The Baller's Element




Christina Baller, the 156 cm tall Libero of the Green Archers, walked to the bench, head bowed. Coach Ramil rubbed his temple, looked down and shook his head as she walked past him. 

Christie looked at the scoreboard. Her heart pounded. The game got stretched to the deciding fifth set. If they lose this, she would retire without any medal to her name. As she watched from the bench, Adalina, the redhead Volleyball Grand Prix's best attacker, leaped high and fast from the back of the court like a cobra springing to its target. She slapped the ball; creating an explosive sound like a whip hitting a wooden wall. It reverberated across the huge, well-lighted, audience-filled stadium. The ball flew downwards banging on the wooden floor before bouncing off. 

Two of Christie's teammates fell flat on the floor parallel to each other, arms extended with their faces looking like it was ravaged by constipation. That look was not uncommon to Christie this season; however, seeing it on her teammates made it more agonizing.

The referee whistled. He stretched his arms towards the opponent side awarding them the first point.

Christie's eyes squinted, teeth gritted, fist tightened, as she followed Adalina with her gaze.

Before the lady huddled at the center of their court, Adalina smirked at Christie’s teammates; then at her.

"What am I going to do?" Christie contemplated, looking around.

Most people in the red Lions shirt were on their feet, waving banners or sausage-like balloons like mad berserkers while those in green remained seated giving a dull applause.

She found her friends cheering from the second tier wearing huge plastic sunglasses and green shirts with the letters of her name on them.

"You have far too many friends, Christie! They keep tugging you along to some hormonal adventures, breakdancing, partying and all sorts. How about your school, your volleyball? Do you even have plans on coming home? Check if your mom is still alive?" she remembered her mom grumbling. "You are like water. Making friends with just about anybody and getting pushed into whatever container they wanted," her mom ranted on.

"I am like Earth, mom. I can be firm with them too!" Christie reasoned.

"No, you are not. Earth people have humility in them. You are too proud, young lady!" her mom shot back.

Christie pondered. "Maybe, mom was right. I am water, and all people have their elements, too."

She checked the scoreboard. The opponent led 6-0. 

"Christie!" Coach Ramil yelled with his left open palm pointing to the court. She jolted, stood, took a deep breath then jogged to her spot. She looked around, quickly labeling the players as either Earth, Fire, Water or Air.

"You're no ordinary Earth. A jagged black rock. That's what you are," Christie thought, looking at Adalina with dagger eyes.

She glanced at where her friends were. Jose, holding a cup of soda, got elbowed by Elise, spilling some ice cubes.

A light bulb flashed in her mind. "The only way for water to defeat a rock is to turn into ice," Christie smiled.

Adalina saw Christie smirking. Her brows furrowed, disturbed why the small-framed player is evil-eyeing her. "She's not even the best," Adalina thought.

The referee whistled. 

Christie's teammate jump served. Adalina took a quick glance at the middle of the Archers' left court. Christie caught her doing that. The Lion's middle back player received the ball, volleying it to the setter who snapped it towards Adalina. There was a gap in the block. Christie saw that. With all of her strength, she dove forward left. Adalina whacked the ball in full extension and arm swing. Off came the cannonball. Christie shut her eyes. Her arms stretched to its limit. Her fist closed, hard as an iceberg. Christie dropped thudding on the right spot before the ball made contact. She opened her eyes. The ball rebounded to their setter. The latter redirected the ball to the middle attacker who smacked it rightwards. The contact made a loud thundering noise. The ball rocketed towards Adalina. It was like a spinning missile, furious and destructive. It crashed on her forehead, tilting her head back. She tiny stepped backward, eyes closed, and fell flat on her bum.

The green-shirted spectators leaped to their feet and roared. Christie, flat on the ground, looked at Adalina, pounded a fist on the floor with gritted teeth. "I got you now," she reveled.


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