Chapter 4: Spikers

Ally's POV:

Today in physical education we were playing volleyball. Volleyball was always my favorite sport to play in P.E. I was great at volleyball. In middle school, I played opposite hitter. No one was able to block my hits. Mrs. Lunde announced we would be playing on teams of 3. Just like queen of the courts. I looked around the spacious gym thinking of who I would want on my team. My first pick was Trish. Because she is my best friend. Not Dez, because he is not very good at playing sports. Not Austin because He was always attached by the hip to Janey. There was no doubt they would be on the same team.

I stood with Trish in the middle of the court failing to find a third partner as my eyes wondered off. "Do you see anybody who could join our team?" Trish asked.

"No, just a lot of blonde people". I responded staring longingly at Austin.

Trish folded her arms looking annoyed. "Umm Ally, I think you're just staring at Austin".

She was right. I felt so bad for Austin. He needed to leave her. I knew deep down he wanted to, he just didn't know how. I watched as Janey fixed Austin's hands which were wrapped around her waist. She literally controlled everything he did. If he held her hand, she would move his arm to her waist. If he held her waist she would sling his arm over her shoulder. Nothing was natural, everything was forced.

As Austin caught my glare, he smiled at me solemnly. Janey quickly grabbed his jaw turning him to face her. She then glanced at me before sticking her tongue down his throat. Even their kisses were forced.

"Ok, does everyone have their teams!" Mrs. Lunde yelled across the gym.

I ran over to her.

"Umm Mrs. Lunde Trish and I still need one more player".

"Hey! Ally and Trish are the odds ones out, so who wants to be on their team!" She screamed once more. Odd ones out. Did she have to make Trish and I seem like loners?

Kristy Heart volunteered to join our team. As she strutted to the volleyball court as if she was in a fashion show, she adjusted her pink bow that was fixated on the back of her head. She looked like a really girly, petty, dainty girl. I had hoped her playing was better than her looks. I'm all for bows, but really? We're playing volleyball. Take it off.

From what it looked like, me and Trish's undefeated record was about to be demolished. Austin used to be our third player. We dominated every court. No one could stop us. We called ourselves the spikers.

Austin's POV:

I was super excited to play volleyball. It was my favorite sport. I told Janey we should ask Ally to be on our team, but she insisted on having Brad, one of the guys on the football team be our third person.

When I heard Ally's team needed one more player, I was so close to raising my hand and joining her and Trish. We could go back to being the undefeated spikers. But I knew better not to leave Janey. I knew how mad Janey would be If I left her. She was so sensitive.

Mrs. Lunde blew the whistle and the games began. Brad was actually very good at volleyball. Janey on the other hand was too busy clinging to my arm to play. She was probably good. Just didn't want to try. Typical Janey.

We won the first 3 games. Brandon and I were undefeated. The last team to verse was Ally's team. I noticed Brandon was a little too excited to play them. "You ready to wipe the floor with these little girls Austin!"

"Yeah man" I replied a little freaked out at his aggressive tone.

As soon as Trish served the ball Brad got into ready position. He passed it up, I set it, and he spiked the ball straight to the ground. Right at Ally's feet. Thank goodness he didn't hit her.

We kept playing and majority of the rallies went like that. We were beating them really bad. Mrs. Lunde yelled "One minute left" so we knew this last rally had to be the best one. I served this time, and the girls sent the ball back over after their three hits. As Brad passed it up I heard him yell "Get ready Ally!" I ignored the comment and set to him. He jumped higher than a kangaroo and smacked the ball as hard as he could in Ally's face. She fell to the ground and starting crying. Brandon rose his hands in victory and laughed as Janey gave him a high five.

"Yay! We won!" Janey cheered.

I rolled my eyes and ran under the net to see if Ally was ok. "Ally are you ok! I am so sorry. I'm sure Brad didn't mean to hit you". I whispered in her ear holding her as she cried. She was covering her face with both of her hands sobbing. "Hey, let me see". I said.

I gently removed her hands from her face and observed her bruised face. Ally's entire face was purple. She looked like she might have a broken nose.

"You need to go to the nurse. Can you stand?" I asked trying to lift her to her feet.

"Mrs. Lunde Ally's hurt. Can I take her to the nurse's office?" I asked.

"No Austin that is the teacher assistant's job". She replied.

"Well, can I go with them". I pleaded.

Ally looked at the teacher with puppy dog eyes. "Can he? Please?"

"Fine you can go with her". Mrs. Lunde said.

"Thank you". I smiled holding Ally's hand as the T.A and I lead her out of the Gym.

"Austin!" I heard Janey yell from across the gym.

I turned around answering "Yes!" dreading what she wanted.

"Come here!" she yelled already some how annoyed with me.

"Coming" I answered. apologizing to Ally as I left her side.

I ran over to Janey.

"I don't want you going with them. Ally will be fine with the T.A".

"Janey, Ally's my friend and I need to be there for her I-"

"Austin!" She interrupted me.

"I said no" She said with authority.

I sighed with frustration before putting on a fake smile saying "Ok".

She nodded then turned around to talk to her cheer leading friends. I was so tired of Janey. She didn't even want me to stay for her. She just didn't want me with Ally. I turned my attention to Brad remembering he was the reason Ally was hurt.

I broke through the guys crowding around Brad listing to him go on and on about his victory. I shoved him and yelled in his face. "Brad! What the heck was that about! You hit Ally on purpose".

He laughed "Uhh yeah I did. She's a total weirdo. I waited the entire match just to do that. Maybe that volleyball can shape her face into something decent". He laughed looking for the others guys to join him. They did.

"You jerk! You made her cry". I replied angrily.

"Do I look like I care?" He said throwing his arms up in the air.

I took a step back saying "No, but I do". I flung myself towrds him clotheslining him right in the jaw. I whaled on him punching him repeatedly in the face. His nose was bloody and his eyes were both bruised badly. Some guys eventually pulled me off Brad telling me it wasn't worth it.

Oh, but it was. It was worth everything.

He rolled across the floor moaning in pain while others tried to help him up. I watched him feeling no remorse.

He deserved to be in pain.