Captain Mckenzie

From the moment he stepped on a volleyball court, Milles had wanted to be the boss. The elders always said that he was talented and had the potential to play professionally, and when asked about who his source of inspiration in the sport would always be Jake Mckenzie, his cousin.

Milles transferred to the Montreal school to stay close to his cousin and learn more volleyball techniques from him. The two became starters and managed to strengthen the team to the point of reaching the regionals. The next year all the golden aura was lost when Jake left school and the team.

He figured with Jake leaving the team, the captain's title would fall into his lap gracefully.

Until everything was wiped out because of a talented first-year student.

Since then Milles had already given up being captain of the team. He hated having to admit Nicolas' natural talent for such a position, for he himself was guided when least expected. Envy had turned to hatred over time, especially when the whole story of his cousin had exploded in school.

So much had happened since then, that Milles completely forgot his desire to be captain. And now that he was put in that position, things looked very different than he imagined.

— No, Thunder. It needs to be faster than that. ― The coach was fighting pointing the clipboard ― You can trust Gabriel to receive the lift. Come on, let's go again!

The team was completely disorganized. The victory they achieved in the last match was a real miracle, as the players were lost without Nicolas. Milles had even managed to hold the ends half a block, and had received the support of Gabriel for this. But the victory had been won amid hardship and sweat.

It wasn't a good feeling to win. Just on Monday after winning the semifinals, Theodore had brought the bad news.

— They must have watched some of our games and watched us play. If they are able to replicate on the court, they will know where our gaps are ― Theodore explained to Milles and the physical education teacher, pointing out the papers he had written down. ― The quick attack that Nico usually does with Gabriel is probably a technique they expect us to do.

― Which means they still don't know that Howard probably won't play.

― If they know, they will already count on victory.

Milles sighed with his hands around his waist feeling his head throbbing. They would face that team once again, which would not be new. However, the difference in strength had increased over a year. The alpha suspected that the playoff final would be too intense and difficult. Especially when the Montreal team felt so disharmonious on the court.

― And what do you recommend, Theodore?

― Learn new techniques. Two of them, professor.

― How do you expect them to learn something like that in two weeks?

― It's a risk to take.

― And what are the techniques? ― Questioned the new captain.

— The first would be to work with the block to force the attacker to play for our libero. It might make the opponent think he's in the lead while we're manipulating him.

― I can see that, but it will depend on the configuration of the caster and the opponent's attacker.

— So it's good to train with everyone. The second technique would be to train Gabriel to get up from the bottom of the court, while the attacker can already be in front.

― From the bottom of the court? The withdrawal must be precise and the attacker must be quick. ― Milles claimed.

— I thought you were the best for it, since it's the fastest we have on the court. ― Smile Theodore. ― Of course, this type of technique cannot always be done, but it can save us from some suffocation.

Theodore's analysis brought some hope to Montreal, but Milles felt the team disconnected. During training for two weeks, he could see that things went from bad to worse. They moved in positions to cover the absence of the captain who plays as opposite, always receiving Gabriel's raises, overloading the blonde to train both the block and the attack until the reserves entered the rhythm.

― Kim, follow the captain on the blockade! That's it!

Every moment Milles was imitated by the others. He was the target of receptions when he was at the back of the court, overloading him in showing his potential. Precisely because he felt the need to serve as an example for others.

Flaws were unacceptable to he.

― Bend your knees more and throw the weights to your feet, so the impact of the ball will be less! ― Shouted the alpha to the spare.

The ball was out towards the first rider who trained in the libero position, and even waiting for the impact he still fell on the ground shortly after lifting the ball. While Gabriel ran to raise the ball and another player make the offense, Milles was out until the first-year student helped him get up.

― Are you okay?

― I'll be fine, thank you.

Tapping the boy's shoulders, Milles turned his attention to the court where the ball was returning at full speed.

— They will need to be stronger than that. We know the adversary is very observant so we can't show our weaknesses. ― Guided the coach crossing his arms.

When the whistle later sounded as a break from practice, Milles leaned against the gym door sipping large sips of cold water. His legs hurt just as his hands were red from hitting the ball. The adrenaline still ran through his body, leaving him ready for action.

— Milles, you need to better guide the boys of the first year. When you guide them on the court they can play better. ― Explained the teacher, pointing on the clipboard the players in question. ― I won't risk putting them in the game, but if replacement is needed I want them to be ready. What do you think you can do for them?

A shiver had gone down her spine.

What it's supposed to do?

― What can I do for them?

― You should have something in mind, since you are the captain. In this game, the team is yours after all.

Swallowing the alpha had felt a knot form in his throat. The truth was that he had no idea. First-year boys had the energy to play, but they needed to get used to the rules of the sport. They couldn't move in time and were easily distracted. But how could he work all that with them in the middle of a game?

― I'll think of something.

― Tomorrow I want these boys already training different, huh?

― Yes sir.

Messing up his hair, Milles suppressed the scream. The feeling of not knowing what to do was freezing and horrible. Turning the bottle against his mouth, he drank another big sip of water. He was tired, since he had spent much of the night before reading about some new techniques to learn. And still had to study for some tests and do work...

Milles was about to reach its limit.

Entering the gym again, the alpha noticed his sister talking excitedly with Gabriel and the other boys on the team. He remembered his angry friend days ago because of Sadie, and the blonde can only sigh even more fatigued.

He still had to deal with that situation.

― Milles, that's enough! ― Waving Boyle with a big smile.

Taking a deep breath the alpha off to the little circle of friends, counting sheep to keep calm. Since when would his mood be so fluctuating? It would probably be hunger, he had taken nothing to eat that day. He had left so late that he also forgot some books.

― What's going on?

― We were thinking about going out to eat later. What do you think?

Frowning, the Alpha took the other boys seriously.

― Go out to eat? Today's Thursday.

― That is why.

― Day after tomorrow we have a match. Final of the qualifiers, if you don't know.

― Ih, what was it? We win easily.

The clenched fists trembled. Rolling his eyes, Milles had let out an incredulous laugh that had not calmed even receiving a little comfort from Gabriel.

― Win easily? Only if for a fifth grader. ― Growled the alpha. - We suck.

― From where man? The coach praised us.

— The team we will face is stronger than you think. They have always been for the regionals and managed to position themselves well in the ranking. It is against them that we will play.

― Milles, I know you're stressed about the game, but we're just going out to relax. What's the point of playing plundered like that?

The sharp look that Milles had cast at Sadie had made her strut. He wasn't just stressed out, and even less would it be over nonsense.

― Since you became captain you changed ― Accusing Thunder crossing his arms. ― He is thinking too much.

― Say that again and I'll find you another reason to sit on the bench.

— Look guys, I have to agree with Milles. ― Gabriel intervenes gently pushing the shoulder of the alpha blonde to drive him away from Thunder. ― Saturday departure is very important and we should rest.

― What's up, guys? It's just a game. Anything next year we'll recover.

Laughing out loud, Milles shook his head in disbelief. He wanted to say few and good, he wanted to remind them that there was no next time. However something reminded him that it would be the same as talking to a wall. Waste of time.

― You know what? Fuck it. You want to party till dawn, do it. ― Turning to sister, Milles growled. ― You heard me? Do it.

Turning his back on the group, Milles cluttered his hair growling loudly.

― The interval is over, we will train! ― Shouted then clapping to call the other athletes.

As the boys crawled to the court, Milles tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling. He needed to stay calm. It was the captain who needed to keep the team together and playing in sync. There was no possibility of him losing his composure in training on the eve of the final.

― Milles, is everything okay? Do you need anything?

Turning to Gabriel, the alpha denied with his head.

― I'm cool, thanks, man.

— Go home to rest after training. ― Warned the alpha, pressing his shoulder. ― Sleep, got it? Whatever's keeping you up at night, leave it to me later.

Agreeing with the head without any energy to hit, the alpha joined the team resuming training. And as he had noticed, the team was completely disorganized. Hours later, when the training day had ended, the coach had again warned Milles that the next day needed to improve one hundred percent.