Samantha's POV
I forgot. Alec had mentioned something about helping the volleyball coach with drills and keeping score, which was tied to his academic requirement.
Vanessa was on the opposite team. Of course, she was. Her ponytail swished like she was in a shampoo commercial, and her friends giggled behind her as she adjusted her knee pads.
I tried not to look, but I caught her glancing at Alec more than once. And every time she did, he grinned back.
Focus, Sam.
The ball flew across the net, and I lunged, diving to save it. My palms stung as it hit back over—a point for us.
“Nice one!” Cassie yelled from the sideline.
But the next serve, Vanessa slammed the ball too close, right at me. It smacked my arm, a painful sting shooting through it.
“Oops!” she said, hand over her mouth, he
