Yaaaay, chapter 2 ! Please, please, pleaaaaase, don't hesitate to tell me if I make english mistakes or if my sentences sound a bit... stiff, I guess.

Translating this story from french to english is wayyy harder than I thought it'd be, and I hope it's not that bad.

I'd love to read your comments, too !

With love,

Aelisabeth

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Astrid had never been good at waking up on time. Everyday, she'd hit snooze on her alarm clock and go back to dozing off. That is why she always had three or four alarms, because otherwise she'd always be late.

And she definitely didn't want to be late today, of all days. So for once, as soon as she heard the alarm, she jumped on her feet, ready for a new day.

Well, that was until she tripped on her backpack and fell on the floor like the idiot she was.

– Ouch...

A bruise was already starting to appear on her left knee, and she stared at it in disbelief. Well, she was used to being bruised. She shook her head from left to right, trying to completely wake up, and yawned. Well well well.

It was ten o'clock in the morning and she was already fucking tired. She was supposed to meet with the student's coordinator at eleven thirty in the morning, so she still had plenty of time to get ready. The high school was only five minutes away from her house, but she had the worst sense of orientation in her whole family, and she knew – she just knew – she'd be capable of getting lost and taking two hours to get there.

That is why she decided to get dressed quickly, and she left her apartment at ten thirty.

Well, she indeed arrived at school only five minutes later, surprisingly.

At least she won't be late, this time.

The girl yawned again. Oh my god, she should – and could – have slept more. She looked aroung. A lot of students were already there, since the high school had been open for a week. The classes started tomorrow, but things were differents in the States : students actually wanted to go back to class, not like in France.

What a weird country.

She wandered around, and saw a bunch of students, each with a tennis rackets in their hand. She instantly regretted not taking her own today, thinking that it wouldn't be useful to take it with her. Maybe she could go check out the infrastructure, later ? She knew that the tennis team of Nightingale High School was well-known. They went to the National Championship last year, even though they did not manage to go to the finals – or even the semifinals for that matter – and Astrid's first goal was to get a spot as a regular.

That was the first condition her parents gave her, and she needed to fulfill it or she'd be back in Paris at the end of the first semester.

On a whim, she decided to follow the tennis players that she saw earlier, in order to visit the grounds a little bit. She could not stop an appreciative whistle from exiting her lips upon arriving near the sports facilities. There was a gigantic gymnasium, and no less than ten tennis courts.

Astrid wasn't that surprised to see that : after all, the fees to enter this private school were fucking high, so they'd better have a nice sport department !

– Astrid ! Shouted a voice behind her.

The red-head turned around to face Mona, who was looking at her with a big smile.

– Mona ! What are you doing here ?

– My grandmother is the coach of the tennis club, so I'm kinda acting as a manager. I came to help with the registrations forms. What about you ?

– I just wanted to check out the courts.

– Do you play tennis ?

– A little bit, yeah.

– Are you any good ? Mona asked with an enthusiastic tone.

Astrid shrugged and did not answer. The truth was that she was really good, but did not want to pass for a show-off. It's been a long time since she last played, but she was pretty sure she did not lose any of her old reflexes.

After all, playing tennis was ingrained in her body.

– I'm just starting, explained Mona. We should hit some balls together some time !

– Yes, I'd like that.

Mona was more talkative than the day before. Maybe she was less tired, or maybe tennis was just the good subject to talk to her about.

– So, what are you doing on the campus ? Only visiting ?

– No, I actually have an appointment with... Miss Tan, I think her name is. It's in like... half an hour, I guess ?

– Oh, ok. Do you want me to take you there ? The campus is pretty big, I wouldn't want you to get lost.

– If it's no bother to you.

– No, don't worry !

Mona smiled again. She had a beautiful smile, with cute dimples on her cheeks.

– But it's your first year, isn't it ? How come you already know the campus so well ? Astrid asked.

– Since my grandmother is the coach of the tennis team, I've been here a lot this past few years.

– I see. You live with her ?

The smile on the girl's face disappeared instantly and Astrid felt a sharp of guilt in her heart.

– You don't have to answer that if you don't want to, Mona.

– No, it's okay. My parents died when I was an infant, in a car crash. It's only been my grandmother and I since then.

– I'm sorry.

– Don't be. You didn't know. What about your family, Astrid ?

– Well, I only have my parents. No sister or brother, if that's why you're asking !

– Really ? You know, I've always wanted to have a sibling...

– Yeah, me too. But I guess life as an only child is not that bad, considering that my parents were able to pay the outrageous admission fees for Nightingale. They probably wouldn't have done it if I had a sibling !

– I understand. That's why it's nice to be the granddaughter of someone from the staff : I don't have to pay the entrance fees !

– Lucky girl !

The two girls laughed out loud.

"She's definitely my kind of person", thought Astrid to herself. The more she talked with Mona, she more she liked her. She didn't feel so alone with her by her side.

– Oh, we're there. I'll wait for you here, ok ?

– Thank you, Mona.

Astrid knocked on the wooden door in front of her. A faint "come on in !" was heard, and she opened the door, to reveal a young woman with blond hair in front of her. She gave her a bright smile.

– Ah, Miss Renard I gather ? You're quite punctual, I see.

The girl could not help but laugh a little bit.

"If only she fucking knew."

Punctual wasn't really the good word to describe her. "Always late" was more like it. "Always lost" was good too.

– Hello, Miss Tan.

– Please, call me Mary. I have a lot of papers to give you today. So... you've been assigned to class F2.

– F2 ?

– Freshmen 2. So... that's your timetable. As you can see, each day ends at three p.m. to make time for the clubs. It's not compulsory to get into one, but it's better for your curriculum. I heard that you were interested in tennis, right ?

– Yeah. Yes, I am.

– That's good. Our tennis club is well-known in the state of New-York. Starting from this year we will have a mixed-gender team, so I hope it's no bother to you. Since Selena Anderson is your tutor for your four years with us, she'll be the one who'll have to sign your releases forms from now on. I need you to give her this... this... and that. Oh, and that one too. Did you get all of that ?

Astrid nodded. It was quite hard understanding all of what she was saying. She had a texan accent that made everything she said sound... muddier, I guess ?

– Perfect ! Well, you can go. If you have any questions or need any kind of help, please come to me, okay ?

– I will. Thank you, Miss Tan.

– Ma-ry, call me Mary ! Good luck Astrid, hope you'll have fun in Nightingale !

– Thanks, Mi... Mary.

Mona sneered when she saw her friend get out of Mary's office with her arms full of papers.

– What the... oh my God.

– I know. And a lot of it is for your grandmother, since she's now my guardian.

– I wanted to ask you about that... I didn't know our family knew each other. Grandma never mentionned your parents, but I gather that they were quite close ... ?

Astrid shrugged.

– I can't help you there. First time I heard of your grandmother was when my parents told me about Nightingale.

– I see... A mystery to unfold, then !

They cackled like two inelegant turkeys.

– Do you want to play a little bit of tennis ? Mona asked suddenly.

– I don't have my racket.

– We'll find one for you in the clubroom.

– Then why not.

Astrid gathered her red hair into a ponytail. Even like that they were quite long, reaching below he shoulder blades. Mona had her hair in two braids, like the day before, and Astrid wondered if she always wore it like that. It was cute, but she'd love to see the girl with her hair down. She would probably look stunning.

When they arrived at the tennis court, Astrid was surprised to see that the number of spectators had increased from when they were here before. Two dozens of girls were there, screaming at something – or someone.

– Why is there so many people here ? Don't the classes start tomorrow ?!

– In the States, the students are always here the week before in order to register for the clubs, tidy our lockers and stuff... Don't you do that in France ?

– As if ! We don't want to go to class on the first day, so coming a week in advance ? No, thanks.

Astrid tried to go through the crowd to understand what was going on, not realising that Mona was no longer behind her. When she finally reached the fence, she saw four boys wearing the uniform of the tennis team, playing between them. They were acting as if there wasn't a crowd of screaming banshees behind them, much to Astrid's surprised. Were they that used to it ?

She did not have time to think about it more because a movement from the crowd sent her straight back from where she came from. Mona was looking a her with a little smile.

– I take it that the regulars are here.

– It's incredible. Why are so many people here to cheer them on ?

– Well, they're renowned in the High School, since the tennis team is quite famous... And these guys are really, really cute.

– If you say so.

The two girls headed toward the changing room, where Astrid was able to find a suitable racket. She didn't have her sneakers, but she gathered that her converses wouldn't be that bad if they intended to only play a little bit. It wasn't as if they're were going to play against each other for real.

Mona leaded Astrid toward one of the courts, not that far away from the regulars, allowing her friend to take a good look at the guys. They didn't even turned their heads toward them, seeing that they were completely focused on their training. Astrid had to say that they were quite good.

Mona served, and Astrid returned the ball calmly. There was no need to go all-out since they were just having a friendly game. Astrid took great pleasure in playing again. She had stopped tennis several months before, and it was a weird feeling to hold the racket in her hand again.

The rally went on for five minutes, until a scream was heard several meters away from them.

– Ball incoming !

Before knowing what she was doing, Astrid was already in position to send it back. After all she saw it enter her peripheral vision even before the guy warned them, and the rest was only instincts. She turned her body, lifted her racket, and smashed the wild ball into the balls' basket, twenty meters away.

– Oh, nice job ! Said one of the boys while ruffling her hair. Sorry for the ball, kiddo.

The girl shrugged and did not answer. What was there to say anyway ? That was the proof tennis was in her blood. She did not like feeling his hand on her head but stayed silent. After all, that guy was quite friendly, and he was wearing the regulars' uniform. If she was to play with the team, she didn't want to alienate him at their first meeting.

– Thank you.

– Well, can't say you're chatty ! I guess that's expected since you're friend with Moon, uh ?

– Moon ?

Moon ? Who the fuck was Moon ?

– Mona. Moon.

– Oh.

The so-called Moon was now as red as a beet and swayed her racket a little bit, as if she was trying to hide behind it.

– Yeah, it's my fault.

Astrid could not help but jump of surprise upon hear the coach's voice. How did she got here that fast ?! She was nowhere to be seen thirty seconds ago !

– It's because my granddaughter always has her head on the moon. I made the mistake of calling her like that once, and now all the regulars caught up on it. Guys, please come here !

The rest of the team, apart from one guys with spiky black hair and rectangular glasses, ran toward them. Apparently, you'd better not make the coach wait, here.

– Let me introduce Astrid. She just arrived from France, and she's quite the tennis player ! The old woman said with a wink. Maybe she'll be able to beat some of you to get a spot in the team ?

The one who looked the older, with short hair and glasses, was the first to talk and to shake her hand. He had a stern look on his face, and she knew he was the captain just by the way the others were looking at him.

– I'm Adrian, the team's captain.

– Allen, nice to meet you ! Said the guy that almost killed with his ball earlier.

He had pretty berry-colored hair, and a smile as big as Astrid's hand on his face. He look kinda like a cat... like the Cheshire cat, but with less teeth.

– Seriously, Len, stop jumping everywhere. Please... Sorry for my partner, he's an idiot. My name's Isaac.

Astrid looked at the third guy. His head looked... well. His head looked like an egg, but an egg with a little bit of black hair at the top. And he seemed so nice... and the girl just couldn't help but asking.

– Your... "partner" ?

– ... Oh. Hm, my double's partner, I mean. We're not together.

Shame. She always wanted to have gay friends. After all, the cliché was that gays were freaking nice and the perfect best friends.

– And I'm Noah, nice to meet you. We're the only ones here today, apart from Silas who didn't even hear the coach calling. So... Are you that good of a player ?

Astrid blushed and lowered her head. For a second, she had wondered if the person in front of her was a girl or a boy. Mona never mentionned another girl being part of the tennis team, so she quickly deduced that he was male. But seriously, that guy had the prettiest face ever. He was beautiful, in an angel-like kind of way. His deep blue eyes were fixated on her, as if he waiting for an answer...

An answer.

He was indeed waiting for an answer.

– Oh, uh, yeah. Yeah,I guess I'm pretty good.

– We always have ranking matches at the beginning of the year to determine who will be a regular. Maybe we'll be able to play against each other, then, smiled Noah.

– A kid as small as her ! She's a cutie pie, but we're all pretty stong. It's going to be hard to beat us !

And with this, he ruffled his hand through her hair again. The "cutie pie" suddenly turned red, gritted her teeth and gave Allen a terrifying smile. That guy... Did he want to die soon ? Because if he kept calling her "cute", "small" and "weak", his death would be coming rather quickly. If looks could kill... Well, I'm gonna leave that to your imagination.

The guy took off his hand as fast as he could, and looked genuinely scared. The girl was looking right through him, and he gulped before taking a step backward. What was with her ?

– Well... I, uh... I'm going back to practice.

And then he left. Probably that he didn't want to get killed, because Astrid sure looked like she was going to kick him in the face. Which, to be honest, she was already thinking about. Isaac let out a sneer and turned around to follow his friend.

– He got it coming, said Noah with the same serene smile as the beginning.

– He'd better not slack off, grunted their captain before turning around too.

Soon, the girls were alone with the coach, who was looking like she was trying not to laugh.

– Well, Astrid, I can't wait to see you play in the ranking tournament ! I'm sure you'll kick some butts !

– Oh, I can't wait.

Too cute to beat them, uh ? Well, Astrid was going to show them what a "cutie pie" could do.