Silas was looking at them with a smug look, as if he was daring them to contradict him. Astrid gritted her teeth, and the two teenagers glared at each other, but said nothing. She would prefer not to make her manager angry, for she just saw what he was capable of doing to them. Monroe and Camden, the only two sophomores of the team, made the mistake of bitching out when Silas told them they'd be playing doubles... And were immediately met with the order of running twenty laps around the courts.

– Allen, Isaac, today you're playing against one another. Adrian, Noah, same.

Astrid started moving toward the court that they were assigned on, but was quickly stopped by Silas's voice.

– Hep hep hep, where do you think you're going, you two ?! I'm not done, chuckled Silas. Mona, come help me please !

Astrid choked on her own saliva upon seeing Mona coming toward them with a freaking rope.

"No FUCKING way" was all that Astrid could think about.

Mona didn't even look sorry. She was looking at her friends with a smug look that Astrid would have never believe her capable of having.

– Please tie those two together. Do the same with the other idiots once they're done with their laps, will you dear ?

– Of course.

– No fucking way, managed to utter Astrid before taking a step backward.

– Come here, Astrid, answered Mona with a big grin.

That girl... was not her friend anymore. Traitor ! But Astrid decided not to say anything and let her tie the rope around her waist. She didn't want to run laps until her death, which she was sure the coach would order her to do if she was to try and run away from this exercise.

– Cheh, grunted Percy while Mona tied the rope around his waist too.

– I don't really need to explain what you have to do, right ? Said the girl. Please, do not break any bones.

Percy was already moving away with the rope in his hand, obviously trying to guess an estimation of its length. How were they gonna move with that ? Astrid looked at him, but couldn't do anything when he suddenly jerked the rope away, sending her rolling on the floor.

She got up, her uniform covered in dust, and had to use all of her self control to prevent herself from jumping on him and breaking his perfect nose.

– What the fuck, you bastard ?!

– You're not really stable.

She didn't answer, annoyed by his stupidity. What was he expecting, really, yanking the rope like that ? Astrid suspected that he did it just to tease her, but she also knew that if she tried and kill him now, they would stop her. No, she'd have to wait to get him alone, and then... she'd snap his neck.

Cheeky bastard.

On the other side of the court, Camden and Monroe were back, and the animosity between them was so strong that Astrid could almost touch it. It looked like they were on the edge of hitting each other...

Oh no, wait. They were already hitting each other.

– Stop that. Now, ordered a voice followed by an icy stare. Or maybe you really want to run laps until the end of the day ?

– Sorry, cap'tain, they both said at the same time.

They were elbowing each other in a not very discreet manner.

Astrid couldn't hold back an appreciative whistle. Well, needless to say that Adrian had quite the aura... and knew how to terrify his players.

– Ok, let's start the match, announced the umpire. Camden-Monroe versus Astrid-Percy. One set match, Monroe to serve. Play !

Tied up to his unfortunate partner, Monroe threw the ball high and hit it with all his strength. Astrid didn't even move to try and get it : firstly because with a serve like this, she was afraid her arm would get ripped off, and secondly because that was fucking fast and she didn't even see it coming.

– 15 – 0 !

– You still have lots more to work on, snickered her teammate.

She stuck his tongue out to him.

– Well, I'd like to see you do it, then.

They changed position, Percy now being the receiver. He managed to see the ball, unless Astrid, but when he went to hit it, it was too strong for him, and it didn't even pass the net.

– You're one to talk, seeing you're not even able to sent it back either.

Percy shrugged, and they switched places again. But this time, Astrid was ready. Her eyes were focused on the ball, her knees bent and her back arched. It took all the strength she had in her arms, but Astrid managed to return it. Obviously, Camden was already on it, sending it back away from her and Percy.

But the black-haired teen was ready, and ran to the opposite corner to catch it. Astrid didn't manage to anticipate the moves of her partner fast enough and went rolling in the dust, for the second time of the day. She could only hope that Percy managed to get it.

Shouting from the other side of the net made her understand that he indeed did, and she got to see Monroe and Camden on the floor, tangled in their rope.

– You've still got lots more to work on !

– Shut up ! Screamed both of their opponents to him in the same voice.

But Percy wasn't listening to them anymore, and stuck his hand out to help Astrid get up.

– Nice return.

Oh wow ! A compliment ? From Percy ? That was a historic day !

– But next time, stay out of my way.

Yep, too good to be true. Asshole. She didn't answer, and got back on her feet, while Camden and Monroe didn't stop the shouting, with little to no consideration for the umpire that was trying to get them back in the match. The poor guy was staying safe on his high chair : no doubt that by going down, he would get hit.

Smart move to stay out of reach.

– Yo, old men ! Are you done ? Can we play ? exclaimed Percy.

Astrid faceplamed. Hard. What was up with that kid ?! Did he want to die so bad ? The two guys stopped bickering and glared at Percy. Finally, Monroe started laughing.

– I like you, brat ! You're funny !

... No. No, he was not. But Monroe didn't say anything else, instead going back to his court to serve again. Percy managed to return it. The strength in his arms was quite amazing for someone so small. However, Camden was already on it and sent it back, only to be greeted by Astrid's smash. The two older players jumped to get the ball, crashing into each other once again. Astrid laughed, but Percy didn't waver.

– Focus !

Astrid felt a shiver down her spine. Wait...

Did they really managed to get the ball ? Monsters !

"A lob !" thought Astrid while looking at the ball, high up in the sky. She ran toward it, and barely hit it with her racket. Monroe was back on his feet, and jumped, smashing the ball.

– Dunk smash ! He exclaimed with a triumphant smile.

– What the fuck is a dunk smash ?! Managed to utter Astrid, grateful that this was not directed toward her head, for she'd be dead if she had been hit by the shot.

– Never heard of basketball ? Isn't it a cool name ?

Astrid didn't answer. That guy... would indeed better be suited for basketball than tennis. He was at least six feet one, or six feet two ! She felt so small next to him. The girl was getting more and more worried about this match. Those two were pretty good players, and even though Percy and her were not so bad themselves, they couldn't lob anymore because of Monroe's dunk smash.

But her fear was short-lived, for Camden and Monroe were completely unable to play in double together. They were just... I mean, they hated each other's guts, and it showed. Everytime one of them would make a mistake or crash into something – or someone, the other would try and hit him.

Percy couldn't hold back a chuckle seeing their two opponents crash into the umpire's chair, sending the poor guy on the floor. The teenager rolled on the floor and screamed as if someone was trying to kill him – which was kind of the case, since falling from such a high chair can result in death – and soon all the regulars were back, taking care of the poor guy.
No broken bones, but he was so scared that it took Adrian asking him to calm down for him to finally stop yelling. Camden and Monroe, who were trying to help him up, backed off almost instantly upon seeing their captain coming toward them.

In their eyes there was only fear, and for one moment Astrid couldn't help but feel a little bit scared too. The aura emaning from Adrian was enough to make her want to run far, far away from here.

– Both of you. A hundred laps. And an apology letter to Devan for tomorrow.

He turned around and left. Percy let out an audible chuckle, obviously mocking the two sophomores.

– Percy, ten laps, said the captain without even looking back.

As much as Astrid wanted to laugh, she said nothing. Better not anger the captain more, right ? She trotted toward Mona, a big smile on her face. The girl was holding back a smile too, probably trying to seem serious.

– Come on, Astrid, it's not funny.

– I mean, it kinda is.

– ... yeah, a little bit.

Percy had already completed his laps, and Mona was still looking at him with glitter in her eyes. Astrid could not understand what she saw in the young boy. Granted, he was cute with his deep honey colored eyes, messy black hair and a thin stature. Even Astrid wouldn't be able to truthfully say that he was ugly. But still, that gus was annoying.

And her friend was so pretty that she'd be able to score any guy, but her eyes were set on this one.

He was running back to them in a very elegant way, and Astrid wondered how he was able to do that. As cute as she was, she looked like a goblin when she was doing any kind of sport. Mona was still staring at him when he got to them, but he didn't give her even one look. He just pointed his finger toward the redhead in the most impolite manner, and said :

– I will never play doubles with you ever again.

But fate had other plans. Fate being Mona Anderson, in this case.

– Actually... she said with a sneaky smile.

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Thank you everyone for reading TennisGirl ! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for sneak peek of next chapter's illustration, and for the exclusive comic I drew of Percy sending Astrid on the floor :)

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