ZARIA'S POV
AT THE GYM.
As I enter the gym, our opponents already here... luckily the gym isn't too full... yet. I quickly make my way to the locker room where I see Taylor, Sarah, and... Natasha. "Hey guys, have you seen Coach? I need my jersey." I ask while setting down my bag in my cubby.
"Back room." Taylor answers. "Oh I have your jersey." Natasha turns to me holding the jersey number 19, while she has 21 on. 21 is my number. "Take it off." I snap.
"Excuse me?" She scoffs. "My jersey, take it off, now." I say once again. "This is mine. You don't have to always wear this stupid number." 21 has always been a number to speak to me... I don't know why. But it has.
"I don't have time for this right now, just take it off Natasha. Please." She begins pulling the jersey over her head and tosses it at me. "Fine. Take the stupid number this shit is too big Anyways."
She's not getting off the bench, so why does it matter? I shake off Natasha and finish getting ready.
"Zaria." I look to my left to see coach waving me into his office. Once in, he sighs and closes the door. "I need you to play Libero. I know you said you didn't like it in highschool, but Skylar still isn't cleared. I need you."
Skylar is the libero... I've been practicing as an outside, but I agreed with coach that if she ever couldn't make a game... I'd fill in.
"Ok... I'll do it." I fiddle with my fingers lightly before meeting his gaze. "I know this is your first game kid, don't freak out on me? You got this." He pats my shoulder as he opens the office door.
I quickly go to my cubby and switch jerseys. I was nervous before but now? I'm extra nervous. "You ok Zaria?" Sarah ask as she pulls her knee pads up. "I'm good..."
"Alright ladies. Let's go." Coach Jess, our assistant coach says clapping. "Let's get our warm ups done. Then, it's game time."
I grab my water bottle and prepare to head out the locker room. "Hey Zaria? Can I talk to you for a minute?" Skylar ask from her cubby. I walk over to her and she pats the spot next to her.
"Nervous?" She questions. I respond with a light nod. "Don't be, I watched your highschool clips.. you're good. You got this." I slightly smile as I fiddle with my hands again.
"Shake off the nerves, and go out there and kick butt ok?" She holds my hands together and I look over at her. "Ok." I smile before she leans in to hug me.
Skylar is one of the few girls on the team that seem really... genuine. She's a senior, so she'll be leaving. But she's been like a big sister to me.
I pull away as I stand."Thank you Sky, I needed that." I quickly head out the locker room.
As I enter the gym, it's fuller than I expected. The bleachers are full of school colors, and overall the atmosphere is a bit... intense.
The team has already started warming up, and I approach Sarah. "Could you give me some down balls?" I ask and she nods. She hits a few at me, and so far I'm feeling pretty good about my digs.
A/N for my non vball players a "dig" is basically a save/ getting the ball up after it's hit at a player
-AFTER WARMS UP
"Alright, it's time to put that hard work to use. Go out there, and kick ass- I mean butt." Skylar says while looking around to see if coach heard. We all laugh a little as she continues.
"Hard work on 3! Hard work on me! 1! 2! 3!" "Hard work."
The ref blows his whistle and we take the court.
YOU ARE READING
Checkmate.
RomanceBWWM I scoff, "you think I'll get on my knees & beg to an asshole like you?! Well-".I'm cut off by a raspy chuckle. Before I can even blink, he was right in front of me. Close enough to the point that I can smell his cologne. Damn why does he have...
