Volleyball Lines

Seven forty-five on the digital clock
Press-on nails tapping on the steering wheel lock
Glitter mist falling on the black seatbelt strap
Blue dot blinking on the navigation map
Double-parked outside the recreation door
Bass making ripples on the puddle on the floor
High-top sneakers hitting wet concrete
Tearing off the ticket at the gym side street

Fluorescent lights hum above the hallway gate
Clear plastic cup with the blue Gatorade
Someone kicks a sneaker against the exit bar
Speakers shaking windows in the faculty cars

Strobe lights flashing on the volleyball lines
Ten-second countdown in the stadium signs
Hands in the air under helium foil
Spilling ginger ale on the gymnasium floor
Bass drum hitting in the middle of the chest
Glitter on the collar of a rented navy vest
Sweat on the forehead, hair stuck to the cheek
Nobody is sleeping for the rest of the week

Eight thirty-two by the water fountain drain
Red paper wristband with the water stain
He puts his suit jacket on the bottom row
Carries two cans of cherry soda through the glow
Phone at twelve percent in the back pocket seam
Fog coming up from the dry ice machine
Moving through the circle where the circle gets tight
Shadows jumping sideways in the purple laser light

Fluorescent lights hum above the hallway gate
Clear plastic cup with the blue Gatorade
Someone kicks a sneaker against the exit bar
Speakers shaking windows in the faculty cars

Strobe lights flashing on the volleyball lines
Ten-second countdown in the stadium signs
Hands in the air under helium foil
Spilling ginger ale on the gymnasium floor
Bass drum hitting in the middle of the chest
Glitter on the collar of a rented navy vest
Sweat on the forehead, hair stuck to the cheek
Nobody is sleeping for the rest of the week

He drops his keys down on the bleacher wood
Steps past the speakers where the DJ stood
His lock screen opens with a three-digit code
Map shows the highway on the northbound road

In the front seat photo on the passenger side
Two packed suitcases and an interstate guide
Red paper wristband dropped beside his shoe
Back doors opening at ten forty-two