Coach Harper has a reputation for being forced being sharp eyed . Okay may be not Sherlock homes but enough .
The entire sports club had been warming up for a while in the afternoon. But no matter how much he looked someone felt missing.
At some point he had started counting students like herd of sheep.
"1 , 2 , 3...21..... Where's Nathan? " He says to himself.
Clock is ticking 5:30 pm. In his knowledge Nathan has been never this late .
He still kept watch though. Practice will end around 6:30 . So may be Nathan is preoccupied in something.
Once or twice is okay ...but Coach remembers suddenly " there's a match 1 week later . What's that boy doing?"
The volleyball court is filled with all sorts of noises . Sceeching sounds on the floor , scrapping, murderous rage screaming and what not. Never a dull day for him ! Coach thinks.
His heart aches a bit . Ah , how come his son never choose sports as career ?
His eyes turn almost glassy at the thought of his College student son . He had shown him middle finger furiously when he tried to suggest volleyball as career option .
" Hell no dad !" Were his son's exact words.
"When did you go form such a cute baby to rebellion and studious tarzan ? "
Coach 's bemoaning wasn't not ignored though. Infact it was loud . Loud enough that right side hitter for some reason just had to glance at his coach the last moment. And the fall straight in his jaw wasn't unexpected.
A very loud and collective " whoo !" Got coach's attention it seems .
He barks at the team " what's going on boys ? And Theo Turner? I don't remember you teaching this way ! " Stepping closer to them hurriedly.
The boy in question, Theo had already sat up form the fall. Others tapping or tickling his jaw to check if it's broken or not . Coach pulls him into standing.
" Why were you even looking the other way ? One broken jaw and we are doomed ? Pay attention you rascal. "
Theo grunts in pain, finally getting a chance to tap his jaw by himself " sir ! I heard you be upset about your son ! "
Some of the sub player were hovering by . They try to stop the laughter. Others joining along . But Coach dismisses it in one blow .
" He is my son . I am the only one allowed to be disappointed. Not you ! Not for me !"
" With all due respect sir ! He is doing great in college " says Robin, the captain, clearly trying but failing to hide a smile in his lips.
Coach exhales in disappointment.
" Stop it . You guys need to be careful. We only have this and the next week . Match remember?"
"Oh yes..."
" Do we need to practice more sir ?" Comes in a pitiful voices .
He nods sagely " You might. I will have a discussion with principal tomorrow. Anyway don't repeat the mistake next day Theo! You seemed off balance !"
That seems to spark something in Theo.
" Actually sir ! Nathan isn't here today. It's a bit hard . Usually he syncs with me.."
They notice coach's eyes widen in obvious realisation.
" Oh right ! Where is that boy !" He almost barkes.
Theo scratches his neck awkwardly damn did he got Nathan into trouble .
'Sorry bro' he mumbles in his mind, taking a mental note to say sorry next time he sees him .
Coach's face still looks like he just solved the mystery of Monalisa.
Soon enough his face kinda is morphed into disappointment. He opens his mouth to say something, but one of the sub beats him to it.
" I heard he got detention today."
Robin question alound " huh ? Why ? "
" I don't know man . Heard he been chasing this nerd Carter for a good while , bothering him. Mr winkle send him to Ms Miranda. "
" What happened then ? "
" Detention I heard . That girl... Rachael? They call her drama queen or something she was too in detention."
Coach raises one eyebrow. He remembers warning nathan many times not to bully Carter.
But Nathan hasn't been clearly listening.
Theo speaks again " sir ! I think he went home afterwards. That why he isn't here . "
" Oh yes. Probably he hadn't messaged in group chat either ."
That's most likely the truth . Nathan has a reputation for being studious. Often spotted with his books and notes on the empty seats on the court.
Robin chuckles " I am sure he will be here for morning practice. You should aks him then Coach. "
Others nod at that. Coach glances at the sub who mentioned the detention first.
" Who told you that ?"
The boy had been crouching on the floor , genuinely tired of this long day.
He blinks up real quick " ah... Emily! My sister is in her team. She was talking about it. "
Oh Emily!
Coach remembers her warming up with others this afternoon. If memory serves him correct, she too was 5 minutes late . All breathless and seemingly running for a while .
Some form her track team had even asked her " what's the rush ? You look like already warmed up !"
Emily had brushed her off , hurriedly joining the warming up . Surely she had spoken in between somewhere.
Coach rubs his face " alright let's end it here today. Go back . Have a good night sleep....and don't forget to study. Nathan isn't the only one who needs to study . You guys as well. Failing test wouldn't let you practice properly."
" Yes ...coach " comes the collective sigh , dripping from disappointment echoing around him. Typical students he thinks, turning to go back as well .
" Coach !" Someone calls back . Coach looks around a bit .
The boy form earlier approches him .
" Sorry coach. Just one one thing. My sister messaged me . Apparently Nathan and Rachael's detention was in the hallway standing still , carrying heavy books for 3 hours. Many students saw them .Then they went to drama club . "