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Chapter 21
~Valerie’s POV~
The girls’ changing room was buzzing with chatter as students swapped out their sportswear for their regular uniforms. I had barely finished adjusting my shirt when I caught movement from the corner of my eye.
Four girls approached me with determined strides and their expressions did them no justice. I tensed slightly, preparing for another round of high school pettiness. The tallest of the group, a girl with fiery auburn hair and striking hazel eyes, smirked. "That was badass what you did to Brielle earlier."
The others grinned, nodding in agreement.
I sighed. To my surprise, the girls didn’t look hostile anymore after they finally approached me.
If there was anything, they seemed to relax in my presence, and I did so, too. Although, I kept my guard up.
"I swear, the way she slipped and fell on that dispenser? Iconic," another girl, a petite blonde with dimples, added with a laugh.
The third girl, who had sleek black hair and an almost cat-like gaze, leaned against a locker. "Honestly, someone needed to put her in her place, if you ask me. The entire school’s been waiting for it."
I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. They... approved of what I did?
The auburn-haired girl crossed her arms. "I’m Ava, by the way. And if you really want to put Brielle in her place, you should join the school’s senior volleyball club."
Suddenly, the air shifted and Astra starred within me.
The other girls hesitated, and one of them shot Ava a look. "Ava..." she whispered like she was warning her against something.
Ava only smirked. "What? It’s a good idea. She was a top-tier player in her last school. I did my research."
I narrowed my eyes. "You did a what?"
Ava shrugged. "A brief check. You stood out in combat class, so I got curious."
"You investigated me?" I was shocked out of my shell. If I expected anyone to do that, it would be the alpha princes and not her.
Although I was thankful, Uncle let me attend that school before I came to PSA, even though it was a covert operation to find out information on the Nightshade Emblem.
Other than that, I had been homeschooled for most of my life, having the best teachers tutor me but is Ava had snooped, what did she find out, and how deeply did she go?
I narrowed my eyes at her.
"Not in a creepy way," Ava assured quickly. "I just checked records, that’s all."
I stared at her for a moment before scoffing. "And?"
"And you’re damn good at volleyball. Tryouts are in two days. You should sign up."
Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Isla and Emerald stepped inside. The other girls immediately took that as their cue to leave when Isla and Emerald walked towards me.
Ava gave me one last grin. "Think about it," she said before turning on her heel and leading her friends out.
I watched them go, still processing everything, when Emerald’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Way to go, Val. Looks like you’re making friends now," she teased.
I huffed, closing my locker. "Don’t jinx it."
Emerald smirked. "So... are you signing up?"
I hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. You want to give it a try, too?"
Emerald instantly lifted her hands. "I’ve got enough on my plate as it stands. But Isla and Astraea..." She made a gesture by pressing her thumb and index fingers together, then winked at me.
I immediately turned to face Isla.
Isla arched a brow. "Me? Join volleyball?"
Emerald nudged her. "You never join any sports clubs, and yet you’re good at them. You’re a natural," she praised.
"Shit! Focus, Valerie, don’t do that," I scolded myself internally. I shook the thought away and smiled.
"Why? Astra’s voice echoed in my head. "They are yours anyway. It would be a waste not thinking of them or admiring them. Better still, let’s chase them."
"Lucky them." I puffed out air and turned towards the door. "Anyway—"
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