Chapter 3 - Like a Storm

I blinked thousands of times, but he’s still pointing his finger at me. What did he just call me?! All of my classmates were taken aback while others are suppressing their laugh at what he just said. I think my face looks beet red right now. 

Wait… He does look quite familiar… Aha! He’s the guy that bumped into my back this morning! The nosy guy that treated me like I’m some kind of blind boy on the street! Now he calls me a hentai protagonist?! 

Before I could even react, one of the members slapped that guy’s hand making him stop from pointing at me. 

“I’m sorry for his rudeness. He’s just a natural airhead.” The guy kept apologizing to me yet I couldn’t say anything back. When I sat back on my chair, they started giving flyers to everyone and said that they’re going to have a meeting after school and that we should attend. They left after that making me sigh in relief. ‘He was like a storm that came to mess me up.’ 

I heard Mitch chuckled by my side. “He’s like a storm isn’t he?” He said as if he heard what’s on my mind. I couldn’t stop myself from agreeing. We would be teammates soon, how would I handle that energetic upperclassman?

And the said meeting in the Gymnasium #2 arrived, Mitch and I changed into our gym clothes and went to the said place. The upperclassmen are already playing but the Captain is nowhere to be seen. 

“Heya! What’s your name?” I flinched when the loud upperclassman grabbed my arm when I was about to sit in the corner of the gym. There are also freshmen sitting in the corners next to me, so why does he have to talk to me? 

“I’m Ezra! I’m an all-rounder. What about you?— Oh right, your name?” He kept talking so fast that I didn’t know what to say first. “Where middle school did you from? Did you fight in the competitions?” I haven’t even answered his first question yet he kept bombarding me already with another one. 

“This is Alexis, and I’m Mitch.” Mitch got in between and answered for me. What a lifesaver! “He plays as a Setter.” He proudly said with a wide smile on his face. 

The upperclassman’s eyes widened. “Whoa! Toss for me!”

“No fair, he’ll toss for me first,” Mitch said as he wrapped his arm around me. I’m usually annoyed with touchy and clingy people, but when it comes to Mitch, I feel relieved. 

Ezra’s forehead creased. “Why would he toss for you first? You’re not even an official member yet.” He laughed upon seeing how shocked Mitch had become. 

“B-But, I’m also not an official member too.” His laughter stopped when I said that and this time Mitch is the one who started laughing. He’s holding onto his stomach as he rolls on the floor. 

“You’re funny, Ezra. I thought you were the cool type of guy when I first read the newspaper about you.” Mitch said while wiping the tears coming out of his eyes. 

“Attention everyone!”

All eyes went to the person that just got inside the gymnasium. It was the captain and… a teacher? Everyone stood up in a line, which made Mitch and I follow. I couldn’t help but feel anxious when the teacher began observing everyone, of course including me. And his eyes stayed on me for a while. Is it because of my fringe? 

“Is this everyone?” The teacher asked. The huge gymnasium was filled with cold air due to how chilling the teacher’s gaze on us is.

“I guess so, did you checked it, Dwight?” 

“Yes sir. We might get more tomorrow and next week.” 

The teacher nodded, his once calm face turned serious as he removes his glasses. “I’m Alfred Estrera, the faculty advisor and coach of the volleyball team.” He looked at us with those menacing eyes like he’s some kind of gangster on the street. 

Even though he has a bowl-cut hairstyle which made me thought that he’s just a teacher. I don’t mean that in a bad way, it’s just… you wouldn’t expect him to be the coach too. 

“You guys might have known that it’s been years since we haven’t step foot on the stage of the nationals.” I gulped as I noticed his eyes landed on me again. 

“And you might have chosen this place because of the news that the genius child Ezra has come here.” I could feel the pressure just by his words. 

“Just to remind you guys, we’re all serious and we have set a certain goal. To be the team that represents Ravenwood Academy in Japan’s tournament.” He smiled which made me flinch, why do I keep feeling his eyes on me? Is he telling all of this to kick me off? 

I know that I’m not the only one who could feel the pressure, since the others couldn’t even make eye contact with him. 

“That’s all. You can do whatever you want today while I check the new member’s names.” 

The captain raised his hand. “Then can we play against them for the initiation?” 

“Sure. Just ask them if they don’t have any plans for today.” 

They began talking about playing today, and nobody seems to be against it. What should I do? I need to go home quickly because of the last gig Lean set up for me so that I could go for a long hiatus soon. 

“I’m sorry!” Ezra, the upperclassman raised his hand. “My sister told me to bring her some stuff so I can’t.” 

Mitch raised his hand garnering their attention. “I also need to unpack my things. I just got on my apartment yesterday.” He began scratching the back of his head but almost everyone was amazed by that. 

It's rare in the Filipino culture for a teenager to live on his own away from his parents. But isn’t he amazing? He’s living alone. How hard could that be? 

“I actually finished unpacking yesterday,” Mitch whispered to my ear as we were making our way towards the locker room. 

“T-Then why?”

He giggled. “You look like you’re about to cry and made me think that maybe you have a plan or something.” Is he an angel?! How could he do something like that for a person he just met? And even worse, for a person like me? 

“Then, see you tomorrow!” We parted ways as we passed by the main gate. He lives two blocks away from the Academy while I need to ride the train to work since it would be my last time showing as Lia for a while. 

Would that be fine though? Wouldn’t that make her feel sad? 

It’s scorching hot outside and I don’t even have an umbrella with me. I feel like I’m going to melt with this heat. 

As I was minding my own business and currently walking on the sidewalk, I noticed a familiar man in front of me. He’s holding an umbrella with his other hand in his pocket. As I noticed the way he walks and his tall figure, I immediately recognized who it was. 

Isn’t that… the upperclassman, Ezra? 

I quietly walked from behind as I don’t know how to start a conversation. I just hope that he doesn’t look back and notice— “Oh? Alexis!” He turned around and caught me off guard. Why does he have to do that?! 

“Are you going home now?” He walked towards me and shared his umbrella with me without hesitation. “Should I accompany you?” He asked.

“N-No, thank you. Didn’t y-you have to do something?” 

Before he could even answer my question, he suddenly wiped the sweats on my face using his handkerchief, which caught me off guard. 

His handkerchief smells so good, I don't know what it was but I like it. But wait! Was that really normal for him?! To be this touchy with a stranger? I could feel my body stiffening due to what he did. 

While a frown formed on his face as he looks on the ground. “You see, I really want to play the game. But I’m scared that my sister might beat me up if I don’t do what she wants.” Eh? Is it okay for him to tell me this? 

What should I say next? “I-Is that so?” I don’t know what to say! I just want to disappear. 

“Yup. What about you? What are you going to do now? Going home? Or maybe you’re gonna hang out with your friends?” He flashed a cheeky smile at me, trying to tease me, but what could I say? I don’t even have friends. 

“Oh shoot! I’m sorry, but I have to go.” He said After seeing the time on his watch he quickly bid me goodbye and hurried away. But then, he came back. 

“It’s hot today so use this. See you in practice!” 

No one could change my thought that he’s like a storm. He even made me borrow his umbrella, even though I know that he’s feeling the heat as well. 

He might be annoying but he’s kind. Why is he even kind towards me? I shook my head as I walked towards the train station. Since it’s in the middle of the afternoon, there were few people which makes it easier. It’s just a quick ride anyway. 

When I got off the train, I almost forgot Ezra’s umbrella. I really don’t want to be indebted to him that’s why I have to return his umbrella tomorrow.