Delicate

I

I  watch the ball float over the net, landing deep behind me. I retract my steps until I am behind the attack line. 

This is it. 

 A nice high pass to the setter and a beautiful set to myself. Left, right, together and jump.

I aim with my left and swing my right, making contact with the palm of my hand. The ball hits the floor and I'm left with the tingling sensation in my hand. This was why I play, it was all the feeling of doing something useful.

The cheers from the crowd got louder by the second, and that was the end of the game. With the winning point, number 11 ran to me and engulfed me in a hug.

"That was so sexy Marli " My best friend told me while we high fives everyone on the court. I gave her a small smile and turned to my couch, who gave me a nod of approval.

life couldn't be any better than it already is. The white line beneath my number showed it, I deserved to be where I am.

We walked towards the bench where three of our players sat, with huge smiles of their faces. I stay silent and grab my water bottle and walk to the end of the already formed line, ready to shake hands with the opponents.

Each of us shake hands with the opponents, as I get to the last one who holds my hand a little too tight.

"Next time, we will beat you and go to Nationals."

" You can keep telling me that but I'm never gonna let that happen," I say with the sweetest smile I can muster, taking my hand back and walking past her.

I turn to the spectators, looking for my familiar faces. I find my mom and dad waiting for me by the door, both wearing my jersey number. They finally see me as my mom runs towards me, scooping into a huge hug.

"You played amazing Mar, you should be very proud of yourself," She told me as I thanked her and then is was my Fathers turn to shower me in complements.

"I'll make it short, but you need to have fun on the court Mar."

"We win because we want to win, not because we want to have fun," I explain as he laughs, reaching his arm around my head and putting me into a head lock.

"I love you, you little turd."

We all laugh and exit the building, feeling proud of the game we played. West field High was very serious about Volleyball, that's why we have won 2 Nationals in a row.

I jump into my own car while my parents take they're own, I plug in my phone and play some R&B. I usually don't go home after a game, it's a ritual that I go straight to a private Lake and swim.

It's a bit weird I know but it calms me, it was only in Grade Nine where I changed my who for living. To simplify the story, I was a rich bitch who had a bad attitude problem. So after moving into a high-schools, I decided to focus of Volleyball and my education.

It's a sensitive topic for me, I don't really like to get into to detail because it brings back to many bad memories.

Once I arrive to the secluded lake, I grab my bag from the back and lock the car. Walking down a path I've made over the years, enjoying the peace around me.

I get there and set my stuff down on to the ground, taking off my clothes and dive into the water.

This is the life I've always wanted, too bad it never lasts too long.

It wasn't long after that single game my father got sick and spent months in the hospital. That was also months without playing volleyball for me. I stopped going to practice and then it was games, and lastly I stopped playing overall.

I spent six hours at school and my free time in the hospital with my dad. I never talked to my team, sure id see them in the hall but I was never close enough to hangout and talk to them.

We lost in the first round of Nationals. I'm sure that most of my team blames myself for the loss, but I couldn't care less. I gave up so quick on playing when my father was in the hospital but I'm not saying I regret it at all.

My father almost died, and I would've been there if he had.

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Sorry for the grammar mistakes I haven't looked over it yet, I just wanted to post the chapter lol.