Love Means Nothing... In Tennis ;)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

     I entered the empty classroom and took a seat at the back. While waiting for homeroom to start, I realised how boring and completely meaningless school was. Well, I always knew that fact but I became really pessimistic (more than usual) after discovering that I was forced to play mixed doubles. Basically, I was a slow learner when it came to school work because I was always so focused in tennis that I never cared about my grades. I knew that I was on the verge of failing but it never really mattered. The only thing that did matter was that my tennis skills were improving.

     More students entered the classroom and they all gave me the same look of disgust. To them I was a freak who only cared about tennis which, I guess, I don't blame them for. I didn't have friends but as long as I had tennis, I'd be fine. I never had time for friends or commitment to anything besides tennis. Being independent was a better word to describe me, rather than "freak". That's another reason why I hated playing doubles. Playing doubles involved working with your partner and helping each other out. Both of those things I was terrible at.

     Thinking about the whole "playing mixed doubles with a person I have never met before" issue was giving me a headache. Hopefully something amazing happens that would turn my crappy day around.

     I rested my head on the desk, hoping to forget the awful thoughts. Soon I began banging my head against the innocent desk. Many brain cells died and I really needed those. Nonetheless, I didn't stop.

     "Miss. Drake please stop attacking the schools' property and pay attention to Mr. Ryder." My Homeroom teacher, Mrs. Sanders, interrupted my brain damage attempt. I didn't even hear the bell ring and ho the hell was Mr. Ryder? Mrs. Sanders had a weird habit of calling everyone by Miss or Mister.

     I quickly looked up and saw everyone look at me weirdly. That wasn't new. "Whoa, my head hurts," I mumbled to myself unsurprised. I rested my elbows on the desk and began rubbing my temples.

     "Are you alright?" Someone's voice spoke up. His voice was low and gentle, almost hypnotic.  It had a slight accent that I couldn't recognise.

     I looked up again but this time to the front of the classroom. Mrs. Sanders was standing there with her arms crossed looking at me sternly. I smiled innocently. "Miss. Drake please pay attention to Mr. Ryder here. He is a new student and I would like everyone to make him feel welcome, and that includes you."

     "Whatever," I muttered. My head was in too much pain to think about anything else.

     "Are you alright?" the voice repeated. This time I realised that the voice was coming from the new student. Since I wasn't paying much attention earlier, I finally got a good look at him and my jaw almost dropped. To call "Mr. Ryder" attractive would be an understatement. He was absolutely gorgeous. He was staring at me and I was staring at him back. Even though I was all the way at the back of the classroom, I could still see his glistening whirlpools of electric blue eyes. It was difficult not to stare. His dark brown hair looked like he just got out of bed, although I could tell that it was purposely styled that way. It most definitely suited him. 

     All of the girls were swooning over his looks and I didn't blame them because I was checking him out as well. Despite his amazing looks, I knew better though. The way he bit his lip and the way he winked at me was an instant give away that he was the same as all of the other guys at school. Too bad his personality didn't match his appearance. I shouldn't have judged him so quickly since I haven't even had a proper conversation with the guy but it was too good to be true. 

     Don't waste your time, Steffi. He's probably a jerk, I told myself. 

     "I'm fine, thanks," I answered awkwardly, not breaking eye contact. Then, he smirked at me. There it was. Every player had their signature smirk and I was staring at his.