The Stalker's Game

Chapter Nineteen: Game Day Nerves

Lena's POV:

Monday morning came too quickly. The weekend had been perfect, filled with family time and laughter, but now it was time to get back to reality. As I got ready for school, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside me. Today wasn't just any school day—it was the day of our first volleyball game, and I was both eager and anxious to see how it would go.

As I walked into the school building, the familiar sounds of chattering students and slamming lockers surrounded me. The nervous energy I'd felt earlier seemed to intensify, but I pushed it aside, focusing instead on the day ahead. My classes went by in a blur of notes, lectures, and the occasional idle daydream about the game. I couldn't help but imagine how it would feel to step onto the court with my new team for the first time.

Lunchtime came and went, and before I knew it, I was in P.E. class, changing into my gym clothes. The thought of our game later kept playing in my mind, making it hard to focus on anything else.

"Hey, Lena."

I looked up, startled by the voice. It was Ethan, standing just a few feet away. I hadn't even noticed him approaching. There was something unsettling about his presence, but I tried to shake it off, reminding myself that it was just nerves from the game.

"Hi, Ethan," I replied, trying to sound casual.

"You ready for the game today?" he asked, a strange intensity in his eyes.

"Yeah, I think so," I said, offering a small smile. "A little nervous, but excited too."

He nodded, his gaze lingering on me a bit too long. "You'll do great. I'll be rooting for you."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that, so I just nodded, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Before I could say anything else, the coach called us over to start class, and the conversation ended as quickly as it had begun. But even as we went through the motions of our P.E. routine, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about Ethan.

By the time school was over, my nerves had reached a fever pitch. I hurried to the locker room to change into my volleyball uniform, the familiar smell of sweat and liniment filling the air. The rest of the team was already there, and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Mia, our captain, was giving last-minute pointers and pep talks, her confidence infectious.

"You've got this, Lena," Mia said, clapping me on the shoulder as we headed out to the gym. "Just play like you do in practice, and you'll be fine."

"Thanks," I said, taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart.

As we stepped onto the court, the sound of cheering filled the gym. I scanned the bleachers and spotted my parents sitting near the front, their faces beaming with pride. Seeing them there made me feel a little more grounded, a little more ready to take on whatever the game would throw at us.

The game started off intense, the other team putting up a strong fight from the beginning. But as the minutes ticked by, I found my rhythm, focusing on the ball, on my teammates, on the game itself. The nerves faded away, replaced by the familiar adrenaline that came with playing a sport I loved.

Every time I glanced at the stands, I saw my parents cheering me on, their support giving me an extra boost of energy. We played hard, and by the time the final whistle blew, we'd won. The gym erupted in cheers, our team hugging and high-fiving each other in celebration. I felt a rush of pride and relief wash over me as I realized we'd done it—we'd won our first game.

Afterward, my parents were waiting for me outside the locker room, their faces glowing with pride.

"You were amazing out there!" my dad said, pulling me into a bear hug.

"Thanks, Dad," I said, laughing as I hugged him back. "It was such a rush."

"We're so proud of you, honey," Mom added, smiling as she wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "You played like a pro."

We talked about the game as we walked out to the car, my parents recounting their favorite moments and making me laugh with their enthusiastic reenactments. It felt good to share this with them, to have them be a part of this new chapter in my life.

As we drove home, the high from the game started to wear off, replaced by a gentle exhaustion. But even as tired as I was, I couldn't help but think about the conversation I'd had with Ethan in P.E. class. There was something about him that didn't sit right with me, something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

But I pushed the thought aside, deciding to focus on the good things—the game, my parents, the excitement of a new day tomorrow. For now, I was content to bask in the glow of our victory and the warmth of my family's love.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, I would let myself enjoy this moment