With a resounding thud, the score changed to 22-24.
For a while, the game had been too close. The volleyball team at Beacon Academy was behind the whole third match. It was starting to look like they would lose until Pyrrha scored the point that almost tied them.
In the bleachers, Jaune jumped up and screamed. "Yeah, Pyr!"
Invigorated by the close play, Pyrrha's teammates all fist-bumped her before returning to their respective positions by the net. The girls crouched to prepare and receive the ball on the other side.
While actively eating popcorn, Ruby chirped. "I knew Pyrrha was good but not that good. We're almost caught up now!"
Jaune grabbed a handful of the popcorn. "She practices more than anyone I know."
After school, Blake and Yang had a volleyball game to play. Tech Club was canceled for the occasion, which relieved Ruby and Weiss. Now, they could attend without the worry of falling behind on their drone project.
Next to Ruby was Weiss, who was too busy staring at Yang on the gym floor. Other surroundings were a blur to her. The way Yang moved with such purpose, that focused look on her face, the way her body glistened from the workout. It was hard to look away.
And when she squatted... When she squatted in those spandex shorts…. Weiss almost fainted on the spot as deep crimson rushed to her cheeks. Her girlfriend was criminally toned and her ponytail whipped in a halo behind her. Yang looked like some kind of blonde goddess sent from the heavens just to play volleyball.
Suddenly, the crowd uproared in cheers.
Ruby abruptly stood and accidentally spilled some popcorn. "That's how it's done, Blake!"
Apparently, Blake had scored on the opposing team when they served. Now, the match was tied. They could definitely win this if they focused.
"This is far too close," Weiss commented, on the edge of her seat.
For once, Ruby fell quiet as the team returned to their positions. The entire gymnasium was silent when Nora received the ball and got into position. However, the captain, Pyrrha, noticed her team looked anxious for this final point. To address their nerves, she called a timeout.
The team huddled for a minute. Probably discussing what exactly to do to win this final point. Multiple heads turned and hushed whispers lingered in the silence.
Jaune noticed their nervous expressions and mumbled. "Good call…"
Ruby nodded in agreement. "I'm glad she's the captain."
There was a noticeable difference in their demeanor after the huddle. After the team put their hands together, they split with newfound determination. Yang, in particular, looked fired up with her brows creased as she took her place in the middle by the net.
From her focused face, Weiss was once again in suspense. They had something planned alright. And it definitely involved her girlfriend. There was the barest hint of a smirk on her lips. It was then that Weiss remembered her girlfriend thrived under pressure.
At last, Nora returned to the server's corner. She tossed the ball up high like it was a feather, before jumping and flawlessly soaring the ball over the net. It was a light smack, rather than her usual brute strength.
That was definitely part of their plan.
Ren sat beside Jaune on the bleachers and muttered. "Perfect…"
Easily, the opposing side returned the ball with a simple bump, set, and spike. Fortunately, Ilia was there in the back to bump it up high for the person next to her. That took an extreme amount of control, especially since the ball rocketed into her forearms.
Blake was there to flawlessly set it even higher. The catch was that she had to put more power behind her fingers, sending the ball to float over to Yang, who was in front of her.
As the ball descended onto Yang, she made a familiar expression as her tongue stuck out slightly. She was definitely planning something as the silence enveloped the court. Only the sound of her tennis shoes screeching from her jump could be heard.
Easily, Yang jumped in midair and angled her arm and wrist in one direction. In response, the girls on the other side slightly adjusted as necessary to receive the ball. But at the last second, Yang shifted her body in midair to spike it in the complete opposite direction.
A resounding slap reverberated in the gym as the ball warped into a meteor. It was almost like a trail of fire erupted behind it. The crowd could almost swear the ball was no longer white and instead, a blazing yellow and orange.
Multiple tennis shoes skidded on the wooden floor. The closest girl to the descending ball tried to dive on her knee pads, but it was too late. The meteor thudded onto the floor so loudly that the crowd checked for a dent.
The ball narrowly dodged the opposing player's desperate fist. She could only kneel in disbelief from how vicious that spike was.
In unison, the crowd erupted in cheers and jumped up in exhilaration. Instantly, Ruby and Weiss screamed at each other in glee.
"Yang's awesome!" Ruby shouted.
"She did it!" Weiss exclaimed.
On the court, Yang threw her hands up in exhilaration. Each player received fist bumps, but Yang, in particular, received several happy slaps on the back. The grin on Yang's face was so astronomical that her eyes disappeared.
After the teams clapped hands to show good sportsmanship, the crowd slowly began to disperse and trickle outside.
Eager to praise her sister and girlfriend, Ruby zipped down to the court. Her sudden presence made the team gaze at her with cheerful smiles.
"You guys have gotten so much better since last year. Did I say you were awesome?! Yang, it looked like you had total control! Blake! Your reflexes are so much faster! Ilia-"
While she rambled her endless praise, Ruby dashed around each player as she addressed them. The team whipped their heads back and forth as she spoke a million miles a minute. Before she could chatter more, Weiss clamped her mouth shut with two fingers.
"I think they get it," Weiss said with a smile.
"Right, sorry, , got a little too excited there," Ruby replied with a subtle blush.
"Don't be sorry," Pyrrha wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Thank you, Ruby. Your shouts of encouragement certainly aided us."
That definitely provided entertainment.
Ilia sounded out of breath after she took a swig from her water bottle. "You're our number one cheerleader, that's for sure."
Happily, Yang swung an arm around her shoulders. "She can't help it when she gets so excited. It's like a toddler on crack."
Multiple giggles sounded after the comment and increased when Ruby playfully elbowed her sister in the gut.
Lovingly, Blake gave her a peck to erase that adorable pout. "And I love her for it."
Pyrrha looked at the blonde. "I think you're our best spiker now."
In the past, the two competed for the number one spot. It was a friendly rivalry that was casual every practice and game.
"I've always been the best," Yang said knowingly with a smirk. "It's about time you acknowledged it."
After chuckling, Pyrrha replied. "Don't let one game go to your head. You're mine next practice."
Jokingly, Yang hid behind her girlfriend. "I'm scared…"
Confidently, a blue and blond guy approached the team.
"Hello, ladies."
There was that usual suave voice. Their presence was more than welcome, but suspicious. The two didn't have any ties to the volleyball team, so it was a bit odd that they showed up.
"Hey, Sun and Neptune," Yang greeted in suspicion. "What's up? Was swimming canceled, too?"
"Nah, we skipped," Sun answered and flashed the group of ladies a bright grin. "We wanted to support your team!"
When stares of suspicion clashed at the pair, Neptune fumbled to correct his friend.
"We're definitely not here because we wanted to see you guys in span-"
Before he could finish, Sun elbowed him in the gut and took the lead. The girls only rolled their eyes from their antics. Of course two high school boys would want to see them in tight clothing.
"Guys," Sun said genuinely, hoping to distract them from his buddy's comment. "We should all celebrate at my place tomorrow night!"
When the team looked confused by the sudden offer, Neptune elaborated for him. "He's throwing another party. His parents are out of town."
At Beacon, Sun was known to throw great parties. His parents traveled for their jobs, so he was left home alone often.
"Oh," Yang breathed in a little excitement. "Will there be a babysitter this time?"
Last year, there were too many intoxicated people in one house without supervision. Several lamps shattered on the floor, and somehow the pool table's legs broke off.
Neptune raised his arm and put his hand over his heart. "I have sworn an oath to not drink a single sip of alcohol that night."
"Yeah, right!" Ruby blurted, referring to last year's party. "You were the drunkest out of all of us last time! I distinctly remember you hitting on a pillow!"
"People change, alright?!" Neptune yelped in embarrassment. "I'll make sure everything goes smoothly this time. If anyone catches me with a drink in my hand, which you won't, you can slap me, deal?"
Yang tilted her head from the offer. "Can we slap you whenever we feel like it instead?"
That elicited a few giggles.
Neptune sighed. "If you must."
"He's cool," Sun vouched for him. "He never breaks his promises. Anyway, we need more chicks to show up. Do me a solid?"
From his calm, yet pleading tone, the girls all glanced at each other. They sighed in defeat like they didn't want to go, but actually really wanted to. The year has been rough so far. A party could lighten their spirits.
Yang gave him a grin. "It's been way too long since I've been to a party."
Weiss held onto her arm, not minding that Yang was sweaty. "If she goes, I'll go."
Weiss in particular had never been to a high school party, so she didn't know what to expect. Might as well attend with her girlfriend to learn the ropes.
"Blake and me are in, too," Ruby said, which earned a slight scowl from the faunus. "We haven't been to a party all year, this could be fun!"
"Fine…" Blake begrudgingly agreed and approached Sun rather threateningly with her tone lowered. "There better be good jungle juice. What you had last time was a disgrace. Way too tart," she clicked her tongue in disgust. "My tastebuds are already burning from remembering."
From her disappointment, Sun gulped. "I won't let you down! We'll get the fruitiest of punch!"
From her comment, a lot of questions swarmed in Weiss' mind. The number one thing was…
"What's jungle juice?"
The question made Yang nuzzle into the side of her face. Her girlfriend was too innocent sometimes. It was so adorable to her.
"Weiss, Weiss…" Yang murmured lovingly. "You sweet summer child…"
The explanation caused Weiss to look even more confused.
Ruby whispered in her ear. "It's alcohol."
"Oh…"
She should have figured as much since now they used hushed tones. They definitely weren't of age.
Ilia added as she began to walk to the locker room. "I'll bring myself!"
"Yes," Sun cheered to himself. "We got another faunus."
There were very few faunus in their grade, so he wanted to invite all of them. Sun felt they should stick together.
Interested in his comment, Blake asked. "Velvet's coming?"
Sun nodded eagerly. "We're helping her break out of her shell."
Neptune put a hand on his hip. "She's coming a little later."
Blake glared jokingly at the pair. "She's too innocent to hang out with either of you."
"We're walking filters, what're you talking about?" Neptune asked teasingly.
"Great, now I feel like I have to go to protect her."
Sun said mischievously. "Let loose for once. We'll also have snacks!"
Pyrrha shook her head. "You should've said that before. I don't need any other convincing."
Taking precious notes, Sun looked to his buddy. "Neptune, start with the snacks for the next group."
Neptune wrote that down on his phone. "It was so obvious…"
Stay dandy,
~Toto