I Love You As Much As Volleyball - A Hinata Shoyo Fanfiction

Chapter 2

Normal POV

It was around nine in the evening when Hinata said he needed to leave. He offered to take me home, but I declined as I told him I would stay longer. He gave a worried face before giving in and leaving first.

"So, do I even need to guess the amount of stalking you did to get to meet the boy?" Carlos exposed me as soon as he left on his bike. My face flushed red as I tried to explain myself, "I did not stalk! I'm just... observant." He wiped a glass in his hands and eyed me suspiciously. I drank my cup of water, attempting to calm my heart down.

"You've been fawning over the boy since what? Two months ago? He's not a bad guy, but are you sure you want to carry on?" He spoke as his hands never slacked from work. I clicked my tongue, not disagreeing with him. But I can't help it! Ever since I saw him arrive on this beach, he was the extra ray of sunshine that I needed after losing my father.

-JW-

Flashback

It was a Thursday morning, and I skipped school that day to catch some waves. I wasn't doing well in those few weeks, especially since I lost my dad. Everyone was caring, telling me not to surf when I'm not at my best or mumbling meaningless apologies to me.

But surfing was a part of me; laying on my board, feeling the waves under me, brings me to another world. That was the serenity I hoped to find that day.

But I never did well - the waves crashed down relentlessly on me, and I was pissed off I was doing so poorly. I snapped at those who told me to take it easy, and they'd retreat to their corner after seeing me flip out.

Sorry, not really. I decided to head over to the bar to find Carlos in his afternoon shift that day. Everything was as usual, just me on the bar, with my swimsuit and my board leaning on the counter.

I knew most of the locals here, and they knew about me; it's just how it works here. So that's why I knew instantly when a fresh face was in the crowd.

His face, the boy with a cap, his orange hair peeked out from underneath. He had this desire in his eyes when he saw the volleyball pitches nearby. When I saw him play, it was like watching an animated film, and he was the hottest character inside. When he jumped, I was sure my heart jumped thrice.

Ever since then, I've been skipping school more just to find him playing in the morning. My grades suffered slightly, but it didn't take long for me to get them back. Other than that, I spent the next two months watching him from the bar, maintaining a safe distance, and Carlos teased me about it.

"This isn't like you to be shy around people. Just go up and talk to him!" He once said. I wanted to, but what do I say? Hey, I find your jump super cool, and you're my ray of sunshine I needed? That's so lame!

I overheard the people he'd played with mention that he was Japanese and was playing indoor volleyball. They said he was a volleyball fanatic and aiming to play pro back in Japan, not knowing why my heart thumped for him.

Then I found out he was working for a food delivery company to earn some extra cash. I really plucked up my courage to order something, and every time, I hoped it was him.

And that day arrived.

-JW-

Snapping back to the present, I suddenly realized I didn't get his contact number. I slammed my head on the counter, which shocked Carlos. He comforted me and said that it'll be easier to strike up a conversation the next time I see him playing on the pitch since we knew each other now.

I sighed and agreed. I said my goodbyes to him and the people I knew at the bar and went home.

The next morning, I laid on my bed, contemplating whether to head to school or not. I rolled around for a bit and finally decided to go. There was a math test today, and I think I should be able to pass without studying.