Choosing

s e v e n t e e n

Another week passes in a flash and we now have four days left of camp. All I can think about is going home. I've been avoiding Oikawa every chance I get, even when he texts or calls. I've tried acting normal with Ushijima, but even he can sense I'm off. My only solace is being with Bokuto and sometimes Akaashi. Sara's off with her new friends. She tries waiting up for me at night but usually falls asleep when I get back from my run with Ushijima and she leaves before I wake up. Even during breakfast, lunch, and dinner she's surrounded by people. During practice games, shes usually too busy to talk to me. Which kind of sucks because I could really use her advice. I thought Bokuto's little confession of liking me would make things awkward, but he's his usual self. It helps things a lot.

I'm helping Bokuto exercise right now. It's the afternoon, but the coaches gave us all the day off.

"Yeah, just sit right on my back." He assures me.

"Are you sure? Won't I hurt you?"

"Do you really think I'm that weak? Come on." He nods his head behind him and I shrug.

"Okay, but if I break your back, people are going to kill me."

He doesn't respond, he just smiles. I sit on his back and he does a few push ups. I raise my eyebrows and watch his arms. They're shaking but haven't given out yet. The fifteenth push up, he rolls to the side and I fall off.

"That was good!" I congratulate.

"I should've done twenty." He grumbles and I laugh.

"Don't be too hard on yourself."

He rolls on his back and I step over him. I hold a hand out for him. "Come on, you've been at this for awhile. Let's get some ice cream."

He dodges my hand and jumps straight up. "Ice cream! Let's go!"

We walk towards the little ice cream cart that's been parked outside for the past few days.

"So you really think my cross spikes are the best?" He beams when we order our ice creams and I nod my head.

"I do," I smile and we walk side by side. "Do you want to continue playing volleyball after you graduate?"

"Definitely!"

I hesitate to ask my next question, but I ask it anyway. "Would you ever give up volleyball for a girl?"

"Why would I need to do that?"

"I don't know, let's just say she wanted a grand gesture or something. Would you quit something you love for her?"

He shrugs. "Never thought about it. Maybe if I really loved her. But I don't see myself not playing the game. I just wouldn't be me, I would hope she understood that."

I pause for only a second and then continue walking. I never thought about it like that. Some people are defined by the game. Giving it up would be like giving up a piece of themselves. Still, I would like the gesture. For once, I'd like someone to choose me over volleyball.

Instead of going deeper in the conversation, we sit outside in the grass and eat our ice cream.

"Why is ice cream so bad at volleyball?" Bokuto asks after a minute of silence.

"Why?"

"Because they have a soft serve!" He laughs at his joke and I laugh along with him. The joke wasn't that funny... it was horrible really. But his laugh is what makes me happiest.