Strings Attached

Part 1: Catch You Courtside

Isabelle Sloane always loved to crochet ever since her grandmother taught her. For days, she would hyperfixate a project until completion stopping at nothing to finish.

"Belle, all you do is stay in your shop crocheting! You should explore sometime! C'mon, I have an idea!" Abigail exclaimed as she grabbed Belle excitedly.

"Okay, fine. What's this big idea of yours?" she replied as she put down her crochet hook and her unfinished sweater, making sure to mark her last stitch.

"There's a tennis match happening in the arena! I heard there's this really good guy playing, they're calling him a new prodigy, wouldn't it be fun to do something else for once?" She stood up from her chair, gathering her belongings.

"It's a charity event, you can finally use all the big bucks you earned from all those classes you hold!"

"Okay that isn't the worst idea, but I really need to get back to working on my sweater. I want something to wear before winter comes," she answered.

"Fine, I'll let you bring your crochet things," she grabbed a bag for Belle's yarn. "But you're paying for everything."

Belle packed her crochet hook, marker, and notebook, she grabbed the cake of yarn attached to her unfinished work and an extra skein because of course in her words "You can never be too careful, what if I run out of yarn?" As if a big cake of yarn wasn't enough for her short travels. The two girls booked their tickets and went on their way to the tennis arena. Although Misty Pines is known for their rainy seasons, tennis is a popular sport in the area with its dedicated stadium. The state of Everwood is full of big cities, Misty Pines is a small city bustling with life, well-known in the state and especially in the tennis world. It's used as a destination tennis arena usually for debuting matches and bigger tournaments.

"When is this thing gonna start? We've been seated here for 30 minutes," she groaned as she did a row of treble stitches.

"Soon, just be patient. They need time to get ready, plus it is a charity match. Just think about the good cause you're supporting!" Abigail says enthusiastically to try to cheer up Belle's mood.

The stadium is filled with people anxiously awaiting the so-called new prodigy, camera crew around setting up the cameras for the news stations and tennis channels, and tennis officials and ball kids making sure everything is ready. Belle wasn't interested enough to learn who would be playing today's match as she would rather focus solely on her crochet. Abigail on the other hand was ready to see this up-and-coming player, she heard from previous interviews that he was single and that's all that she was interested in.

A loud cheer erupts as the players walk onto the court, Belle can't be bothered to raise her head to look at the players, she's in her world. Abigail on the other hand can't help but squeal and exclaim over the players.

"Belle! Oh my God, are you seeing them? C'mon look up look at how cute Edmund is!" She exclaimed as she shook Belle.

"Who's Edmund? I'm too busy, I'll watch later," she murmured as she continued her work.

"Edmund Carson! The new guy! Do you even know who's playing today? He's so cute, he's the tall guy with the brown wavy hair and blue eyes. You cannot seriously tell me he isn't cute!" She stated excitedly as she pointed him out.

Belle indulged Abigail's requests and looked up. As she looked up she saw they were warming up and deciding who serves first. When the tall brunette man turned around she was stunned. She never really took into the idea of fawning over boys but this boy was different. He had deep blue eyes filled with determination, they looked so sharp and observant. He had a jawline so sharp it could cut you, paired with a playful smile that made him all the more charming. It was an attraction at first sight, she never believed in all the love-at-first-sight books she read, but damn was this the closest thing she ever felt to it.