The Prince(ss) Of Tennis

A Fragment of Courage

Aifang stretched her stiff neck. the lack of activity had her almost dozing off on the bench with wooden limps. Siyang made her sit around all day and do nothing. and when she hounded him, getting too close for comfort and demanding an assignment he'd told her in his own words, after nudging her away with a finger on her forehead to "go study, you're failing your classes."

and in truth she was your typical jock, all brawns and no brains. she didn't want to admit that she was on the verge of failing math—her least favorite subject. "If you're that worried about my failing, why don't you tutor me yourself?" she asked that question to no one in particular, the passing wind, the court floor or her shiny new converse.

her phone pinged with a text from an anonymous number.

ANON: hello Aifang.

Aifang: who??

ANON: should I be offended that you don't have my contact saved? I told Zhuo Yu to pass on my number to you.

Aifang: I don't have to ask to know it's you Guan Yue 🤔

Guan Yue: good. are you available now? it's time to return the favor you owe.

Aifang: I have all the time in the world!!!

Aifang: what kind of favor tho? the way you phrased it is ominous 😶

Guan Yue: you'll find out soon. Zhuo Yu and I are on our way to you.

Aifang: oh, so you're coming to my school.

Guan Yue: yes, talk to you soon.

"AIFANG CATCH!!"

she turned around and caught a baseball. the baseball she caught was followed by a ringing laughter and a running Song Yan. she came to a stop before Aifang and doubled over. Aifang took in her full baseball uniform including the baseball cap she removed to wipe the sweat beading over her eyebrows. "hey" Aifang smiled down on her. 

"hey" A carefree smile was plastered on her face, Aifang was surprised to see her act so cheery as if nothing happened the other day. 

"So, baseball, huh?" Song Yan's cheeks were flushed crimson, although because of embarrassment or because she ran God knows how many miles, remained unknown. 

"Well...did you think I was bluffing?" A mischievous glint lit her eyes.

 "Listen, I'm really sorry about ―" Aifang swept her hands around.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but there's nothing to be sorry about, it's water under the bridge" she deftly changed the subject "how's Zhuo Yu?"

Aifang raked her hand through her hair, taking her time to answer "he's fine. I just want to let you know he didn't mean to take it out on you, okay? He's a really nice guy" 

"I can tell that" Song Yan took of her baseball hat and fumbled with the brim "say, do you think you can give me his number?" Aifang repeated "his number?" 

"Oh, it's not what you think. I just wanted to talk to him and clear the misunderstanding, since he's a good friend of yours, I don't want to be on bad page with him, that's all." She fanned herself with her hat. 

"You're in luck actually," she waited for Aifang to continue "he's on his way here."

~~~~~~

while Aifang waited for Zhuo Yu and Guan Yue, she killed time in the gym doing bench presses to the melody of her favorite song flowing through her air pods. the gym was the best place to be alone with her thoughts. the helplessness and frustration in her were still strong. they coursed through her veins and would help her lift the heaviest barbell thrown in her path. Siyang stood on the other side of the class door, out of her line of view, and watched with a heart full of torment. a conflict churned within him that threated to toss him into a tornado. between wanting to send Aifang away, and wanting to keep her close to him, the road forked, which path would he follow next?