In between- Spoke x oc!Fem

IX

The day of our trip to California had finally arrived, and the excitement in the air was palpable. My alarm buzzed at 5:00 AM, and for once, I didn't feel like hitting the snooze button. The anticipation of what lay ahead had kept me on edge all night, and now that it was time to go, I was wide awake.

I threw on my favorite pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, ready for the long bus ride ahead. My suitcase, packed to the brim with my volleyball gear and essentials, sat by the door. My mom was already up, busy making sure I had everything I needed.

"You all set, Avery?" she asked, handing me a travel mug filled with hot tea.

"Yep, I think so," I replied, taking the mug with a grateful smile. "It still feels a little unreal, though."

"You've earned this, honey. Enjoy every moment," she said, pulling me into a quick hug. "And make sure you call me when you get there."

After a final check of my bag and a quick goodbye, we were out the door and on the way to the school parking lot, where the team was gathering. When we arrived, the scene was chaotic in the best way possible. Teammates were laughing, chatting, and loading their bags into the bus. The excitement was contagious, and soon enough, I was caught up in it too.

"California, here we come!" one of my teammates shouted as she tossed her duffel bag into the luggage compartment. Everyone echoed her enthusiasm, and it wasn't long before we were all settled into our seats, ready to start the journey.

As the bus pulled out of the parking lot, I put on my headphones and leaned back into my seat, trying to relax. The hum of the engine mixed with the chatter of my teammates, and soon we were on the open road. The drive ahead was long, but the excitement of heading to California for a tournament made it all worth it.

Hours passed in a mix of naps, music, and conversations. The landscape outside the bus windows gradually changed from the familiar sights of home to the rolling hills and distant mountains of the West. Every now and then, my phone buzzed with messages from the Lifesteal crew, checking in on how the trip was going and making jokes about the upcoming game.

Spoke:

Don't get too comfortable, Avs!

My team's been training like pros.

Hope you're ready to face us!

Im gonna watch all the games btw

Our principals making us

Avery:

Oh sure

Whatever makes you sleep better

Your team better watch out.

But tell me when ur watching!

I'm number 10

My teams name is Pine View volleyball

We bantered back and forth, the playful teasing helping to pass the time. The idea of actually being in the same place as Spoke felt surreal, and the possibility of meeting him in person was exciting and a little nerve-wracking.

As the day wore on, the bus made a few pit stops for food and stretching our legs. At one point, we stopped at a roadside diner, where we all piled out to grab some lunch. The diner had a retro vibe, with checkered floors and red vinyl booths, and the staff were friendly, asking us where we were headed.

"We're going to California for a volleyball tournament!" one of my teammates said proudly, and the waitresses all wished us good luck as they served our food.

Back on the bus, with full stomachs and renewed energy, the journey continued. The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky by the time we crossed into California. The landscape had shifted once again, now dotted with palm trees and bathed in the golden light of late afternoon.

The excitement in the bus grew as we approached our destination, a beachfront hotel where we'd be staying for the tournament. As we pulled up to the hotel, we were greeted by the sight of the ocean, its waves gently crashing against the shore. The air was warm and salty, a welcome change from the cooler weather back home.

We unloaded our bags and headed into the hotel lobby, where the staff checked us in. The hotel had a relaxed, beachy vibe, with white-washed walls, tropical plants, and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. We collected our room keys and headed upstairs to unpack.

I shared a room with two of my closest teammates, and as soon as we entered, we threw our bags onto the beds and immediately opened the curtains to take in the view. Our room had a small balcony that overlooked the ocean, and we all stood there for a moment, just soaking it in.

"This is amazing," one of my friends said, leaning on the balcony railing. "I can't believe we're actually here."

"I know, right?" I replied, still taking in the sight of the sun setting over the water. "It's like a dream."

After a few minutes of admiring the view, we got down to the business of unpacking. I hung up my uniforms and laid out my gear for the next day's practice. The realization that we were here for a tournament—not just a vacation—started to sink in, and I felt a flutter of nerves mixed with excitement.

Once we were settled in, we decided to explore the hotel. We found the pool area, which was surrounded by palm trees and had a clear view of the ocean. Some of our teammates were already lounging by the pool, dipping their feet in the water and chatting. We joined them for a while, relaxing and enjoying the warm evening air.

Later, we all headed back to our rooms to get ready for the team dinner. The hotel had a nice restaurant with an outdoor patio, and we gathered there for a meal together. The energy was high as we talked about the days ahead, the teams we'd be facing, and our game strategies. But there was also a lot of laughter and joking around—especially when the conversation drifted towards the possibility of running into Spoke's school's team on the court.

"Just wait until we crush Spoke's team," one of my teammates teased, nudging me. "You'll have bragging rights forever!"

"I'm sure he's saying the same thing about us right now," I laughed, thinking about our earlier conversation. The idea of facing off against Spoke's school felt surreal, but I was more excited than anything.

After dinner, we made our way back to our room to wind down. I called my mom to let her know we'd arrived safely, and then settled into bed. My teammates were already half-asleep, their breathing steady as they drifted off.

I lay there for a while, listening to the sound of the ocean through the open balcony door. The moonlight cast a soft glow over the room, and I found myself thinking about the next few days—the practices, the games, the chance to explore California, and maybe even meeting Spoke. It was all so much to take in, but I was ready for whatever came next.

Eventually, the sound of the waves lulled me to sleep, and I drifted off with a sense of calm anticipation. Tomorrow, we'd dive into the tournament prep, but for now, it was nice to just relax and enjoy the moment.