Volleyball Princess

Chapter 1: Moving Sucks

A/N: This is my first written story. I hope you enjoy reading it. (:

Dedicated to invisiblegirl26 for being my first reader, great supporter, and awesome friend! <3

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August 24: Wednesday

Have you ever been forced to move? Well, I have. In fact, it was about a week ago. My dad, Leo Rivers, had been offered a job as a high school basketball coach in Florida. He was just as excited as a little boy getting a Lego set on Christmas. Heck, even when we got here, he went crazy trying to get our things into the house so we could officially move in. As you can probably tell, he doesn't travel much, or for that matter, go out a lot either. I guess he just could not believe he got this opportunity; the change in scenery - starting fresh. I, on the other hand, was not as thrilled.

It is Wednesday morning right now, my first day at my new school. My dad insisted for me to go today. He still needs help unpacking but I missed Monday and Tuesday and he does not want me to skip anymore days. So here I am in my car, driving to my new school.

Come, break me down! Marry me, burry me! I am finished with you!

There goes my ring tone. Naomi is calling. I had sent her a message last night that today would be my first day.

I pick up. "Hello?"

"Do not desert me or forget about me Andy! As soon as you graduate, you promised you would come back!" Naomi yells. I honestly have no idea where she gets her energy from.

"I know Nami, I know. Don't worry, you are irreplaceable," I tease.

"So, you ready sis?" Naomi sounds real excited, as if she is about to walk down a red carpet to get an award. I know she is just trying to rub some of her perky self off on me today. Usually I am in a better mood and not this dull, but today is an exception.

"Ready? Of course! I have been waiting for this whole moment my whole life." I reply sarcastically.

"Aye, aye, now calm down. You seem way too excited for your first day." Naomi tries to mimic my sarcasm but I can tell from her voice she is holding back a smile.

"Yeah, super." I sigh. I am pretty sure she heard it. "You know I just want to go back home. I'm just kind of bummed out. It is our first year without being in the same school, let alone being in the same state. It just does not feel right." I pause for a quick second and then quickly add, "and the team, I feel like I abandoned them."

"Cheer up girl and think positive! You know you had to do this for your dad. It is a great opportunity for him." She pauses.

I did not totally disagree to moving down here. I thought that maybe it was time for a change, for him at least. I could have stayed with Naomi and her parents. They are like my second family. The thing is, I just could not allow my dad to come down here alone. Naomi and I both know that. I had to do this for my dad.

She continues, "Do not worry about the team. I promised you that I would do my best as the new captain and I will. You know I'm a beast at cheer. Wink, wink," she says giggling. I can even picture her winking at me. It put a smile on my face.

My parents had me after their first year of being married. I was born the same month as Naomi, my best friend. I call her Nami, same way she calls me Andy instead of Andrea. She tends to rub in my face though how she is a week older than me. It turns out her mom, Carolina Piez, found her dad, Brandon Piez, the same time around as my parents found each other.

Naomi is like an exact, and I mean identical copy of her mom. Same long brown hair, both about five feet four, both real skinny, although Naomi is a bit skinnier, but both, of course, have those green bright eyes.

Carolina and my mom were the best of friends. That is, until my mom passed away when I was seven. . .

Her unexpected outburst interrupts my train of thought, "This year will be over before you know it! You will be back here in no time! Please cheer up, for me? Just give this new school a shot. It probably isn’t even all that bad. Who knows, you might even find good friends," her voice starts to lower, right above a whisper that I could almost barely hear her on the phone, "and maybe even a lover," trying to sound seductive.

"Whatever you say," I reply and laugh to myself at the fact that she would probably love to switch places with me. She is the type of person who makes friends easily. She is a great friend to have and I thank my lucky stars that she is my best friend. I can talk or spend a whole day with her and never get bored.

We have been best friends since we were babies. We grew up together; always went to the same school, lived three houses down from one another, went out together almost every weekend. We are always there for one another, through thick and thin. Heck, we even look similar, which is why we consider each other sisters.

It sucks that I am not going to have her by my side this year. She always knows how to cheer me up. I really hope me moving to Florida does not change our friendship.

"Andreaaaa? Hellooo? You there?"

I realize Naomi has been trying to get my attention for a while. "Sorry, I’m here. I just got to the school parking lot. Let me get this over with sis. Thanks for trying to cheer me up." I smile but immediately notice I probably look like an idiot smiling by myself in the car. I try to make my voice sound happier so she would not worry as much. "Love you girl. I will call you tonight when I get home."

"Okay. Remember, positive thinking girl! Love you too! And you better." She tries to sound very serious. It was a fail 'cause I could hear her fighting her smile and perkiness.

When I left Cali, I knew I would miss her. I had to promise her before going that I would call or text her once a day. If I skipped, if I forgot just one day, she said she would personally come to Florida and hunt me down. She is a little ball of craziness sometimes. She just worries that I would forget about her. I know though that no matter what I do, that would be close to impossible.

"Bye sis," I reply before hanging up. 

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A/N: Hmm so now what? How do you think the school will be like? Will she fit in? Will she find friends? Maybe meet a "lover" as Nami put it. Stick around to find out!!!

Picture of what Naomi and Andrea could look like on the right.

Comments, votes, fans, feedback, everything and anything is very much appreciated!!!

Linette Rodriguez  © 2012

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