1 A Girl Can Dream

I have played different sports before. Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Badminton—name it. I have almost tried everything, but out of all those sports, I really just stick with volleyball.

Volleyball is not just a part of me. It is what defines me, and I am willing to do everything for it. And particularly, it is to give honor to my school and improve myself as a player because someday I want to be on the National team. I know it's a long shot, but a girl can dream, right? And if I am to dream, I'll make sure it's big.

"Sir, please, just give me a chance. I can do this!" I insisted, chasing after him as I speak because he's on his way to the gym already and I am not even allowed to do this, but I'm hell-bent on trying. It's class hours, but they're serious about training already because, two weeks from now, the interschool league is bound to begin.

Thankfully, he stopped walking then faced me. "How many times do I have to tell you, Ms. Fonacier, that there is just no way? Just accept the fact that what you want isn't really possible since there are no sufficient players who are willing to go through physical training? Hence the reason why you can't build a team. Or for that matter, an organized and motivated team. Enough with being a disgrace to the school, Arya."

That shut me up because, deep down, I know that Coach Vicente is correct. My team has been training for two years already, but nothing much has been done. In those two years, I have only managed to improve two players. My best friends.

"Can't we really do anything about it, coach? I mean, maybe this time we should scout players from provinces or enroll us in a volleyball clinic like what I did last summer. You do it all the time, don't you?" I suggested.

"Maybe it won't be bad to scout female players, right? Most of the famous volleyball stars are from provinces anyway," I added, and I know I made a fair point. I'm correct, isn't it? There are a lot of volleyball players who came from the province. Let's have Ara Galang and Alyssa Valdez as examples.

Coach Vicente sighed heavily. An indication that he's slowly growing impatient of me. "The budget that the school is giving me is solely just for the men's team, Arya Astrid. You should know that. And given the fact that you could have excellent coaches like Coach Ramil De Jesus and Coach Tai Bundit, you still can't make it because you do not have a proper team. They're not as motivated as you and your best friends, so I suggest, instead of trying to rebuild your team, just support the men's team. Maven would even appreciate it, I'm sure."

I almost rolled my eyes at that too. He's referring to my boyfriend, who happens to be the captain of the men's volleyball team and his favorite. Oh well, just because he is good and the star, does that also mean I should just be on the sidelines? I know Coach Vicente is not joking when he said that Maven would be happy to see me on the cheering team since he's been asking me to join there since the first day of our relationship, but cheering is not just my thing. Just the fact that I would be wearing something revealing is enough to make me shudder.

I have nothing to say anymore to Coach Vicente because I know there's no sense talking to him, so I just turned my back and marched off.

I have no choice but to just go back to the classroom. I have to talk to Gail and Trina about this. We have to do something. They can't just cut our team like this! I have invested too much sweat and hard work into this, and it can't just disappear! I'm not ready to give up just yet. I know we can still make it. I just need the right people and the right training for the team.

"Where have you been, sis? Don't tell me you're still talking about that team again," Rennan asked in a teasing tone.

"Fuck off. Anyway, why are you here? Don't we have classes?" I roared at him with my eyes narrowed.

"Wow, coming from you? For your information, I'm just going to the comfort room. Your jerk boyfriend is looking for you, anyway."

"Oh, what did you say?" I asked back because it's a bit wonder why Maven is looking for me since he doesn't usually do it, especially during class hours. We usually spend time together during breaks, and if he has free time in between trainings, it's very limited. I have no problem with that, though. We're both student athletes, so I understand the demand on his time, especially since he's the captain too.

"Of course, I said that I don't know and I am not his errand boy to tell him your whereabouts."

I just shook my head at that. I don't know what's with my twin brother that he's not fond of Maven at all. If I didn't know him, I could've assumed that he's gay who's secretly in love with my boyfriend.

***

Once I arrived at our classroom, I went straight to my seat without even greeting Ms. Estrada. Well, she's used to me going out of her class every once in a while, but she doesn't really mind as long as I can maintain my grades.

I have heard a lot of sermons from her already, but eventually she grew tired of them when maybe she realized that nothing would change me. I glared daggers at my twin brother Rennan, who's sitting across the room, because he's silently taunting me.

"What happened?" Gail asked me right away.

"As usual, nothing happened. Even he is saying that we should really disband the team and just join the cheering squad." Upon remembering the conversation with Coach Vicente, I can't help but feel agitated. He should go to hell, to be honest, and he could be Satan's bitch for all I care.

I heard Trina sighed. She stopped writing and then looked at me worriedly. "What are we going to do? I heard Kisha last time, and by the sound of it, it seems like she intends to leave the team too. And the reason for that is your twin brother, who is not giving her any attention at all."

That angered me more. Fuck that, Kisha! It's not as if she's done anything for the team at all. In fact, she's more of a problem!

One time, she cried during practice when I accidentally hit her face with a ball. I mean, who in their right mind would check out their fucking nails during a volleyball game? I didn't notice her during that time, so when I spiked the ball, it went straight to her face. During training, she also likes to complain about our endurance routine when she's not even doing the bare minimum!

Though, truth be told, she's not really into volleyball. She just wants to impress my twin brother; hence, she joined along with her minions. But unlucky for her, Rennan doesn't really care about her at all.

"If Kisha leaves with her friends, it means that there will be only six of us, which isn't allowed," Trina said, then sighed, and I feel bad about that.

Moments like this somewhat make me blame my dad for letting me study here. If I were to choose, I would've studied at a school with good volleyball teams like St. Scholastica and Pedro Poveda, but here I am! Stuck in this disgusting school where a lot of girls are not fond of volleyball!

"Anyway, Maven was here last time and he said that you two should meet later at Café Katrina after classes," Gail said and I just nodded at that. I am not interested for any Math lessons right now but I have no choice but to dart my attention to Ms. Estrada who is still in front of the class.