"No! I'm not gonna line judge!"
- Says every volleyball player
~ ~ ~ ~
"This is Adam and Aaron Kennedy. They were homeschooled for most of their lives, and they are originally from Italy." I've been saying this literally all day. It's now 5th period and my tone gets duller every time. It baffles me that the teachers don't want the actual transfer student to share their information. I personally couldn't care less about Adam and Aaron's lives, so why do I have share?
After my speech, the girls start whispering thing stop their friends. I even caught a glimpse of what they were talking about, "The long-haired one is hot. Do you think I would have a chance with him?" I rolled my eyes as the three of us sat back down.
Class went by pretty quick and I was so anxious to get home, and I'm still trying to find Mya. She disappeared right after lunch, but honestly I wouldn't have time to talk to her because I've been running around with Dumb and Dumber all day. Aaron honestly isn't that bad, he's the sweet, calm one while Adam is the funny, but obnoxious one.
Right when I got to Aaron's art class, the Dean came onto the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, we will be having 6th and 7th period in the gym for the pep rally today. Please make your way to the auditorium." Everyone sighed in relief, some saying 'Thank God'. But, I really don't mind because I have a free period my 6th period, and my 7th is gym.
I grabbed Aaron and we made our way to the auditorium. Adam finally caught up to us after talking to some junior I had never seen before.
"Do you guys always have these random assemblies during the day?" Adam asked.
"It's called a pep rally, and no. Sometimes if it's really important, but this is what we do every year during homecoming week. We have them on Monday and Friday." I explained, "But no one really cares for the Monday pep rallies because they're not really fun... So this one might bore you to death."
"Do you know what this one is going to be about?" I shook my head.
We made it to the gym and just as I was about to sit down I heard my name being called. I look up to see my crazy best friend waving her hands around like a crazy person.
"Where the hell did you go after lunch?"
"I had to help Nathan study for his anatomy quiz." She sat down and slid over to make enough room for me and the twins. I pull out my phone to check my Snapchat. I snuck picture of Adam and Aaron as the caption, and set it for 2 seconds.
"Izzy!" I look up to see Nathan sitting next to Mya. How did I not see him?
"Nathan!" I mocked his excitement.
He laughed, "Who are they?" he asked pointing to the twins behind me.
"Aaron and Adam, they just transferred in." I explained. Nathan nodded his head and was about to say something else but was interrupted by the principle Grier talking into the microphone.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! I hope your day has been going well." Ms. Grier smiled. She was a pretty cool principle, and she's done so much for me last year to help me prepare for the ACT. I ended up with an overall 29, and I'm grateful for her.
"Now, before we get started, we're going to start bring up our homecoming nominees, then honor all of our varsity sports!"
Adam poked me on my side making me jump, "Did you run for homecoming queen?"
"No, idiot." I snapped, "And stop poking me."
Ms. Grier called out all of the homecoming nominees, and asks them some questions, which is kind of stupid to me.
"Mya, Izzy. C'mon, we have to go down there for pictures." Miracle whisper-yelled at us.
Mya and I stood up and struggled trying not to step on anybody's foot. When I finally made it out of the row, I tripped over the step causing me to almost fall on the face. I caught myself and looked around trying to make sure that no one caught it. I heard a boy, probably a freshman, snicker. I turned and glared at him causing him to stop immediately.
The rest of the team made it down before they called us to the floor. We stood behind the big poster in between the cheerleaders. I felt Destiny glaring at the back of my head. I ignored her and focused on the principle.
"And now, last but not least, our State Champs, the varsity volleyball team!" The girls and I busted through the paper banner, and the crowd went wild.
You would think that they would cheer more for the football team, but they were complete ass this year.
We went to the other bleacher area that was seated in the middle. Some kid from the yearbook came over with a camera and we held up our banner since it was only ripped in half.
Once the crowd settled down, they started calling out the awards for each team. They started with the football team, then the cross country team, and then the swim team, and then the golf team, and then the tennis team, and finally the volleyball team.
Basically everyone got an award for something. Mya got one for most memorable or something like that, and I got most improved, which is pretty true.
"Would Isabell Hooker come back up please?" I looked at Mya in confusion, and she smiled at me
Oh lord, what did she do?
I furrowed my brows in confusion as I slowly got up from my seat and went to Ms. Grier, "Now, is it true that you have a family member in the Army?"
"Yea, my cousin, he's in the Navy stationed in South Korea actually, and he comes back next Friday." I smiled a little just thinking about him.
"Well that's nice. Tell us a little about your relationship with him." I quirked my eyebrow. I wonder what this had to do with anything.
"Well we're pretty close actually, and he's like a brother more than a cousin. And-"
I stopped my sentence as I looked at the crowed gasping, and some people screaming and cooing. My eyes widened, who the hell is behind me?
I slowly turned around and felt my eyes water. My legs became weak, but I somehow made it over to him; my hand shot to my mouth as I ran over to my cousin, "Oh my gosh, Rodney!" My heart is pounding so hard right now, and I'm pretty sure I'm wheezing, but I don't care.
I hugged him tighter as I cried harder than I was before, "I've missed you so much." I heard him mumble in my hair.
"I've missed you more." I whispered back.
I don't know how long we've been hugging, but it feels like it's been forever, so I pulled away, and wiped my face, probably messing up my eyeliner.
"When did you get here? I thought you weren't coming until next Friday?"
"They let us leave a week early, so I'll be here for three months instead of two." He explained. I got even more excited.
"That's awesome!" I said hugging him again.
After all the hugging and crying was over, Ms. Grier let me leave early with Rodney. As we were walked towards the door, I remembered that I'm still responsible for the twins. I mumbled a 'be right back' to Rodney and went to talk to Aaron and Adam.
"Sorry I have to leave so soon, but just look at your schedules if you forget your locker number or combination."
They both mumbled an 'okay' and went back to talking to some girls. I rolled my eyes, and headed back towards Rodney.
*
We made it back home and I helped Rodney with his bags upstairs to his room. He lived with us since his parents died a few years ago. I didn't like it at first since I wasn't used to sharing a bathroom, but I got used to it. Plus Rodney is like the older brother that I never had. He's extremely protective over me and is always teaching me the game.
I huffed once I finally set his heavy bag down, and plopped on his perfectly made bed, "Do mom and dad know you're back?" I asked
Rodney shook his head, "Nah I wanted to surprise all of y'all."
I smacked my lips, "First of all, all of who? Because Mya was looking at me like she knew the whole time." I looked at him suspiciously.
Rodney chuckled, "Well she was the first to know about me coming back."
My eyes widened, "Wait y'all still kept in contact? I thought you told her to move on once you left?"
"I did, but I sent her a letter one day, and we've been in contact ever since. We aren't together or anything because I'm not sure if I'm ready for a relationship yet."
I chuckled, "Well I hope everything goes well. I hope you know that if you hurt my best friend, I'm gonna have to hurt you."
Rodney mushed my head and mumbled a 'whatever' before putting his focus on his luggage.
By the time I finished helping Rodney unpack my parents came home and Mya came over shortly after. They were getting settled in the kitchen when Rodney and I decided to surprise my parents. We made our way to the kitchen to find my mom rummaging through the freezer and my dad sitting on the sofa watching some movie.
They were all making small talk wondering what should be made for dinner. After consulting with Mya and herself, my mom decided on chili.
"Damn I sure did miss your chili Auntie." Rodney said coming from behind the corner. The sound of his voice made my mom jump in surprise, but once she realized who it was she screamed.
"Awwwe my boy! When did you get back?" She engulfed him in a big hug. Tears started to form, but she quickly wiped them away. My dad eventually came to join the reunion as well. He dapped up Rodney and brought him into a man hug. Mya and I stood back since it was a beautiful sight to see, and I'm glad Rodney was able to come home early.