Under the School Roof

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, I surveyed the classroom with a mix of curiosity and nervousness. My homeroom, 1-A, consisted of twenty students, and as the others chatted and laughed, I felt utterly alone. I had memorized their names from the seating arrangement during the opening ceremony, but they were all strangers to me. Some students appeared closer, likely coming from small towns together or having attended the same middle school. I stood apart, an outsider in this tight-knit group.

Among them, I noticed Elta Ernser—the girl from the Philippines. She drew attention not only for her distinct heritage but also for her quiet confidence. She seemed to blend seamlessly into the group, and although I hadn't spoken to her yet, I couldn't help but admire her presence.

Once the classroom emptied, I gathered my things and headed toward the gymnasium for my first volleyball club practice. My heart raced with anticipation and anxiety. What if I was out of my league? What if my past weighed too heavily on me to allow for a fresh start?

As I navigated the hallways, I felt a nudge of relief when I caught a glimpse of Elta just ahead. Oddly enough, she seemed to be walking in my direction. When she turned and noticed me, a friendly smile broke across her face. "Hey! Are you going to the gym?"

"Yeah, it's my first time," I admitted, trying to match her enthusiasm. "I'm Hamza, by the way."

"Elta," she replied, her smile widening. "I was hoping to run into someone before practice. It's nice to meet you, Hamza!"

"It's nice to meet you too, Elta," I said, surprised by how easy it felt to talk to her. I decided to seize this opportunity to learn more. "You speak Indonesian really well. I'm impressed."

"Thanks! My parents moved here when I was thirteen," she explained, glancing around as we walked. "They wanted a better life for us, and I picked up the language pretty quickly. I also speak a Tagalog, of course."

"Wow, that's amazing! How many languages can you actually speak?" I asked, genuinely intrigued.

"I can speak five," she replied cheerfully, clearly enjoying the topic. "In addition to Indonesian and Tagalog, I know English, Korean, and a bit of Japanese. It can be a lot sometimes!" She chuckled lightly, and in that moment, I felt a spark of commonality—her experiences of adapting to a new environment mirrored my own, even though we came from different places.

"Five languages! That's impressive," I said, feeling a twinge of admiration mixed with envy. "I've only got Indonesian and a little English. I can't imagine juggling so many," I admitted sheepishly.

"It just takes practice! You'll get there," she encouraged, her eyes sparkling with sincerity. "Are you excited about joining the volleyball team?"

"Yeah, I've been looking forward to it, though I'm a bit nervous," I confessed. "I hope I can keep up with everyone."

Elta laughed softly. "You'll do great! Just be yourself and play hard. I heard the team's really welcoming."

As we entered the gymnasium, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The hardwood floor gleamed under bright lights, and the sounds of sneakers squeaking and volleyballs being hit filled the air. Groups of students were gathering, laughing and chatting as they warmed up, and I felt a surge of adrenaline.

As Elta and I stepped further inside, a group practicing near the net caught my attention. I stared, captivated by a striking figure in the midst of the drill—a girl towering above nearly everyone else, moving with an effortless grace that drew my gaze. The way she positioned herself, anticipating the ball, radiated a confidence that made my heart race.

I didn't know her name, but in that moment I found myself fascinated. Curiosity bubbled within me as I wondered who this impressive athlete was. She had an aura that set her apart from the rest, making it hard for me to look away, even as I felt the heat rush to my cheeks. I'd never felt so small, standing at 170 centimeters, and this girl had to be at least 175.

The coach, Mr. Erland Lim, clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention. "Welcome, newcomers! Volleyball practice will be held here in Gymnasium 1 every Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. You'll need to commit to this schedule if you want to improve. Today, we'll focus on team drills to get everyone acquainted."

"Also, just a heads-up," Mr. Lim continued, "the basketball club will use this building on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays."

As Mr. Lim began explaining the structure of the practice, I made a mental note of his words, excitement coursing through me. This was the moment I had waited for—the chance to be part of a team, to play the sport I loved in an environment that felt entirely new and challenging.

I couldn't help but wonder if I could connect with someone through our shared passion for volleyball, but for now, I needed to focus on proving myself and absorbing everything I could in this new environment.

***

Days passed, and I found myself practicing volleyball more often than I ever expected. The initial nerves had lessened, replaced by a growing familiarity with the routines and drills.

As I sat on the sidelines, catching my breath during a break, I felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration course through me. The sounds of volleyballs thudding against the floor echoed in the background, and the chatter of my teammates filled the air like a gentle hum. Next to me sat Elta Ernser, her long hair pulled back in a neat ponytail, her forehead glistening with determination and focus.

I glanced around the gym, trying to remember the faces of my fellow club members. It felt like a daunting task, especially considering the number of new names and faces I had encountered in such a short time. I had spent long hours practicing, yet I still struggled to place everyone into their respective classes. A handful of students stood out more than others in both athleticism and presence, but the hardest part was associating their names with the familiar patterns I had seen at the school.

Elta was easier to remember—her bright smile and friendly demeanor had made an impression from day one. But then there was Elice Rosmayanti. She was the tallest and, undeniably, the prettiest girl on the team. I couldn't help but notice her at practice, especially how her height gave her an advantage. Elice belonged to class 2-B, and though I had yet to speak to her, my admiration for her skills grew with every session. According to Elta, she was a fierce attacker—a reputation that was well-earned. It only made sense, considering her powerful jumps and precise hits.

I let out a slow breath, trying to push aside the mix of awe and intimidation that Elice stirred in me. "You okay?" Elta asked, breaking me out of my thoughts as she took a sip from her water bottle.

"That girl looks strong. What do you think?" I commented, glancing toward Elice as she executed a perfect spike.

Elta nodded, her expression filled with admiration. "Definitely. She's one of the best attackers on the team. I really wish I had her height and strength. It makes such a difference in the game."

I smiled, noticing her genuine excitement rather than jealousy. "How tall are you, by the way?" I asked casually, curiosity getting the better of me.

"I'm about 163 centimeters, but I'm still growing," Elta replied with a playful shrug. "I wouldn't mind being a few inches taller, especially for volleyball."

"Yeah, height definitely helps with spikes," I agreed. "But you have great technique. I'm sure that counts for a lot too."

Elta beamed at my compliment before furrowing her brow in thought. "So, what about the boys' team?" she asked. "From what I've seen in practice, everyone seems to be pretty strong. It looks like they've got their agility and skills above average."

I nodded. "Yeah, it can feel pretty intimidating. To be honest, my achievements in middle school seem like nothing compared to these guys." I paused, reflecting on my earlier glory before admitting, "But I don't feel too pessimistic. I know if I work hard, I can catch up."

She smiled, looking impressed. "That's the spirit! With your determination, I'm sure you'll improve quickly. Everyone here has their own strengths, and it's important to play to yours."

"Thanks, Elta," I said, appreciating her encouragement. "I really want to find my rhythm with the team. I just need to focus and take it one practice at a time."

"Exactly! Just keep pushing yourself, and don't forget to have fun. We're all just here to enjoy the game," she added, tossing the volleyball back and forth lightly as we prepared to jump back into practice.

Just as I was about to move, I caught a certain gaze from across the gym. It was Elice, staring directly at me. My heart raced for reasons I couldn't fully understand. But the moment our eyes met, she quickly looked away, returning to her own drill with an intensity that made my cheeks warm.

I was left wondering what that glance had meant, but before I could think too much about it, I sensed that others had noticed too.

Elta, ever perceptive, elbowed me lightly in the stomach while smirking. "What's on your mind?"

"What?" I replied, trying to play it cool, but her teasing vibe only heightened my awareness.

"You think I didn't notice?" she shot back, her grin widening.

I didn't respond.

Then Elta leaned closer and whispered in my ear, "You blushed just now glancing at her."

Caught off guard, I shot her a surprised look. "Did I?"

Elta's laughter danced in the air, lightening the moment. "Oh, totally! Don't worry, it's cute."

What? Cute?

I attempted to brush it off, but the playful atmosphere was infectious. "Alright, enough with the teasing. Let's get back to practice before Mr. Lim thinks we're slacking off," I said, trying to redirect the focus back to volleyball.