Strictly Business - Damianya [Damian Desmond x Anya Forger]

ix - Volleyball Practice

Finally Finally FINALLY!

Eden Academy had stopped hosting events and games for the 10th, 11th and 12th graders due to board examination but due to the mass request of students (and some possible bribery) Professor Henderson had decided to grant us one sports tournament for the year in all three grades. Our annual volleyball tournament!

We'd been having it since the 1st grade and absolutely everyone loved it. Seeing the stress and anxiety of the students, the teachers had decided to let us have a small stress reliever.

I was so excited! Volleyball was one of the only sports I actually enjoyed and the last time the school had one of these tournaments was back in the 8th grade! As soon as the news had been announced 2 weeks ago, barely a few days after the midterms, I and Becky had started practising and training all the time.

We both loved the sport and even spent some of our late nights together playing. Agreed this tournament had massively messed up our sleep schedule but it was all worth it.

Since the tournament was only supposed to be a stress reliever and not very important, the board of Eden had decided to keep it mixed doubles. We knew there wasn't a very high chance of us ending up together but we worked hard for both of our sakes. The reward for the two winners were Stella's and the MVP could even maybe get two. Becky had only 1 Stella star left to become an Imperial Scholar and I only had 2 so this could be a very deciding tournament.

Team announcement day was just a week before the tournament due to it being taken so lightly and once the day came, I and Becky were nervous wrecks we were praying that we would be in each other's team while tightly gripping each other's hand.

After a while we finally heard my name announced.

"Anya Forger, George Glooman, Damian Desmond, Emile Elman, Tanya Washington and Hana Caddel are Team 3." Principal Henderson announced. "Team captain- Anya Forger."

Oh god. I was separated from Becky and captain? I'm never going to survive this tournament!

Becky gave me a look which had a mix of pity and sadness. We were separated and I had a huge responsibility to take on. I'm considering just backing out.

Out of corner of my eye I noticed Sy-on give me a dumbfounded look. He looked jealous that I had become captain instead of him but he also looked slightly terrified about what I was going to do as one. But somewhere in his eyes I saw that he was somewhat proud of me?

I can't believe they made her captain instead of me. I'm sure she'll do well though...

Why does he always think things like this about me? I should ask Becky but she'll just start blabbing on about romance novels.

Where is he trying to go with these feelings after 10 years? Moreover what was I going to do with mine?

*****

Today was the first day of practice. I had requested use of the volleyball court of the school after hours as I didn't have access to any other court and the tournament was approaching soon. Though we had to share the court with Becky's team, it was still less of a hassle than marking the local park like a court or arranging for another one.

Both teams had the court for 2 hours so I had asked Becky for a small favor. We would practice with our own teams for the first 90 minutes and then go against each other for some extra practice in the last half hour.

This was also a sort of tactic I had picked up form WISE. It would help us analyze the team's strengths and weaknesses in the game to at least a shallow level of understanding.

I felt slightly guilty since Becky was my best friend but I was ready to do what it takes to win.

"Hey! Becky!" I called her. She had been declared captain of her team as well so we had fun hanging out under the excuse of 'Team planning'.

She turned around and smiled before running up to me.

"I'll take the right half you take left?" I asked.

She gave me a small nod before going back to her team and directing them to the left side of the court.

Once I turned back to my own team, I noticed they had already gathered to the required side. I had gotten a smart team.

Once I looked through all of them to make sure they had all arrived, my eyes met with Sy-on boy who was giving me a sort of glare. I tilted my head to the side in curiosity in a questioning way. But once I did this his expression turned frustrated as he turned red and looked away.

Dammit! I can't even be jealous of her without her doing something cute!

I felt myself turn slightly pink hearing that thought before I decided to focus on the practice at hand.

The team properly introduced themselves and we started practice. I had gotten significantly better at the sport since back in 1st grade and I was actually quite competent in directing my team.

I didn't have the the best team, but all of them had a lot of potential, and I think that's enough to win us this tournament. 

The second son was by far the star player of them team. His form was perfect and his shots were really powerful. I was lucky to have him but he would not get over the stupid 'rivalry' that we're supposed to have from 10 years ago.

Nonetheless, practice went well and it was finally time for the small match between I and Becky's teams.

We lined up on the two sides of the net and prepared to begin. George blew the whistle he was carrying, signaling the beginning of the match. Becky's team started and shot the ball into the air.

Hana from my team quickly responded and hit the ball back. Our teams were surprisingly evenly matched and even one round lasted for a long time.

The ball flew to us one more time and this time, since I was the closest, I shot it. It flew high into the air and everyone from my team watched it with hope, until it fell on our side of the net...

Though everyone said it was an accident and forgave me, I could see the disappointment in their eyes.

I slicked my hair back with both my hands in determination but with this small act I swear I heard Sy-on boy's heart-rate double.

Did something as small as this get him nervous?

I quickly regained focus and watched as my team-mates, one after the other leaped after the ball and shot it into the air, determined not to lose even in practice. I was so lucky to get this team. I joined them and tried my hardest but in the end, I was just a nuisance.

I shifted to the end of court and simply watched my teammates play after that. 

We suffered a close defeat at their hands. The final score was 20-17 in Becky's team's favor.

Becky gave me reassurance before heading home but I was thinking about the match over and over in my head. I'm barely better than I was in first grade...

(A.N. Sorry I made you guys wait a whole month for such a shitty chapter. I'll try to update sooner I promise. Sorry again. Have a good day!)