The Guide To Save Luke Nelson

Chapter 4

"We're scrimmaging, so I want you to try the outside position."

I was busy chugging water as my coach spoke. I burst into a fit of coughs, shocked.

"You... want me to play an outside?!" I nearly squeaked in surprise once I over came my coughing fit. It was near the end of practice, we had about thirty minutes left.

"I just want to see how it would go! I know you can hit really well, so I wamted to see how it would be if you and Cindy traded positions. She is a pretty good passer too."

I nodded in understanding before coach shooed me away.

"Rotation one! Varsity has first serve." My coach handed me the ball before going near the pole.

She blew her whistle after a couple of seconds. I was about two yards away from the serving line. I jogged a couple of steps before throwing the ball in the air ahead of me. I leaped up, some momentum carrying me forward. My palm hit the ball, sending it forward. It went over the net before dropping slightly.

A JV player dove, getting it straight up in the air as I jogged to my position.

Thirty minutes went by consisting of me yelling, diving, hitting, and encouraging.

The score was 18 to 22.

"We will collect everything, just please let us finish!" I begged as I saw coach about to blow her whistle.

She hesitated before giving one firm nod. We were in rotation four, all of us in our correct positions.

I was down and ready as their server served it over. It hit the net, and fell straight along our side. Desperate, I dove while sticking an arm out. To my utter joy I felt the ball make contact with my skin.

Adrenaline coursing through me, I jumped to my feet. I retreated outside of the court as Nelli jump set it towards me.

My left leg lunged forward, followed by two smaller steps. I hit the ball as hard as I could, turning my body to the left. The ball slammed down, hitting the line straight on.

My teammated quickly congratulated me as it was now our serve. I rotated one, now in the middle. I clasped my friend Riley's hand as we waited for Nelli to serve it.

My eyes were focused on the floor, the pulse of my heartbeat all I could hear until I heard her hand hit the ball with a loud smack.

I ran to my outisde position, crouched a little at the net ready to spring up and block. But my effort was wasted as the ball sailed past their Libero. It had a bit of topspin so it came down behind her.

The score was now 18 to 24.

I went back to the middle, clasping Riley's hand again. Another smack rang out, influencing me to run to my position. I was crouched again, ready to spring. Their setter set it out, drawing me away from the net and ready to cover for tips. She chipped it lightly in an arc.

"Mine!" I yelled, running towards it. The volleyball connected with my arms, towards Nelli. She set it behind her in a perfect arc where my teammate Taylor was. Taylor took a couple of steps before slamming the ball down. The ball barreled towards their setter. She put her arms up in defense, her reaction slightly delayed. The volleyball hit off her arm, sailing away.

A back row player went after it, but it was too late. It hit the floor, prompting me to smile cheerfully.

"Ya, go Maddie!" A loud voice cheered. I froze and turned to my right where Harry, Luke, and Ryan stood on the bleachers. Harry was the one cheering. Luke chuckled at Harry and Ryan looked about ready to kill him. Was he...

Ryan was blushing!

Maybe not as hard as me, but he was still blushing. Everyone was looking to the three idiots then me.

"Oh my god... I am mortified." I whispered, covering my burning face. Footsteps were heard as they made their way over to me.

Arms wrapped around me in a bone crushing hug. I gasped, shocked as Harry crushed me to him.

"You are so awesome!" Harry gushed as I pounded his back lightly.

"Can't.... breathe!"

"What was that? You can't leave? Well, that really sucks. We were hoping to take you out to dinner and-"

"Harry, you idiot! You're crushing her!" Ryan snapped as Luke gently seperated Harry and I.

"Oh." Harry mumbled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck as a blush broke out across his cheeks.

I gasped for air for a couple of seconds while Luke rubbed my back in a soothing way.

"It's... fine... We were just done anyways. We are going to start taking the nets down."

"Can we help?" Luke asked. Ryan shook his head, backing away.

"You guys can do that, I will be waiting at my car. I don't want to do anything else. I already had football practice."

"So did we, you big baby." Harry muttered. Ryan quickly shoved Harry before making a mad dash towards the exit. Harry whined loudly about how he gets bullied by Ryan while walking over to a volleyball pole. A cluster of girls stood, oblivious of what was to come.

"Oh geez..." I muttered as I heard Harry trying pathetic pick up lines on my teammates.

"Those poor girls." I murmured. As if on cue, I saw Nelli stormaway with a cross expression.

I walked away from Luke as the net came undone on one side.

"I got this one. You guys can hit the locker room."

The girls looked at me in surprise and thankfulness before scurrying away.

I gripped the pole then lifted it straight out of the ground. It tilted slightly to the left due to it's heavy weight. I adjudted it so I was cradling the long, heavy pole to my chest. My walk to the storage room seemed long as Luke walked beside me. He was busy trying to convince me to let him help me carry the pole. But I kept shutting down his offers and pleas to help before setting it down on the volleyball carrier. It held the poles, net, antennas and the mats.

I carefully placed it down before groaning. My hands reached towards the cieling as I stretched my arms out, the sore muscles throbbing.

"See? You should have let me help you." Luke said smugly. I gave him a glare which just seemed to make his day as he smirked.

"I honestly hate you." I grumbled, psuhing past him towards the door.

I yelped as he gripped my arm and tugged me back to him. One arm was around my waist, this hand at the small of my back, pushing me closer to his large frame. His other hand was entertwined with mine near our faces. It felt like we were about to dance until he leaned his face dangerously close to mine.

I could feel his hot breath on my skin, a minty smell taking over my senses. Nearly lightheaded, it seemed a difficulty to hear him.

But I heard him.

"I hate you too. So much." He whispered. His dark blue eyes were captivating mine. Suddenly he spun me away. I gasped, steadying myself. My gaze flicked back to where he was, except he wasn't there. I peered through the storage room doorway in confusion to see his retreating figure.