Camp Twin Tails

Chapter 17: I've Never Liked Volley Ball

On our escape from the Art Barn battlefield, we're passing by the soccer field and a rogue ball comes out of nowhere, catching my feet. I tumble head over heels with a yelp and land on my face. Another addition of dirt is probably now mixed in with the art materials smeared all over me.

Noah starts laughing. How courteous of em.

I push myself up onto my knees and see Roman running off the soccer field towards us. "Jeez Mari, that was one hell of a comedic fall. Are you ok? And why are you covered in art supplies? You look like you walked through a tornado aspiring to be an elementary school art teacher."

He offers me a hand and I take it despite my annoyance. I roll my eyes and flick a googly eye off my shirt, "Haha very funny, the Art Barn is a rough place right now. But you probably kicked that ball at me on purpose."

Roman gasps, "I did not!"

"You totally did! Don't even try denying it!" I snark, standing up to my full height.

"Why on earth would I kick a ball at you? I'd be more likely to get kicked without the ball!"

"That's a great idea!" I say as I start lightly kicking his side.

"Hey! Hey!" he laughs, trying to block my attacks.

I start laughing and put my leg down. We both smile at each other for moment.

"Stop making me a third wheel. It's weird. Be glad I don't slap both of you before leaving you behind," Noah says with a bored look.

"Yeah yeah, whatever," I chuckle.

E lifts eir hand. I raise my hands up in surrender. "Ok I'm sorry!"

I quickly hide behind Roman from the scary fourteen year old with attitude I'm honestly surprised hasn't actually hit me yet. The former starts laughing at me, and I send him a glare. He only shrugs in response.

Noah groans and starts walking away.

"Uh oh, bye Roman!" I yell, waving and running after them. 

After lunch we get called into another camp meeting only to be told everyone is going to play volleyball together. I purposefully join in on the other camper's whispering conversations to avoid having to look at either of the camp directors; or worse, Mr. Bruce. 

I don't like volleyball. I used to have to play in PE class for a while but I got tired of the bruised arms and legs and stopped going. If I don't want to draw more attention to myself I'll have to participate, lest I get cornered by Mr. Bruce or his weird kids. 

The crowd all migrates to the soccer field where two volleyball nets have been set up. We're broken up into teams mostly based on age and they set out the order in which we'll play. I'm already regretting it since none of my friends or my brother are on my team. 

Some younger teams play against each other first and surprisingly, Theo is pretty good at volleyball.  Lewis isn't quite as good at the whole scoring part but he's enjoying himself which is all that really matters. 

Josie and Hazel do well too and I can't help but hype them up. Gwinny doesn't seem to like the game much but she has to play anyways. Noah on the other hand, couldn't care less about whether eir's team wins or loses and I doubt e's putting real effort in. 

My team's turn comes around and guess who I'm facing off, that's right, my twin brother. Whoever loses is never gonna hear the end of it. I don't plan on getting the short end of the stick so I guess I'm just gonna have to win now. 

Knowing him, Calder has the same thought. 

Our game continues and Calder and I get more and more competitive with each other, ignoring both sides teammates. He hits the ball over the net hard, making it get way too close to the grass for comfort, but I dive for the ground and it hits my wrist instead. Someone else on my team takes it from there.