Redemption

SOULMATES

People didn't seem to acknowledge the beauty of old brick buildings being lost to greenery. It's as if no one thought the vines would grow back after being crushed beneath the weight of large structures, which sounds beautiful because we can do the same thing. Despite the weight that's been put upon us, attempting to suffocate us, we can rise.

The heels of my boots clicked against the cobblestone pathway. It's been two weeks since I started at the city's university, and I'm still enamored by the scenery.

It made me feel like I was living out the lives of my favorite fantasy characters who attended dark academies and fought mythical creatures. I wanted to believe there was more to this world, so I sought it out. I started believing everything was made of magic.

Sometimes, I'd lay awake, wondering when my dragon would come to find me. They would meet me at my window, waiting for me to climb out. I wanted to fly away and never look back. Clearly, it never happened. I never got a dragon or my acceptance letter to a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I had to save myself.

I stepped inside the gym, meeting Joey as she hit a volleyball over the net. She didn't patiently wait for it to come, her eyes watched its every move, and as the opposing side hit it back over, she viciously smacked it back. She let out a cry of victory as the volleyball hit the ground.

"There's an open spot if you want it," a female voice spoke from beside me.

I jumped at the woman with a whistle in her hand, staring at me, and waiting for a reply. "What?"

"Dawn Peterson. You are?"

"Sawyer Price."

"Do you know how to set a ball, Sawyer Price?"

I shook my head. "I don't even know what that means."

"Good," she tossed me a ball. "Let's see what you've got."

"What?" I choked. "I don't – "

"Stand here," she pointed to a line on the court. "Now, smack the ball over the net."

"That's so many feet away – "

"This is the boundary line," she ignored my protests. "And you're fifteen feet away, to be exact. Now, smack the ball over the net."

I wanted to back out, but it didn't seem Like I'd get that option. As Joey approached us, I slid my backpack away from my shoulders. Coach Peterson or Dawn or whatever I should call her told Joey to demonstrate how to set a ball.

I watched the red and white ball fly into the air before Joey smacked it across the net without second-guessing herself.

"Good," the coach nodded. "It's your turn, Sawyer."

"I didn't sign up for this."

"Very true, but you stepped on my court, and I said I'm looking for someone to fill my empty spaces."

She motioned toward me as I spun the ball. My nails grazed the smooth surface, getting a feel for the lumps. I popped it into the air a few times, copying Joey's actions. Just as I thrust it into the air, I cocked my arm back, and let it connect with the surface.

The stinging in my palm made me sigh. The fear of embarrassment held me hostage. I couldn't see where the ball landed when I closed my eyes, and when I didn't hear anything, I knew I failed.

But when I finally looked, I found the ball bouncing on the opposite side of the net.

"Again," Dawn called out as she tossed another ball at me. "This time, focus on the x in the center of the court."

"I got lucky."

"Just try," she shrugged. "What can it hurt? Just focus on that x, and only that x. You can do whatever you set your mind too. So do it."

Every time I missed, she tossed another ball in my direction. She continued blowing her whistle, but I've failed over seven times, and she isn't giving up. Just as my arms started burning, I used whatever force I had left to cock my arm back and shoot for the target.

"Yes!" Joey launched into the air. "Yes! You did it!"

My lips parted as I watched the ball bounce over the x until it came to a rolling halt. I looked over at the woman standing beside me, and before she said anything, I knew I wanted to do it again.

"How do you feel?" Dawn approached me.

"Like I could do it again. Like I want to."

"Good," she grinned. "Sleep on my offer, okay? And if you find yourself wanting to come back, you know where we are."

Joey looked at me with shock as her coach walked away. "Girl! She offered you a spot on our team, and you didn't give her an answer?"

"I'm already pursuing Journalism," I held my hands up. "I didn't expect to come in here and be put on the spot. Doesn't she have anybody else?"

"Unfortunately, no. Our setter transferred."

"I just want to graduate and make something of myself."

"And deny yourself any fun while doing it?"

"I said I'll think about it," I picked my things up from the ground. "I only came here for company on my walk home."

She snatched her duffle bag from the bleachers. "Why not walk with Carter? Are things still weird?"

"We haven't talked."

"Must be why he's in a terrible mood," she sighs. "What happened anyway?"

"It's nothing worth talking about."

"If it hurts you, it's worth talking about," she pushed the door open. "Just because I wouldn't understand, I can try to and be here for you. That's what friends are for."

"Things got really awkward, and I ran. He tried apologizing for something that wasn't his fault, and I didn't give him the chance to. We haven't talked since."

"How long ago was that?"

"It's been a few weeks."

Her lips parted. "You haven't talked since?"

"No."

"Then tell him about today, and let that conversation steer you on the path to forgiveness."

I chuckled, staring at the red-headed woman with adoration. "You always know what to say."

"I'm an aspiring nurse, I'm great at communication."

I didn't know much about love or what it really felt like, but I knew I loved being her friend. I loved the way she made me feel, and I knew as long as I knew her, I'd know happiness. If she was by my side tomorrow, I'd look forward to every day.

"Is this what it feels like to have a best friend?"

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Best friends? You're my soulmate. Everything in my life has led me to you."

I couldn't fight my smile. "Of course, I meant soulmates. I was just testing you."