The day of the event finally came! All students are sitting inside the gym, waiting for the Dean and Chairman's speech. Azalea, Krystal and Maica are already changed into their uniforms, sitting along with their teammates and Coach Apollo. Leonel isn't with them, he didn't attend the festival and chose to remain in their house.
"Leonel texted he said we should send him some pictures of us and video of our game," Krystal whispered, leaning against the backrest of the chair.
"We can send him some pictures but how about our game?" Maica asked confusedly, raising an eyebrow.
"We can tell Coach Apollo to take a video of us." Azalea shrugged, darting a glanced at the stage.
"I hope he will agree." Maica chortled, shaking her head.
"We can convince him though," I mumbled.
"I can take your video instead. I'm sure coach will be more busier later," one of their teammates butt in who's sitting behind them.
"She has point, there's a chance that we can't convince him later," Krystal agreed, nodding her head.
"But is it okay to you? I mean you will play later too," Azalea asked, darting an uncertain look at her.
"Of course it's fine to me! My game is in 2nd half so I can take a video of you in the first half," she answered, nodding her head dismissively.
"Thank you then," Azalea muttered thankfully, bowing her head as she turn around to look straight at the stage.
After few minutes, the Dean and Chairman Santaella climb up the stage as all students stood up from their sears, clapping their hands vehemently.
Chairman Santaella took his seat beside the stage while Dean Castillo made his way to the lectern.
"Goodmorning students," he started, clearing his throat. Students stopped clapping their hands as they all took their seats to listen. "First of all I'd like to thank you all for attending our event for today. We prepared a lot of games and sports for y'all that you will surely like. Are you excited?" he asked vehemently, raising his voice on the microphone.
"Yes we are!"
"Yes!"
"We've been waiting for this day to come!"
"Can't wait anymore!"
"Wow all of you are really excited huh! Well then I won't make this speech long and I'll pass this mic to our Chairman Santaella, thank you." He bob his head, striding to the chairs beside the stage. Chairman Santaella stood up from his seat, proceeding to the lectern.
"Hello there students," he started, flashing a smile.
Students started clapping their hands but later on he motioned them to stop.
"Okay okay enough students. This event we've prepared is annually happening in this school. And since this is only once a year, we've prepared a lot of games that you'll surely like just like what the Dean said." He glanced at the Dean before continuing his sentence. "I'd like you all to enjoy this event and forget about your academic activities temporarily," he said as he laughed the same with some students.
"Okay that's all, thank you, let the sport festival begin!" Chairman Santaella bob his head, striding towards the Dean as the students clapped their hands. The two Dons climbed down from the stage as their assistant assist them.
The three went out from the gym as they made their way to the volleyball court.
"Okay I'm starting to get nervous," Maica mumbled, clutching her chest.
"Same, other strands look so strong," Azalea agreed, nodding her head.
"Stop overthinking you two. We can defeat them just believe in yourself," Krystal muttered nonchalantly as the two looked at her.
"Wow Krystal what's gotten into you to blurted those words hahaha!" Maica laughed hysterically, slapping Krystal's arm.
"Stop as if I'm going to die if I say those words," Krystal said, holding Maica's hand to stop.
"I believe to myself of course but I just can't avoid getting nervous," Azalea replied uncertainly.
"If you kept doing that it'll affect your performance later, so just chill." Krystal tapped her back, entering the volleyball court.
Azalea didn't respond and just nodded. The three of them proceed to their teammates who are sitting on the benches with Coach Apollo. They placed their bags onto the floor taking their seats on the benches. Their other teammates entered too to the gym and went to them immediately.
"Okay since y'all are complete I'll discuss now the formation for first half," Apollo announced, unfolding the piece of paper he's holding. "We will use the formation number 16 which is Azalea, Krystal and Jane will be in charge in offense and the rest are defense." He shows the illustration of formation to the players written on the paper he's holding.
"But why sir? That formation is a gamble," Jane asked, their captain ball and also the one who tossed the ball to Azalea during their practice. Other players agreed to their captain ball.
"We'll be fighting the grade 11 STEM strand and we don't know their offense yet, therefore we'll use formation 16 to examine their movement. Understood?" he asked, folding the paper.
The players look at each other before Jane asked another question again, "So coach if their offense is weak then you will switch into another formation which is the formation 8?"
"You're right indeed Jane! Formation 8 is all in attack formation," Apollo replied, plunging his right hand into his pocket.
"But what if their offense is not weak? Then what formation we will switch?" Azalea questioned, leaning her back against the backrest of the bench. "We can't switch into a defense formation since it'll lead us into our defeat."
"Then what do you want to do? I know you have an idea," Apollo questioned back, demanding an answer to his student.
"After the formation 16 and if their offense isn't weak, then we won't switch into another formation," Azalea explained nonchalantly, making the other players looked at her confusedly. Krystal on the contrary just darted a glance at her and nodded quietly, she immediately understand what her friend meant to.
"Why?" Apollo asked, narrowing his eyes.
"We'll play without thinking about a formation we'll do. In other words, we'll play freely," she explained, curving a smile.
Jane let out a soft chuckle and nodded in agreement. "She's right coach, if we think too much about the next formation, then our minds will be occupied with that thought that will cause us to panic."
"And if we panic then we can't play properly," Krystal added, glancing at Azalea.
"I get it now." Apollo chortled, running his fingers through his hair. "Then, I'll leave the game to y'all players! Now stand up!"
All of them stood up from their seats as their coach told them to come near him. "In a count of three!" Apollo dropped down his left arm in between all of them, telling the others to follow him as well.
"Go ABM strand!" They all shouted excitedly, raising their hands in unison.
"Enjoy the game ladies," Apollo reminded as they all dropped their hands.
"Captains from each team please come here!" The referee shouted as Apollo tapped Jane's back. The latter made her way to the referee the same with the captain of the opposite team.
"Okay everyone please sit now," Apollo said telling the players to sit except to the ones who will play in the first half.
"You two are really intelligent, I didn't understand immediately what Azalea said earlier," Maica mumbled, taking her sear on the bench as Azalea and Krystal stood in front of her.
"Well, that's very likely of you." Krystal chuckled teasingly as Maica rolled her eyes.
"Is the game starting?"
Rico suddenly appeared behind them, wearing a complete basketball uniform attire.
"What are you a mushroom? Always popping out of nowhere?" Azalea asked jokingly, shifting his gaze to the Señorito.
"Maybe yes maybe now haha. I just rushed here to watch you play," he answered, shrugging his shoulder.
"The game isn't yet starting but it'll start in any moment," Azalea answered his earlier question. "But how about your game?"
"We still have thirty minutes before our game, therefore I'll stay here for a moment to watch you play," Rico answered nonchalantly, crossing his arm.
"Then you must cheer for me," Azalea demanded, letting out a soft chuckle, making the Señorito smile.
"Of course that's already given."
"What's gotten into you to act like that?" Krystal suddenly asked, raising an eyebrow.
Rico turn his attention to the other Señorita as he flashed a smile. "It's just normal to cheer your friend right?"
"What you and Azalea are friends?!" Maica asked surprisingly, standing up from her seat. All of their teammates including their Coach Apollo turn their heads to them.
"Yes we are friends now, starting on the day we shared lunch together," he answered, darting a question look to Azalea. "Didn't you tell them?"
Azalea laughed awkwardly, shaking her head in response. "Sorry Patrico I forgot to tell them." She scratches her cheek.
"I see." The señorito nodded. "Then I'd like to introduce myself to you since you're my friend's friend," he muttered happily, offering his hand to Krystal.
"I'm Señorito Patrico Mac Castillo."
Krystal shoved the Señorito's hand. "Señorita Krystal."
The Señorito stared at his hand, nodding his head in embarrassment. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise." Krystal lean her face closer to Rico's ear, making the latter flinched. "If you do something bad to my friend again, I wouldn't hesitate to break your bones," she threatened, stepping backwards from him.
"O-of course you can count of me Señorita Krystal." Rico smiled awkwardly, still afraid of Krystal's aura.
Azalea and Maica exchanged a questionable look, wondering what Krystal told the Señorito.
"I'm calling the attention of ABM strand volleyball girls players and STEM volleyball girls players! Please proceed to the court!" The commentator announced vehemently.
Apollo called all the six players that will play for the first half including Azalea and Krystal.
"Goodluck you two!" Maica uttered excitedly, waving her hand.
"Goodluck Azalea," Rico said, raising his fist.
Reluctantly, Azalea raised her fist too, bumping it to the Señorito's. "Thank you, make sure to cheer for me."
"Of course."
Azalea smiled as they proceed to the court. Maica took her seat onto the bench while Rico just remain standing.
The referee told them to handshake first before to start which the two teams did. Jane lead the way towards the net and offered their hands to their opponents. After that they all went to their respective position.
The referee explained the rules regulations before handing the ball to Azalea's team. Jane gave the ball to Azalea, motioning her to serve.
"Huh but why me?" Azalea asked confusedly, darting a glance to the ball.
"Don't spike it just serve it normally," Jane said, leaning to her ear to whisper something.
Azalea nodded as she went outside the line, ready to serve the ball. The referee raised his left hand as the whistle echoed inside the court.
Azalea's POV,
As soon as I heard the sounds, I throw the ball and punch it sideways using my right fist. The ball went smoothly on the other side of the net, using that chance to ran inside the line.
They received the ball I serve and throw it into our side. Number 13 which is our teammate received the ball by diving onto the floor. Fortunately, the ball goes back to the other court. Two ladies ran towards the ball, ready to receive it, but the number 24 player shove them away and spike it really hard.
"I'll revei—" my teammate cut her words when the ball hit the ground.
The referee whistles again as the crowd started to shouts. "First score for the grade 11 STEM team."
"Sorry I couldn't react immediately," our teammate apologize, walking towards her position.
"It's okay, we will score this time," Jane assured her, tapping her back.
Wordlessly, I looked at player number 24. She's standing straight looking seriously at someone. I followed what she's looking for and saw Jane. Both of them are exchanging serious ang meaningful looks.
Are they related?
The referee whistles as the ball flew towards us. Krystal received the ball which made it flew back towards the other side. Number 24 player took her change to spike it.
Here it is!
"Azalea!" Jane shouted, tossing the ball towards me.
As the ball flying above me, the surroundings seems to move slowly. Mechanically, I searched for the right spot to land the ball and when I saw a large opening behind them, I jumped and spike the ball.
They tried to receive it but it's too late to chase the ball.
"Prrrtttt!" The referee whistles again, indicating that the ball landed inside the court. "Grade 11 ABM strand score!"
"Woooohh!"
"Yes!"
"Finally our score!"
"Go Azalea!" Maica shouted.
"Nice one Azalea!" Rico shouted.
I looked at them, waving my hand in excitement. Turning my head to our opponent, my smile suddenly faded. This is just the beginning and we still don't know the outcome of it.
***