even have anything to say. 

Captain Leroy clapped his hand to gather our attention. “We’ll do one set every match.” He said as the others placed the net and gather all the balls. I’ve decided to help since it would make it faster. 

“Ugh! We’re not teammates.” Mitch complained while he helps me with gathering the balls that were scattered by Ezra. “I want you to toss for me first.” He pouted while holding a ball in both of his arms. 

It can’t be helped, I just smiled at him while I continued doing whatever I was doing. This gym would be covered with the smell of sweat later, and I don't know why that makes me excited. 

The first match started and it was Mitch’s team, against the Vice-Captain’s team. Mitch and Royce are on the same team but they don’t seem to get along well. 

Royce’s been ignoring Mitch even though he was trying to talk to him. I wonder why he does that though. He also ignored Mitch before at the locker room. Maybe he hates cheerful people like Mitch. 

“What should we call our partnership?”

My thoughts were interrupted after Ezra asked me that. I would have frowned, but I quickly controlled my expression. Why do we need to call our partnership anything? It doesn’t even matter. 

“What about ALEZRA?” He smiled widely while waiting for my response. “Doesn’t it sound good? Hmm… then what about… EZREXIS?” I couldn’t control my expression as I grimaced while cringing so hard. 

“Then what about—“ he couldn’t finish what he was saying because Dwight smacked him on the head. Thank you. 

Dwight smiled as he pulled Ezra towards him. “Please forgive him. He’s a volleyball idiot, and a real-life idiot as well that’s why he spouts nonsense most of the time.” He was practically dissing him but Ezra doesn’t seem to mind. 

“Hey! That was my ball!” 

My attention went to the direction of that voice because I know that it belongs to Mitch. I just noticed the growing tension on their team when Mitch shouted that to Royce who doesn’t seem to care. 

He took a deep breath to calm himself and they continued with the game as if nothing happened. However, I noticed how Mitch and Royce keep battling for the ball. They don’t seem like teammates anymore. 

Their game ended and Mitch’s team won even though there’s this tension between him and Royce. It’s my first time seeing Mitch annoyed like that, I thought he would get along with everyone. Now Royce seems to be an exception. 

“Next team, Ezra’s.” 

I stood up and followed them from behind. It would be my very first game after so many years. I’ve played volleyball in elementary school and I know everything is different when it comes to the real thing. I hope that I wouldn’t make any mistakes. 

“Our team will serve,” Dwight said while holding the ball and passed it to Ezra. “You go first.” A naughty smile forms on his face which also caused Ezra to smile. What are they planning? 

“Ah! Isn’t it unfair to put Ezra first?!” One of the upperclassmen from the other team shouted, but the Captain didn’t listen to what he was saying. 

I took a deep breath. This would be the start. And as soon as we heard the whistle sound, Ezra did a service ace which left me in a daze. I thought it was lucky, but it’s not about luck at all. He’s a monster!