First Place - The Legendary Rose Castle Contest 2
___

"Give me a kiss when we win," he whispered huskily into her ear.

His lean, muscular arms trapped her between them as he cornered her. His marine eyes glinted like sapphire jewels, glowing iridescently.

"K-kiss?" She found herself blushing, her voice stuttering, as he leaned closer. He was the hottest boy in the school, and the captain of the school's renowned volleyball team. Why would he want a kiss from her, a normal girl part of the cheerleading team? She wasn't even famous.

She wasn't even the captain or vice-captain, who were way prettier than her.

"That's right. A kiss," he smirked, brushing her cheek with the back of his hand. Her heart fluttered, thumping wildly against her chest.

"W-why m-me? I-I'm not-" she began, but was cut off as he pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her. A whistle sounded in the background.

"Shh... It's time to go. The match's about to start," he smirked. He moved away from her, and she let out the breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding.

"Wish me luck," he took her chin, tilting it up so that she would meet them, and she saw her own face in them, flushed hot red with nervousness.

"My lovely Hazel,"
______________________________________

Hazel Threshly watched as Raven Grimoire walked away, still blushing, her heart thumping insanely loudly.

Oh my god, she thought, gasping. Her legs trembled underneath her, and she pushed herself off the wall, staggering slowly back to the sports hall.

Raven just asked me for a kiss.

Internally, she squealed in delight. She had a crush on the volleyball star ever since she first saw him in the school. In fact, most of the girls in the school had a crush on him. She'd seen their lockers, filled with crazily sexy photos of him, either shirtless or sweating after training.

Then there was that incident where she had fallen down in the cafeteria and her meal had splattered all over her. She had become a laughing stock, but Raven had been the only one that was not laughing. Instead, he gave her his napkin to clean up, and helped her stand. That made her fall in love with him even more.

Hazel sighed dreamily. But then a sudden thought came to her. He said 'when we win'. So does that mean that if he doesn't win, then I can't kiss him? She felt a shock of horror run through her veins. Then he has to win! I have to kiss him... Maybe then I can confess my love for him.

She ran back to the sports hall as a second whistle blew. Her cheerleading team stood there, getting ready for the cheering. Her captain, Crystal Breen, shot her a scowl. "You're late, Threshly," she snapped, flipping her golden locks over her shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I was-" Hazel began, but was cut short when a great, screaming cheer rose from the spectators in the hall. Hazel glanced at the court, and saw Raven and the rest of his volleyball team entering the court. The star waved to the spectators in the stands, flashing a smile, and they went wild.

"Raven is just so hot!" Hazel heard someone squeal. She agreed to whoever said that.

Then the other team came. At the lead was Sean Justicc, captain of Evergreen School, the rival of Rainfall High, which was the school Hazel studied in.

The two teams met at the court, and Sean smirked at Raven. "Hey Grimoire. Pretending to be the best again, aren't you?" He sneered, his eyes gleaming. Raven gave him a small smile, rather coolly.

"Then let's see who really is the best in this match," he said. Sean scowled, then suddenly gave a grin.

"Fine then. Bring it on," he chuckled, and turned away, towards the benches where they would regroup and strategise until the practices started, then the match.
___

Raven twisted the ball in his hands, taking in a deep breath. The match was about to begin. It was the finals for the national championships, and whoever won would be able to go to the international tournaments.

He was the first server, and was waiting for the whistle to blow. His teammates glanced at him expectantly, and he saw his best friend Maxie Skree give him a thumbs-up. He nodded back, calming his nerves.

Focusing, Raven exhaled slowly. The world of noise around him dimmed to a quiet murmur, and soon he could only hear his own heartbeat in his ears, oblivious to the screaming of his fans on the stands.

Somewhere far away, a shrill whistle sounded, and Raven threw the ball up into the air, high, high up. He took three steps forward, his feet meeting just before the service line, and gave a mighty leap. The ball fell back down as he raised his arm up, ready to serve.

His palm connected with the smooth, round surface of the ball, and he glanced towards the other court, looking for any holes. There.

Gathering his energy, he brought the ball down, eyes kept wide to aim at the spot he had seen left empty.

As he touched the ground, the sounds came rushing back to him, and an enormous cheer rose from the crowd as the ball spiralled like a rocket, landing in the opposite court exactly where Raven wanted it to be.

Someone dived to receive the ball, but it was for naught. The ball was too fast, and it bounced away just as that person hit the ground, arm outstretched. The referee blew the whistle, moving a hand to Rainfall's side of the court. They had scored a point.

"Rainfall, ACE!"

The cheerleaders at the side started their supporting cheer, waving their pompoms and shaking their hips. Raven saw Hazel at the end of the line, smiling brightly. He winked at her direction, and she faltered, blushing madly.

I have to win, he told himself as he caught the ball that was tossed to him, and headed to the service line to serve again. Not only to make my school proud. Not only to represent my country.

But also to tell Hazel...

The whistle blew again, interrupting his thoughts. Determined, Raven began his serve.

... That I love her.
___

The match continued furiously. Evergreen's volleyball team was not to be messed with. They were strong, and after two hours of long, tiring play, the sets were 1-1, score 15-13, with Rainfall in the lead.

Only one team can win. The last set was the most important set of all. It would determine who was the overall champion.

He wiped the sweat off his brow as he readied to receive Sean's serve. The whistle blew, and after a moment, the ball flew over, whirling through the air like a torpedo. Raven moved to the ball's path, giving a solid receive to Maxie, who was also the team's setter.

"Mine, Max!" He called, moving forward. Maxie nodded and set the ball as it landed in his hands, up high. Raven prepared to jump, and at the corner of his eye he saw one of Evergreen's reserve players shuffle forwards, a ball flying towards the boy.

Raven jumped, launching himself up so that he saw the other side of the court. A blocker jumped up as well, to block his spike. Raven saw the ball heading down, then with a powerful spike, sent it flying past the blocker's hands.

"Raven!" He heard Maxie scream, and wondered what was wrong, until his feet landed on a ball instead of the solid ground, and he crashed to the floor.

Gasps of horror rose from the crowd as Raven gave a cry, feeling his ankle throb agonisingly. He lay on the ground, gasping for air, as he clutched at his feet, gritting his teeth. He heard the squeaks of shoes as his teammates rushed over to him, calling out his name.

"Focus on the game, goddammit!" Raven roared, pushing himself and trying to ignore the pain in his ankle. There were frantic cries as they realised that Evergreen had spiked across, and the libero dived towards the ball, narrowly saving it, but it flew across the net to the other side.

Raven staggered to his feet, trying to prepare himself, but was caught off guard as the ball came whooshing towards him, Sean smirking at him from the other side. His instincts told him to block the ball, and he raised his hands up in a set.

The ball connected with his palms, and it flew back to the other court. Raven scowled at Sean as the Evergreen captain received the free ball.

Why was there suddenly a ball below me? Was it because of that reserve? He glanced to the side, and saw the same boy being scolded by one of the referees.

"Raven!" Maxie yelled at him, and he brought his attention back to the game, only to see Sean leaping up in a spike. He readied himself, moving forwards, trying to ignore the throbbing pain shooting up his leg.

Sean spiked, and Raven's eyes widened at the sheer speed of it.

It hit his bad ankle, and Raven cried out, crumpling to the ground. An excruciating pain seared through his leg, and he struggled to get back up. Unable to, he collapsed back to the floor, panting for breath. There was a whistle, and his teammates rushed to him.

"Raven! Raven answer me!" Maxie said hurriedly, his eyes round with worry. Raven let out a pained gasp in reply, lying on his side as he clutched at his now swollen ankle. The hall had become silent, except for the sound of his own raspy breaths, the urgent murmuring of the teachers, and his friends' loud voices.

Raven coughed, wincing as Maxie helped him to sit up, just as a teacher rushed over. "Oooh that looks pretty bad..." She whispered, shaking her head, as she examined his ankle. She touched it gently, and Raven hissed.

"You'll have to sit out Raven," the teacher said solemnly. Raven shook his head, pushing himself to stand back on his feet.

"I'm... still playing," he breathed out, glaring at Sean who was smirking on the other side of the court. I know it was his fault. He set this whole thing up.

"No Raven. Sit out. It doesn't matter if you don't win," the teacher argued firmly.

"Yes it does!" He snapped back, clenching his fists.

"I said no, Raven! Listen to instructions will you?" Raven opened his mouth to reply, but then caught sight of the cheerleaders.

He saw Hazel giving him a worried look, her hands covering her mouth. She's worried about me. Relenting, he dropped his head. "I'll sit out," he mumbled. His legs trembled, and his knees buckled. Maxie caught him as he fell, patting his shoulder.

Raven let his friend help him to the benches. A reserve took his place on the court, and the game continued.

Damn you Sean... Raven thought sourly as he watched the match rage on.
___

Eventually Rainfall managed to win, by some narrow luck.

Raven sighed as he hobbled out of the sick bay, his ankle bandaged up, and found Maxie and Hazel, as well as the rather annoying Crystal, waiting for him outside.

"Raven!" Maxie cried, and hugged him. Raven patted his friend's back, smiling sadly. Then he glanced at the two girls, particularly Hazel.

"Oh Raven, you were so brill-" Crystal began to gush, until Hazel interrupted her.

"Raven... Are you okay?" She whispered, her eyes filled with worry. Crystal glared at her. Raven nodded, not meeting her gaze. Even though we won, I don't deserve to tell her. I...

"Can we... talk alone for a moment?" She asked. Stunned, he nodded again, and went with her as she led him to a deserted corner.

"Look Hazel-" he began.

"Raven, I-" she said at the same time. There was a silence.

"You first," Raven muttered. Hazel blushed and looked away.

"Well... about that kiss..." She said.

"Don't bother about it anymore," he whispered. Hazel looked up, surprised. "I wasn't playing when we won. I-"

Then Hazel grabbed him, and with a ferocity like a lion, pressed her lips to his. Raven, startled, wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. They parted after a moment.

"What..." He began, shocked. Hazel blushed.

"Raven... I... I want to tell you that I..." She gulped. "I love you," Raven gaped.

She loved him.

"Wh-when...?" He gasped. Hazel bit her lip nervously.

"Ever since I saw you in school... I... Then you helped me..." She stammered. Raven couldn't resist her cuteness, and kissed her again, silencing her. She let out a muffled gasp.

"I love you too Hazel. I always have, ever since we met in preschool," he murmured.

"Preschool?" She gasped, astonished. He smiled sadly.

"I knew you wouldn't remember... You were very popular that time. I was the boy who you helped in the canteen when I fell," he explained. Hazel gasped.

"That..." Her voice trailed off. Raven nodded. He knew what he was like back then; weak, and nerdy. Discriminated.

Then Hazel kissed him yet again. Raven sank into the kiss, knowing that she didn't care. Nothing mattered anymore.

"Making out, are we?" Came Maxie's voice, and the two parted to see a grinning Maxie and a gaping Crystal. Raven smiled at his friend.

"Yes," he answered. "Yes we were,"
___________________________________

Aye crappy ending. There you go, mitsume10 and JenifferAnn !

Word count: 2244