I'm on my way to the covered gym for my volleyball practice, I was suppose to be with Sam and Liz today but they need to meet up with their boyfriends so I'm alone.
Ace is in a meeting with James, Pierce and the 6th Cards, Loraine has a date with Clyde and Annie has to attend her gymnast practice.
"Tine! Good to see you!" Thea cheered when I entered the gym.
"Same here, is everyone here?" I asked.
"Well almost, where are Sam and Liz?" She asked.
"They meet up with their boyfriends first" I smiled then she pout.
"Hmp good for them" she muttered then we headed towards the locker room.
We changed into our jersey before helping each other on setting up the net and cleaning the court, Ashlyn and Kiana are checking the balls while me and Thea are checking the bleachers if there's any trash there.
Not long when Liz and Sam came and got scolded by Ashlyn, I just smirked at the two before walking up to Kiana.
"Kiana, how was practice last time?" I asked her.
"Everyone is great" she shortly said with a smile, Kiana is not the type of person to talk too much but at least she's not a cold person.
"How are you then?" I asked and sat beside her.
"I think my tossing skills have improved, but I need to work on my blocking skills too" she faintly said while looking at her hands, I nod my head and smiled.
"Lizelle Quin Zamora!" I called, she then excuse herself from Ashlyn's scolding and run towards us.
"Can you help Kiana on blocking?" I asked her then Kiana looked at me.
"Well sure, come on Kiana" Liz giggled and pulled her towards the court.
I watch as she showed her a lot of styles to block and jump higher, I was taking my time to observe everyone when Thea suddenly sat beside me.
"What?" I asked, she looks like she wanted to say something but she doesn't want to say it, get what I just said?
"W-well, as the cousin of your boyfriend..." she trailed off and I raised my eyebrow at her.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" I questioned.
"Mikayla just came back, and I think by next week, she'll be here" she said seriously.
That fast? I mean, it was only a week ago when I heard about her and now she's going here, not thay I don't trust Ace but I really have a bad feeling about this.
"Are you okay?" She asked, I smiled brightly causing my eyes to close.
"Of course, it's just his ex- studying here, I'm totally fine" I smiled
"Uh..." Thea gulped.
"Guys let's get on the practice" Ashlyn called so we stood up and picked our teams.
Once settled, the coach decided to give a random person a chance to serve and she picked me.
I took the ball and walked over the serving place and dribbled the ball gently but looks like my patience this time had gotten worst.
'Mikayla just came back, and I think by next week, she'll be here'
My palm hit the ball harder creating a much more louder sound as it hit the floor then and I heard the whistle where I served the ball with a hard hit.
It manage to entered the opponents court but the ball bounced over the bleachers with a strong impact.
"H-hey! Can you calm down? Are you trying to kill us here?!" Ashlyn panicked.
"Sorry" I bowed to apologize before taking another ball and focused on handling my strength this time.
"She's so scary when she's not in the mood for practice" I heard Thea mumbled, and since she's on the back row I manage to give her a glare and her body flinched.
I sighed and served the ball, it landed perfectly on the other court with Ashlyn receiving it, as I setter it was my job to observe everyone on the court, not just on the other side but also on my side.
Sweats sliding down my forehead, my body is shaking from tiredness but my mind is in great shape.
I don't really a high stamina because I'm used to end the game by just an hour, turns out, everyone has improved.
I'm so tired yet I tried my very best to toss the ball on a right angle even if it strains both my arms, I didn't want to give up, the practice match will be next week just a few days before the actual game which will be held during the sports fest.
"Try covering up for me for a bit, I need to reserve some energy" I told the team while catching my breath.
Good thing water breaks are necessary so I don't get dehydrated because I sweat too much.
They all nod and gave me a supporting smile before we walk back to the court.
"Cheer up, my cousin's watching" Thea nudged my shoulder lightly making me frown.
"And he's this late? We're already on our 4th set" I complained and look over the bleachers.
He smiled at me and my furstration melted in an instant, I pouted and looked away from him to focus on the game.
Since my lucky charm is already here, my stamina is now fully charged. We manage to steal 3 points by just serving, thanks to Thea.
I gave my team the best toss for them to score even if my knees are beginning to get weaker, but this won't end soon enough.
"Kiana, toss for me" I told her and she nod silently.
"Thea, switch places with me" I said, the rally is going too long now and no one wants to drop the ball.
"It will be hard for me to toss to you then" Kiana uttered.
"Just do it, please" I said and the two followed my instructions.
When the ball was back on our court, one of our teamates from the back received the ball and then Thea handled the rest- she passed the ball to Kiana before switching places with me.
This makes it as a blind eye for our opponents to see because they have their sight on the movements of the ball.
When Kiana tossed the ball, we played a synchronized attack, confusing the blockers on the other team to jump, attempting to block but Kiana used the time lag technique to toss the ball to me, a second delay after the blockers jumped making me able to score on a space on the middle line.
"That was great" I complimented the silent member of our team.
"Thanks, we wouldn't get that point if you didn't suggest that trick" she smiled and I nod.
"Okay guys, 3 more points and we're done" Thea announced and we get back to our spots.
The game went on for another 10 minutes and we failed to reach our goal, seems like Ashlyn has been training the girls so hard for them to be able to beat my side.
"Gather up ladies!" Ashlyn called and we wasted no time to walk over to them.
"Great job ladies, ms. Belfour, you should improve your stamina more to avoid getting tired so soon" the coach complied and I simply nod my head in response.
"Alright, the practice match between us and the Fallon University is 5 days away and our actual game will be held on the 2nd day of the sports fest, therefore, I want to see you girls rule the court even if it's not our territory" she announced.
"You girls are smart, be more observant and control your temper, when enemies trigger you, trigger them as well, I want no little kittens on my team, only lions, I believe in you girls" she smirked and looked at every one of us.
"Can you give me the results I want?" She asked in a loud voice.
"Yes coach!" We responded.
"Good. Now everyone freshen up" she pointed at the locker room.
"Thank you coach" we all said before jogging inside the locker room.
~
I was massaging my scalps after putting some shampoo on when Liz suddenly spoke from the other shower room.
"Say! Tine, you seem energized at the last minute, hmm, Death really hit ya hard no?" She teased, I frowned.
"Liz, can you not look over here when I totally n*de?" I glared at her, she smirked turned her shower on to wash her shampoo off and I did the same.
"Come on Tine, as if you forgot one of her most listed habits" Sam said from the other side.
"Shut up Sam, we're all girls here anyways" Liz answered.
"I suggest you two shut up" I rolled my eyes and turn the shower off.
"Ladies! We have practice tomorrow, I suggest you skip classes on the afternoon" Ashlyn announced.
I wrapped my towel around my body and took the smaller one to dry my hair before stepping out the shower room.
I walk over to Ashlyn who was also drying her hair infront lf the mirror, I grab a hair blower and started to blow my hair dry.
While doing so, a frowned appeared on my face when I notice then looking at me intently, I didn't even do something! I set the blower down before facing them.
"What?" I asked irritately.
"Well you seem so silent since I told you about Mikayla, the whole team knows" Thea muttered.
"Knows what?" I asked in a annoyed tone.
"You're jealous" Sam fired, I blinked twice, shook for what I just heard.
"Excuse me? Why would I be jealous?" I questioned.
"You know we're not dumb, of course you're afraid when that girl and your boyfriend meet once again after three years" Ashlyn said, I clicked my tongue and look back at the mirror to brush my hair.
Am I jealous? Maybe? Furstrated, a little, even though Ace already told me that I have nothing to worry about, I can't just sit still and do nothing.
My clouded thoughts ended when someone put a hand over my shoulder.
"Lizelle..." I warned but she just smirked back at me.
"Don't worry, the girls are here" she chuckled, I sighed.
"Whatever, fine" I gave up before walking out the shower room and opened my locker to change into my casual clothes.
When I was done, I waited for Sam and Liz to finish before leaving the locker room together. Ace immediately approached me while the two ran up to Zen and Icer.
"Tired?" He asked and took my hand, I smiled.
"Yeah, where are we heading to now then?" I asked him.
"Treating you lunch of course, you did great today anyways, even if your team didn't win" he smiled softly and I chuckled.
"Everyone improved, except for me" I said in a joking manner.
"You're the best, period" he stated and I just gave him a shrug.
As he said, he did treat me some lunch and he also asked me to walked around the academy with him but I decline cause I'm too tired to do it so me by rented a golf cart for us to use.
"Ace... really, you don't have to do this" I said softly.
"Are you okay? Usually you get over everything I want" his voice was gentle but it hinted a little pain.
"I'm fine, really. It's just- I don't know how to start with this actually" I looked down then he stopped the cart.
"Mikayla will be here next week..." he started off.
"I know..." I whispered.
"And that made you upset right?" he asked, I look at him and saw how a grin appeared on his face.
"I knew it" he cheered up like he won the lottery or something.
"Shut up Ace or I'll push you out this cart" I threathened him but I was more suprised on what happened next.
His face suddenly became serious, I was about to argue with him when he shut me up with his lips pressed against mine, a soft whimper left my lips but my eyes shut on their own and my body weakened.
After a few seconds, I gently pushed him away, a hard blush on my face was impossible to hide especially when he took a hold on both of my arms.
"Look at me Cursetine" he called, I pouted and didn't obeyed him.
He's so bold in times like this, just to justify the fact that I'm jealous or upset to be exact, I sometimes hate it when he's really smart at these things.
"Come on, stop with that atittude" he teased and I frowned before looking at him, straight on his dark eyes.
"I already told you didn't I? We're already done three years ago, I'm not going anywhere but you, I'm yours, you're mine, get it? Or do I need to explain everything from the start?" He asked, I sighed and shook my head.
"I know that and I believe you, its that Mikayla I'm worrying about, I don't know her but I can sense a lot of negativity already" I ran my fingers through my hair and look out the view in front of us.
The Academy's building are standing proudly on the center of the giant walls surrounding it, our dorms are standing on both side of it and the rest of the other facility building are surrounding it, compared to the main building who stands proudly on the center with its gold, black and ash grey color reflecting to the sun, the other buildings are on plain white, grey and silver paint.
The wide field are trimmed neatly and the grass looks so healthy, the trees are swaying left and right as the wind blew and the greenhouse door- which was just built separately away from the other buildings, flew open and all the buterflies on the butterfly garden flew out.
"I don't like her" I look back at him and he smiled at me.
"Don't let her get to you, you still have a lot of things to do right?" His fingertips traced my jaw and my stomach went wild with just skin making contact with mine.
"Did you memorized my schedule?" I glared at him but he just laughed it off.
"No, I mean, you still need to kick me off the top rank right?" He smirked and this time, I can't control my laughter at him.
"Oh I will, and I'm already working on that" I giggled and caged his face with my hands.
"You know, I'm really feel lucky to have you as my boyfriend" I grinned.
"Do I desserve another kiss then?" He wriggled his eyebrows, I released his face.
"Well you already had a lot today, so no" I smiled, he glared at me.
"Are you serious?!" He exclaimed making me laugh.
Well sometimes you just need to turn his mood upside down to regain my composure as the tough Cursetine Belfour.
Monday. I was just sitting on my seat with Ace pointing out some things on my notebook and I explained it further to him.
Sam and Icer are sitting together cause Liz is still outside with Zen, everything just look so lively.
"Guys, please take your seats" James said and we obeyed, Pierce even rushed outside to get Liz and Troy.
"Looks like they'll announce it" Ace said and I nod.
"Death that's not your proper seat" James called out.
"Psh, it's just one time" he frowned but still walked back to his seat.
How childish. James then wasted no time to open his laptop and connected it with the large TV on the side of our classroom and our names appeared on the screen.
My eyes widened and looked at Liz who was also shock, Sam on the other hand is contented on what she got, lastly I took a glance on my name.
"Yow, 3rd rank?" Troy teased Liz.
"I was ought to beat you off that spot" Liz pouted, well at least they tied.
"Looks like destiny is real" Louanne poked my side.
"Shut up" I blushed.
Yep, you guessed it right. It's still the same rank, with Ace of course, that smart a**ed boyfriend of mine really didn't give me a chance to hold the first rank soley.
"So congratulations for this years top 10! Great work guys! Especially those who didn't manage to get to the top 10, it's good to see you guys improving a lot, congratulations to every one of you" James said and everyone started hyping up.
I clapped my hands for them before turning to my friends, they gave me a meaningful look and that made me smirk, of course we're celebrating this.
"Congratulations" I mouthed to Ace and he grinned.
"Congratulations to you too" he mouthed back.
After a while the bell rang and our little celebration ended- well for the meantime I guess.
When lunch came, we headed towards the mall to have our fancy lunch on a fancy restaurant to celebrate the improvements of our grades and ranks, so far, so good.
Ace, me, Liz, Sam, Icer, Pierce and Troy sat on one long table. We also invited Sofia, Annie, Loraine, Clyde and Zen to complete the squad and since it was James' treat for us, he complained.
"Chill James, I'm paying for these guys" Loraine smacked his head.
"Pfft" Clyde held his laughter.
"Yah, Loraine forgot to tell ya something" Sam clapped her hands.
"What?" She asked.
"That bast*rd is dating your girl friend" Sam chuckled and this time, James was in deep trouble.
"I need to hear it from you James, say it" she smiled sweetly while cracking the bones on her fingers.
"Spare me and I'll treat you this lunch" he plead.
"Fine. So?" Lorained crossed her arms while we tried not to laugh at them.
Back on the time before Loraine fell to the lower section, she and James has the best tandem in class, well most of us didn't get along well especially Louanne and Loraine but when Loraine fell down the other section, they sort of talk things out.
"Loraine, stop torturing my boyfriend" Louanne suddenly said and her jaw dropped.
"James!" She smacked his head once more and laughter filled the whole room we're in.
After finishing our lunch, we thanked James for paying everything before leaving, I walked with Ace until we set foot outside the mall.
"Well, time to head to practice, I slipped my excuse letter on your science book" I told him before getting on my tip toe to kiss his cheek, he pat my head lovingly with a sly grin on his face.
As expected, he stole a kiss from me before shoving something inside my pocket, before I could even check what it was, he stopped my hand in the process.
"I'll fetch you later, alright?" He said and I nod obidiently.
"Good, good luck babe" he ruffled my hair.
"Good luck on class too spare me some notes" I reminded him.
"As usual, I'll see you later my littlwle devil" he kissed the back of my palm before walking away.
I watch his figure slowly disappearing as he walk away for a moment before turning to Sam and Liz who was ready to go.
I walked towards them while ruffling over my skirt's pocket and felt something in there, argh, that guy. I pulled out and saw a paper folded into 3, I slowly unfold it and my heart melted upon his little effort.
'Let's have a date later? I'm expecting for a reply'
He wrote. I scoffed trying to hold a smile from forming on my lips as I took out my phone and dialed his number.
"Hel-"
"Sure thing" I said and hang up.