Practice was hell, of course. Not because it was too physically demanding; that was reserved for morning practices. No, it was because coach was finally switching into regionals mode, and that meant "tough love" as she liked to call it. I don't think even the seniors cuss that much on school grounds. By the end of it, I was emotionally exhausted. I opened the door to my house, forever grateful to be home as I throw my bag down as soon as humanly possible, flopping to the floor soon after.

"Rough day, kid?"

It's my dad, chuckling at my misfortune. I just groan in response as he steps over me to make his way to the living room, where some action movie is blaring over the surround sound. My mom is at the kitchen table, reading a book with a cat in her lap. It's Angel, the white one, who's curled up in her lap.

Last year, cat gave birth in our crawl space and died soon after, leaving four kitten stranded under our house. My dad was able to save them, and my mom insisted we care for them until they were old enough to give away. We raised the kittens ourselves, heating bottles in the middle of the night and cuddling tiny cats that had just barely opened their eyes. By the time they were old enough to give away, we had become too attached to part with any of them. So now we have four cats. It's not that bad, I love cats. They're affectionate but they also know how to care for themselves, and they're not big enough to knock you over with overexcitement. Some may think cats are distant or too independent to make for affectionate pets, but to that I say "then you obviously haven't been caring for yours correctly".

Another cat – Boots, who is black with white paws – walks right up to my face, smushed on the carpet in front of the door, and meows at me, turning and waving her tail in my face. Boots always liked me the best, since I was the one that fed her the most often as a kitten. I smile at her as she mews at me.

"You're so needy, you know that?"

I haul myself off the ground, groaning when my knee cracks on the way up. I scratch Boots behind the ears before I pick up my things and make my way to my room, cat following close behind.

"How was the craft show?" my mom calls as I waddle down the hallway, sore and aching. I sigh and stop halfway down the hall.

"I didn't get to go. Coach made us go to afternoon practice last minute." Mom frowns at me.

"Sorry, Robin. I know you were really looking forward to spending time with Dani."

I shrug. "It happens."

That's all I say before I manage to trudge into my room, Boots following on my heels. I pet her as I put all my dirty clothes in the hamper and retrieve the books I need for homework. By the time I'm ready to take a shower, Boots has curled up in a ball on my bed, purring contently. I smile at her. At least Boots will love me no matter what.

The next morning I breeze through practice. My spike is getting better, and even Coach is impressed, considering that I'm our setter, and I've never really been that good at spiking. I'm only 5'5", so no one really expected much of me. But I'm getting better. Coach is even considering setting up a libero set just so I can spike every now and then.

I'm consumed by thoughts of volleyball when I walk into homeroom. I didn't bother running today – what's the point? Our teacher is always late, and it's early November, so I think I have a large enough sample to tell.

I run a hand through my hair as I sit down, not really paying attention to my surroundings. I was up until midnight last night finishing homework, so I was about ready to drop dead. I let out a loud yawn right as Dani tapped me on the head.

"Hey sleepyhead. How was practice?" she asks, complete with a bright smile. She's too cheery this early in the day, I don't know how she does it.

"It was better this morning. Coach went into hardcore mode yesterday though. I would have much rather been at the craft show," I admit with a sad smile. Dani's smile widens.

"Well I've got the next best thing! It was such a steal and I know you're gonna love it! It's so unique and I think it could go well with whatever you're wearing!"

Dani rummages in her coach pocket until she pulls out a little black box, wrapped with red ribbon, and sets it on my desk. I'm just about to unwrap it – what could it be, jewelry? A necklace? Earrings? – when Mr. Greyson walks into class, and he looks angry, too. Dani frowns.

"Guess you'll have to open it later. Call me tonight and tell me if you like it! I'm going on a date so any time after eight is good for me!"

Before I have so much time to ask "A date? With who!?" Our teacher is already calling attendance. I glance at Anthony, unintentionally. Almost like a reflex. What if her date is with him? I've never seen Anthony with a girl before, but Dani would be just his type. Smart, pretty, slightly sporty but not too much, and friendly without being overly outgoing. Just the type of person to break him out of his shell. I sighed. Knowing my luck, she probably was going on a date with him.

Lunchtime brought answers. I turned to Carly as soon as I sat down with my burger and fries. She was eating a salad – she usually got her food in Cafeteria 2, which had fancier and healthier options than my own Cafeteria 1. But Caf 1 was also cheaper, so burger and fries it was. I would burn it off later during another afternoon practice anyway.

Carly, as well as being our #1 wingwoman, also always knew who was dating who, who was friends with who, and who was stirring up drama. She was just a people person all around.

"Hey, did you hear that Dani's got a date tonight?" I ask her in between bites of fries. Her bright blue eyes light up and she flips her perfectly permed hair over her shoulder, like she always does when she's got a big scoop.

"I know! It's so cute, right?" she smiles as she takes a bite of her apple, but she keeps talking with the fruit in her mouth. "Robbie is such a cutie, right?"

"Robbie? Robbie Johnson or Robbie Smith?" I ask. One was the backup quarterback. The other was captain of the chess club. There was a big difference.

"Johnson, silly! They've been eyeing each other all season, it was just a matter of time!" she finally swallowed her bite of apple. So Dani was going on a date with a football player. How cliché. But Robbie was cute – he was showy, yeah, but he was also really sweet. I hear he volunteers after school at the hospital.

"I wish she had told me. When did he ask her out?" I'm pouting a little as I finish my fries. She could have at least called. She knows I'm at home any time after practice.

"Two days ago. He originally asked her to homecoming, but she said she wanted to get to know him first. So they're going on a date! Smart, right?" Carly says, while crunching on a crouton.

"Did she tell you, or did you just find out?" I ask. This is starting to sound like an interrogation, especially since Debbie and Heather are busy talking about this new British show Heather has discovered.

"Dave told me, of course!" Dave's her current boyfriend, a running back on the football team, and also one of Robbie's best friends. Of course. I should have thought of that. "Why, did she say something about him? Give me details, girl!"

I wave her off, rolling my eyes. "No, she just mentioned going on a date tonight, and I didn't get the chance to ask her to elaborate."

"Are you jealous of Robbie for stealing your best friend away from you?" Debbie asks. She's never had a filter and I'm used to invasive or awkward questions like this one.

"No, I'm just a little upset that she didn't tell me. I would have told her if I was going on a date."

"But there's only one boy good enough for you, right?"

I whip around to glare at Carly's who's winking at me. Of course she knows I still have a crush on Anthony. She can smell attraction a mile away.

"Oooh! Who is it, Robin?" Heather asks. I'm just gearing up to deflect all questions concerning my love life, when I'm saved by the bell. Thank god. I shrug at the girls, who groan, and I sprint off to my next class.