Page 18 of Brick Wall
“You probably shouldn’t have picked the largest target first,” I mumble under my breath. Ryan was too busy picking his next victim, but based on the smirk on Annie’s face, she heard my comment.
I hate dodgeball. You throw balls at people to get them out. It’s stupid. I also never play for long because people tend to target the fat guys first.
“Play dodgeball often?” Annie says next to me as others are slowly joining our team.
“Hardly ever,” I admit. I rarely get myself into dodgeball situations. “I’ve never played in the sand before,” I add. I’ve only played dodgeball indoors, in a large gym or something similar. Beach dodgeball is a new one for me.
“It makes it harder. I think that’s why my brothers like it so much. Don’t move too quickly. It can trip you up.”
No problem there. I’d rather not move too quickly if I don’t have to. I could stay in the same spot all day.
“Thanks,” I manage to say back, with a hopeful smile, but I’m so dang nervous that I’m not sure I manage the friendly effect I was looking for.
Did I mention I hate dodgeball? Is this an optional team activity?
Our teams are now finalized, and we are getting gestured onto the makeshift court in the sand, but there’s a few people sitting in beach chairs off to the side. It’ll probably only be a couple more minutes until I’m out, and I can blissfully relax in one.
An older man I haven’t met yet, who looks like an older Tristan Moore, briefly goes over the rules. He then blows the whistle for us to begin, and balls start flying everywhere.
I didn’t realize I was still next to Annie until she leans forward near my ear so I can hear her through the excitement.
“Full warning: my brothers are extremely competitive.” Annie chucks two balls at the opposing team, getting two guys out simultaneously.
“Just your brothers?” I tease.
Annie is amazing. I’m just going to stay behind her for a minute because I’d rather not be the first person out on our team. Plus, she’s catching and blocking a lot of balls that come her way.
She’s fierce. I knew she was athletic since we played basketball that night at Quinn’s house, but I think I underestimated how athletic and versatile she really is. I can’t believe Ryan picked her second to me, the person cowardly hiding behind her, or attempting to, at least.
Before I know it, a ball grazes the top of my feet, and I’m out. I’m not the first person out, or even the second, so I’m satisfied with my mediocre dodgeball performance.
I quietly withdraw from the game, sit in the chair I was eyeing earlier, and watch Annie. I can’t keep my eyes off her. I don’t know why I’m so captivated by her and her dodgeball performance.
Unsurprisingly, Annie is the last player on Ryan’s team, and there are three players on Tristan’s team, including the man himself. Unfortunately, Annie doesn’t win the triple team against her, and she’s out. The game is finally over.
Tristan says some boastful words but also continues to share the game plan for tomorrow before dismissing us.
“Hey, losers need to pick up,” Tristan says as he throws something at Annie. Keys, maybe?
I look around, and I didn’t realize I was standing next to her again, but everyone from our team has deserted the area already. Smart bastards.
Annie shrugs, picks up a black crate, and starts throwing in the foam dodgeballs.
Tristan hands me a crate and pats me on the back with a “see you tomorrow.”
Annie and I silently and quickly pick up the balls, although admittedly, she does most of the work. She’s fast.
“The storage for the dodgeballs and most of the sports equipment is over here in this red shed,” Annie says, pointing to a large shed toward the edge of the woods and parking lot.
She puts her key into the lock and opens the door, which makes a loud creaking sound upon opening. She grabs a red brick lying nearby to prop the door while we grab the five milk crates filled with dodgeballs. When we enter with the last two crates, Annie flips on the light.
The shed itself is a lot bigger than I expected. Many shelves and spaces are empty because a lot of equipment is currently in use or will be soon. It’s easy to see the empty spot on the shelf neatly labeled with a black label maker: “dodgeballs.”
We put the last two crates on the shelf, and before we turn around to leave, I hear a weird noise. Before I can react, I hear three distinct sounds.
Bang.
Screech.
