In Your Orbit (1st Book) Completed.

Chapter 3: The Return to the Court

Weeks had passed since the first day of school, and the volleyball season was in full swing. For Lisa, the court had always been her escape, the one place where everything else faded away. But today, even the thrill of the game couldn't shake the memory of last season's defeat. Her team, once undefeated, had come so close to qualifying for nationals, only to lose in the final match. It still stung. And now, as they faced their rivals in a friendly match, the air felt heavy with something unspoken-a hunger for redemption.

Jennie and Rose sat in the bleachers, eyes glued to the court. Jennie was focused entirely on Lisa, who stood poised and intense at the net, her eyes locked on the ball as it soared across the court. Next to her was Jisoo, her best friend and the team's setter, who shared an unspoken connection with Lisa. Every set Jisoo sent up seemed perfectly tailored to Lisa's spike, like clockwork.

"Lisa's on fire today," Jennie whispered to Rose, who nodded in agreement.

"She's still mad about last year," Rose replied, her voice low. "Even if it's just a friendly match, she wants to win."

Jennie's eyes remained fixed on Lisa, who was crouched slightly, her muscles taut and ready for the next move. The ball was served, and in an instant, the game was in motion. The opposing team launched an attack, the ball flying toward their side with blistering speed. Jisoo darted forward, her fingers curling around the ball just in time to send it back up into the air.

"Jisoo's incredible," Rose murmured, watching in awe as Lisa moved like lightning, leaping into the air to meet the set.

Lisa's hand connected with the ball in a perfect spike, the sound of it echoing through the gym. The ball flew past the enemy blockers and slammed into the ground on the opposing side. The crowd erupted, but Lisa remained focused, her gaze sharp and unyielding.

The game continued, each side battling fiercely, neither team willing to give an inch. Every point was hard-fought, the ball rocketing back and forth over the net as both teams struggled to gain the upper hand.

On one play, the ball was spiked with incredible force by the opposing team, heading straight for the ground. Lisa's heart pounded in her chest, knowing that they couldn't let this point go. But before she could react, Jisoo threw herself toward the ball. Her hands barely made contact, the force of the spike sending the ball spinning wildly out of control.

Jennie held her breath as the ball sailed toward the bleachers, a collective gasp rippling through the crowd. Lisa, however, was already moving. Determined to keep the ball in play, she sprinted across the court, her eyes never leaving the ball as it bounced toward the edge of the bleachers.

"She's going for it!" Rose shouted, gripping Jennie's arm.

Lisa leapt, her body flying through the air with a grace that seemed almost impossible. Just as the ball was about to land in the bleachers, her hand reached out, fingers curling around it. In one fluid motion, she passed it back to her teammate, who spiked it toward the enemy court.

The ball landed, and the gym erupted into cheers.

But Lisa didn't hear any of it.

The impact of her leap had thrown her off balance, and as she hit the bleachers, her shoulder collided hard with the edge of the seat. She crumpled to the floor, clutching her arm as pain shot through her body.

Jennie's heart dropped. She shot to her feet, her eyes wide with concern as she watched Lisa struggle to stand. Rose grabbed her arm, trying to pull her back, but Jennie couldn't sit still.

"Lisa!" Jennie whispered under her breath, watching as Lisa's teammates rushed over to help her up.

Jisoo knelt beside Lisa, her face pale with worry. "You okay?" she asked, her voice low.