Chatters everywhere, the teams were told to gather in the main hall while the captains were called to a meeting, which the others told me that they were organising the uniforms that will be given out to us.
"Yoo guys! Max and I got a glimpse of the uniforms, and y'all aren't going to believe it. But they are better than last year!" Andra shouted in glee trying to hold in his excitement.
"They're freakin lit. We have to win this year's challenge!" Max butted in mirroring Andra's expressions.
"Th-they have strips and- and those oh my god! I could feel the quality," Andra was doing his best to explain but he turned gittery.
I laughed at them then turned to Dew who was on the floor randomly spreading her arms out. "So what's up with winning? I mean like why are they so excited,"
Wrapping her arms under her neck she spoke, "So every year there's always a winner, and winners get prizes, just like every year we are given-" she was cutted by Cass who came with Zora carrying boxes of drinks.
"-badges, a set of trainings, jacket, socks, latest shoes-"
"AND VIP TICKETS TO ANY TOURNAMENT!" Max and Andra shouted in sync leading to the stare we get from the neighbourhood teams.
"Shut it you two!" Cloe came shortly with Alex behind both holding stacks of boxes.
I knew everyone was eyeing the boxes eagerly to see what's in them even though knowing they're just a bunch of uniforms.
"Wow, slow down you guys, they have names on it so everyone gets one each," spoke Cloe as she ushers us to go back to the benches.
Propping the boxes down, Cloe called me and asked me to help hand them out as she and Alex needed to go back to the meeting.
Ripping the tape off, the inside was full of neatly plastic-wrapped red and black uniforms.
"Ava, Cass, Dew!" I called and handed them theirs, they were all in alphabetical order, so it was easy to know who it wasn't there.
And a certain person was indeed not present with us.
"Hey, where's Jo?" I asked them, but they all shrugged, so I handed William's uniforms.
Searching around for a tall tan guy, I found his figure, but his back was facing me so I went to the side to see what he was doing.
Standing in front of Jo as they seemed to be having some conversation was a tall lean girl, none I have seen before, she had neon blue hair looking electrifying, fair skin. They look to have known each other well, feeling as there was something between those two.
Wondering long in my thought of all the possibilities of what relationship, I came to a conclusion that they were close, it could be a long time friend close, but they were close. 'too close' watching as she leaned forward as she laughed out, Jo really seemed to be enjoying himself.
I felt as someone crept behind me, and now I was in a loose headlock by Dew. "Whatcha starin at?"
Then she looked at the direction that I had previously watched.
"Wait...Isn't that- No way! CHAL!" Dew screamed her lungs out, I could feel her happiness radiating off her. I wasn't expecting, but she took hold of my arm and practically dragged me half the court with a huge grin on her face.
The neon girl- I mean Chal spotted us and waved excitedly at Dew not noticing my presence. I stood stiffly next to Jo as the two hugged tightly.
"Oh my gosh! Dew, it's been so long." gushed Chal.
"I know, argh darn Jo why did he even think of break-" Dew stopped as she remembered my presence.
"Chal, this is Akira, one of our juniors, she's the same year as you, and she's pretty talented." Dew introduced.
Facing Chal's way I tried to put on my best realistic fake smile, and thankfully it went without notice, well at least not to Chal as she was smiling cheerfully.
"Hello! Nice to meet you, I'm Chalia Roselle, but call me Chal, but call me I go to KU. I'm also these two childhood friends, and Jo's ex." she greeted smiling widely.
Did she really just mention being Jo's ex, I didn't know people were proud of being an ex. 'Wow did I just- why am I acting like this argh'
But at the thought of Jo's ex, I couldn't help but notice how close and friendly they were despite being ex-lovers. 'Green was never my thing anyway.'
I know I shouldn't hate her, and it didn't help that she's nice and friendly, OK now I feel guilty, gosh.
"Well nice meeting you too, uh- well you guys excuse me, I need to go to the loo." That was a lame excuse, but anything was better than being there, like who would love standing there awkwardly while your crush and ex talk nicely, certainly not me.
But their childhood friends, probably why, yeah.
Walking outside, I look back at the time on the wall display. There was still a good half an hour before the match started. I know I'm supposed to stretch and start practising but I'll just skip today anyways.
The wind blew calmly but it didn't reflect what I was feeling, it was wrongful of me to even be feeling this way. I wasn't jealous, I wasn't I was, I was just feeling low. Now hoping a small stroll outside would cool me off for a bit and make it back in time for a five minute stretch.
Everyone had already gone inside to either watch or practice so no one was around. Letting out a sigh I kicked a rock, having it roll straight to a bush. A yelp was heard, bug it was no human. More like an animal.
I walked through the slight gap of the bushes, careful not to scratch myself. The closer I got, the more sound was heard. A white kitten was playing about, once sensing my presence the kitty rolled over and stood up straight from originally playing with a dry leave.
I was awed by the tiny creature and crouched down forwarding my hand toward the fluffy creature. Slowly getting closer, curious of my hand, the cat sniffed it until it felt there was no harm. It leaned its head towards my palm and rubbed its head and meowed.
"hello little creature, what's are you doing down here," to which the cat replied with a meow
The cooed as it placed one of its paws on my palm. I took hold of it carefully not to squeeze too hard and shook its paw as if we were shaking hands.
"Im akira, hbu?"
"Meow"
"poppy? Thats a cute name you've got missy- unless ur a boy" lifting the kitty up i turned it around.
"yup a girl. Now how about you come with me inside, but you have to be super quiet ok?"
"meow" smiling at the kitty, I tapped its nose as I held her with my palm.
"strange seeing a girl behind a bush talking a white cat." A voice spoke the moment I stood up, having me jump in fright.
Holding poppy with one hand and one over my beating heart. I went to glare at the person in front of me. "Excuse me?"
"Sorry to interrupt you kitty session but you must be one of the players looking from your uniform, and sorry to inform you but practice will start in a few minutes, if you don't hurry you might miss it," he spoke tapping his watch with a 'I'm warning you' kind of look.
My gaze rose up to the huge clock above the entrance wall. 'Shoot' Twelve fifty six was shown on the clock, he was right, leaving the guy I ran across, holding the kitten in my arm for its dear life hoping I'm not squishing him too tight.
"About time! Where have you been?! Dew went crazy thinking stuff happened to you, also Jo was worried," Zora exclaimed as we met in the hall door.
Giving her a cheekish smile I held up Poppy up to her face, "I've been busy with her,"
"A cat!" In seconds the cat was out of my arm, Zora held her up and cooed at her, the kitten meows and played with her tiny paws.
Following behind her I saw the rest of the team, in fact everyone has started warming up, and even go to wear their uniforms given a while ago.
"Oh my goodness a kitten!!" Andra screeched, now everyone's attention was on the little fluff ball on the grown playing with Zora and her shoe lace.
"Glad I'm missed, by now the team was occupied by Poppy as she caught their attention, her cute little paw went to reach out to everyone as they all crouched down wanting to play with her as the cat had captivated everyone's heart.
I chuckled at the sight as I stood there wishing I had my phone with me to capture the moment, but I didn't so the memory will stay in my mind as always.
"Where've you been?" someone spoke, I could feel their presence behind me. My heart beated thinking it could be him.
Turning around I was met with brown hair spiky with gel. "Alex…"
"Hey? Why? Expecting someone else?" he smirked knowing fully I meant a certain person.
"No- I- shut up argh," groaning inwardly, feeling my cheeks lit up in embarrassment as he freely snickered at me.
He crossed his hand behind him and motioned his head, "So? Where did you go?" he asked, wording every word clearly as if talking to a child.
Immediately looking away I mumbled, "I just had to clear my mind a bit, then got distracted, sorry," I sheepishly smiled at him.
Rolling his eyes playfully, he flicked my forehead. "Ouch! Well thank you," I hissed rubbing the spot that stings.
"Your welcome, now don't doze off again at practice, especially without telling anyone where you've been," Alex instructed, pointing out he didn't want me to wander about.
"Yes cap!" I saluted him then went back rubbing my forehead.
Alex left joining the others on the floor getting entertained by the white fluff. I went heading over to the benches where the drinks are. Flopping down on the wooden benches I stretched my legs out and let out a sigh of relief, shortly swinged the top half of my body as the bones popped, then stretched my arms up high.
I took a gulp of water that was situated next to me as I still watched the team play with Poppy. The mischief cat climbed up to Max's stomach waiting to be lifted. Getting the message Max lifted her up and placed her on his shoulders.
"Hey," a figure flopped down beside me.
"Sup," knowing fully it was the tan guy I was trying to clear my mind from.
"You Ok?" he questioned.
I didn't feel the need to talk, so I simply nodded and took another sip of water.
The last few minutes was silent, the heavy atmosphere didn't help my beating heart nor did it help my overthinking brain as a train of thoughts burst in.
Thankfully not long the staff announced the practice match to begin, with us girl team to start the first match.
"Kira, you're playing!" I heard Cloe shout from far.
Heading up to the other girls as they begin to huddle over to strategize. I was stopped, a warm grip held my arms. 'Not now Jo…'
I turned to face him, it looks like he was about to say something, "I- Me and Chal… there's nothing going on with us, we-"
"Akira hurry up here!" The girls called as they all motioned their hands to them.
I turned back to Jo then to his grip, realising this he let go.
"Good Luck," he smiled timidly.
"Thanks,"