Trusting You

~Chapter 48

"Do your best out there, okay? We've worked incredibly hard this year, and we've come so far. It doesn't matter if we try our best and still lose. At least we tried, right? But don't lose hope. Now warm up." Coach Robyn says waving her hands dismissively.

It's been three weeks since Erick's accident, and he's still in the hospital, unconscious. We're at Gregory Quinn's Volleyball stadium, getting ready to play against Sapphire Seed High. It's a prestigious school, renowned for its excellent volleyball team. I honestly don't think we stand a chance against them, but don't tell my teammates I said that. Tyler has taken Erick's spot for today, and I feel even more nervous. We're about to play the most important game of this year, and Erick's not here to witness it. He's not here to play. He's one of our best players and he's lying in the hospital, unconscious. 

"You guys start, I- I need some air," I say suddenly, my voice is flat and devoid of its usual confidence.

I bolt outside before anyone can follow me or convince me to come back.

I hear a few people asking me to come back but I don't turn back.

When I'm finally outside, I pant for air.

A lump forms in my throat as an image of Erick lying unconscious floats into my head.

I can't do this.

Not without Erick.

It doesn't feel right.

I feel my eyes threatening to let a tear escape.

"Jesy?" A soft voice asks as it comes closer to me.

I don't bother facing them.

A soft hand slips into mine and squeezes it gently.

I finally turn to find Andrea looking at me with a strong emotion blazing like fire in her eyes. Determination.

"Hey, I know it's tough, having to play the most important match of the year without him. I know it's harder on you because you- you love him. I can see it." She says softly, her fiery red curls blowing against the wind.

"H-How do you-" I stammer.

"We all do. Jas, Jake, Nai, and Tyler. It was obvious you were falling for him since the very beginning, Jesy." She says.

"He's in the hospital, Ann. And there's nothing I can do about it. I hate it. I hate that He's not here with us, soothing my anxiety and nerves, not here to warm up with us and I hate that I can't be with him." I say, as my heart clenches just thinking about it. "I-I can't do this. I can't play without him. You go out there and play with them. Play for me."  My voice breaks and I refuse to meet her eye.

"No. Jesy, you're our Captain, we need you out there." She says firmly.

"You have Jas," I argue.

She gives me a flat look.

"Erick would've wanted you to be out there with us, leading your team into victory, with or without him. Don't let him down." She says finally and turns and goes back inside.

In all my years of knowing Ann, I've never seen her look so determined and so...fierce.

"Erick would've wanted you to be out there with us, leading your team into victory, with or without him. Don't let him down."

Her words keep playing in my mind, over and over again.

I sigh, knowing she's right.

We have to win this. For Erick.

I straighten my clothes and take a deep breath before making a final decision and going in.

"Look who decided to join us." Jas teases.