That was how I met my best friend. We had literally been inseparable since that day. For the rest of summer, we spent it together playing in my yard. We also talked a lot and found we had a few things in common. We were both pretty athletic, me with my tennis and her with gymnastics. We were both smart kids and loved to eat. When summer ended and school started, we were glad to see that we were placed in the same third grade class. Things were great. We were always in the same class. Year after year, as our friendship grew stronger so did my love for her. I just never knew the right time or place to tell her. However, towards the end of the summer before we started sixth grade, something changed. Her parents got divorced, which I knew tore her heart out of her chest. She became distant and we hung out less and less. We were still friends, just not as close as we were before. About a week before we started sixth grade she started hanging out with Tobias, a skinny kid who always wore black, had dark blue hair and he lived right behind her. I have to admit that I was pretty jealous of the fact that she was getting so close to him. Why couldn't she see that I was right there, willing to do anything to make her happy. Sitting up in my room, staring out my window, I watch as they grow ever closer and it truly hurt. Pretty soon after school started, like two weeks to be exact, it had been official that Halley and Tobias were now dating. When I first heard the news, I was hurt. Then regret set in, like why didn't I have the courage to go up ask her out. Seeing them every day as they grew closer pained me to see. Going to school was almost an escape, as I threw myself into my learning. At lunch to escape watching as they kiss each other behind trees to avoid being caught by teachers, I hung out by the tennis courts. I was drawn to these courts ever since I could remember. I never really knew why but tennis just felt like my second home. On these tennis courts I felt like there was nothing that I couldn't do. It was a safe place and no matter what was going on in my life, these courts would make it all smaller, less important.
"Planning On trying out for the team"
I jumped at the sound of the voice. I slowly turn around to see and tall, fit, old black man wearing a ball cap low over his eyes and an earring in his ear.
"Uhhh umm" was all i could muster up.
He laughed a deep laugh, " Let me see what you got kid" he said as he held out a racket and a ball.
I stood there, frozen for a moment, before walking towards the couch. When I was within five feet from him, I took the racket that was in his extended hand. I also saw the racket that was at his feet. So I guess I was going to be playing him then. As I was walking back towards my end of the court my palms became sweaty, but as soon as I was in position, a power surged within me, making me feel so powerful. Like I knew that I was about to play like a champ. He served and it didn't make it over the net. I laughed quietly to myself, to think, this was the tennis couch. He served it again, this time making it over the net. I watched as the ball came soaring over and just before it was about to bounce for the second time I dove and hit the ball. I quickly got up and was ready for it to be returned. This went on for about an hour and a half. I was panting and sweating a little. I looked around and noticed that all the kids are gone. I checked my watch and saw that lunch as well as the rest of the day had passed. Woah, an entire day had gone by and I was playing tennis. I felt so alive, more than I have ever felt before. I looked over to the couch who from across the field was smiling and clapping his hands. "If you want a spot on the team, it's yours. "
"Really??"
He nodded his head and turned to walk away.
"See you at practice on Thursday."
I watched him walk away in pure disbelief. Only when he was out of sight did I dropped my bag and sank to the ground. I can't believe it, just like that i was on the team.
