Chapter Seven
It was the day of the big match against our rivals, the Hilltop Hornets. The weather was perfect. I was nervous but excited. Jack felt the same way.
When Jack and I got to the park, I was amazed at all the people who’d gathered to watch us.
“Wow!” I said to Jack. “I’ve never seen this many spectators before!”
The Hornets were huddled by their coach. When they walked toward the court, I saw their shirts. “Save Lakeview Park!” the shirts read. The shirts were just like ours, but a different color.
“Okay, team,” said Coach Kayla. “Let’s have a good attitude and have some fun. We can win this!”
I knew she was talking to me. I vowed to have a better outlook. We got into our formation, and the referee blew the whistle to start the game.
We were playing three sets. The first team to make fifteen points would win the set. The first team to win two sets would win the match.
“Let’s go, Lakers!” I yelled. “This is our game!”
Bella was the first to serve. The ball flew toward the back corner, but the Hornets were ready. One girl in the back passed the ball, and her teammate slammed it over. Jack lunged for it, but he was too late. The ball landed in the sand.
“One, Hornets!” called the referee.
“Come on, Lakers!” I yelled. “Let’s do this!”
When I turned to rotate our formation, Bella was standing right behind me, offering her hands for a high-ten. I remembered my vow to have a better attitude. I slapped her hands and got into my place in the front row.
The Hornets served to us again. Scott set the ball for Teesha, and she knocked it over the net. A Hornet spiked it, but I was ready.
I jumped and blocked it. The ball swished to the Hornet side and fell through the Hornets’ arms to the sand.
“One, Lakers!” cried the referee.
“Excellent block, Ramona!” said Bella.
“Thanks,” I said.
Jack served the ball to the Hornets. They volleyed it back, but Bella set it for Zac, who spiked it over for a point.
We were ahead.
We kept our momentum going through the rest of the set, winning it by five points.
“They’re good,” I heard a Hornet mutter.
After the set, we took a break. As Coach talked to us, Bella swigged water from her metal bottle.
“I don’t use plastic bottles anymore,” she told me. “In protest of the factory.”
I had to laugh.
“Do you want to help me hand out these flyers?” she asked, picking up a stack of papers.
I followed her through the crowd, handing out flyers to everyone, even the Hornets’ fans.
“I’m worried about starting school in the fall,” Bella confided. “What if I don’t make friends?”
I couldn’t believe my ears. Bella already had more friends than I did.
“I know how you feel,” I told her. “I felt the same when we moved here last year. Volleyball helps, though.”
Bella was silent for a minute. I took a deep breath and said, “And you already have one friend. Me.”
Bella smiled at me. As we walked back toward our team, Bella whispered, “Can I tell you my secret? I really want to play beach volleyball in the Olympics someday.”
“Really? Me too!” I said.
“Who’s your favorite player?” she asked.
“Kerri Walsh, definitely,” I said.
Bella smiled. “I like Misty May-Treanor,” she said.
“They’re Olympic teammates!” I said.
“Maybe you and I can be like Kerri and Misty someday,” Bella said.
“That would be awesome!” I agreed.