Behind the Game Face

introduction

One thing about going to a huge school was that it was impossible to know every single person at that school, much less those in your year.

Our school in particular held tryouts for those students who didn't get recruited. It was cool and sometimes there were hidden gems within our school that didnt have the opportunity to get scouted.

I've been playing since I could walk. My parents were both volleyball players which is how I was introduced to the sport. I remember when I was a baby, they'd bring me to the local park just so they could play grass pickup with their volleyball friends.

"That's it for today ladies!" Coach called out as we all huddled up in the middle of the field. Yes, I said field. Hell week weeded out the unprepared and kept those who needed it in shape. "Call us out Montgomery."

"Hawks on three!" I yelled out. The huddle broke and as soon as conditioning was over, girls left and right fell straight to the floor. Two girls ran to the trash bins closest to us, others were crying from the pain, and a few tried walking away but their legs gave out by the time they reached the benches.

"Dude, does this ever get easier?" Emma, a close friend of mine, asked as she sat on the grass next to me, huffing.

I laughed, out of breath as I bumped her shoulder before shaking my head. Granted, we were upperclassmen now as juniors but hell, when has working out ever been fun.

"Alright yall," Gabby, a senior said as she stood up infront of the group of girls. "Now if you make the team, I just wanted to remind everyone of our Community Champions Day we're holding when school starts, I'll text the details but just keep it in mind!"

Oh yes, Champions Day. A day full of kids, fun and food. I personally loved children and introducing them to volleyball was a huge plus. It was a fun day for the most part.

"Cmon," Emma said as she stood up and brushed herself off. "I wanna get to the dining hall before football does,"

I laughed at her as I stood up as well. While we were using the football field for conditioning, the football team was in the weight rooms so it worked out perfectly fine.

"Speaking of football, Jeremiah invited us over for a bonfire tonight," Olivia said as she came to my other side. "It should be pretty chill,"

Emma squealed as she agreed to go. I, however, stayed quiet as we entered my jeep.

"I don't know guys, we have lift tomorrow morning and I don't feel like going to a party already," I spoke. The dining hall was only a 2 minute drive.

"I promise Lilah, it's literally only Jeremiah and a couple of his teammates and us three plus Gabby!" Liv reassured.

"That's basically nobody," Emma chirped as she leaned forward from the backseat. "We can stay for an hour or two then leave,"

"Yeah, I'll think about it," I responded. Truth was, when hell week was in session, I just didn't have the energy for anything besides volleyball. It was bad enough we had two practices, a workout, two film sessions and a team bonding exercise every day.

The dining hall was packed to the brim by the time we entered. There wasn't really much room to figure out where we could sit but luckily, the girls and I found a table and were able to get food.

Hell week also gave student athletes the chance to see other student athletes before school started. You know, who glowed up, who's new, who's returning, the usual.

"Since when did Stevens get so fine," Gabby asked as she set her food down at the table. We all turned to look at Scott Stevens, a soccer player who dyed his hair over the summer it seems.

"Girl, he been fine," I told her, pointing my fork at her. "You're just too focused on your lil man," Emma and Liv laughed with me as we all subconsciously turned to look at the swim team, more specifically Matthew Donavan.

Gabby and Matt has had a thing since I was a freshman. Even though they weren't officially together, everyone knew they were together. It was kinda cute.

"He is not my man," Gabby rolled her eyes as she threw a napkin at me. "We're just friends!"

"Speaking of my man," Liv spoke up as she looked behind me. "Hi Jeremiah," I watched as she smiled sweetly.

"Hi Liv," I heard a deep voice behind me. "Ladies," Jeremiah acknowledged as he rounded the table to sit next to her. Suddenly the other four chairs at our table were taken as well.

"Do you get more beautiful each year or do my eyes deceive me," I hear from next to me.

"Is your brain getting smaller from all that tackling or is it just now starting to form Eli?" I asked sarcastically as I turned to my right.

Eli was, like the other men at the table, on the football team. For years he's tried to get at me but knows I'd never get with him considering he dated a teammate of ours.

Never date your teammates exes. It never ends well.

Everybody at the table laughed as he shook his head, giving me a side hug as he dug in his food.

"You gon fall for me one day Lil," He said boldly.

"Yeah, when hell freezes over," I responded.

"Lord may that day be today." He jokingly said, clasping his hands together as he looked to the sky.

Everybody at the table laughed and I couldn't help it either, rolling my eyes at his behavior.

"Yo, Prince! Over here!" Jeremiah yelled to someone behind me.

Whoever it was turned him down and must've left as he sighed.

"That dude lives under a rock." Eli spoke to him.

"Yeah well he can continue as long as we keep winning." Jeremiah shrugged. I tuned out the rest of their conversation as I kept eating.

It was going to be a long couple of weeks ahead for us.