They Are Not Ordinary

CHAPTER 36

ASHTER STARR

We reached the arena after a few hours, it was quite painful the but for sitting in two hours. The time we got out of the bus I was in huge relief because I wouldn't be stuck sitting anymore.

Our coach made us form into line once we all got out of the bus. I saw other teams that are forming a line. There is already a lot of different teams around this place which made me a little bit nervous since this is the first time I will be playing in the big league, my previous schools don't participate in big tournaments only the lowkey ones.

I felt my phone vibrate from my pocket, I took it out and checked it. I received a text from my mom scolding me for not waking her up to make breakfast. I send her back a message that I didn't want to wake her up because it's too early and I told her we are already at the arena. I texted her the time and details when and where they will come later. After that, I put my phone back in my pockets.

"Hey, you good?" Jessica nudged me lightly

"Yeah, I just texted my mom" I reassured her.

"That's good" Jessica smiled then she lean close to my ears to whisper something "Did you give the letter to coach already?"

"Oh yeah right I almost forgot about that," I said as I put my duffel bag down to search for the letter Maxima gave me. "Thanks for reminding me, anyways should I give this to coach after the game or right now?"

"Hmm, I think it's best if you will give it to him now, if you will give it to him later he might get a bit mad because you kept it from him for too long" Jessica suggested and I nodded in agreement.

"Okie, I'll be giving this to coach now," I told her before I walked to the front where our captain ball and coach are talking.

"Uhmm coach, can I talk to you for a second?" They both looked at me confusedly but my coach nodded. We walk a little farther from the team before we stopped.

"What is it you want to talk about Ms. Ashter?" My coach asked.

"Uh-- I got a letter from Maxima and she told me to give it to you so here it is," I told him as I handed him the color gray envelope that had his name on it. He took it and he have this unreadable expression on his face.

"Oh..." He examine the letter closely as he looked at me like he wants to ask me something but instead, he just smiled at me "Okay thank you Ms. Ashter you can go back to your line now"

I nodded as I walk back in line with Jessica.

"How did it go?" Jessica asked as soon as I got back.

"It was fine" I shrugged

"Okay that's good, at least you can focus now"

"Yeah"

I sure do hope that I am focused because I clearly know to myself that I am not...

-

After the opening ceremony, the games started. There are 13 schools that participated in this tournament but not all thirteen have a game today. There are only a few teams left in here, unlike earlier the whole arena is packed. As we watch the games, I gotta say everyone is pretty good and pretty strong, the other games are pretty intense but the others are just a usual smooth game. For me, I like to watch more intense games. It's more exciting and fun to see.

It was already lunch and after this, we are next to play the game. Honestly, I am getting more nervous as time went by. Geez.

My parents texted me they are already on the way and so did my friends. Which made me a bit happy because I have my family and friends to support me and that thought made me feel less nervous.

After a few minutes, my parents arrived. I watch them as they greeted my coach with a handshake. They talked for a while before they come to hug me.

"Hey, sweetheart how are you feeling?" My mom asked as we sat down on the bench.

"I'm feeling a little nervous but I think I'll be okay," I told her honestly. I felt my dad put a hand over my shoulder and patted it gently.

"Don't worry sweetie I know you will do great" My father smiled at me which made my heart happy because it's rare when my dad shows his emotions.

"Thank you dad"

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Starr!" I heard Jessica's loud voice come from behind me. I turn around to see who was already wearing her uniform. She was also holding a bottle of Gatorade as she walks towards my mom and hugged her. "I just wanna come and say hi and also say thank you for letting me stay last night"

"Of course honey you are welcome there anytime" My mom gave her a soft smile.

"Where are you going? Why are you dressed up already?" I asked as she turn around to face me.

"We are warming up girl! It's almost time for our game! You should go dress up too!" Jessica said as she turn around to face my parents again "I'll be going now, Mr. and Mrs. Starr!! I'll see you later"

"She's a nice kid," My dad commented "it's good that you are having a good kind of friends"

"Of course," I said as I rummaged through my duffel bag to get my uniform "Speaking of friends, I also have 3 friends that are coming and I want them to introduce to you guys"

"Yeah sure honey we will be grateful to see your friends," My mom said "You should go and get change now sweetie"

"Yes, I'll see you later" I kissed both of their foreheads before I ran to the bathroom to change.

After changing into my uniform, I searched for my teammate because they are all gone when I came back to the benches. Turns out they are already outside the arena jogging at the oval I followed them and stretched for a bit before I jogged with them.

After our little warm up coach made us gather around in a circle and gave us a few pointers and reminders. After that, we prayed before we go back inside.

Once I got back inside I heard some voices cheering on my name loudly, I look around to see who was that and my eyes landed on Jane, Sophie and Aliana holding pompoms and a huge banner that has 'GO ASHTER! GO ASHTER GO!' written on it.

I faced palmed myself, hiding my face in embarrassment. I heard my teammates laughing at me.

"Looks like you got fans Ashter" Jessica nudged me playfully and I glared at her.

"Shut up and save me from this embarrassment" I groaned playfully and Jessica just laughed.

I approached my friends before the match starts. I wanted to hug them but I am a bit sweaty so I just smack their arm one by one.

"You guys are late gosh and why do you have to do this whole thingy" I gestured to all the props that they brought.

"We got lost because Jane kept tampering with the GPS" Sophie rolled her eyes as she look at Jane who raised her hands defensively. "Anyways we did this for you because we wanted to show you that we are here to support you"

"You don't need to by just being here I am happy but thank you guys for your effort" I appreciatively said.

"Of course anything for you b***h!" Jane said which made us laugh. Of course, there is always a potty mouth in our group.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot I will introduce you to my parents," I told them as we walked towards my parents.

"Hi mom this is the friends I've been telling you, this is Jane the ugly one, Sophie the first and this is Aliana our small president she is also smart" I pointed to each of them as I earn a glare from Jane and Sophie.

"It's nice to finally see you, my sweethearts, Ashter has been talking about you guys" My mom and dad greeted them with a hug.

"It's nice to meet you too Mr. and Mrs. Starr" Aliana and Sophie greeted back politely

"Now we can see where Ashter gets her pretty face" Jane smirked playfully and my parents just chuckled.

"I can see that you guys have put a lot of effort for Ashter, why don't we all come out later after Ashter's game" My mom invited them and they all nodded excitedly and my mom turn her head in me "Invite Jessica too okay?"

I nodded, I was about to say something but I heard my name being called because our game is about to start.

"s**t" I muttered to myself as I said goodbye to all of them before running downstairs. "Bye guys I have to go now, I'll see you later after the game"

"Good luck Ash!! Break a leg!!"

-

As the whistle blows the game starts again. We won the first set and it's now the second set. I am glad I am doing well, to be honest. The first score in the first set was 20-25 it was a pretty close fight but we are glad we won that set.

Our opponent was the first to serve in this set. I watched the ball in the air, I anticipated that it was coming to me, I bent my knees down to get ready to receive it but suddenly all of my surroundings paused and stopped. Like they are not moving, even the ball was hanging in the air. I was the only one that can move which is weird. I look around and everyone has literally frozen even my parents and my friends.

I look around more until my eyes landed on someone I didn't expect to see. My jaw dropped when I saw Damien sitting there watching me from a small distance with a small smile. I gasped as I noticed that he is full of bruises and a busted lip. I was about to walk towards him but stopped when I noticed something behind him, which is a large wolf with yellow orange eyes. My body is filled with horror as I watch it rip Damien's head off his body.

I was about to cry when I heard the referee blow his whistle and point towards the other team meaning they scored. I looked around and noticed the ball just bouncing beside me.

What the f**k just happened?

"Get your head in the game Ashter!" I heard my coach yell frustratingly, that's when I realized that I was just hallucinating.

But why?

Why did that happen now? And what's the meaning of that?

It sent shivers down my spine at the unknown events that had to happen.

I looked at my teammates and they seem normal as usual... I guess I was the only one who saw it.

Damn, why does this happen to me...

I ended up sitting on the bench for half of the game since I wasn't really focused and my game literally changed, I was distracted at the fact that Damien's head got ripped off by the freaking wolf. I tried to ignore it and just focus on the game but I can't. How can I ignore that?

"What happened Ashter?! In the first game, you are doing well but then the second game comes you lost your focus?!, Now look at the score they are catching upon us!" My coach stressedly said as he paced. He was scolding me from the moment I sat down.

I looked at the score and it was 19-17. I immediately felt guilty because my team is almost losing because of me.

"I'm sorry coach" I apologized shakily. To be honest, when coach is getting angry or frustrated is very scary "I will make up for my mistakes coach"

"You better be! I'm going to bring you back inside okay? Make sure to stay focus again" My coach said and I nodded politely. Even though I made mistakes coach still trusted me and is willing to let me play again. That gave me courage a bit. I drank a bit of water before I sighed deeply.

I forced myself not to think about it while I was inside the court, at first I had a hard time but I eventually put that scenario at the back of my head and started to get my game back.

Our team ended up winning 26-25. It made me so happy because I didn't put my team down. After all, if we lost that round I know that guilt will eat me up. After the game, everybody congratulated us for winning the first round.

I just smiled and waved at everyone as nothing happened earlier.

What a tough life...