The Prince(ss) Of Tennis

Neon balls

Tennis balls were scattered sparsely all around the court. Indicating the end of practice.
- "juniors, come pick up the balls" siyang's orotund voice rang through the air.
- "coming" ai fang ran over to the other trainees collecting the balls.
Xuiwen sighed - "all we ever do is pick up balls" he grabbed a ball in each hand for emphasis, then tossed them in the basket.
- "will we ever be like them??" Ai fang followed his gaze, taking in the sight of the main players chatting away ecstatically post-practice.
Her gaze wandered, and was instantly fixed on a particular person who stood by the players with a frown on his face. Still attractive despite his creased brows, and the serious expression reflected on his face. Ai fang's admiration for the captain was slowly developing into a school girl crush. However silly it might be, ai fang fantasized him as Adonis, the greek god of beauty and attraction. It was no wonder at all that he was popular among the girls.
Huang jing interrupted -"do you want to know the secret for becoming a main player??"
- "sure" ai fang humored him.
- "forget it, if you knew the secret all this time why aren't you a main player yet??" Xuiwen dampened huang jing's spirits.
Ai fang giggled at this duo, they were constantly squabbling.
- "you little.." Huang jing was annoyed.
- "sorry" xuiwen apologized.
- "guys, I have an idea. If we want to become like them, we should increase our practice. I say we practice after school, who's with me??" Ai fang made a suggestion to the boys.
-  "that's a great idea, I'm in" mu agreed and the two others followed suit.
- "I'm gonna go pick up the balls over there" she left the other trainees, and lazily dragged the basket along with her to the other side of the court. Passing by the main players taking their much deserved break by the benches. Excitedly discussing the results of their practice, and a pair even arguing with one other. She recognized one them as baiyang, his green bandana unmistakably made him stand out, and the other boy was really tall, it must be qiao chen. Siyang was nowhere to be found, she hadn't even noticed him leaving.
She tuned out the noisy bickering and began picking up balls. But the bickering only grew louder. She turned around and they were right behind her, seemingly not noticing her, they were too absorbed in their argument. She instantly got out of their way, not intending to get caught in between them. Baiyang's eyes fell on a ball still on the ground. He smirked and scooped it up. Both qiao chen and ai fang could guess his intention. Qiao Chen didn't have time to react. Baiyang threw the ball with all his might. Ai fang reacted by instinct, dashing forward and stretching her arm out. She managed to catch the ball a millisecond before it collided with qiao chen.
- "what do you think you're doing?" Siyang appeared out of the blue, causing ai fang to flinch and drop the ball. It rolled towards siyang and stopped at his feet.
The three of them stood as still as statues, unable to answer.
- "since practice is over, everyone clear the court, don't get in the trainees way" he casually tossed the ball back to ai fang, and turned to leave.
Baiyang and qiao chen scurried away, with qiao chen mouthing "thank you" to ai fang.

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As agreed upon earlier, ai fang and her new friends went to the tennis court mu's father owned, to practice after school. The results of this practice left a worn-out huang jing plodding about.
- "no really, are you the flash?? Do you have super powers??" He muttered in disbelief, and almost collapsed to the ground, thankfully xuiwen and ai fang caught him in time. Each holding one of his arms for support, and sat him down on a nearby bench.
- "I'm sorry" ai fang murmured apologetically.
- "why are you apologizing senior? You were awesome" mu gave her a thumps-up.
She couldn't help but smile at him.
- "I need water, give me some water" huang jing grunted.
- "I'll go get him some water" mu informed them and hurried away.
Ai fang began to fan huang jing, worried he might pass out.
- "I've never seen anyone as fast as you were, you'll make it to the team in no time, I'm sure of it" xuiwen's words caused a flush of embarrassment to rise to her face. She wasn't used to being complimented by anyone.
- "I still have a long way to go" she rubbed the nape of her neck.
- "I want some water" hung jing groaned again.
- "mu is taking too long, don't you think?" xuiwen observed.
- "I'll go check on him" she handed the fan to xuiwen.
Xuiwen was right, mu took way too long just to get some water. The vending machine wasn't that far. She got to the vending machine, and immediately figured out the reason of the delay.
The reason appeared to be a boy twice mu's size picking on him. Holding a bottle up high and beyond mu's reach. This sight angered her. She marched over to them with clenched fists.
- "what's going on here??" She spat out in anger. The tall boy turned to her.
- "hey there pretty boy"
She snatched the bottle from his grasp.
- "stop bothering my friend"
- "mu, let's go" she grabbed his wrist, and with one last glare at the boy turned to leave.
- "hey, do you play tennis too??"
- "yes" ai fang answered.
- "care for a match with me??"

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