The national championship gym was the same one from last year, but it felt completely different.
Leo sat on the bench, his knee wrapped in a compression sleeve, his warm-up jacket zipped to his chin. The lights were brighter. The crowd was louder. The air was thicker. Last year, he'd been on the court, his body screaming, his heart soaring. This year, he was watching.
Their opponent was University of Chicago. The same team they'd beaten in last year's final. The same undefeated juggernaut. The same setter who'd glared at Leo after every point. The same opposite hitter who'd tried to serve through his skull.
But this time, Leo wasn't playing.
Kai stood at the service line, rolling the ball in his hands. Park was in Leo's position—outside hitter, the go-to scorer. Marcus was in the back
