When Shadow Feeds

Chapter 8: Unspoken Connections

The atmosphere in the gym was electric, filled with the sounds of sneakers squeaking against the polished wood floor and the rhythmic thud of volleyballs meeting palms. Saint adjusted her jersey, feeling a surge of anticipation as she took her place on the court alongside her teammates. Today was the day they would put their training to the test in front of the entire student body.

"Alright, team, gather around!" Yeddah called, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention. "We're going to focus on our serves and communication today. Remember, we need to play as a unit!"

Saint nodded, feeling the weight of her jersey number, 10, on her back-a reminder of her commitment to this team and the opportunity she had earned through hard work. She stole a glance at the bleachers, where students were starting to gather. Among the crowd, she hoped to catch a glimpse of Noir, her heart racing at the thought.

As they started their drills, Saint felt the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She was determined to make a name for herself, to prove that she belonged here at Blackthorn Academy. The memory of Noir's indifference lingered in her mind, pushing her to perform better.

"Let's see those serves, ladies!" Yeddah shouted, signaling for them to line up. One by one, they stepped up to the service line, aiming to make their shots count.

Saint took a deep breath, focusing on the ball as she launched it over the net. The ball sailed smoothly, landing just inside the line-a perfect serve.

"Nice one, Saint!" Natasha cheered, giving her a thumbs-up as she returned to the back of the line.

However, Mary was struggling. She had been missing her serves consistently, and frustration was etched on her face. As the drills continued, Saint could feel Mary's glare every time she stepped up to serve, her eyes sharp with resentment.

"Come on, Mary! Just focus!" Yeddah encouraged, but Mary's annoyance only deepened.

"Maybe if you'd stop showing off, I could concentrate!" Mary snapped, causing a few heads to turn in their direction.

Saint felt a rush of anger and hurt but swallowed it down. "I'm not trying to show off, Mary," she replied, her tone steady. "I'm just trying to help."

Mary scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Help? More like making me look bad!"

The tension escalated, and soon they found themselves arguing on the court, their voices rising above the sound of bouncing balls.

"Guys, focus!" Johanna interjected, stepping between them. "This is practice, not a fight!"

Saint took a step back, breathing heavily as she tried to calm her racing heart. "I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just trying to do my best."

Mary crossed her arms, her expression defiant. "Well, your best isn't exactly helping me, is it?"

The air crackled with tension as the coach approached, sensing the disturbance. "What's going on here?" she asked, her tone firm but calm.

"Just a misunderstanding, Coach," Saint quickly said, glancing at Mary, hoping to diffuse the situation.

"Alright then, let's refocus. Volleyball is a team sport, and communication is key. Remember, we win together, and we lose together. Let's get back to it!"

As practice resumed, Saint felt a mix of determination and frustration. She was here to prove herself, but it seemed like the road was going to be bumpy. With every serve she made, she reminded herself that she wouldn't let anyone-including Mary-bring her down.

Later, as practice wrapped up, Yeddah approached Saint, her expression softer. "Hey, don't let Mary get to you. She just needs time to adjust. You're doing great."

Saint managed a small smile, grateful for her friend's support. "Thanks, Yeddah. I just want to fit in."

"You will. Just keep being yourself," Yeddah encouraged.

As they headed out of the gym, Saint caught sight of Noir in the bleachers, surrounded by his friends. He leaned back, his gaze piercing yet unreadable. The sight of him sent a jolt of energy through her, and she quickly averted her eyes, focusing on her teammates instead.

After practice, the team decided to grab smoothies at a nearby café. As they settled into a booth, the mood shifted, and Yeddah leaned in, her voice lowered conspiratorially. "So, I saw you looking at Noir during practice."

Saint felt her cheeks flush. "I wasn't looking! I just... I saw him."

"Admit it! You're curious about him," Natasha teased, nudging her shoulder.

"Who wouldn't be?" Johanna added with a smirk. "He's like a walking mystery wrapped in a handsome enigma."

Before Saint could respond, a familiar voice called out. "Hey, ladies! Mind if we join?"

Saint's heart skipped a beat as she turned to see Noir and his friends approaching. They carried an air of confidence, their presence immediately drawing attention from nearby tables.

"Uh, sure!" Yeddah said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

They slid into the booth, and Saint felt her heart race as Noir settled beside her. "What's the topic of discussion?" he asked, his voice smooth and low.

"Just how we're going to crush our next game," Yeddah replied, her eyes flickering between the boys and her teammates. "You know, typical team talk."

Noir chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Saint's spine. "Good to see you're taking this seriously."

As the conversation flowed, Saint found herself caught in the magnetic pull of Noir's gaze. But when a girl approached their table-a shy, blushing freshman-she felt her heart sink.

"Um, hi, Noir," the girl stammered, glancing nervously at the group. "I just wanted to say that I think you're really amazing."

Saint's stomach twisted as she watched Noir respond with a polite nod, his expression cool. The girl fumbled with her words, attempting to convey her admiration, but it was clear that Noir's interest lay elsewhere.

"Thanks," he replied, his tone devoid of warmth. The girl, clearly disappointed, quickly retreated, leaving the table to resume their conversation.

"Brutal," Alaric remarked, shaking his head. "You really need to work on your social skills, Noir."

"What can I say?" Noir shrugged, his eyes flicking to Saint. "I prefer direct conversations."

Yeddah laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "We all know that, Noir. You're like an ice king in a castle of frozen hearts."

As the banter continued, Saint's thoughts drifted. She couldn't help but wonder what it would take to break through Noir's icy exterior, to discover the secrets hidden beneath his cold facade.

Before long, they finished their smoothies, and Saint felt a sense of camaraderie growing among her teammates and Noir's friends. She glanced at Noir, who was now animatedly discussing some basketball highlights with Damon.

"Saint!" Natasha called, breaking her reverie. "What do you think? Want to join us for a study session later?"

"Sure!" Saint replied, eager to keep the momentum of the day going.

As they exited the café, Saint found herself stealing glances at Noir and his friends, their laughter echoing in her mind. She was beginning to realize that the lines between her world and theirs were starting to blur, drawing her deeper into a narrative filled with intrigue and secrets.

With every encounter, the shadows surrounding Noir and his friends seemed to beckon her closer, and she knew that the journey ahead would be anything but ordinary.