The next few weeks proved to be successful ones. The volleyball team made it to the final round of playoffs, so we play on Thursday for the playoff title and a spot at state. Aside from us, the football team is doing amazing. They are set to play in the final round of playoffs too, on Friday.

But for now, Ryder and I were having dinner at a restaurant in town.

"So did any schools stand out to you that tried to recruit you?" I asked.

He shrugged as he took my hand and put the ring, which he made out of the paper from the straw, around my finger. "Whichever one you commit to, I'll go to."

I rolled my eyes. "Let's not give up our dreams if I were to not go to one of those schools."

He smiled and kissed my hand. "No need. I know you'll get in, and definitely for a sport."

"I hope so, imagine if we went to the same school."

"That's what I'm saying!"

-

For the volleyball game, the team we were playing proved to be tough. We lost the first set, but won the next two, and then lost the fourth, which means we are playing a fifth set.

The nerves had completely set in because if we lose, our season is over and we won't go to state.

The student section was cheering loudly as I walked onto the court with Lacey, Arya, Lucia, Camila, and Kylie.

"Let's not let this be the last time we step foot onto a court," said Lacey as we huddled up in the middle of the court.

"Yep," agreed Kylie, "nothing hits the ground. We got this."

We stuck our hands into the middle of the huddle and did the 'bears' cheer. Our fans launched into cheers while we took our positions.

"You got it, babe, ace them," I said to Kylie as she went back to the service line.

She gave me a small smile and when the whistle was blown, she served the best serve I have ever seen.

The opposing libero overpassed the ball, so all Lacey did was slam it right back onto their court.

I jumped into the huddle as cheers thundered throughout the gym.

For a few more points, Kylie served. However, we lost the point when one of our hits was blocked.

"That's all right, let's get it back on this one," said Arya.

I went to my spot in the back row, and when the ball was served, I passed it.

"Pass!" screamed the student section as it went right to Kylie. "Set!" they yelled as she set the ball to me.

I jumped up from where I stood and hit the ball as hard as I could, while the student section screamed, "boom!" It soared over the net and right to the ground on the opposing side.

"That's my girl!" I heard Ryder yell as the girls surrounded me to give me hugs.

Once again, we went on a scoring streak and by the time the score was 13-6, everyone was getting really excited.

Since the other team called a timeout, I gathered with the rest of the team off the court.

"Alright, two points left," said Landen. "Don't let it get to your heads because this team is good and could come back."

I took a deep breath and glanced behind me to where the student section was chanting. Ryder smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up.

"You got it," he mouthed.

I gave him a small smile and turned back to the huddle.

"Ainsley and Lacey, call it," said Landen.

We shared small smiles and put our hands into the middle. "Bears on me, bears on three!" We yelled at the same time.

The rest of the team joined in as we counted to three, and then we shouted 'bears.'

"Serve us out of here," said Lacey as she handed me the ball.

"It'd be my honor."

As the ref blew the whistle, I tossed the ball up and slammed it. A cheer left my mouth as the other team failed to get it over because they hit into the net.

When I walked back to the service line for my final serve, the gym was silent. The student section was holding up the number one with their fingers.

I took a deep breath as the ref blew the whistle. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as I jumped up to hit the ball. I hit it as hard as I could and watched as the opposing libero shanked the pass.

Seconds later, I was pulled into a massive group hug consisting of my team and just about the whole student section. Ryder was amongst one of the many people.

"You amaze me everyday, Sloane!"

I laughed and put my arms around his neck. We shared a kiss as streamers and confetti showered over us.

-

Following our win in volleyball, it was the football team's turn to take the win.

I hopped out of my car in the school parking lot that morning, just as Ryder parked next to me. I walked over to the driver's side and he rolled down the window.

He wore his uniform because it was tradition that they were worn on game days.

"Ainsley," he said with a smile as he removed his sunglasses and kissed me. "How are you, babe?"

I stepped aside so he could climb out of his car. "Pretty good considering everything... How about you? Excited for tonight?"

He grabbed his backpack from the backseat and then took my hand. We began to walk to our first period.

"Yeah, nervous too. I don't want this to be the last game I have with these guys."

"It won't be. You're a five star quarterback."

"I guess I have that going for me," he said with a laugh. "I can't believe tonight is senior night either."

"I know, it's all going way too fast."