Be My Mascot

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Bailey's POV

Friday came quick this week. Today was the try-outs for the volleyball team. I was having mixed emotions towards this; excited, yet nervous. I have some experience with this sport. Every family reunion, my cousins and I would all take part in a game. That was our thing. My mum would say that I inherited my skillful hand/eye coordination from her.

Aubrey had come over early in the morning so we could walk to Law together. I wasn't expecting what was going to happen in that class.

When the professor would ask a question aloud, Niall's hand would shoot up in the air. He got five answers correct. Each time, I would spin my head around to give him a 'what are you doing?' look. Niall would simply shrug. No rolling of the eyes, no mean comment, and no smart remark. Just a shrug. He didn't even once glare at me. This was a totally different Niall. Chase wasn't prepared for it, either. He gave Niall the same look as I did.

Unlike his friend, Niall had stepped away and watched Chase make fun of other classmates behind their backs. He would just keep quiet. I'm not going to lie, I was liking this side of him. However, the way Niall was acting was making me suspicious. How can he be an arse one day and then a normal twenty-one year old college student the next? Something is up in that pretty head of his.

Even Caleb seemed cautious. It seemed like he liked it, too, though. Must've been a sigh of relief to not be a target of Niall Horan.

*****

Class ended and I took the chance to rush up to Niall. He was walking down the same hallway that we had our fight in. Again, I tapped his shoulder from behind. He spun around, eyes focusing on me.

"What is up with you? Why were you volunteering yourself every chance you had?" I spoke, gripping his arm.

"What are you talking about?" Niall replied casually.

"You weren't being mean. Not once did you roll your eyes at me. What happened to the self-centered bully you were yesterday?"

His eyes widened at my words. I bit my lip, looking down. That must have sounded harsh.

"Is that really what you think of me?"

The tone of his voice lowered. He started to inch closer to me. My breath hitched in my throat when I realized he was doing so. My body backed away, much to his dislike. I opened my mouth to apologize, but my name being called stopped me from doing so. My head turned around to see Aubrey running towards us. By the look on her face, I knew she was confused.

"Bailey, I was looking for you," she breathlessly spoke.

Her eyes darted from Niall and then to me. His hands stuffed themselves in his pant pockets.

"Come on, let's go," I mumbled, tugging her away. If he didn't want to explain, then I just wouldn't ask anymore.

*****

Aubrey and I had just made it to the field next to the football stadium for our try-outs. About fifteen other girls were here. I looked to be one of six sophomores. The captain was a senior named Amy. Her blonde hair was pushed over her shoulders as she took a clipboard from the table. She called off all of the names from the registration forms to make sure we were all here. One girl was absent. Amy rolled her eyes, scribbling over the name.

"Okay, ladies! Today I will be adding four girls to the team. But first, you all have to go through some different drills to test your abilities."

Some of the drills included bumping a volleyball back and forth to a partner, running sprints across the field, and doing a scrimmage game. Each one I did quite well on. I was surprised at my abilities. Other girls however, failed at the challenges. I could see Amy marking an X next to their names.

I wiped away a streak of sweat that ran down my forehead. A group of five girls, one including me, were doing sprints down the vast field area. It was pretty easy. Working out with Aubrey must've helped.

****

After an excruciating two hour training bootcamp, Amy told us that we had finished. The fifteen of us were sitting on the ground, waiting to hear her decision.

"Thank you again for coming out here to tryout," she announced. "You will have a ten minute break while I decide who joins the team."

Amy walked away, returning to her seat at the table. I stood up, trailing over to my bag. I reached in to take out my water bottle. While I drank, my eyes looked around at the surroundings. I noticed a group of males who stood outside of the football stadium. They were all talking. Then, I spotted a familiar blond kid. Niall was in the mix of boys, laughing at a joke. I looked down to my feet. I still felt guilty for my harsh words. I needed to apologize.

Since I had my break, I took my chance to talk to him. My feet trudged over the grassy field. As I neared closer, many of the boys' heads turned to me. Some winked, others just stared. Niall was one of the guys who just watched me approach them. I took a deep breath, walking right up to him.

"Um, hi Bailey," Niall said, looking confused.

"Can I talk to you?" I whispered. "In private."

Niall nodded, throwing the bag he once held to the floor. His teammates looked on as we walked away from the group.

"I um, I wanted to apologize," my voice strained out.

"It's okay," he replied. "You really don't have to."

My feet kicked around some of the dirt before continuing.

"No. It was really rude of me to say those things. I was just really confused. You acted so much different in previous Law classes then today....why?"

Niall sighed, deciding what to say inside his head. "You were right, Bailey. I was acting like a kid. It was wrong and I've stopped now. I promise."

I looked up from the ground. He was already staring at me.

I nodded, "Okay."

There was a pause of silence. I glanced back to the group of girls on the other side of Niall.

"I better get back."

"Oh, uh right. Bye, Bailey," Niall waved.

I gave him a weak smile before we parted ways.

I had returned to the girls who still sat on the grass. Amy soon walked over to us.

"Alright, everyone! I've come to a decision. Thank you all for trying out, but only four will make the team. Those girls are..."

I closed my eyes, praying that my name was on the list.

"Hannah Steinberg, Aubrey Nichols, Bailey Thomas, and Riley Gates."

I made it. I made the team! Aubrey flung her arms around my neck. I happily laughed against the hug. Riley and Hannah were also celebrating. All of the other girls got up from the grass and walked away, sulking. Amy turned to the four of us.

"Congrats, girls. Our first practice with the rest of the team is on Tuesday."

We nodded in response. My eyes wandered back to the group of boys. Maybe I should tell Niall my good news. I soon found his figure. He and another male were yelling and laughing at a smaller freshman. I watched Niall pick him up, muttering something, then dropping the kid on the ground. I gasped at his actions. I couldn't believe it. He told me that he stopped! I shook my head in disgust. And to think, I was beginning to like him.