The Guy Everyone Knows

Four

The volleyball teams first home game of the season and three girls are late to the game. I was the first one there to set up the nets and make sure I put on the right playlist to make sure the team was pumped up for their first home game.

The other team was starting to warm up as the gym started to fill up with family and friends and the last three girls on the team showed up just in time and quickly apologized and put their knee pads and shoes on. We started to warm up as well and make sure we stretch well before we all huddle up before the game gets started.

"Alright ladies! First home game of the season and we gotta make sure the other schools on the district know who's boss here! Alright ladies?" I shout as we huddle up. I see nods and hear "yeah" and some "we're the boss here!"

"Hey Parker, do you think Dylan is gonna show up tonight?" A freshman asks as she tilts her head and smiles. I look at her with wide eyes and open my mouth to respond but I'm too shocked she had asked that.

"Most likely not. You know... he's pretty busy with his football stuff and all that. Plus, we don't need to be thinking about boys right before our game!" I say with a slight smile. I hear giggles around the circle and decide to end the huddle with our chant.

"Alright, Mack. Choose your number and do that chant." I look at a junior that's in front of me and a big smile grows onto her face as she clears her throat.

"STINGERS ON... 7!! 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, STINGERS!!" We all chant after she says the number. I love this team.

"Alright, bases ladies! Keep your head in the game and eyes on the ball! No hesitation when you go for the ball and talk to each other!" I say to the team as we get in our rotation and our positions. I'm pretty short for a hitter but I got some power in my legs to where I can jump pretty high. Mack is serving so we all look over our shoulder to her and watch the ball as she serves.

~*~

Between 1st and 2nd set, we get a drink and huddle. We won the fiery set 25-8 and I got three kills during the first set and one block. I sit down for a second and take a drink of my water as I see some of the football players show up and sit in the student section of the gym. Oh no... what if he does show up?

I see some of the girls look over at me with smiles on their faces and whispering to each other. Just as I put my water back in the water bin, Dylan walks in with my brother and my heart starts racing as he laughs and looks over to me. I quickly turn away and get the girls in the huddle.

"That was a nice first set ladies. Make sure you do it again this set so we can go home early." I smile and the girls laugh and agree with me.

"Hey Parker, your boyfriend is here!" Kelly teases and laughs along with other girls on the team. I give her a look and roll my eyes at them.

"Okay, focus on the game now and you girls go out there and play your tail bones off!" I say as the rest of the girls go into the court and I go over to coach. "Can I switch out with Emily, coach? I'd like to sit out for a few rotations if that's fine." I ask as Emily looks up at me with wide eyes.

"What? Why? You're doing perfectly fine out there." She puts her hands on her hips and questions me. I look at Emily and tilt my head towards the court and she looks at coach for approval and coach nods at her and turns her eyes back to me.

"You go back in after this rotation if she messes us up." I nod and go sit down while taking a drink of water and Emily looks back at me with a nervous look as she waits at the net for the other team to serve and I give her a thumbs up and a smile and she smiles back at me.

The second set starts and I cheer them on from the side as I watch everyone's feet and arm placement to make sure they don't mess up for stupid things. I watch Emily get up to the net to hit the ball over the net and she hits it in the campfire. I stand up and cheer for her and clap for her getting her first kill of the season.

     "Parker I got my first kill!!" She yells at me from the court with a big smile. I laugh and return her smile.

     "Yes I see that good job Em!" I give her another thumbs up and my smile widens. I look up at cousin and shrug my shoulders.

"Guess I don't have to go in yet coach." I smirk and she shakes her head with a slight grin on her face.

~*~

"Parker! Hey wait up!" I hear Jacob yell after me and I turn around and walk backwards and smile when I see him running after me.

    "You know, just because you have your own truck doesn't mean you can leave immediately after the game!" He says out of breath when he catches up to me. I laugh and shake my head.

    "I don't leave immediately after the game Jacob. You just get caught up in talking to the team and the girls that sit in the student section!" I laugh and adjust my volleyball bag on my shoulder. Jacob isn't the player type but he's just lonely so whenever a girl gives him the slightest attention, he goes for it.

     "Okay maybe that's a little true but still!" He rubs the back of his head and grins a little. I shake my head and chuckle. He stops to get a drink out of the water fountain and I drop my stuff by him.

     "I'm gonna use the restroom before I leave cause man, you don't know how long I've been holding my pee!" I hit his back as he's drinking and he gives me a thumbs up and I head to the restroom.

     After I'm done, I walk out of the restroom as I'm trying to fix my spandex and my warm up shirt and bump into someone.

   "Oh my lord! I'm so sorry! Today is not my day!" I look up and see Dylan and look back down as I step back and my face heats up. He chuckles above me.

     "No problem shortcake. You play volleyball?" He asked pointing at my outfit. I blush even harder at his nickname and curse myself for acting like this in front of him.

     He nods and walks away leaving me confused and flushed still. I walk over to Jacob and pick my bag up, walking away fast.

     "Hey Parker! Wait up! Why was Dylan talking to you?" Jacob runs after me and asks the one question I didn't want him to ask. I keep walking and roll my eyes acting like I'm not still affected by Dylan's words.

    "I don't know. He just wanted to check on my arm to see how it's doing."

   If only that was the truth...