Cadell, 2019
Cadell was ready for her match.
Well, she had always been ready to play tennis. But she had never been ready. Not mentally. Not with Alex constantly degrading her, shaming her and insulting her.
She had woken up to hundreds of missed calls from Alex, blocking him not soon after. It felt so liberating, so free from the chains she had willingly bound herself in for years.
Now, standing on the court for the finals of the Challengers, she felt a sense of clarity and purpose that had eluded her for so long. The past few days had been a whirlwind of emotions, but the kiss with Art had grounded her, giving her the strength to face this challenge. She was free now, and the weight that had held her down for years was gone.
Today, she was not just playing to win a match; she was reclaiming her life. Her hair was tied back up in a double braided ponytail, and she had finally started to really take care of herself.
The crowd buzzed with anticipation as she took her position.
"We love you Cadell!" People held up signs with her face on it, with phrases such as "we love Cadell!" or "Let's goooo!"
Cadell glanced at the stands and saw Art sitting in the front row, his eyes locked on her, a small, encouraging smile on his face.
She took a deep breath, letting the calm wash over her.
This was her moment. Her opponent was a formidable player, someone she had faced before. But today, Cadell felt different. She felt stronger, more focused, more confident. The umpire called the players to their positions, and the match began.
From the first serve, Cadell was in her element. Her movements were fluid and precise, her shots powerful and accurate. Each point was a testament to her skill and determination. She had finally reclaimed her confidence.
If you thought Cadell was good before... you would be shocked to see her play then. She was fluid yet precise, passionate yet meticulous. She was fire and ice in one.
She could feel the support of the crowd, but most importantly, she could feel Art's unwavering presence.
Cadell's serves were like bullets, cutting through the air with precision and power. Her opponent struggled to keep up, and with each point Cadell won, the fire within her burned brighter.
She moved across the court with a fierce grace, her footwork impeccable, her strategy flawless.
This was not just a game; it was a battle, and Cadell was a warrior.
The first set was a fierce battle, but Cadell's determination saw her through. She won the set 6-1, her confidence growing with each point.
The second set was even more intense. Her opponent fought back with everything she had, pushing Cadell to her limits.
The rallies were long and exhausting, but Cadell's focus never wavered. She played each point as if it were the most important of her career.
The second set was even more intense. Her opponent fought back with everything she had, pushing Cadell to her limits.
But Cadell was relentless, her focus unbreakable. She dominated the court with a fiery intensity, her shots landing with pinpoint accuracy.
The crowd watched in awe as she effortlessly outplayed her opponent, her skill and precision on full display. Cadell's opponent was visibly frustrated, her attempts to gain control of the match thwarted at every turn. Each rally ended with Cadell's decisive points, her dominance undeniable.
She moved with grace and power, her confidence radiating with every swing of the racket. At 5-0 in the second set, Cadell was unstoppable.
Her opponent, struggling to keep up, smashed her racket against the floor in anger, the sound echoing through the court.
"This racket is fucking cursed." She yelled, hitting it on the ground again and again and again.
Cadell stood there, a smirk playing on her lips as she waited for her opponent to finish her tantrum.
"I'm ready to serve," Cadell said calmly, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
Her opponent, still fuming, picked up a new racket and took her position. The umpire signaled for play to resume, and Cadell took a deep breath, centering herself. The serve came fast, but Cadell was ready.
She returned it with a powerful backhand, sending the ball skimming over the net with pinpoint accuracy. Her opponent lunged for it, barely managing to get her racket in position. The return was weak, and Cadell seized the opportunity, smashing the ball into the far corner of the court, well out of her opponent's reach.
The point was hers. The game was hers. The match was hers.
The final score was 6-1, 6-0.
She had won.
Again.
As the umpire called the match, the crowd erupted into cheers, their applause thunderous.
Cadell stood tall, her expression one of fierce satisfaction. She had not just won; she had conquered.
"Let's go!!" She yelled, laughing as she heard the crowd repeat her phrase back to her. The feeling of winning was always wonderful, but when the source of another, superior feeling was sitting in the crowd and smiling, she couldn't feel the euphoria she usually felt.
Her opponent, defeated and dejected, slumped to the bench, her frustration palpable.
But Cadell paid her no mind.
She walked to the net with a confident stride, extending her hand, smiling.
Her opponent took it reluctantly, and Cadell gave a firm shake, her smirk never wavering.
The applause from the crowd was deafening, but it was Art's smile that truly filled her with joy.
She gave him a nod, her smile still in place, and he responded with a proud, knowing look. After the match, Cadell walked over to the stands, her racket still in hand.
Art stood up, and she felt tears of happiness welling up in her eyes. She reached out, and he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I'm so fucking proud of you, Del."
YOU ARE READING
The spark // Art Donaldson
FanfictionCadell's life was black and white. There were only two things that could ever make her life colorful: tennis and a man named Art. Both of which were stolen by a girl named Tashi. #1/1058 in Art
