Until Then. // denis shapovalov - sascha zverev

2.6 - mr. popular over here

Alex's POV

I grip onto my tennis racket, looking up at the scoreboard, while sitting on the bench, waiting for change over. I was up, four games to three. I was playing mad. My coach knows I'm playing pissed. I shouldn't be playing emotionally, I'm throwing easy points, but I'm still up, and I can't stop.

The changeover finishes and I walk past Denis, not acknowledging him. The ball-boy tosses me two balls, which I take, without checking, shoving one into my pocket. I reach the baseline and turn around, seeing Denis glance over at Willow. I find Willow in her a few rows back, and she smiles at Denis but then looks over to me. I look down quickly, pretending that I don't see her, and I start bouncing the ball to serve. God, I fucking hate Denis' face. I think to myself.

I bounce the ball twice, before tossing it up, and throwing myself into the serve as hard as I can. Ace. I scoff to myself, walking over to the add side, catching another ball from the ball boy and beginning to bounce it. I look at Denis, who lowers into position. I bounce the tennis ball two more times before tossing it up and serving. Denis returns the shot short, and I sprint up and volley it, so short that he has no time to return it.

Fuck yes. I smile to myself, walking back to the deuce side, catching two balls, shoving one into my pocket, and bouncing the other one until I reach the baseline again. The crowd's cheers lower to a hum and I toss the ball up.

Denis returns the shot, and we rally for a bit before I think screw it hitting an extremely risky cross court shot, but to my luck, it lands in.

One more point. I think to myself, walking over to the add side of the court. I look up, glaring at Denis, thinking about seeing him and Willow earlier. Seeing him kiss my Willow's cheek. My face turns hot and my skin itches. I start to bounce the tennis ball, getting ready to serve once again.

"Ace," I whisper to myself, tossing up the ball and throwing my arm into it.

Fuck. I think, watching it hit the net. I take out the second ball from my pocket and bounce it again. I know I shouldn't hit two first serves twice, but I can't help it as I swing another first serve. Denis wasn't expecting it, and he sprints to try and return it, but as soon as I can see that he can't retrieve it, I look over to Willow, who's looking to the serve, clapping, but then seeing Denis and stopping.

Was she just... cheering for me? I think to myself, walking over to my bench. As I get to my seat, I look back up, but Willow's gone.

-

Willow's POV

I dip quickly out of Denis' match after the first game finishes in Alex's favor. I sprint through the back hallways, finding my way back to my court. I shouldn't have missed much, as I only sat in at Denis' match for about ten minutes. And I know my eyes should've been on Denis, but why was I so focused on Alex then? He felt different than when I saw him play for the first time two weeks ago... stronger? More aggressive? I'm not sure.

I watch the current game finish and then scurry back to my seat on in the front row.

"How's the other match going?" My interviewer, Sarah, asks me.

"It's close. Alex took the first set," I answer, watching Menvedev serve.

"These guys, hopefully, are almost done," Sarah whispers after Menvedev successfully aces Isner.

I look over at the scoreboard, which was two sets in Menvedev's favor, and one set for Isner.

"Thanks for covering for me, by the way," I say to her. "Are you coming with us to watch Denis' match after this?"