park.sunghoon ✩ amore

24

✩

8:56 am

The basic rules were the same as normal volleyball, but a match was limited to 20 minutes and whichever team had the most points by the end was the winner.

The schedule of the volleyball matches had been posted.

8:40 - 9:00 team 1 and team 14

9:05 - 9:25 team 2 and team 13

9:30 - 9:50 team 3 and team 12

9:55 - 10:15 team 4 and team 11

10:20 - 10:40 team 5 and team 10

10:45 - 11:05 team 6 and team 9

11:10 - 11:30 team 7 and team 8

After figuring out that we wouldn't be playing for another few hours, we went out and got snacks, relaxing a bit and enjoying the games as we laughed and cheered.

✩

11:05 am

After the last match ended, our team got onto the court, warming up and getting used to everything before our match started. Our first match was going to be easy since the opposing team were made up of girls and guys that weren't really big athletes, but just joined for the fun.

From the start of the game we could already tell that it was an easy game. We played lightly, easily tiring the opponent and winning the short match.

During our game the next schedule was posted, the winners from the previous rounds were matched up for the next round.

11:35 - 11:55 team 14 and team 13

12:00 - 12:20 team 3 and team 11

12:25 - 12:45 team 5 and team 6

12:50-1:10 team 7 and 14

Nothing much happened during the other matches, we just ate more snacks while talking and laughing, cheering on our classmates once in a while. Though the second match was going to be harder now, a few volleyball players were mixed in the opposing team. It was making me more nervous since I wasn't sure if I was able to play well.

"You got this Aera, I know you do," Sunghoon whispered to me, his arm over my shoulder as we waited for our match.

"Thanks," I whispered back, not looking up at him, a bit nervous to meet his eyes.

"Team 7 and Team 14, get into position," the coach announced, shaking out my body in nervousness, we all got into position.

From the first serve, we could already feel that this was going to be a rough match. Here and there the balls flew out the court, some bouncing off of the opposing team. It was scary when the opposing team got ready to spike, afraid the ball would blast your head off. The rest of the guys seemed pretty focused on the chill, calmly receiving the hard spikes and attacking back at them.

It was the close match, but it ended in our victory. We stepped to the side to catch our breath, team 11 and team 5 going to the court for round 3.

"You did really good princess," Sunghoon mumbled, catching his breath as sweat rolled off his face. I simply nodded back as I took in deep breaths.

1:15-1:35 team 11 and team 5

1:40-2:00 team 7 and team 11

✩

1:35 pm

Last match before finals, the opposing team was fully made up of guys, all of them from different sport teams. I was scared, being the only girl in the whole court, I knew I couldn't win with power, but I had to be much better skill wise to be able to help my team.

They had the first serve, and it was really powerful. I received it and my arms were throbbing from the force. Though it was a tight match it was okay, until Jay's spike landed on the line, and the line guard called it in, making the opponents mad. They kept arguing that the ball had landed outside the line, and our team kept arguing back that it was in.

The coach ended the debate by calling it in, as the line guard said. The opponent threw the ball to our side, landing on the right side of my face. I didn't even have time to process the ball flying my way since I was focused on returning to my position.

As soon as I got hit, the crowd gasped and the boys started rushing to me. I was just dazed and shock from the impact. Sunghoon held my shoulders, as he looked at my face.

"Are you okay? Does it hurt?" he bombarded me with questions, I just softly nodded back.

"I'm fine," I quietly said back, but in reality the side of my head was throbbing in immense pain.

"Ms. Aera, are you okay?" The coach said through her mic, even the opponents were looking at me in worry, they probably didn't think it would hit me in the head that hard.

I threw a thumbs up in the air, noticing everyone that I was okay. I could see from the corner of my eyes, Sunoo, Riki, Mia, Zoe, and Jihyun sitting at the edge of their seats, waving their hands in anger.

"Team 11, this is a warning," the coach sternly announced, making the whole team nod their heads.

From there, the rest of the match was easy going and we won the match, which was also the final, making us the winner of the whole tournament.

"GOOD JOB!" Sunoo yelled as he ran towards us, the rest of the group running down the bleachers to join us in the celebration.

"Oh my god, is your head okay?" Jihyun asked as she shook me around, observing my face.

"i'm fine, don't worry," I replied, pulling JIhyun off me. But as soon as she was off me, Sunghoon wrapped his arms around my shoulders, smiling so sweetly at me.

"You still look pretty sweating like hell," he poked at me, making me realize how much we were both sweating, pushing him far from me.

"Do not come near me right now, lemme wash up a bit," I said to everyone before rushing to the washrooms.

✩