Love At First Spike (GirlxGirl) (TeacherxStudent)

8

Author's Note:

LONG CHAPTER TODAY HEHE, Hope everyone is excited :))) 

Mia's gaze bore into me like a searchlight catching a culprit. Caught off guard, I felt like a deer in headlights, frozen and unsure how to evade her suspicious scrutiny.

"Whose car are you coming out of?" she prodded, her dog by her side, adding to the interrogation with its inquisitive eyes.

"Uh- um..." I fumbled, my mind racing to concoct a believable excuse. But as I searched for one, I realized we didn't really know anyone who drove.

"Coach Valerie?" Mia's question sliced through the tense air like a blade. My cheeks flushed crimson, and I stuttered out a response.

"Yeah," I managed, my shoulders hunching in a feeble attempt to deflect the spotlight. A nervous chuckle escaped my lips, adding to the awkwardness of the moment. Mia's raised eyebrow betrayed her confusion at my revelation.

"What happened to keeping a 'professional' distance?" she pressed, her tone tinged with both concern and irritation. "I told you this is unhealthy to obsess over, and you know it too." Her voice rose slightly in pitch, a sign of her growing exasperation with my behaviour.

"I know, I know," I murmured, attempting to placate Mia's rising concern, my voice soothing as I tried to navigate my way out of the predicament. "I promise it's nothing like what you're thinking. Yes, I did spend some time with her, but we kept our distance, and nothing happened," I reassured her. Yet, even as I spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was actually trying to convince myself more than anything.

Mia's eyes narrowed in scepticism, her expression a mix of doubt and worry. "Stacey, are you sure about this?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

I nodded earnestly, hoping to convey a sense of conviction I didn't entirely feel. "Yes, Mia, I'm sure," I insisted, though uncertainty lingered in my tone.

Sighing, Mia shook her head, clearly unconvinced but willing to let the matter rest for the moment. "You know what, let's go to the party this weekend," she suggested, a spark of excitement igniting in her eyes. "Maybe we can try to get you out there," she added, her voice tinged with optimism as she sought to lift my spirits.

I frowned, feeling a sense of dread creeping over me at the mere mention of a school party. "Mia, you know I hate school parties," I protested, a hint of reluctance in my voice.

"I know, but Lily will be there, and you need a distraction before you dig yourself deeper and deeper," Mia countered, her grip tightening on my hands as she pleaded with me to consider her proposal.

"Fine," I agreed reluctantly, my voice tinged with resignation, accompanied by a small sigh. Mia's face lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Yes!" she exclaimed, pumping her fist in the air triumphantly. "We win our game tomorrow, and the night after, we party!" she declared, her enthusiasm contagious despite my own reservations. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her antics, but deep down, I knew her excitement was infectious.

-

Today, we had an away game against the Pink Spiders, which meant a field trip of sorts with our volleyball team. I felt a surge of excitement, maybe even a touch of giddiness.

The knowledge that I had experienced a different side of Coach compared to anyone else kept me buoyant too. I knew it was risky to entertain such thoughts, but I couldn't help it.

As our team boarded the bus, I seated next to Coach Valerie, given my role as captain it was just an unspoken rule to delve into discussing strategies for the upcoming game.