Chapter 8: Volleyball and TEAM WILDCATS!!
The warm sand flipped up into my flip flops as Troy and I led our team onto the beach. A volleyball net, stage, and a DJ and band was set up.
When all the teams had shown up, Charlotte walked up onto the stage.
"Okay!" She said into a mic. "We need to here all the chants and team names! Light blue! You're first!" We all walked in front of the stage. Charlotte handed me the mic.
"Oh," I said, looking at all the people in front of me. "Okay, we're the Wildcats and here's our chant." I handed the mic back to Charlotte. Troy started the chant.
"What Team?!" He yelled.
"Wildcats!" We yelled back.
"What team?!" He yelled again.
"Wildcats!" We yelled back again.
"What team?!" Troy yelled once more.
"Wildcats!" We replied.
"Wildcats!" He yelled. We all replied by yelling.
"Getcha head in the game!"
As the camp clapped, we sat down in the sand, Troy beside me. We watched as the other teams stood up and led their chants. By the end, the other five teams were called: Tacos, Bananas, Albino Llamas, Flames, and Smurfs.
"Okay! Volleyball time!" Charlotte yelled. "Wildcats verses Tacos!" Troy stood up and held out his hand to help me up.
"Thanks" I replied and we walked to one side of the net.
"I'll serve!" Troy called and ran to the serving line.
"Be my guest." I told him as I pulled off my tank top to show my bikini top. I pushed my hair out of my face as the volleyball went soaring over the net.
"Got it!" One of our campers, Colton yelled as the ball flew back towards our side. I watched as he jumped up and spiked the ball.
"One point, Wildcats!" Charlotte yelled from the sidelines. We cheered and got ready once more.
We ended up winning that game, but losing the next.
"We tried." Troy said and put his muscular arm around my shoulders.
"That was fun." I replied and picked up my tank top that was sitting on top of my book bag.
"So," I began. "How does it feel to be captain of the Wildcats again?"
"Perfect!" Troy said. "I loved them then, and I still love them now."
For a while, Troy and I walked up and down the waterfront, sometimes watching the ongoing volleyball games or the many groups of campers talking and playing mini football games. The cool water lapped across my bare feet as Troy and I stood in the water and looked at the sun sinking slowly behind the horizon. Troy's arms were still draped across my shoulders.
"This is so beautiful." I said mostly to myself.
"Yeah," Troy said. "You are." I looked up at him. His blue eyes bore into me and made my legs feel like rubber just like they had in high school. I felt myself blush and quickly looked away. The sun had almost disappeared when I looked over the bright blue water. I wrapped my arms around Troy's waist and let my head rest on his chest.
FLASHBACK
"Troy, where are we going?" I asked him as we drove through town.
"You'll see." he said and pulled into the deserted parking lot of East High.
"What are we doing here?" I asked.
"I left something in the locker room." Troy said and took my hand.
"You don't have a key to the gym." I said as we walked towards the front door of the gym.
Troy didn't reply. He opened the door and we walked in.
"SURPRISE!!" The lights turned on and I gasped. The whole gym was full of people. A banner hung across one of the goals and said: HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY GABRIELLA!!
"Oh my gosh!" I exclaimed. "This is amazing! Thank you guys!" Chad Danforth stepped out from the crowd.
"Don't thank us," He said. "It was all Troy's idea."
I turned to Troy.
"Thank you!" I told him. His blue eyes twinkled.
"You're welcome, Gabs." He replied. "Happy birthday!" He leaned down and kissed me.
END FLASHBACK
I smiled to myself as I thought about that night.
"What are you thinking about?" Troy asked me.
"How'd you know I was thinking about something?" I asked.
"I can tell." He said. "What are you thinking about?"
"That surprise party you gave me on my 18th birthday." I told him. "You remember that?"
"How could I forget?" He replied. "Come on, let's go eat."
"Okay." I replied.
We walked back towards the stage with our arms still wrapped around each other.
