head over heels

9 ~ meet the team

Evan left Riley's house at ten to five. He got into the car, stalling as he sat behind the wheel. It would be fine. He knew the team, they were Ethans friends, they were not the same as his old team.

He grimaced, Theo had been Ethans friend back then too. It was only when they had changed schools that the rift between them had formed. His brother had been too obsessed with volleyball to notice how bad things were.

No. He was over thinking about that. He hadn't in years. He was done. Just because he was playing again, didn't mean shit. The Lakes were not the same as Theo. They weren't, and they would never be.

He started the car, and Kei filtered into his thoughts. It wasn't the same, he told himself.

Evan banished the anxiety in his chest, taking a long breath. He drove to the courts in silence, his thoughts rattling around his brain, seeming to get louder and louder.

He got to the school quickly, grabbing his bag from the back. He was still using his brother's volleyball things. He really needed to get some for himself.

Evan could hear the satisfying smack of volleyballs slamming into the ground, and the squeak of trainers on the court.

He pushed open the doors, and was met with sight of the team on the courts. They didn't notice him come in. He sighed, turning for the changing rooms.

It was then he saw a man come out of the coaches office. He recognised him immediately as Coach Verret. He had a distinctive mop of greying, mousy brown curls that sprung out from underneath his blue cap. The man perked up on seeing Evan, then he paused, looking back at the court, then back to Evan, understanding dawning in his eyes.

"Hello there—" he called amicably, "You must be Evan right," he pointed at the court, "Considering i think that's Ethan over there."

Evan nodded, not batting an eye at the confusion. It happened a lot.

"Yeah."

The coach nodded, "Well, I'll be getting acquainted with you on Monday, is that right?"

"Um—"

"I trust Ethans judgement to appoint you onto the starting lineup, but he tells me you'll need to be caught up some. You haven't played in a few years, is that right?"

Evan nodded, half expecting anger from the man, but he only nodded.

"No matter. We should meet after practice tomorrow to work out a schedule to get you up to speed. I'll assess how much work we have to do then as well."

Veret grinned, "Perfect," he leaned over, clapping Evan on the back, "Have fun today, I'm sure it'll be great for the lads to have someone new on the team."

"Um. Thanks," Evan managed.

The man nodded, heading back into his office, "See you Monday Evan."

Evan turned, heading for the changing rooms. He set down his things on the bench, thanking whatever deity out there that the room was empty. He changed quickly, swapping his jeans for workout shorts, and as he pulled his shirt over his head, the door opened.

He turned, shirt in his hands, to find Kei at the door.

Kei blinked, staring. "Um, hello—"

Evan reddened, "Hey." He turned, fumbling with his shirt.

"So you erm—" Kei trailed off sheepishly, "Sorry, I don't actually know what I was going to say."

Evan turned back, his shirt firmly over his torso again.