MATCH POINT , art donaldson

III.

2006.
Long Island, New York

HIS EYES SEARCHED FOR HER. the image of her emblazoned in his mind since this afternoon. The small wave she gave him as they passed each other on the way out of the court, the way Art could barely function so yet gargled on synonyms of words he didn't know how to speak.

The way Elodie turned her eyes away from the blonde boy she didn't know the name of, a small laugh that exited her lips from the perplexing look in Art's eyes. A sound so faint yet followed Art for the rest of his day, back to hotel they were put up in, whilst he showered and ironed his shirt.

It blurred over the commentary of Patrick in the background who mocked his friend for his naivety that ' the Elodie Reiner' would even give him a second look nevermind her attention, even if she were at the party tonight.

It mixed with the music as Art blew out another heavy breath and turned back to look at Patrick who had his eyes caught on the posters of Tashi which stood in the garden. Running the cold rim of his drink against his lip as Art smirked to himself and dipped his head slightly.

Patrick turns around, looking at the Duncan family which stand around a table, " she's gonna turn her whole family into millionaires."

Art looks at Patrick before following his eyeline, looking at them briefly too " she'll have her own fashion line, nutritional supplement." he coaxes out a laugh as he continues.

" A foundation," he says, noticing the smile on Art's face as he begins to look at the posters too. Although not really paying attention to anything other than the memory of Elodie Reiner and that godforsaken laugh.

" Tashi Duncan, centre for girls." Patrick mocks as he walks closer to Art " taking at risk youth off of the streets and onto the court."

Art's face contorts slightly as he looks at Patrick "don't make fun man, she's a remarkable young woman." he says, Patrick's brows furrowing slightly at his friend's sudden defensiveness.

" I know, I know she's a pillar of the community." he adds, Art rolling his eyes as he takes another sip of his drink, before leaning in " I'd let her fuck me with the racket." he whispers.

Art scoffs, turning around both facing the teary eyed and blotchy face and Anna Bueller. The girl who stands at the table with her parents silently sobbing into her second place trophy.

Both the boys pull disgruntled looks as Patrick looks around, nudging Art with his elbow into the right side of his abdomen. Not harsh enough for it to hurt but enough to stray his attention.

Zero words are shared as the two cross the party, taking stakeout at one of the empty tables. Placing their glasses down on the surface although both hold a tight grasp on the stem of their bottles. Both watching as Tashi dances, the free flow of her body which you wouldn't think she had seeing how tense she was playing earlier.

Patrick caught in some sort of transfixed state with his lips parted and jaw dropped so much so Art feared soon enough he'd be cleaning his drawl with the table cloth. 

Meanwhile his eyes panned around again, although he was sure if she had decided to show up he would have known; either seen her or felt her presence. Maybe even heard that laugh again or saw the creases that her smile left on her face.