5- "Fierce..."

"Bend your knees a little more. Yes, like that!"

Physical Education class was ongoing, and I was one of the students in the gym learning and playing Volleyball for grades.

"Camila, your turn. Step forward and face the net."

I followed the coach's instructions. I went in front of the net, bent my knees, and when the ball was thrown at me, I hit it on-point within the enemy's court enough to gain a score.

"That's right. Very good. Next!"

I stepped back and let my other classmates do their turns of tries, too.

After some warm-up, our coach let us practice and do some friendly plays court to court. She excused herself and said she had to attend to some urgency in the office, so she left us for a while, and we used our time to play.

I belonged to a team, and we were eager to score every now and then against the opponent's court.

Took my turn to be my team's server, I positioned myself to the server's point, ready to give it a hit, when suddenly my attention was drawn to where some of my classmates were looking at.

Trey and his cousin, Jude, seemed to have just arrived in this indoor gym, and they sat on the bleacher to watch.

Girls who were on the bleachers were smiling and greeting them. Jude seemed to be having fun and loved the attention, smiling ear to ear to every girl and would even wave at them, which would make him seem cuter and would make these ladies blush, while Trey seemed not to give a f*ck. The latter would only nod at them, but his eyes were focused over here. Or I must say, his eyes were directed to me…

I noticed how Kelsey gently elbowed her best friend Jacque as the former pointed using her chin gesture the Gregoris to the latter, and both girls smiled and blushed. 

When I say Jacque and Kelsey, I mean the two bully b*tches. Jacque was who I was talking about as fond of crop tops, and Kelsey was her ever-supportive friend. Great tandem, indeed.

The whistle blew, and it was an indication that everybody should get back to focus on the game. As the server, I hit the ball in the air and let it fly to the opposite court. First hit, and we scored because it landed within the line of the opposite court. I took a second hit, and the enemy once again failed to hit it when the ball slipped at the player's arm, and she was not able to hit it back to our court. Third hit, and finally, they were able to bounce back the ball, and the real exciting game started as to who would score this time around.

The enemy got it, but it was alright. Our score was already a few times ahead of theirs, but still, we couldn't take it simply because the enemy seemed to be playing so well at it, too.

We won the first set and agreed to take a water break for five minutes before we changed courts.

I was sipping from my tumbler when someone suddenly threw a ball at me, knocking the drink out of my hand and forcing me to gag on the water in my nose and throat. It fell to the floor, soaking both it and my blouse. Many times I had to hit my palm on my chest to stop myself from gagging and choking.

"Camila! You alright?" My teammates concernedly ran to me to check and make sure I was alright.

Another one was even gently tapping my back so it could help me feel better.

I nodded at them and helped compose myself.

The one who came to my rescue angrily faced Jacque. "Why did you do that, Jacque?! Are you trying to kill Camila?"

"No," Jacque answered, remaining unbothered and even mockingly grinning. "It was her fault she was standing in that area. I was only practicing with the ball, and it hit her."

"I can't believe you're blaming her for your own fault instead of apologizing!"

"Why would I apologize? It's not my fault!"

My teammate was about to say another thing to continue arguing and proving her point that Jacque should apologize to me, but I held her arm and shook my head to gesture to her no need and that I was alright.

She was hesitant and was about to continue fighting for what she stood right but was immediately alarmed as soon as she noticed something on me. "My goodness, Camila, your nose is bleeding!"

"Yeah! We should take you to the Clinic!" followed by another who cared for me.

My other teammates started to walk toward me, too, and check.

I remained calm and didn't show any hint of panic. Even when I touched my nose and found blood in my hand afterward, it didn't alarm me that much.

"I'm alright. I just need to wash up," I said.

"But—"

"I'll be alright," I assured them more. "I'll be back, and the game must continue."

I walked and took a step out of the gym to go to the nearest sink where I could wash my face.

"You want us to accompany you, Camila?" Still concerned, they asked me.

I only raised my palm and shook it to gesture, 'No need, and I can do it myself.'

I could hear them sigh helplessly, but they did nothing. My intention was not to cause any inconvenience. Just knowing that they cared made me feel better than if they had shown little concern at all.

I washed on the faucet, and this made me feel a little better.

Soon as I turned off the water, I felt a hand holding a handkerchief gently wiping the water on my face.

As I looked at who it was, I couldn't believe it was none other than Trey Gregori!

"Trey! What are you doing here? You followed me?" I asked, totally puzzled.

Like, why would he even care or give a d*mn, right?

Yes, he was probably at the gym when the ball smacked me hard in the face, but I didn't expect him to rush over to see how I was doing or to give me a handkerchief. Who am I that he should worry about me?

Instead of answering my question, he continued to wipe the water on my face until it got drier.

I gently pushed away his hand to stop him from what he was doing, and then I looked away. I knew he was staring at me the whole time.

"No need for that. I have my own handkerchief," I said coldly and took my own handkerchief from the small pocket of the sports shorts I was wearing.

I walked past him, and he didn't move. I could still feel his eyes following me while I was walking away. I didn't turn my back anymore. I have no reason to, have I?

When I was back at the gym, the first thing I saw was Jacque and Kelsey sitting on the bleachers and holding their phones and laughing as if they didn't do anything bad to me.

Without any word, I never hesitated to pick up the ball I saw near where I was standing, and then I went straightly to where the two b*tches were and threw it forcefully, too, directly to Jacque's face. And that made her scream in extreme annoyance and also pain. I just reciprocated what she did to me, and yeah, it felt just as satisfying!

Our classmates and everybody in the gym were stunned for a moment. Yes, we had their attention once more! And I didn't mind it.

Jacque cried, and a few from her team walked to her to comfort her.

"How dare you do this to me, b*tch?!"

I remained calm, cold, and unbothered. "It was you who started it, Jacque, remember? I just reciprocated the treatment you showed me. If I were able to let it pass the first time you embarrass me publicly, well, let me tell you, not the second time around, hunny. I wouldn't remain quiet in the corner while you're clearly stepping into my feet."

Angry for her dear friend, Kelsey aggressively walked to me and attempted to slap me, but I didn't let her filthy hand land on my cheek. I held it so strongly she couldn't even move.

I fiercely dug my eyes against hers. "What, Kelsey? You try to hit me, and I will not let you get away with it. I'm not warning you, dear. I'm just saying. Lay even a single finger on my face, and I'll make sure you're going to regret it, especially in front of everybody."

I freed her hand uncaringly, and she almost gasped as she touched it to see that my fingers almost dug into her skin because of my strong force brought by my already tired patience for her and her bullsh*t friend. All I felt was the rage to make them realize they couldn't just bully me anytime they wanted to!

As I continued walking to the bleacher where my bag was, my teammates, especially the genuinely concerned ones, proudly smiled and gave their hands to me for a high five. They must be surprised I could actually give back what was given to me!