Chapter 3 Blackmail

I saw the ball falling towards my face. I quickly adjusted my stance, jumped, and hit the ball towards the net. The ball landed right on the opponent's line. They couldn't stop it, and we scored a point. Our score leads to more points over the opponent's. Because of that, we won against the other school that came to our school for a practice match.

"Yeaaaaaaaahhhhh"

My teammates cheered, and we gathered in the middle, hugging each other. That's our volleyball team tradition – we hug each other when we score, no matter how sweaty we are.

"Good job, captain," my teammates congratulated me.

"Good job to all of you too," I replied.

I am now the Volleyball Captain, after Jasmine's incident. After the match, we headed to the changing room for us to change. I prepared my change of clothes and removed my uniform for volleyball. Then, I went to the shower room. I gently massaged my entire body and let the water flow over me for a moment.

It's been a year since we found out that Jasmine took her own life. The entire school mourned and grieved for her. It was a sudden event, so everyone cried intensely. After her burial, groups starts to form for the awareness of the suicide issue. Different campaigns were launched. And until now, Jasmine is still the face of their campaign.

I turned off the shower and dried myself with a towel. I left the shower room and noticed my teammates were getting dressed as well. I changed into my school uniform because we still had afternoon classes. After I changed, our coach announced that we would have practice after school. As the captain, I need to inform my teammates again.

I left the gym and headed to my classroom. While walking down the hallway, I saw a tarpaulin on the announcement board. 'Vote for Desiree for Miss Academy'. Desiree is now running for Miss Academy, a title once held by Jasmine. Also she and Third are now a couple, and they announced it about a month after Jasmine's passing. They comforted each other during Jasmine's absence and developed feelings for each other in the process as they said. Third became the Basketball Captain and initiated the suicide awareness campaign. He gather for funds to help those struggling with suicidal thoughts. Meanwhile, Derek is running for President of the Student Council. Jasmine was supposed to run for this position this year, but it won't happen anymore. The four of us managed to be very okay after she passed. Even Jasmine's parents, according to my parents, are expanding their business.

I didn't feel too sad like the others when I learned that Jasmine had taken her own life. To be honest, I didn't really feel sad at all or mixed emotions. Is it just a normal emotion maybe? And maybe it's because I'm still angry at her. Even now, I haven't forgiven her. I'm still mad at her. But I'm moving forward; I won't get stuck. So I'm setting aside my feelings towards her every now and then.

I made my way to the classroom and took my assigned seat. I also noticed Derek seated at the front and Third and Desiree sitting together at the back. I heard some giggling coming from the couple at the back. Third and Desiree is talking loudly like there is no one around this classroom. And now that I realized Third is clingy. He wasn't like that when he was still with Jasmine. After Jasmine passed away, our so-called friendship dissolved. Jasmine was our core, and without her, the group fell apart. The couple is not talking to me, I am like air to them. And Derek is not in favor of the couple's relationship. It's fine with me. I might not be able to stand Desiree's fake attitude and Third's foolishness for too long. Derek is still okay to talk to, although he only wants to talk to Jasmine.

Class ended, and I messaged our group chat to remind them not to go home yet because we have practice. After that, I headed to the gym.

As I walked towards the gym, I saw Derek putting up his campaign tarpaulin for the Student Council with his allies. I briefly read the content of the tarpaulin and continued walking to the gym. I didn't have any issues with Derek before, and I don't have any now. Maybe it's because our relationship is normal. We're just classmates.

I saw the basketball players stretching, led by Third. We made eye contact, but I quickly looked away. I wasn't angry at him before. However, something has changed since Jasmine's death. Maybe it's because of how quickly he got together with Desiree and he was a jerk to me now. That might be the reason. Regarding Desiree, I've known for a while that she was fake to Jasmine. If she wasn't Derek's twin, Jasmine wouldn't have included her. It's just a guess. I don't really know what was on Jasmine's mind.

I headed straight to where the volleyball team was practicing. I pushed aside any thoughts about the others for now. My focus is on practice. We're practicing diligently because we'll be competing in a competition next month. We're excited to bring home the trophy. Last year, we didn't win because Jasmine had just passed away, and we couldn't compete to mourn for her.

So this time, we want to win the trophy for Jasmine. I don't want to do well because for that reason, but my scholarship for senior high school is at stake here. I need to impress the sponsors who will watch the competition and I want to get a scholarship. And maybe I can even get a scholarship for college. If that happens, my parents won't have to worry about my tuition fees anymore. So here I am, giving it my all best to get noticed.

Our tiring practice finally came to an end. The grade 7 students were picking up the balls and nets. Meanwhile, us grade 8 and grade 9 students headed straight to the locker room to change. That's how it always goes, the never mentioned rule. Grade 7 students do the tougher tasks for the team. Similar to being a ball girl, refilling water, or looking after your teammates' bags, especially during games in other gyms, are common tasks. When you're in 8th grade, you might not need to do those tasks anymore, but you're also not yet included in the lineup, especially if you're not good. When you're in 9th grade, you could be part of the lineup even if you're not that skilled.

I experienced all of that, but now I'm finally the captain. There's only one person I know who didn't become a 'servant' in 7th grade. That is Jasmine, she immediately made it to the lineup. So, she passed all her tasks on to me back then. I worked twice as hard in 7th grade because of her.

But it's not because of that why I'm angry at her. I got annoyed back then, but it wasn't deep-seated anger like it is now. Why I am remembering Jasmine 'sh*t' Go again? Can you believe that even when you're gone, you still manage to trigger my anger towards you? Could you just stay quiet wherever you are in this world or in hell? I know you can't go in heaven. I'm done taking a shower and I caught up with the grade 7 members in locker room.

"Thank you for today, Captain," my members greeted me again.

"Thank you too. Go home and rest," I reminded them all.

"We will," they replied.

As I left the gym, I saw Desiree sitting on the bleachers. She's probably waiting for Third. I just ignored her and headed straight home.

When I got home, I found Aunt Lume with my three younger siblings and Aunt Lume's son, Lucas, who's 3 years old in our garden. My siblings greeted me as soon as I arrived.

Arturo is 10 years old and currently in grade 4, Antonio is 5 years old and in kindergarten, and Armina is still a baby. Aunt Lume takes care of Armina and picks up Antonio from school. She's our neighbor, and Mama and Papa asked her to take care of our siblings out of pity. Because Aunt Lume's husband left her and her child were still young to work far away. She didn't have anyone else to leave her child. So, Mama and Papa hired her as a nanny because they felt sorry for her. She also earns while taking care of her son, Lucas. When I'm at home, Aunt Lume heads home to rest. So she can relax and do whatever she needs to at her place. Then I cook dinner for us. Because our parents often come home late, I usually prepare dinner. After I cooked We had dinner and Arturo and Antonio changed into their pajamas. I put Armina to sleep and changed into my sleepwear too. I also put the two to sleep, although they'd probably play around a bit before falling asleep. I'll wait for our parents before I go to sleep. That's my responsibility. I need to be on watch since they don't have their keys. When they arrive, I head straight to my room. I can easily fall asleep when I'm this tired. That's why I slept soundly, not worrying about what would happen the next day.

The next day, we didn't have a practice match in another school, but we had practice in the afternoon. I immediately messaged my teammates. Classes for the day ended. I went straight to the gym for practice. All my teammates were already there. I opened my locker to change into my sports clothes.

After changing, we began our intense training again. They aim to win the trophy, while I aim to catch the attention of potential sponsors. Our goals are different, but we both working hard.

We did some stretching and ran around the gym. Then we started passing the ball. Even though the grade 7 students weren't playing yet, they still participated in practice. They might have to substitute if someone from our team gets injured. But I hope no one gets hurt. We also had a friendly match against each other. And the time came, practice ended.

I took a deep breath to catch my breath, which I'd been feeling since earlier. I wiped my sweat away with my palm, which had been resting on my forehead. Then I went to where I placed my drink. I took a sip to avoid choking and grabbed a towel to wipe my face, which was drenched in sweat.

"Mandy, we have practice again tomorrow afternoon. Remind your teammates," our coach instructed me when he approached me.

I nodded in agreement.

The grade 7 members needed to tidy up before they took a shower. I went straight to our locker room. I opened my locker as I usually do.

A black envelope had fallen to the floor from my locker. I picked it up and checked who it was from. There was no information, so I put it in my bag. I'll find out what's inside and who sent it later at home. For now, I need to take a shower.

When I got home, I finally looked inside the black envelope. Inside was a black piece of paper. Luckily, the writing was in white ink, making it readable. It said:

'Dear Mandy,

You forgot to give me flowers at my grave yesterday. It's my death anniversary yesterday and even on social media you didn't remember me.

But anyway I am not to gonna nag you. I just want to remind you. And your sins. I mean you thought no one will know. Expose your secrets before putting yourself in danger. A friendly reminder.

Ps. Did you know Derek cheats, especially in math exams.

your understanding friend,

Jasmine.'

Who the heck did this shit? Whoever did this, it's not funny. It's just infuriating. They're involving the person I dislike just to annoy me. Whoever you are, I hope karma gets you.

I just tossed the letter into the trash because it's a pointless prank. I won't pay any more attention to it. And why involve Derek? If they're blackmailing Derek, why write to me?

They're causing unnecessary stress. I'll let it go this time as long as they don't repeat it. If they do, I'll report them to the principal or the police. Good luck, blackmailer, because no one's going to fall for your tricks.