Mirrors

Shut Up!

Chapter Seven:

Shut Up!

I found myself in a field of light displays, fireworks and stars grazing through the sky. It was like floating through outer space, with meteors floating by. I was weightless, swimming through air. But it was harder to navigate through this open space than swimming through my ocean world. Friction was almost nonexistent, preventing me from moving in any way I wanted to go to. Suddenly, the stars quickly flew by me. Time and Space warped, creating an everlasting loop of lasers illuminating the world. I didn’t know whether I was the one rocketing through space, or everything else moved too fast. Time and Space wrapped around me, creating a tunnel for me to travel along through. A few moments later I spotted the end of the tunnel, blinding me with its intense light.

I found myself sitting on the bench again, on the same court with the same three children playing a game. It was as if I hadn’t moved at all. However, I noticed how the children didn’t wear the same clothing they wore the last time I saw them. This must be another time, I thought. Jaren and little Irene were the only ones on the court, while Oliver sat beside me with a chocolate bar in his hand. Both players seemed so solemn—they were serious about this game. This was the bet Jaren fought for almost half a year ago.

That’s amazing, I sighed. They’ve grown so much already.

All three kids had grown at least three inches each. All of them were in their growth spurt.

“Love, forty!” Oliver confirmed. “Game-point for Irene.”

“I told you that I’d win,” little Irene tantalized.

Jaren shook his head. “It’s only been the first game,” he reminded her. “It’s two sets out of three, right? There’s plenty of time to catch up.”

Little Irene raised a brow and smiled, clearly impressed. She threw the ball above her head, and then swung the racquet. She swung the racquet as hard as she could, aiming the ball close to the baseline. Jaren was caught by surprise. Before he could make a move, the tennis ball passed through him and slammed against the fence. Stunned, he stared at little Irene with eyes almost coming out of their sockets.

“Irene won the set,” Oliver said, pointing the obvious. He too was amazed.

Indeed I was good, but I wasn’t the best. I was good for a fourth grader.

Two more sets passed by with Jaren having won one set and I, two. I needed to win two sets ahead of him. One more set and I was done.

“I’m gonna win, Jay,” little Irene snickered. “You best hand me that twenty dollars now.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Jaren retorted. “The match isn’t over yet!”

“You’re so stubborn as always,” little Irene giggled.  

Turn after turn, Irene palpably had the upper-hand. She easily ran to the ball, swinging with her hips. Jaren panted, chasing after the ball like a mad dog. Little Irene kept the ball going at inconsistent spots that Jaren almost had to run at one side of the court to the other. Each point little Irene won ended with a grand slam, with the ball hitting the fence each time. She smiled with ridiculous confidence while Jaren crumbled on the spot. As time passed by, Jaren missed a couple swings because of exhaustion. Little Irene had plenty more energy to spare. After a few more rallies, the game was over and little Irene won.

“Where’s my twenty dollars?” little Irene asked, stretching her hand out. Jaren reluctantly opened his racquet bag and took a twenty-dollar bill out of its pockets. He handed it to little Irene with the thought of running away before she had the chance to have it. But he didn’t leave. He was too proud to do something a mere pansy would do.