Choosing

s i x

I spent the day worrying about my punishment with Coach Tamura. When we headed to the gym and got changed, Sara and the other girls kept trying to calm me down. They told me I won't be in that much trouble, but Tamura has been waiting for a reason to kick me out. I just know it. For warm ups I threw the balls at the girls as they worked on their spikes. Coach is late. That's never a good sign.

When he finally decides to come in he calls us all to the front and we take a seat on the floor. Usually I stand... this time I decide to sit.

"I have a few things to share." He says and I pray it's not me being kicked off the team. Sara places her hand on my arm to calm me down. "First, I had a visit today from an old friend."

I think of Fukurōdani's coach, Yamiji, and how he came to visit.

"Coach Yamiji has informed me that they will be having girls teams for this years training camp. Of course many of the girls teams have declined the offer, but a few are going to attend. I know for a fact Karasuno's girls team is going-"

"What about the boys team? Who's going?" Toma asks from infront of me.

"Shiratorizawa, of course. Karasuno, as well as Fukurōdani, Nekoma, and Aoba Johsai." He answers her, I've already heard all this from Sara. "Now the girls team from Nekoma, Aoba Johsai, and Fukurōdani have kindly declined. It's now up to us to give an answer. I'll leave the decision up to you."

I shake my head immediately. "I don't think it's a good idea. Do we really think spending a month with strangers will benefit us?"

"These strangers are incredibly talented. We could learn a lot from them." Chloe says matter-of-factly. It takes me a minute not to bite the head off this poor first year.

"We're more talented." I bite back. "We are undefeatable if I remember the words correctly."

"Maybe to some, but not all." Chloe spits. "We have to stay undefeatable by practice!"

I know what she's saying is true. But I also can't shake this gut feeling that we shouldn't go. Toma ends up talking before I can murder Chloe. "I think we should do it."

Most the girls nod in agreement.

"What do you think, Sara? You're the captain. You're decision is final." Chloe says and I again suppress the urge to pin her like an animal does their prey.

Sara looks at me. "Your decision is final. What do you think?" She whispers and I shrug.

"You guys can go, I'm staying."

"I'm not going without you."

"Looks like we're all going." Tamura cuts in.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Well, I said I had few things to share." He smiles at me. His smile is definitely not friendly. "You are in need of a punishment."

I groan internally and take a deep breath. Here it comes...

"You're punishment is that you have to go to this training camp." He tells me and I jump up.

"Coach!"

"It's either that or you're off the team!"

"Coach, are you serious?" Sara steps in.

"Deadly." He answers in a stern voice. "I do not raise my students to be late for class every day."

I sigh and sit back down next to Sara. "Sorry," She whispers but I just shrug.

"What else did you have to tell us?" Takata asks with a smile.

"The girls volleyball bus broke down, it won't be fixed for awhile so we'll be sharing with the boys. Do try to control yourselves, as will the boys." He points to Toma especially and everyone laughs. Well, everyone apart from me. I don't even want to go to this thing.

I suffer my way through the rest of practice and the walk home is pretty silent for the most part. Sara talks about how excited she is, she tells me she's sorry that I'm forced to go, but that it means she can go. So she's happy. I try my best to smile and laugh with her but I can't bring myself to. I can't even tell her about my meeting with Bokuto or Akaashi. My mood is just so sour.

"We'll talk tomorrow." She gives me a hug when we make it to my house and skips over to hers.

"Y/N-chan," I hear Oikawa sing. I roll my eyes and turn to where he's leaning on his fence. "Practice with me?"

"I'm not in the mood Oikawa, really. Not tonight." I wave him off but he jumps over the fence to me.

"What's wrong? Need a kiss to help you feel better?" He teases. It earns him a shove but also it brings me a smile. "See! There's my girl."

I pretend to throw up. "You're disgusting."

"Disgustingly in love with you."

"You just won't stop, will you?"

"Not till you agree to practice with me." He gives me his pouty face again and I can't help but think about what Bokuto said today.

"You know, I met a setter today? He's really good." I make sure to exaggerate the word "really" to get him ticked off.

It definitely works because his big brown eyes turn into slits. "Are you trying to hurt me?"

"No, that's just a fun bonus." I spit his own words back to him.

"I can't lie, you're good." He nods approvingly.

"Yeah, I'm aware." I turn towards my house and see the light is on. Happiness fills me. "Goodnight, Kawa."

"Goodnight, Y/N-chan." Oikawa replies.

I run up and walk in my door. Once I change shoes, I run inside to the light — the kitchen light.

"Mom!" I call out. There's a note on the counter.

Sorry sweetie, another late night. Leftovers in the fridge. See you soon. Hugs and kisses. - Mom

Of course she's not here. I don't know why I expected differently. I crumble the note and throw it in the trash before it burns through my angry hand. All I'm going to do is go to bed early and worry about everything tomorrow. I'm too exhausted to fight my mom.