DATE ME IF YOU WANT

Chapter 6

No school on the day after the freshmen party. But we had club practice for our upcoming tournament. The practice wasn't until 2 in the afternoon so I lazed about in my room.
"Where were you last night?", Kate intruded.
I was sitting at my desk and concocting a game plan. I spun around. "I was trapped due to thunderstorm.", I informed.
"Alone?", she raised an eyebrow.
I wished she hadn't asked that. Lying wasn't my forte. "No! It was me and Jimmy's sister!"
"Sister?", she tilted her head slightly. Her voice showed sudden interest.
'Damn her!' I looked at her with a oh-really face, "go away! I have work to do!" I got up and shoved her out by the shoulders.
"Wait! Wait!!", she halted, "mom was asking if you could fetch her some vegetables from the market after lunch?"
I couldn't, right? "Hey Kate!", I tried to butter her.
"Hmmm?", she took a defensive stance, of course she knew what was coming!
"Please go in my stead. I have volleyball practice.", I joined my hands.
She blinked twice (no, thrice), "ummm...ok!", after a pause, "why this sudden practice? You guys should be down with a hangover, right?", she laughed.
'Who gave her this idea?' "See Kate...", I had to remove her misconception.
She laughed hard, "brother dear, I was kidding! I know you don't drink in public!"
I flinched at her intended joke. 'Somebody please shoot me in the head!' "We have a regional tournament this Monday. Now go!" I finally succeeded in turning her out and locking my door.

Moments later, my cellphone rang. The wall clock said it was 11:40 A.M. 'Who can it be?', I wondered. I picked up my cell, 'James calling...'
"Hello!"
"Hello Jimmy! Up and running already?"
"Bastard! You spent a night with my sister!?"
"You are misunderstanding something!", I panicked.
"What did you do to her?"
I could sense some major sister complex from the other side of the phone. "I just slept with her!", I blurted out (Facepalm!) That came out in the worst possible way!
"Whaaaatttt???? We need to have a talk! I'm coming over NOW!!!!", he was furious.
"Jimmy...listen to me. I...wrong choice of words. I would never...never ever do that with her! We..we gave each other company last night. And...", I was saying anything that would help calm him down.
" And?", he wasn't convinced, "and???" He wanted an answer.
I had to tell him the truth. "And I provoked her to reveal her past to me. I'm sorry!"
"Hmmm...I see!", his voice softened, "see you tomorrow at school."
'Phew!', nuclear attack on my home averted. I disconnected the call.

Around 1 P.M. I took my lunch. I packed my bag properly and headed out. I stopped at a fuel station for a refill and reached school on time. The volleyball club was swarming with enthusiasm. 'Long time no see, my dear volleyball court!' It was good to see so many new members again. Wait! What? I rushed to find our club secretary. He was sitting in a corner, evaluating something.
"Hey!"
"Oh captain!", he greeted me.
"Wasn't this supposed to be practice before the tournament?", I charged him.
"It is, it is!", he stood up, pushing the nose piece of his specs up against his temple.
"Then what are those first years doing here?", my composure was fading away.
"Today we are officially welcoming our new members!"
I was amused by his statement. "Today isn't even an official club day!", I debated.
"Deal with it!", the club manager was silent until now.
"..." 'Why did he intervene?'
"Gather the participants on the court in five minutes!"
"Yes, sir!", I had a tough ask to perform.

The club manager a.k.a coach ordered us to warm up and engage in a friendly practice match. With the corner of my eye, I saw Rachel in the audience. I wanted to wave at her! They were asked to line up and watch our game closely. Was I nervous?
"Let it begin!"
The ball was served by our team. We were all in position. Daily exercise was showing its results. The match strategy was well executed. My vice-captain's team lost by a landslide. Though I badly wanted a rematch! 'Hell yeah! I'm the captain!', I sat on a chair and sipped on my energy drink. All the girls were crazily fawning over me (except the alien who was just staring at me the whole time!).
The coach came and sat beside me, "well played!"
"Thanks! My body is still stiff, but I know in the next match I can perform better!" I loved playing volleyball.
"For that! I think I have a better job for you!"
"Hmm?", 'better job!', I was surprised.
"Train the girls' team please. I will be busy with the boys'!", he requested me.
'How can I refuse now?' "What about my practice?"
"You are in good shape.", he assured me, seeing me unconvinced, he continued, "you are better at handling the girls.", he admitted.
'So that's what it is!', "only for an hour!", I agreed anyway.