Write It Down

Chapter 3 - Why Are You Avoiding the Question?

We were called out the second we entered the gym.

"Ladies!"

Nat and I paused our conversation to see Coach Etna watching us. "Are you going to join us to warm up or continue to chit chat?"

"Sorry Coach Etna" We said, putting our water bottles with the rest before jogging to the table to get our numbers.

When she walked away, both of us let out a sigh of relief. "She always picks on me." Nat muttered.

"It's because you play the same position her daughter plays, Nat. And that you are clearly better." I said, trying to reassure Nat.

"I hope I make it on the team this year. We only need 3 setters on a team, and the positions on the varsity teams belong to Brooke, Anya, and Sarah." Nat said, referring to last year's varsity setters, the former two currently Seniors and the latter a Junior.

"The sport should be yours this year. I heard that Anya got into this special program that conflicts with the volleyball schedule." I said, remembering what Sidney, another setter had told me. Apparently Anya told Sidney during a setters camp over the summer. "She got into the national team and will be doing private coaching for the rest of the year to prepare herself."

"Number 72 for Lydia and 73 for Natalia, green for Sophomores." Coach Eric said, giving us our stickers.

"Thanks Coach Eric." The two of us chorused, putting our stickers on.

"No problem. Good luck out there ladies." He said with a smile.

"Arms warm-up first or peppering first?" I asked Nat.

"Let's do arms since our hitting arm is what our weaknesses are. We'll move onto peppering afterwards." Nat decided.

We found a spot next to the twins, Sydney and Jamie, to start our hitting exercises.

Sydney and Jamie Lad, Sydney, the second setter and Jamie, an extremely powerful opposite hitter. The two of them were a powerful pair, for Sydney's personality was blunt and manipulative while Jamie was friendly but calculating. The two of them based relationships from how much you were worth. While the two of them were friends with us now, the second either of us falls from the power we have on the team, any friendship between us will fly right out the window.

"Why are you guys hitting?" Sydney questioned, not taking her eye off the ball as she peppered with Jamie.

"The coaches already know about my passing capabilities." I told her.

"And they know I have a large amount of ball control." Nat said.

"So we showcase that we've been working on something more than just our specialties." I finished.

"That's smart," Jamie said as she spiked the ball at her sister, "but you should be working more on your setting right now Nat."

Nat stopped, catching the ball. "What? Why?"

Sydney stopped too, catching the ball to face Nat. "Brooke didn't make it to the college she wanted to enter, so she won't be coming to tryouts this year. And I've been seriously practicing over summer this year Nat. I won't lose to you in terms of skill this year."

"Then there should be space for both of us on the team-"

"Do you see the freshman over there?" Jamie interrupted.

Nat and I looked over to where she was pointing. A freshman with a long blonde ponytail was setting with the head coach, Coach Sylvi. Next to me, Nat sucked in a sharp breath and I could tell why. The girl looked exactly like a younger version of Colette Eden, the best middle hitter the school had ever seen. Last year, Colette had received a volleyball scholarship to Michigan State University, the only person in the district to receive a volleyball scholarship.