strawberry blond ᡣ𐭩 challengers. [ on hold ]

eight - chihiro.

༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.˚

[ 2019 ]

phoebe's skin glistened in the sun as she caught her breath, chest heaving as she bent over with her hands on her knees. he racket laid on the ground at her feet, having discarded it once she won the match point. she was too exhausted to celebrate her win properly, cursing herself for forgetting her spare water bottle on the day of her championship match. she was in a rush when leaving her suite that morning, having missed her alarm which interfered with her ability to properly prepare for her match. she hoped that patrick would have something to rehydrate her when she was finished with official business.

as she stood tall again, she walked to the net and stuck her hand out to her opponent. the girl across the net was visibly disheartened by her loss and phoebe felt the slightest bit guilty. she originally planned to throw the game as her professional skills were notably more developed than her competition. the girl was a good competitor—having kept phoebe in motion for most of their match. phoebe wasn't sure if the girl had even reached her twenties with the youthful chub still apparent on her face. she was a little scatterbrained and held a lot of tension in her lower body, but she had some great techniques that—with the right coaching—could set her apart.

"you kept me on my toes with your serve. it's really good, almost unpredictable," phoebe complimented, hand still stretched over the net. dakota—the girl—perked up from the compliment with a timid smile, clasping phoebe's hand in a clumsy grip.

"ah, thank you! i'm a huge fan of yours by the way. not to make it weird or anything, but you're kind of my role model," dakota spoke, letting go of phoebe's hand as she used hers as she talked. phoebe cracked a smile at the admission, resting her hands on her hips as they conversed. "i used to sneak and watch your open matches instead of practicing in high school. honestly, i still do. you're one of the most talented players this generation has ever seen."

"hopefully when i retire, i'll get the chance to see you playing at the open. you've got some serious skill. how old are you?" phoebe asked, having frustrated herself with the internal debate about the girl's age.

"i'm twenty," the younger replied. phoebe hummed with a nod. "you don't plan on retiring anytime soon, do you? i think i need a couple of years if i want to qualify for an open."

"i'd say a couple of months with proper coaching and practice. i don't know everything, obviously, but i think you have some real potential, kid," phoebe offered dakota a parting smile before beginning her walk toward her coach and the officials. "i've gotta go, but hopefully i get the chance to see you again before i leave. i want to give you my contact card, in case you want to play again."

phoebe wasn't sure how dakota's already beaming grin could get any bigger, but it seemed to as she eagerly agreed. "yes! i mean, uh, yes, it would be nice to play against you again."

phoebe smothered a laugh at the girl's attempt to play cool before fully parting ways with a final wave of her racket.

she showed her dazzling signature smile as she accepted her trophy. she took a few pictures before thanking the officials and walking off with her coach by her side. the two of them hadn't made it more than a few yards before art hesitantly approached the pair. an awkward greeting was exchanged between the man and phoebe's coach before silence fell upon the group. phoebe looked to the stands, searching for a familiar bearded man, wishing he would be the one to greet her after her match. phoebe only caught a glance of what she believed was patrick zweig before her coach cleared his throat.

"well...i can't think of a proper excuse to leave so i'm just gonna go," the eldest man stated, pointing to the gate of the court. a sound of protest fell from phoebe's lips as she reached for the older man's arm, only for him to quickly pull away and leave her to fend for herself. phoebe shoulders sank as she turned back to the blond, doing her best to ignore his slightly downcast expression.