The Aces

C H A P T E R 9

Zel’s POV

 I’m in the volley ball team for girls. Actually, I didn’t sign my self up. It was Nine who signed me up. That’s last year,when we’re still together. I didn’t argue about him signing me up because when I was on the human world, I’m one of the aces of volleyball team. So, I already had this potential ever since. Since I’m tall and somewhat can jump higher, my position is the Middle Blocker or the defense of the team. I personally want to be the libero but it is fine as long as I am in the team.  

Me and  Nine had a lot of things in common just like drinking coffee before eating breakfast with 5 shots of espresso. Some can’t overcome the bitterness but we enjoyed it.

Its actually 8:00 in the morning now and I want to have some coffee before I go to the gym to practice. When I went to cafeteria, I accidentally bump at someone. When I looked who was that to say sorry, the feeling of being betrayed runs through my system again. How can I manage to be this close to someone who betrayed me? How can I be okay if I can still see him everyday? It was him. Nine.

I just looked at his eyes and never say sorry. I went to the counter and try to order but he held my wrist tightly. I feel bad and uneasy inside but I never ever let him see that side. I looked at him and his hands on my wrist.

“What?” I asked coldly. If I can choose an ability? I want it to be ice.

“Uhm- shouldn’t you say sorry?” he asked awkwardly while loosing his hand on my wrist.

“Why would I?” I still said coldly. I looked at him rolled my eye.

“Stop pestering my day. Thank you.” I said then leave. I hate it. First, I never got to order my coffee then second, I meet and talked with the person I hate the most.

While I was stomping my feet, I recalled a memory.

I was at my room at that time. Waiting for him because he told that we will have our first ever 100 days. Having a hundred day in a relationship, it is such blessing. Not all can surpass 100 days right? Or even stand each other on their hundred days. But instead of celebrating, I was mourning. Mourning of how did he even betrayed me. He knows my ability, my story, my life but of course I had to keep the fact that I was once a human or should I say a half human, half creature. I received pictures from someone unknown. At first, I am so happy and excited. Maybe it was one of his schemes on celebrating it but, no. I did cried a lot. I was prepared and all I have to do is to have my hair done. I really put an effort on that day because I love him so much and its was our supposed to be perfect day. But no. I cried really hard to the point that I didn’t check the calls on my phone. Someone knocked at the door and I saw Min and Kim looking at me from head to toe. They’re shocked on when they saw me.

“What happened? Nine told us that he cannot reach you! We thought you we’re in trouble!” Kim said seriously. Instead of answering, I cried harder. They are asking me why and I pointed the table. They came in and they were devastated,too. Kim rushed outside. Followed by Min. I know they are up to something like using their abilities to hurt their friend, I really do not want that to happen so run to their direction and I saw Kim showing the pictures to Nine. They said Kim has a feelings for me but I cannot feel and I don’t want to feel it. At the moment, I only love Nine. My first ever boyfriend. Nine’s eyes went from plain to shock. So,what does that means. He looked at me and run to me. He hugged me and I didn’t hug back.  He cupped my face and said,”listen, please. Do not believe on that pictures.” He said while trying to calm down. Our eyes are wet of tears and our hearts are aching.

“What do you mean,Nine?” Min asked.

“I was framed! She framed me. She told me to come to her room and she’ll apologize to me for what she had done.” he said then looked at me.” But everything went the opposite when I entered into her room. She framed me!” he continued and cried really hard. “You can read my mind,Kim. Please. I’m really innocent about that stuff. She framed me.” he keeps on telling us that she framed her but who the f**k framed him?!

“Your mind is too noisy to read,Nine.” Kim said blankly.

“Who is that girl?” I asked without looking at him. I’m afraid of this question but I think I must face it.

He looked at his friends first then held my hand. I’m trying to calm as the electricity in my body swayed after he holds it. I’m really in love with this man.

“Uhm-Zel, I think its not imp--” I cut off his words I know what he’s up to.

“WHO?!” I asked with force then look at him. “Who is that girl Nine?!” He cried and I heard Kim stomp his feet.

“Zel, that girl is Bella!” The moment I heard her name, my patience went down. I cannot deal with this any longer.

“How could you trust that b***h’s words huh? Have you ever think of me before going into her room? Huh,Nine?” I asked with all the pain and wounds that he caused me. He didn’t answer instead he faced the ground and fidget his hands.

“Nine, how can you do this to me? Like, was I important to you?” He lift his head and said,

”Yes,you--” he said but I cut it off again.

“No,Nine. You never thought of me nor treat me like an important person. Did you tell me about this when you went to her room? No! Did you tell your friends? No! Because if they do, I know they will stop you!” I should not waste my time here.

“Nine, I love you so much but I think, we have to end this. We don’t want plasticity and toxicity right? I don’t think I can love you with all my heart anymore. Heart ache and pain reigns my heart as of the moment.” I looked at him while saying those words.

“No-no-Zel! No!” I heard him but no. I can’t even though I love you.

I snapped back to the reality when I heard my coach called me.

“Zellaine!” he shouted. He’s the only pedagogue who calls me by my name. He said he find it cute.

“Its been a while, dew-drop.” he said then tapped my back.

“Yes it is coach.” I said. “Should I prepare the net and the balls coach?” I asked.

“No need,Nine’s already here.Its so unusual that he’s here early. Normally, it was Kim or Min who’s early.” said coach while looking a him suspiciously.

“Maybe he ate something good,coach.” I said then we laugh. In my peripheral view, I saw him looked at us like he wants to join our conversation. But of course, he held back.

Coach told me to have a one on one with Nine. I declined first but coach tease me that  have feelings for Nine.

Honestly, I still have. I can’t let it slide especially he’s my first ever boyfriend. We positioned ourselves and I had my poker face on. We ready and it was his serve but it went outside. My serve went good and he received it. Our game is like checking on each other’s strength and capacity to cope up with the other. I was about to receive his serve when I slipped. I cannot move my feet. I was him go to my place and slowly removed my shoes. After several months, its again the first time that he held me softly and gently. I looked at him and I can see the pain in his eyes. Our coach told him to bring me to the infirmary. He looked so serious and he carries me using his back. Like a piggy back ride. He run to the nearest infirmary and he safely put me in the bed. I peaked at him and saw him a nervous. Okay, what’s happening.

The doctor touched my right foot and he flinched when I shouted. I’m in pain but I really want to shout.

The doctor examined my foot and decided to put a gauge. I was surprised when he volunteer to do it. The nurse gave him the gauge and he gently held my foot.

“What are you doing?” I asked confused.

“Putting gauge.” He said casually

“I mean, why did you do it? The nurses can do it. Let them do their work.” I said while kicking him with my other foot.  He held it and putt down slowly and said,” This was supposed to be my responsibility but, I blew it up.” He said then laugh awkwardly. “And I pained you again. So I must take the responsibility.” He said then continued. I want to tear up but I know I must not.

“Are we really over,Zel? Are there no chances?” he asked out of the blue while looking down. My heart beats faster. I still have feelings but I know I must not get swayed.

“I don’t know.” I said plainly. “I can’t trust you anymore. I can’t let my heart be at risk again. I can’t love you again.” I said. My last words pinned me off and it hurts so bad. I still love him but I can’t trust him.

“I can understand.” he said then finished wrapping my feet with gauge.

“I guess, I must move on.” he said, he smiled then bid good bye.

The words that I spoke, I now regret it. I bring pain to myself and to him.

I sleep at the infirmary all day long. My foot were a little bit aching but I can manage.

I told the doctor that I’ll rest on my dorm and they agreed to my proposal. They offered we wheel chair but wheels chairs cannot climb up to the 3rd floor so I have to walk. I walked even though it hurts. Well, I’m used at it.

I finally made my way to the dorm and slowly climb up to the 3rd floor. I’m on my fifth step when I heard a laugh. I looked up and how unfortunate my day is. I saw her. The wild b***h. Bella. I guess she’s one of the Maple Class because they looked like they had a room in this floor. I saw keys in their hand though.

“Oh hi, my best of friends,Zel. How are you?” she asked me with her famous plastic smile.

“I’m good.” I answered plainly. I cannot forget how he framed Nine. Her presence is somewhat getting into my nerve.

“What happened to you? You need help?” she asked then tried to touch me. But I never let her lay her filthy fingers on my hand.

“Don’t touch me.” I said coldly.

She looked at me from head to toe. She came near me and said,”do you like my surprise?” she asked with her evil smile. Her friend who is quiet the whole time is shaking her head then tapped her to go down. She stared at me first then grin then walked down the stairs.

I heaved a heavy sigh and went to my room. I remembered Bella meeting Nine, what will happen if they meet up?

Over thinking drags me and its really unfortunate that I am with the same class with Nine and Bella.I thought over and remembered what I said to Nine at the infirmary. That scene again bring me tears. I hugged my bear and cry so hard until I fell asleep. Class starts tomorrow. I must prepare for the unexpected happenings.

Nine’s POV

 I carried Zel and went to the infirmary. I caused her pain. I can clearly remember how bad that serve was. And the bad serve caused her pain again. I honestly had 100% feelings for her. I might be blind by everyone’s beauty but I cannot handle losing her. She’s the one I really love the most. While I was doing her gauge, I asked her the most hurtful question one can ask for their ex. “Are we over? Are there no chance for the both of us?”

I mean, I can see it that we cannot have each other’s back but I still tried. I tried hoping the answer is the opposite of what I imagined. But, no. Her words I can’t love you again weakens my system. She is my Kingdom and someone stole that away from me. That is why I’m at the cafeteria drinking alcoholic drinks. Its my 3rd bottle of bear already but the pain won’t wash away. It still lingers inside me and drives me crazy as f**k.

The girl who looked like Bella approach me. I want to punch her but I cannot. I have huge respect for the girls.

“Hi Nine. How are you?” she said then smiled at me like a fool. I thought it was just an imagination but no, I can feel her hand on my cheeks.

“Don’t touch me.” I said loudly. Thankfully the cafeteria is not packed up. Only a few is her to eat. The school has no bar so, we drinkers bear with it.

“You are the reason why my life is so f****d up.” I said that to her face and leave.

I heard her friend ask her and I saw her shrug. She’s really a b***h.

I want to free myself. I went to the school play ground and cried there.

I spent my whole hours crying and agonizing my life decision when someone tapped my back.

There is no one but I heard the voice say,”That’s okay. You’’ get through it.” and with that I cried harder.

“When and how will I get through it?” I waited for the response but no one answered. I went to my room and took a bath. “I really had a long and mentally-exhausted day!” I said then on the shower. I lay down on my bed and let sleepiness creeps in. Its better to sleeps than to cry,though.