How to Lose One's Virginity

Victory

Prologue:

Part 1: Victory

This is it. If I get in one more shot...

Not only were my hands shaky, so was my breath. The score was 24-23 in my favour.

Just one more smash and this is it. I can't let this opportunity slip.

I have to get this in.

I gave him the shuttlecock with a forehand serve. I watched it fly towards my opponent in a wide arc. He lobbed it back at me, what I was hoping for him to do. It flew back in a narrower arc than mine.

"Perfect." I mumbled to myself.

I took aim at the bird with my free hand and hit it with all the force I could put into my arm. I watched as it sped just above the net; my opponent couldn't handle such of a smash.

After that, all I could hear were the cheers of my schoolmates and the announcer's voice boom out: "JONATHAN HENDRIX WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP SMASHER'S CUP, MEN'S SINGLES DIVISION! CONGRATULATIONS!"

The whole Badminton varsity team came over to the court to give me fist bumps, high fives, pats on the back, and rubs to the head. I also saw my family jumping and smiling up in the spectators' benches.

I climbed up a pedestal of some sort along with my coach, Coach Finsley, to accept the trophy and have a medal slung over my head. My coach accepted a giant cheque worth $220 on my behalf.

After a few flashes from cameras, I descended from the stage and returned to the guys.

"Dude, you did it!" I heard one of them shout out. "Blow-out!" Another screamed. "No wonder Coach Finsley takes a huge shine to you" I chuckled at the remark.

Though I was busy giving thanks to everyone greeting me, I couldn't help but notice my opponent looking all down. He was just a freshman, and I couldn't help but go over to him.

I handed the trophy to one of the members. I could feel my teammates' stares burning into my back and see their confused faces as I walked over to the net.

"Hey, that's some moves you got there," I greeted, making my way under the net.

"You know, for a freshman, you really are something; it takes mad skill to make it to the finals. Heck, I don't even know how you were able to hold your own against a junior like me."

I could see a glint of inspiration in his eyes.

"This very medal might become yours someday." I said gesturing down to my golden medal.

I offered my hand. He took it happily, and cheers echoed throughout the whole venue. He went over to his bench to take a good glug out of his jug.

I was removing medal and wrapping the lace around my knuckles when I heard someone call me.

"John!" I turned to see Daniel Whitfield, my varsity and classmate, and best friend, jogging over with my water bottle and towel."Why'd you go over to him; he was your opponent." He asked, handing me my stuff.

"Well, he was looking quite down for a freshman that made it to the finals, so I decided to give him a dose of inspiration to keep his hopes up. Badminton's a great sport you know, and it would be nice if a lot of people played it."

I looked over to that faithful freshman. He noticed my gaze and gave me a nod. I return the nod with a toothy smile.

"Man, I never knew you had this soft spot in you. I always thought you were this bad boy that did one night stands with any girl you see at a party." He was wearing this confused look on his face.