The Connecticut sun beat down on the pristine outdoor courts of the tennis complex and let's just say, it's a terrible day to practice, but she wants to thrown it all on the court.
Her being, Mirabella Davenport, or just Mira, was a whirlwind of determination on the court, as she bounced the ball with a practised rhythm, her sparing partner being her assistance coach, Suzan.
At five-foot-six( 5ft6), she wasn't the most imposing figure, but her strokes held the power of a hurricane. At least that's what most reporters have written and said about the young star in the making. Her mother, Tarisha Davenport, has always encourages and motivated her daughter's love for the sport, especially after discovering how good of an athlete she is. Raising her daughter hasn't been easy, but she pulls through, all thanks to her late husband...and his trust funds. He made sure both his girls were well taken care of before passing, this sport is the only thing Mira has, as a connection to her father.
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[O.O.T.D]
Today's practice was originally a solo session, but her coach decided otherwise. But after a few one on one matches between the two, Suzan literally leaped oit of the way.
"Your too good and I'm too old, to be running around. You do you, kid" she says panting as she she flops down on a sit, leaving a laughing Mira on the court.
Now, the young star has a chance to work on her infamous backhand – the weapon that had launched her, a high school junior, onto the roster of the UConn Huskies, a powerhouse in the world of collegiate tennis. Her career was taking off and she wasn't even twenty yet, only God knows what he has in store for her once she goes higher and higher in the big leads. The next step, Mirabella's always wanted to make it big, her greatest motivation is to go against Naomi Osaka, or Serena Williams and win, make her father proud and preserve his memory on and off the court.
Lost in the zone, Mirabella wounded up a very serious and ferocious backhand. With a satisfying crack, the ball rocketed across the court. But instead of finding the sweet spot in the opposite corner, it took a wicked turn, propelled by an unseen force. A strangled yelp cut through the air, and Mirabella whipped around, dread pooling in her stomach.
"Oh no." She visibly gulps and turns to the place where the sound came from. There, sprawled on the blue tennis court, was a sight that made her breath hitch as she got closer, it was Paige Bueckers, the UConn Women's Basketball star, lay sprawled with a grimace on her face, a tennis ball nestled innocently beside her head.
"Oh shit, shit!." Mirabella curses as she runs towards the fallen girl. Suzan sits up from where she say and saw the scene, shaking her head, she relaxed back into her chair and dozed off.
Getting to Paige's side, her heart hammering a frantic beat against her ribs as she looked at her, guilt evident in the tone of her voice.
"Oh shit, I am so, so sorry, Paige! I honestly didn't see you, are you alright? Should i get you to medic?"
Paige, usually seeming so confident on and off the basketball court, looked like a flustered kitten on the tennis court. She gingerly sat up, rubbing the spot where the ball had connected, wincing a tad.
"It's okay, I'm fine...I think and yeah." she mumbled, her voice uncharacteristically shaky as she stared up at the girl before her. It wasn't the pain that had Mirabella's brow furrowed, but the way Paige was looking at her.
The basketball stars' cheeks were flushed a rosy pink, and her usually bright eyes held a strange mixture of pain and something else entirely – a shy adoration that sent a shiver down Mirabella's spine.
"Again, I am so, so sorry." Mirabella stammered, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I completely misjudged that shot, which never happens. But are you sure you're alright?"
Paige finally tore her gaze away, a small, embarrassed smile gracing her lips. "It's fine, Mirabella, really. It's just a bit of a surprise backhand, that's all."
Shock fills the tennis star as she stares up at the blonde girl infront of her. "Wait, y-you know who I am?"
"Yeah" Paige laughs as if it were not know. "I mean, asides from you being on the tennis team, everyone practically knows you. Just like how you know me."
"Right.." she murmurs embarrassed but soon relief washed over Mirabella, momentarily escaping the strange flutter in her chest caused by Paige's flustered state. "Well, let me get you some ice, at least. That's the least I can do."
As Mirabella helped Paige steady herself to her feet, their hands brushed. A jolt of electricity shot through Mirabella, making her yank her hand back as if burned.
Paige seemed to notice, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features before it was quickly masked by another shy smile.
The ice pack did help to soothe the throbbing guilt in Mirabella's chest as both girls went their separate ways. Throughout the rest of her practice, Paige's dazed expression and the memory of her blush kept flashing in her mind.
It was distracting, messing with her usually laser-focused concentration. Finally, with a frustrated groan, Mirabella slammed her racket down.
She couldn't just leave it like this. Paige had been nothing but gracious, despite being the victim of Mirabella's wayward backhand.
Taking a deep breath, Mirabella marched towards the outdoor basketball court where she knew she'd find Paige practising her free throws.
Paige, looking much lively now, swished shot after shot with effortless grace, while a few of her teammates played around or watched her practice.
Mirabella approached the court hesitantly, the weight of her apology heavy in her voice. "Hey, Paige? Can I talk to you for a second?"
Paige's smile was instantaneous, lighting up her entire face. "Sure, Mirabella. What's up?"
"Umm.." Mirabella grabbed her hand gently and led them to a more secluded area, while Paige's teammates began to murmur as the walked off.
"Look," Mirabella began, letting go of Paige's hand, her voice firm despite the fluttering in her stomach, "I feel absolutely terrible about hitting you earlier. To make it up to you, I was wondering if you'd like to, uh, grab some lunch sometime? My treat, of course."
The blush returned to Paige's cheeks, spreading all the way down her neck this time. Her smile, however, widened. "Lunch sounds great, Mira. How about tomorrow? I know this amazing little sandwich shop off campus..."
Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, the world seemed to fade away. The sun glinted off Paige's eyes, and Mirabella felt a warm bloom in her chest that had nothing to do with the summer heat. Maybe, just maybe, this backhand blunder had turned into something far more interesting.
