2nd chances

Mika stumbles back.

"What do you have to say to that!?" Mika stumbles to the ground.

"I-I didn't mean anything by it-" The boy kicks her in the face.

"This is for getting me and Braxton in trouble!" He punches her as he's suddenly pushed to the ground by someone else. Rushing to look up as Kaneko glares down at them from above.

"Get off my friend!" Mika slightly blushes as the boy stumbles to his feet.

"Yeah? So what are you gonna do about it!?" Kaneko clenches his fist.

"Imma give you a taste of your own medicine!" Kaneko steps forward and punches the boy in the face. He stumbles back and slides down the wall as a crowd gathers.

"Get up! If you have the strength to hurt my friends but sacrifice yourself to me, then you're worth nothing after you've hurt my friend!" The boy is shocked.

"W-Why did you hit me!?" Kaneko grits his teeth.

"The same reason you punched my friend… she hurt your friend, you hurt my friend, it's only fair for me to step in like you did for your friend, right?" The boy looks up as fear fills his face. Looking up at Kaneko's towering 6 foot 7 height. Suddenly a teacher stepped between them.

"Break it up you two!" Kaneko grits his teeth and steps back. Lifting his hands in the air. The teacher was concerned.

"What's going on??" Kaneko grits his teeth.

"He was hurting my friend!" The teacher sighs.

"And you think hurting him back was fair?" Kaneko is shocked.

"I… well… He deserved what he gave, give him a taste of his own medicine!" The teacher sighs.

"Pick him up and help him walk, you two are going to the office" Kaneko sighs and does as she's asked.

Coach Russ stands in front of the bus looking at everyone with their duffle bags ready to leave. The 3rd round match had been re-announced and they were preparing to leave, but Coach Russ noticed something.

"Hey, Kurai… Where's Kaneko?" Kurai perks up a bit.

"He got into a fight between classes and was suspended for a week" there's a loud gasp in the team.

"Is he okay??" Kurai nods.

"He hates the fact that he can't play in the match… He said to win for him, he'll put his all into our 4th round match" Coach Russ sighs.

"Well… there's nothing we can do to change our circumstances… with Richmond still gone on a funeral trip… and Kaneko out after getting into a fight… Xavier!" Xavier perks up a bit hearing his name. The cold breeze blowing through the air. The trees sway as the sun rises on the horizon.

"You'll be playing in place of Kaneko… if I feel it's necessary, I'll substitute you with Nate, alright?" Xavier smiles brightly. 'The circumstances it's occurred are sad and groggy, for sure… But… I think the Universe is giving me a second chance'

"Thank You!"

"After a delay folks, we return to High School Nationals here in Virginia… Today, on court 3 we have a match between LakeWood Technical High School and Monarch Virginia High School, both well loved contenders for the national finale match. Both with insane reputations… let's start with LakeWood Technical High School" everyone rushes around as Coach Russ, Chloe, and Erik stand up.

"Wearing Jersey number 1 and acting captain. Wing spiker standing at 6 foot 1… Lucas Baker!!" Lucas high fives the team and runs onto the court.

"Wearing jersey number 2, having landed a 89.4 mile an hour Jump serve earlier in the competition, acting setter standing at 6 foot 8… Kurai Vlast!!" Kurai towers over everyone else as he runs onto the court.

"Wearing Jersey Number 6, a sudden change to their starting line-up… Xavier Baker!" Xavier takes a deep breath and runs onto the court after high fiving everyone.

"Wearing Jersey number 8, the rising immovable fortress, Dougal Wilson stands at 6 foot 1!" Dougal walks onto the court with a determined glare.

"Next up is Jersey number 13, The Team's Libero, Ajax Adams who stands at 6 foot 5!" Ajax runs onto the court with a smirk.

"And lastly, Jersey Number 9, Oakleigh Robinson acting as a second middle blocker for LakeWood Technical!" Oakleigh has his hair pinned back in a man bun as he runs onto the court.

"Next up is the starting players for Monarch Virginia High School… starting with Jersey Number 1, team captain… Toby Conningham, who has a powerful line shot!" Toby walks onto the court. His dark red hair shining under the arena lights as he smiles.

"Jersey number 2 and the team's central middle blocker… Bryson Beck, standing at a towering 6 foot 6, but that's nothing compared to LakeWood Technical's tall players!" Bryson walks onto the court. A relativly thin build with super long black hair pinned in a large man bun, half up half down.

"Then we have Jersey number 10, acting as setter, Tom Bell…" Tom walks onto the court with a blank stare. His hair was short and blonde contrasting his bright green eyes.

"Then we have the teams Libero, Jersey number 3, Reece Parker!" Reece walks onto the court with a black to red fade haircut. His eyes glowing blue.

"Then we have Number 4… Juan Swagger, acting as the team's opposite!" Juan walks onto the court with a buzz cut and purple eyes.

"Lastly we have Jersey number 8… Skyler Allen!" Skyler walks onto the court with bright blonde hair and a partially receding hairline.

"Let's not waste anymore time and get right into it… Juan Swagger is up to serve first!"