the price of being ace

Chapter 32

Ace pov:

I stay to watch the football practice because there's nothing to do until the game starts and I can tell when Erin is tackling this training dummies shes trying to get her anger out
"It's not your fault she's upset,Willow started it" jo says and I nod
"I know I just feel bad because I let Willow antagonize me" I say
"Im sure she's more mad at Willow than at you" digs says putting her hands in her hoodie pocket
"Did anyone bring snacks Im kinda hungry?" jazz asks and digs pulls out a thing of ritz crackers from her pocket
"I also have other stuff in my bag" she says handing them to jazz
"I can always count on you to have food" she says with a smile before popping one in her mouth
"Don't hog them" n.c says before snatching the bag from her hand

I don't mean to but every time I spike this game it seems to go towards the same person which is making both me and the other team irritated
"I have no aim today" I say angrily
"You're doing fine ace don't worry about it" Lilly says trying to be encouraging
"To me" I whisper to Taylor who nods before we get into position
"Balls up" cassie shouts as the other teams receives her serve
"Jazz you ok?" I ask after the spike hits her in the face but we keep it up
"Just Peachy" she says sniffling from the involuntary eye wandering that comes with being hit in the face
"Ace" Taylor says setting it up perfectly for me to do a clean cut shot into the open space which they aren't expecting
"See I told you" Lilly says as I slam it down close to the net on the opposite side of the court just net side of the attack line
"Uh huh" I say

I don't like this rotation because the girl I have been accidentally targeting is now spiking and I'm a blocker
"Hey!" Cassie shouts after she purposefully hits my hand with the ball as hard as she can but luckily my hand is at just the right angle it goes down and not out
"Angie this isn't the time for feuds we're 4 down now" her captain says after we retake our positions
"No I think it is" the girl Angie says and digs looks worried
"This might get bad" she says to me and I nod
"I'm being careful" I say looking around at my team
"If you get in a battle just do what you need to without getting hurt ok" cassie instructs and I nod

The rest of the set goes without incident and we start the 2nd strong with a score of 5-2
"Let's go cougars!" A member of the people watching shouts and I smile
"Sub please" coach says just before Im about to serve and the ref nods
"N.c" coach calls then subs her out for Emily
"Score one of your Service aces"she says to me but instead of doing a powerful jump serve like I usually do I hit a float serve
"That's one way to do it I guess" Taylor says as it hits the ground on their side of the net
"One more" Lilly says smiling at me
"Ready?" The other teams captain asks her team

I serve again but this time it seems they are slightly more ready for my jump serve because they almost get it up but it bounces off the arms of one of the girls in the back
"Nice one ace" Emily says and I smile
"Come on guys we can do this" the other team captain says to her team a little more discouraged than usual
"I feel bad now,she sounds discouraged" I remark quietly so the other team doesn't hear
"Don't worry about it ace" cassie says and I nod before serving again but my hesitance was bad for me because the libero does get it up
"Stop doubting yourself ace I get you're trying to be humble or whatever and feel bad about getting too many points in a row but you don't have to,this is volleyball not give them a chance to win because you feel bad ball" lilly says just before they send it over and digs retrieves it
"Right sorry" I say refocusing

I think I really needed to be told that because I did notice I was taking it easy after I started getting to good but now that I'm in my element again like on the national team I'm much better even if I am taking it easy
"You know I was actually kinda scared for a moment that girl was going to fight you" Emily says while we're changing in the locker room
"Yeah" I say relieved she didn't
"I bet you're one of those people who's bad in a fight until they get you mad" Taylor remarks and before I can say anything I hear jo come in
"Oh no,she's mean and good at it too" jo says coming into the locker room like it's nothing to just walk in when the teams there
"People pick fights with me for no reason" I say
"You're not even on the team why are you in here?" Digs asks jo
"I was bored waiting outside" jo says with a shrug

"We'll probably be seeing them again for the championship" coach says and it's pretty likely since they've won almost all their games to this point
"Next we face the bears right?" Ari asks and coach nods
"It's going to be a tough one" coach says as the door to the locker room opens again
"Seriously juvie your friends can't just waltz in here whenever they want" Cassie says as Willow walks right up to me
"Willow why are you here I told you to leave me alone" I say and she frowns
"I can't say congrats to my friend" she says making friend sound like we're more and I'm starting to get mad now
"Ok you know what that's it,both of you out this is the teams locker room right now and you guys aren't on the team" I say and give jo a look to say I'm not really mad at her but I'm mad at Willow

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Hey guys here's a new chapter also it's my birthday so yay (July 25) anyways guys stay healthy and safe -Kat:)