The recognition hit her like a bolt from the blue. She couldn't believe her ears.

So, Mr. William is his father? And I talked to him about his son being corrupted. . . That's why he didn't say anything back. Why? Why did I ever tell him that?

"Good morning."

That hard voice broke her from the trance.

"But, what's happening here?" His father spoke a being a little irritated. Sure, a busy man like him wouldn't like settling silly disputes.

She looked up and could see the boy smirking.

"I don't know. Nothing really happened, this girl bumped into me, and started creating a scene here and everybody else surrounded here to see the drama." He spoke casually shrugging his shoulders.

"Stop!" Janet couldn't hold herself any longer. "You're the one who bumped into me! Stop saying it's my fault. Yes, I admit I wasn't looking but you weren't aware either! Admit it!"

"Janet Tyler." His voice was hard. He looked at both of them and narrowed his eyes when his gaze stopped at his son, "And Arthur William. Stop fighting over silly things. It's both of your fault. Apologize to each other."

Janet saw his jaw clenched and he looked away as soon as he heard the word 'apologize'. His nose flared in rage and he looked at Janet which made her shiver.

"I'm. sorry." He spit out gritting his teeth.

Anyway.

"I'm sorry." Though she was not.

"But I won't spare you next time." He pointed his forefinger at her making his point clear.

Janet exhaled heavily and took a deep breath before saying, "Don't worry, there won't be a next time."

Mr. William patted his back and made his way toward his office right after the matter was solved.

Or was it?

Janet took a deep breath and looked around; the thickness of the crowd was lessening. But just as the chairman went, a girl came pushing past Janet which made her stumble forward.

"What am I hearing? You called this girl pretty?!" She exclaimed.

"What?" Arthur spoke; a little shocked. He was about to tell something when that girl cut him off and gave a small laugh. "Wren no-"

"Forgot about the incident already?"

That made Arthur drop his head, which didn't go unnoticed by Janet.

Does Wren hold that power over him?

"You really are a disappointment, Arthur. Never ever thought, you'll forget it that easily. Did that even mean something to you?" She whispered something in his ear so low, that Janet wasn't able to comprehend what she was telling. Not that she cared, anyway. But the way his jaw clenched, his fist tightened, and his face scrunched up in disgust, she got a sick feeling in her stomach.

Then she whispered again smirking, "What is it? A love at first sight or some setting of one-night stand? Though she looks too young for―"

As soon as Janet heard it, she really wanted to punch her in the stomach.

"Fuck, Wren stop! It isn't anything like that." He murmured to himself but somehow it was also audible enough to hear.

"Right, I got scared for a second thinking that you're gonna hook up with this trash."

The hall roared with laughter. Even though half of the population there, decreased. Still, there were some people who were enjoying the things. The girl beside him, gave a small chuckle when Arthur exited the hall right then and there.

Janet stood there stunned as her emotions weren't able to find right time to show up. She freaking laughed. Bitterness was evident in her voice, though she tried hard to control the tears. But it was impossible. The situation and people made her hate the game, the place, her dream and, her personality.

Then the girl named Wren came towards her and whispered in her ear very slowly as if she was doing a favor by not making fun of her loudly.

"I think you're lost. I mean... you are not meant to be here, you know. . ." She dramatically face-palmed, "Want me to help? I'd like to help you out! Uh... Which way did you come in?" Then turned around as if she was having a hard time finding where the main gate was.

Janet had had enough.

"YOU-"

"Oh, my God! What's that smell? Eww. . . Is that coming from you?" A girl with ocean-blue eyes and bronde hair came forward. Janet looked up at her shocked while Wren gave a smirk.

"You're Janet, right?" That girl asked.

"Yes...?" Janet answered politely expecting something savage comeback from her.

"Come over here! What are you doing with that stinky hag? No, like seriously... doesn't she smell bad? I can't even stand right here, how are you standing next to her? And you! Stop whispering things in other's ears, that's an embarrassment you know, maintain distance. Be elegant. No one is going to tell you about this you know, that's a shameful topic to talk about. I'm just, you know... nice enough to let you know."

"Oops." Janet blurted out before covering her face with her palms and smiled into it.

Wren's smirk fell. Janet's smile grew. And that girl let out a small laugh seeing the perfect combination of hurt and happiness in the perfect human form.

Wren looked at her minions, who were behind her watching the drama.

"Addie, Riley is that true?" Wren turned towards them.

The question left them totally flabbergasted.

"No no... o-of course not!" The girl behind Wren said shocked.

"Addie's right! They are just trying to intimidate you!!" The girl probably named Riley; said.

"IS THAT WHY-" Wren started but stopped when she saw their faces contort. "I... I'll see you guys around." She gritted through her clenched teeth.

Wren backed away a little then flipped her hair as if nothing happened and went away.

Shameless.

"I don't know who you are, but thanks for saving!" Janet smiled.

"I'm Avery and also your roommate. Nice to meet you!" Avery smiled.

"Hi, Avery! I'm Janet though you already know... I got the keys. Let's move in then?" Janet held the luggage and showed the finger where the key was. Avery giggled.

⭑⁎꙳⭒☪︎⭒꙳⁎⭑

"It's already evening. I should go to practice now." Janet stretched her arms after taking a nap. "Avery?"

"Hmm?" Avery hummed not looking up from her mobile.

"You also play badminton, right? I mean... that's what Rieomb court is for."

Avery put the phone down, opened her glasses then stretched her arms then said, "Did you get the latest notice provided by this institution? New games have been involved too! I'm gonna play chess!"

"Oh! That's so cool!" Janet exclaimed. "You know what they say, those who play chess have really a genius mindset!"

Avery laughed. "I mean... that's not true in every case. But if you ask me, I'd say, I AM intelligent." She winked.

"Aww, a smart cookie." Janet cooed.

And Avery hid her face behind her arm, giggling and embarrassed, "Stop..."

Then Janet looked at her wrist watch and it was almost time for the practice.

"I should go now. Bye!" Janet put bag over her back and bid her goodbye.

"Bye!" Avery replied back waving her hand.

Janet went through the hallway to reach the practice court. The coach welcomed her and guided her with a few tips and ways to make the moves better and more flexible.

"Janet, your forehand serve is better, you don't have to practice both forehand and backhand simultaneously." The coach said after she and one of the competitors had a mini tournament.

"Okay, sir." Janet took her position again.

"GO!"

They both started playing again. Sweat dripped from their forehead.

"SMASH!" Her coach shouted.

Janet was anyway going to take the attacking shot, but her coach's voice made her somewhat confused and by that time, the other player had already taken the chance of her absent-mindedness and won it.

"I'm sorry." She apologized when the time was over.

"Don't. It's your first time here and you're a learner. You should never apologize for your mistakes. Learn from them. All right?" Coach smiled. From the record given by her batch mates, he was a very very strict coach and a leader. But, it seemed like he wasn't the kind of person to punish the first-timers or be rude to the learners.

"Anyway, how did you learn to play badminton?" The coach asked.

"Um.. My uncle and I used to play it when I was a child, then uh.. my interest grew and my dad kind of... uh... got myself admitted in a center, to properly learn the steps... uh, that's all." Janet said.

"Okay! So, you know all the meanings of the terms, right? I saw you got somewhat confused when I was guiding you to take what steps you should be taking."

"No no, I knew it. I just.. uh got confused. I.. uh absent-mindedly threw the shuttle. Maybe, that's why."

"It's okay. Try to learn properly. And throw your hesitation away. Hesitation will make you less confident and you know, confidence is everything and of course practice. So, that's all Ms. Tyler. Good luck with the next match!"

"Thank you, sir!"

"And, oh! Keys to self-practice room. Only one person uses it, Arthur. He too hasn't gone to that court for 3-4 years. You can practice if you want."

"Sure sir, thank you!"

Janet thought of going to her room and taking rest, but her curiosity told her to at least take a glimpse of the court for which the key was given to her.

When she asked a few students and got the location of the room, she saw the door was ajar. She quietly entered the room and felt a gust of cold wind hit her face.

Thud!

Thrash!

The scene in front of her made her jaw drop. The man in front of her played. Played flawlessly. His every move, every position, and all serves were perfect. Janet couldn't take her eyes off the man. So dedicated, so focused. Janet could see the energy that was radiating from him. She could only wish it was not him.

Thrash!

The whole room was dimly lit only by the moonlight coming from the window. The silhouette of him playing flawlessly made her heart flutter, without any reason. That was the first time, her heart thudded just by watching someone. She couldn't understand the feelings.

Jealousy? Because he was playing well? Maybe yes a little bit.

Frustration? Because she couldn't see him? A BIG No.

Feelings? Because his playing touched her heart very deeply? Is it because she was first time seeing someone so dedicated toward something? Maybe or may not be.

"What are you doing here?" The manly voice took her out of her daze.

Crap.

It's definitely him.

I'm still adjusting in my new school. Literally, I imagined so so worse, but things were good. My overthinking gives me headache and then nothing happens. Not that I want any extra drama🙄

Anyway. . .

What do you think about Arthur?

And what about your thoughts on Wren?

Who do you think Arthur insulted? Wren or Janet?

Any thoughts? :)

Thanks for reading! ♡