The Heartless Frankenstein (XIV Series #2)

Chapter Twenty Nine

Music Box, Canon and a Disastrous Date I

“You’re going back to practice on Saturdays then, right?” The sudden thought of going back to practice on the weekend messed with my mindset. I need to cope up with this over again and not slack for real this time. “Since you’re done with the tutoring thing?” Aiden asked during our History class together, almost a whisper. It was almost like he was teasing me with it. He didn’t want me not doing training because that’s the only time I don’t have boys around me – well, except coach. But yeah, I don’t really care about other things once I’m playing. My mind’s always set on my priority – volleyball.

I yawned, leaning back to my chair, nodding at his statement. The sound of the teacher’s voice is a lullaby and I don’t mean that in a good thing. It makes me really sleepy. “Honestly, I’m starting to slack off ever since I got so used to not attending the trainings every Saturday. My body’s going to feel hella sore again and I don’t have enough money to buy ice and hot packs every now and then.”

He chuckled, covering his mouth to lessen the sound he makes which he’s terrible at by the way. He always laughs like a seal after all and it’s cute but whatever. He can try to hide it but it’s always audible and adorable. “How would your team feel if their ace-but-can’t-be-ace is talking like this behind their backs? They’re gonna feel so betrayed.”

I laughed along with him unbothered that we were in the middle of a class, chit-chatting like girls about nail polish and whatnot. “I’m the ace-but-can’t-be-ace but coach just keeps his eyes on me like I’m the black sheep of the team.” I rolled my eyes at the thought of having terrible and deadly preps before a practice game.

“That’s because he needs you to be prepared for the upcoming tournament.”

Now he’s talking like the coach.

“You need to keep getting stronger after all otherwise someone will take your place. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t want that.” He leaned closer to me, preaching his butt off like a king. “You love getting the spotlight, don’t you?”

I shove him away, stretching my back even more as soon as the teacher spun to write something on the board. “Yeah, I do. Because I deserve it. Any problem with that?” I let out a sigh in relief as I replied. I’ve been sitting here for forever. I feel like my ass is going to have rashes all over the cheek after this. I never knew an hour and a half would be this long when it literally feels so fast when I’m on court during official games.

“Intercollegiate is coming, right?”

I nodded, extending my arms to my back like I do most of my warmups, and stretching my head and neck on the opposite side. “Coach Jung’s even gearing us up for it hard. I feel like my bones are about to snap or something. He makes me dig impossible balls, it’s crazy.”

 He crouched down, looking at my knees, squinting his eyes as he examined them like a bone doctor, if that even is a thing or whatever they call them. “You slide down pretty often. I can’t imagine how painful that must feel”

I frowned at him. “Because that’s what I’m supposed to do, smartass. It’s called a dig, not a slide.” I stared at him with dead, unamused eyes. He’s been watching my games yet he never learns the terms. “It doesn’t hurt when you know how to do it properly. You don’t just dive for it, you know. This isn’t swimming.” I grunted a little.

“I know, Ms. Genius Libero.”

I tapped his back, laughing as lowly as I possibly could. “Why do you make it sound so funny?! It sounds ridiculous coming from you.” I laughed harder. “Was it always that funny? Oh lord. Sly viper’s pretty silly too but, meh—” I shrugged it off, still finding it hilarious in my head.

“I’ve been wondering though, and I never really asked you directly.”

I raised my brows in anticipation. I’m always up for volleyball talks after all. I wonder what kind of question he was about to ask. I’m more concerned that we were chatting so casually like this during class. I guess Aiden was normal too because I was sure he was bored of the lecture as well. Or maybe he already knew what it was about, and I’m just the stupid one.

“If you lead most of your games, why aren’t you captain of your team?”

I sighed. I’ve already explained this many times to other people who asked that are curious so I’m making it short for him since he’s asking. I guess he never really actually asked about stuff like this in the past so he was curious now. “Just because,” I paused, heaving a deep sigh. “A libero can’t be captain. It’s a written rule we have to follow. Besides, I can’t be captain when I already outshine the other members with my uniform. I can’t have all the spotlight for myself, am I right?” I wiggled my brows cockily.

He flashed a crooked smile, as if he was against what I just said. “When will the air in your head pop? It’s getting awfully bigger than your height.”

My eyes twitched at his comeback. “Excuse me?” I am so offended, I can’t even explain it. “I’m only 3 inches shorter than you and that’s taller than average women.” I crossed my arms, proud of my height. “You’re the short one. You’re not even average, baby.” I almost snorted out loud when he frowned at the mention of his height.

“I am above average.” He whispered but I can for sure hear the infuriation in his voice, causing me to chuckle as subtly as I can. “I’m 6’ tall.”

“And I’m 5’9. Who’s really winning here?” I barked back and he fell silent. Of course, he knew I was really above average because I was tall – massive for a girl, a libero especially. But I pull it off anyway.

“Yeah, whatever.” He shook his head in defeat. “Anyway, tell me when your game starts. Mom loves watching you play. She becomes your fangirl when you’re on court. She kept asking me about it but I didn’t know what to tell her so I told her I’d ask you about it first.”

I huffed in disagreement. “Everyone becomes my fan when I play, admit it.” I smirked and he just gagged in disapproval. “What are you laughing about? It’s true. Everyone starts liking me when I dig those balls. Especially when I’m in serve-receive and I get it. I love the cheers.”

“Sure. I’ll pretend I understood everything you just said.” His laugh slowly fainted. “Are we still meeting at the library later? For your essay?”

I nodded, creasing my brows. My mood just shifts around the moment we start talking about school again. “Of course, we are. Ms. Olivia said that my only problem is History, Politics and Economics.”

“The easiest subjects, you could possible fail, by the way.”

My veins throbbed in fury as I turned to him in dismay. My pride was shattered enough and he just kept pressing against it like an asshole. “They’re the lamest subject there is. I don’t even understand why I have to take those units. They’re not related to engineering at all.”

“At least you don’t have to attend physical education class for the rest of your life.”

I’m not sure if I liked his point.

“PE class sucks. We have to get sweaty for the rest of the day, and turn back to our uniforms after, then have classes with sore muscles and question why that class exists for non-athletic students like us.”

I raised a brow. “I’m basically doing PE class every day and I do attend. I just don’t participate because I’m not required to take them.” I grinned when I realized he was actually right.

“You like what you’re doing so that doesn’t make you feel tired.”

Hah… “Not true.”

He gazed at me in disbelief. “Sure.”

He was right.

“Bartel!”

I turned and waited for our captain, Yeo Juda, to reach me as she jogged towards my direction. “Yes, I’m going to training.” My body swayed like a fluid as I spoke scornfully. I got the feeling she was going to remind me about training so I spoke for her instead. I hated being commanded after all. It makes me feel submissive. “Don’t worry. I won’t be late.” I told her before she could even say anything. “I just need to study for a bit before I go there. I already told coach about it.”

“Just because you’re the one-man army in our team, doesn’t give you the right to do things your way.” She crossed her arms. She’s always been jealous of me being the best in the team despite being chosen as the captain. I mean, she wouldn’t even have that title if I could have it. We can always switch roles but she will never be like me. “Coach said we’re having a practice match with Tufts University on Friday. You better be in your best condition then.”

“Couldn’t wait to announce it for the whole team?” I rested my hands over my waist, grinning at the captain to annoy her even more.

She sighed. “We were in our morning run when coach announced it this morning,” Oh… Okay that backfired at me so bad. I wasn’t in the morning run in the first place because I slept longer than usual. “And you weren’t there to hear it so thank you, for having me in your department to say it for you.”

I gulped. Always so sassy, captain. I’d ship her with Aiden but Aiden didn’t like her as much as I do. “You’re welcome.” I replied with a playful smile. “Don’t worry about me and worry about the other members. I’m good enough without training, and you know that.” I raised a brow at her. “I’m going. I still need to finish my research for Politics.”

“Don’t be late, Bartel! Otherwise you’re staying benched during Intercollegiate!”

I raised my hand in the air, waving to dismiss the conversation I wasn’t enjoying with her. “I’m okay watching the team fail! Not really a problem to me!” That’s not your call but Coach’s and knowing coach, he wouldn’t bench the only player who does it like me.