Summer Nights

*Holly's P.O.V*
"Adios!" Señora Alcaraz bid us goodbye as the final bell rang. We mumbled our salutations, gathering our books. I exited the classroom, heading straight to my locker. As I shoved my textbooks into the metal compartment, I heard a "Hey". I sighed, getting my phone and bag.
"Ryan, if you're gonna pull another move on me, I will bring my pepper spray tomorrow," I warned. They chuckled, shutting the door so I could see them.
"Oh, sorry about that," I apologized.
"It's fine. Are you really gonna bring pepper spray?" He questioned, snatching his stuff. I shrugged.
"Maybe."
"I can't wait to see that," he laughed, walking outside with me.
"So, about that lesson thing, you still have to meet my mom," I reminded him.
"I know. How about–" A sharp honk made both of us look over at the parking lot.
"Oh no," I moaned.
"Guess we'll do it now," Niall teased, nearing my mom's car. She rolled down the window as we approached her.
"What're you doing here?" I asked her.
"I needed to drop off some forms at the office."
"I'm Niall. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Creighton," Niall introduced himself. Mom politely smiled at him, shaking his hand through the window. I turned away and face palmed myself, shaking my head.
"Why?" I mouthed up at the sky before returning to them.
"Holly, you can have that music lesson this week," Mom informed me.
"Ok. Oh, and can I go to this pool party on Friday?" I asked.
"Who's going to be there?" She asked, eyeing Niall for a second before looking back at me. He awkwardly stood there, letting us converse.
"Just the juniors and seniors," I answered. She bit her lip while I shuffled around, waiting for her verdict.
"Fine. Just be home by midnight." With that, she pulled away, and I let out the breath I didn't know I'd been holding.
"At least that's over," I said. Niall nodded.
"She scares me," he mumbled, and I laughed, nudging his shoulder.
"Aw, don't worry. She likes you," I assured him, checking my watch.
"Or wants to serve my head on a platter," he mumbled. I laughed, ruffling his hair.
"Hey, at least I can have the lesson on Saturday. But right now, I gotta go to practice," I said, wryly smiling and heading to the separate gym.
"Have fun!" He called as I opened the gym doors. I turned and waved at him before shutting the double doors behind me.


"Come on ladies! Two more laps!" Coach Walker bellowed at us. Panting, I pushed myself harder, pulling ahead of the clump of girls. Sweat gathered at my hairline as I rounded the bend and began my last lap. The auburn-haired coach nodded approvingly at me when I passed her. When I finished my warm-up, I waited in the tough grass for the other people to wheeze through their laps. After the last person huffed up to us, we started stretching, the young coach barking orders. On the opposite field, the football players were practicing, and I caught Niall's eye. He winked at me right as he sent the black-and-white blur spinning into the net. I waved at him and focused on warming up. I pulled my left leg behind me with my arm, trying to loosen the muscles. They'd been cramped all day in either a desk or one of those prisoner-like chairs that the police use in interrogation rooms.
"Let's start some run-through's," Coach ordered, motioning us to go inside. Louis, Zayn, Harry, Liam, and Niall were busy doing push-ups, their faces glistening with moisture. Louis stuck his tongue out, giving me a thumbs-up before resuming his exercises. I giggled, smiling at all of them before disappearing into the large gym.

The strict trainer wheeled a silver cart filled with volleyballs, and told us to line up at the right-back position on the opposite court. We obliged, and she started the drill with a shrill blast of her whistle.
By the time it was my turn, I wished the college-graduate would swallow that stupid thing. I'm not one to disrespect anyone –unless they're totally asking for it, like Melissa–, but my ears were ringing after the third time she shouted at us to hustle. She slapped the volleyball in her hand, and I took off. I reached left-back in no time, and I easily returned the down-ball.
"Get ready for a right-front, middle-back, then left-front drill, ladies!" Coach instructed. I groaned, wiping the sweat off my forehead. It was going to be a long practice.

Notes