Chapter 3: Tennis Buddies (Gabriel's POV)
Tennis practice, tennis practice should I go. I mean it just started yesterday and someone on the team already hates me. Saphire, how could a name sound that beautiful? I just don’t know what I did wrong. I mean usually I don’t have problems with the ladies, but she is another story. If something like this would happen usually I’d just walk away, but I can’t with her. There’s something compelling about her, something mysterious. The only two questions on my mind are: Why aren't my charming looks and everything else working on her? And what did I do to make her hate me?
Come on Gabriel don’t let her get into your head. Sure she’s beautiful and has a smile that makes you weak, but she can’t control you.
No matter how many times I repeat my mantra I can’t believe myself. I remember yesterday and she was coming my way, she was smiling at a joke. She looked so young and carefree it literally took my breath away. She was a sight for sore eyes and I could watch her all day. She could pretty much have me do anything; all she had to do was ask. I’d be putty in her hand. But again for some reason she hates me and it hurts it really does. Maybe I didn’t have the best way of showing it.
You know what two can play this game. If she’s going to hate me for no reason then so can I. This task is going to be extremely difficult. I mean whenever I'm around her I can't help but smile. Her red hair makes her emerald green eyes stand out. Oh those eyes are greener than anything on earth. I finally made up my mind to go practice. Will I remain mad at her maybe, maybe not, it depends.
I was determined to do this, but when I reached I saw her, Saphire, I couldn't hold back the smile that came across my face. Oh what is this girl doing to me. Before I reached the court my smile vanished. I didn't want it to but I knew if I was going to pretend to hate her it had to go. This may be the hardest task I’ve set on myself. Like Mission Impossible or something. I noticed that she was breathing real hard, like she was running. Yeah, right I stood there and watch her and Scarlette run a total of one lap. Isn’t she a lazy one? I listened as she skillfully lied to, or persuaded, some may say, Mr. King that the both of them ran their eight laps.
I ran my laps all the while watching Saphire as she laughed and joked with Scarlette. She seems so young and carefree; like all is right in her world. Obviously she forgot the fact that she threatened me in science class. I still don’t get what that was about. It’s like she had someone in her head feeding her devious suggestions. I hope not she seems like a nut case already. When I was done with my laps Mr. King made an announcement. He said something about 'Tennis Buddies'.
He announced the pairs. I couldn't believe it I was paired up with Saphire. Yes! I mean no. no, I mean yes I mean no. wait what am I saying? Do I want this? Yes, yes I do. I’m I going to let it show? No, I want to, but I can’t show it. It would ruin the whole plan. Although right now I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world. First we’re teamed up for science and now we’re “Tennis Buddies”. Life can’t get any better than it was today. Unless you know we end up going together; then and only then would life be perfect. Now might be the time I decide to take a relationship seriously. What is really happening to me?
Finally I remembered my plan. “Wait, what," I shouted. I saw Saphire open her mouth probably to say the same thing. Ha beat you to it shorty. I give myself a mental pat on the back.
"My partner is who?" I continued. Why stop when I’m so good at it? Exactly, I don’t see why either.
"Your partner is Saphire." Mr. King said.
"Well don't repeat it,” I started to scream before I could stop myself. Maybe I’m too good at it. Well another hidden talent of mine is that I’m an amazing actor. When I finally snapped out of my thoughts I noticed that I had managed to piss off both Saphire and Mr. King.
"You guys are partners deal with it or you're off the team." Mr. King threatened.
Then I turned to Saphire she threw me the fakest smile ever. This is going to be fun, I think. You know if she actually cooperates and plays nice. Somehow I don’t really see this happening. Again I’ve managed to piss her off. Maybe I broke the heart of one of her friends. Yeah that could be it, but I’ve never heard anyone mention a Saphire before.
“Hey partner,” she said with the fakest smile in the history of fake smiles. It actually hurt me to know I can’t receive one of her real genuine smiles. If she did give me that smile I’d give up this charade and go on bended knee to beg for her forgiveness on whatever stupid thing I did. I know I do a lot of stupid things, but I can’t figure this one out. I wouldn’t purposely do something to hurt someone so beautiful and innocent, in her own way. Until she tells me what it is I did I would continue my game. Maybe we’ll get in an argument and she’ll just tell me out of rage what I did.
“Listen only because I have to I’ll work with you. Screw me up and we’ll have problems, understood?”
“Oh you son of a…”
“Ok everyone go with your partners and practice,” Mr. King said interrupting her. Thank heavens he did.
We chose a corner at the side of the court and Saphire got the balls to started to serve one. The first one hit me in my shoulder I just shrugged it off. No apology either. Oh it is so on man, so on. The next ball I hit back. She’s good though so we kept this going. It’s not like we’re playing tennis, but instead testing each other. I was too into the game that I didn’t even realize that everyone stopped what they were doing to watch us. Even Mr. King seemed intrigued. Wow, I don’t even realize how long we were going. Something feels weird it’s like we’re in sync or something. That’s weird.
Saphire probably senses it to because the expression on her face changes; it softens a bit. Like she senses it too. At this moment our eyes connect and the atmosphere changes yet again. What the hell is happening? I’ve never felt this for anyone, not even the girl I dated for 5 years. If she feels it to then how can she hate me? Maybe this is the same charge that enemy feel between each other. Something went off in Saphire and new found determination was in her eyes now. Before I knew it a tennis ball were heading for my balls. I doubled over in pain.
“Oops, I’m so sorry,” Saphire said apologetically. The look on her face said otherwise though. Why, why must the beautiful die young? Also why is that where the girls always aim? Don’t they know we want kids someday? It’s not like we always aim for their breasts or something. Gosh I’m in so much pain.
“Gabriel are you ok,” Mr. King asked concerned.
“Yeah I’m fine, just give me a minute.”
“Saphire did you do this on purpose?”
“With all due respect Mr. King I wouldn’t do that, but I will take responsibility.”
“It’s nice to hear that because you’ll be taking him to the nurse, but before you go I want you two to know that there’s a tournament coming up soon and you two will be playing the doubles portion. So get better Gabriel and you two will be practicing by yourselves from now on.”
“Come on buddy we have to get you to the nurse,” Saphire said far too nicely for my liking.
She takes my arm and put it across her shoulder, supporting me as she pulls me up. Our eyes connected again and both of our breath hitches. It’s nice that I have the same effect on her as she does on me, or at least so I hope. She’s the first to break eye contact and she started walking, pulling me along with her. We finally arrive at the nurse she sends us to the back. There’s an awkward silence surrounding us and it’s unbearable. I look at her, but she keeps her head turned form me not wanting to watch me. Taking all the courage I have I grasp her chin with my thumb and forefinger and force her to look at me.
Boom there it is again, the feeling I get whenever I look into her eyes. She isn’t protesting or anything so I take this opportunity to inch my face closer. As I do this she blushes and it’s almost the same color of her hair. How cute is that? Just as our lips were going to touch she pulled away; looking at war with herself. So I do affect her huh? That’s a nice fact to know. The nurse pops in and tell Saphire she can leave and she does. She doesn’t even look back, not once.
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