She's back ~ L. Hamilton

3.| The Start

By my eight birthday me beating Daniel became a daily occurrence.

By my ninth birthday I'd beaten every kid my age at the club. So my uncle recruited the son of one of the adults he taught, to play me. A thirteen year old boy named Jack.

"I don't understand why you're allowed to play here" Jack said to me, "you're not a member" we were standing by the net, waiting to start while his father and my uncle were talking by the sidelines.

"Neither are you" I said

"My dad is. Your uncle works here. Your uncle works for us"

The adults headed in our direction and Jack groaned "can we just get this over with? I don't feel like playing a seven year old girl"

I stared at him for a moment, feeling his shoulders tighten "I'm nine, you moron"

Jacks eyes widened slightly, but he didn't say anything. Something I learned very early is that most assholes done have comebacks.

"All right kids, best out of three" jacks dad said to us.

Jack served first, i crouched, ready. He tossed the ball up and hit it with a slow pace. I smacked it back across the court, Jack couldn't get to it. My point.

Love-15

Jack served again. I returned it easily.

Love-30

The next time I barley had to move to return it cross court.

Love-40

"Game for Delaney" my uncle said

Jacks face grew slightly red. I couldn't tell if he was angry, embarrassed or just red from the Australian sun. I smiled at him from across the net.

The rest of the match was over quick.

On the last serve. I tapped the ball back, deciding not to bother with any topspin's or speed. He still hit it wide.

"You are terrible at tennis" I said to him as I shook his hand

"Delaney Ricciardo!" My uncle called out.

"Sorry, but he is" I shrugged. I looked over at jack "you are"

Jack sent one last glare at me before following his dad, who had already began walking back towards the clubhouse.

When we walked off the court, my uncle put his hand on my shoulder and said "that was something"

"I didn't even have to try" I said as we headed towards the car

"Oh you made that clear. And you were mean"

"Why should I be nice to him? He called me a seven year old"

"People are going to call you a lot of things in your life Laney" he said "and the better you get the more people will have to say"

"Because I'm good?"

"Because we are winners. Do not grow a chip on your shoulder, Delaney" he said "do not let what anyone says about you determine how you feel about yourself"

I look at him

"If I say your hair is purple, does that mean it's purple?" He asked

"No, it's blonde"

"Does that mean you have to prove to me that it's blonde?"

I shook my head "well no, you can clearly see that it is"

"You are going to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time someday Laney. That is as true as your hair is blonde. You don't need to show them, you just need to be" my uncle said "next time you play a child like jack. I expect you to still play a beautiful game of tennis"