The Prince(ss) Of Tennis

Double The Trouble II

Lu Xia hurried into the court next morning, he was late as usual, nearly missing his bus because his alarm didn't go off on time. Luckily for him, Siyang was distracted, discussing something with the coach in the far corner. He found his partner Aifang on the bench, her eyebrows knitted in concentration, while watching something on her phone. He flopped down next to her, and placed a book on her lap. Only then she looked up at him, and away from her phone.
- "what is this??" She picked up the book - "the ultimate guide to tennis doubles for BEGINNERS, do you think this'll work?" She skimmed through the book.
- "we won't know until we try" he replied, his confidence never flagged despite their situation.
- "a little bird told me you need our help" a beaming Jiale sprang before them, with his arm around Dayong.
Aifang could've sworn she saw angel wings behind them. The golden pair themselves were offering help and guidance to the miserable pair. The very golden pair aka Yu Qing club's ace doubles players, it was no wonder at all that they always played in the 1st doubles matches.
- "we challenge you to a match" Lu Xia blurted out, causing all heads to turn to his direction.
Aifang wondered if he was still half asleep, to propose such an absurd challenge.
She was quick to elbow him - "HEY" trying to knock some sense in him - "this is the golden pair we're talking about, how can we take them on??"
- "sorry little Lu Xia , but we're here to mentor you, so we'll have to decline your challenge" Jiale said, still grinning.
Aifang heaved a sigh of relief, that they hadn't taken him seriously.
Dayong wanted to know if they had any experience in tennis doubles. - "does reading this book count?" Aifang held up the book in plain sight.
- "let's apply what you read in this book on the court, shall we?"

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- "between you two, who's a better offensive player, and who's a better defensive player??" Aifang and Lu Xia looked at one another with a funny expression plastered on their faces, as if Dayong spoke in a foreign language that was totally incomprehensible to them.
- "let's try this first, Aifang you're the defensive, and Lu Xia you're the offensive" Dayong gave instructions, like a very skilled coach.
They assumed their assigned positions, but the results were unsatisfactory.
Jiale shook his head in dissatisfaction - "no, no switch"
They did as they were told, and a look of approval made it's way on the golden pair's faces, Jiale clapped his hands together
- "perfect"
- "so from now on, Aifang you're better as an offensive player, and Lu Xia you're the defensive" Dayong declared.
- "noted" Aifang replied.
The golden pair were joined by Zhiming, who was busy jotting down data on Lu Xia and Aifang. This called for a short water break.
- "this is actually going well, so how about this, cooperate with me and I'll buy you as much Fantas as you want, you name it" she though back to yesterday - "let's not become like Qiao Chen and Baiyang, so do we have a deal?" She thrust her fist forward.
Their eyes locked, then he pumped his fist against hers - "deal"

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- "where's the captain, I haven't seen him around a lot today" Aifang's eyes scanned the nearly empty courts, like a lost child looking for her parents, but in vain, he was nowhere to be found.
She had developed a habit of stealing quick glances at him, even during practice. Just having him around, made her heart feel at ease.
She had stayed at school, even when night had fallen, to practice.
- aren't you coming??" Lu Xia asked, slinging his tennis bag over his shoulder, waiting for her.
- "you go ahead, I have to get something from my locker" she waved him goodbye.
Aifang sensed that Siyang might still be here, so she made up her mind to check the lounge before leaving. And she was spot on, the lights in the lounge were still on. She tentatively stepped forward, and pushed at the door lightly. He was there, a solitary form, pondering over something, while going through some papers.
She cleared her throat to get his attention - "captain, you're still here?"
- "oh Aifang, you're about to leave?"
- "ah yes, I just saw the lights on so I came in" Aifang took notice of the empty container of fruit salad on the table.
- "captain, have you had dinner yet?" But Aifang already knew the answer to this question, he must've been so busy all day, that he skipped dinner.
With a quick glance at his watch, he replied with a guilty - "no, not yet"
- "wait here, I'll be right back" Aifang rushed out, heading for the closest fast food joint. 20 minutes later she came back, holding a bag containing burgers and fries, and place it in front of him.
- "you should eat something" she insisted.
- "thank you, you didn't have to"
- "captain, you should take care of yourself, if you get yourself sick, what would we do without you?"
- "you're right, I'll bear that in mind"
Aifang turned to leave, her heart beating erratically. It was nearly impossible for her not to be nervous around him.

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Aifang had come up with a team name for her and Lu Xia the night before, and she announced it to Lu Xia excitedly prior to the match - "D.T.T"
- "what's that?" He looked at her in confusion.
Aifang rolled her eyes at him - "it's our team name"
- "it's lame, what's it supposed to mean anyway?"
- "it means double the trouble"
Her initial smile faded - "just humor me"
But his attention was directed towards a girl in the crowd, cheering his name. Aifang recognized her as the coach's niece Qi Ying. Lu Xia acknowledged her, tipped the corner of his snapback, and nodded her way.
Aifang smirked archly - "OHHH, is she your girlfriend?"
- "no" his embarrassment was as clear as day.
In an attempt to deviate the subject, he said - "fine, D.T.T" and extended his fist forward.
- "D.T.T, LET'S WIN THIS MATCH" she pumped her fist against his.

Regrettably, the match wasn't so smooth sailing for the pair. And in the end......THEY LOST.
And surprisingly, for the first time in so long, Aifang didn't feel like crawling down a hole and weeping her eyes out. Being in Yu Qing, albeit for nearly 2 months only, has freed her from her inhibitions, and brought out her true self. She was worried about Lu Xia however. It was his first time losing, he must be devastated.
She kept her promise to him, carrying a heavy box of Fanta, her arms groaned under it's weight. She chucked the box right next to Lu Xia.
- "hey, are you okay?"
- "I'm fine" he opened a Fanta and took a sip.
- "I'm sorry that we lost, but we can use this opportunity to learn from our mistakes, just like the captain said"
- "why the gloomy face boys" Jiale showed up with his arm around Dayong, these two were like conjoined twins, always seen together, never apart.
- "you don't have to feel that bad about losing, even we lose at times, right Dachi?" Dayong nodded, with a genial smile spread on his face.
- "thank you for everything guys" Aifang sent a heart hand their way, Dayong was taken aback, but Jiale winked at her.
Aifang took a Fanta and cracked it open - "what do you like so much about this?"
She took a sip - "oh this is really good"
- "would you do this again, playing doubles I mean?" Lu Xia spoke in a low voice.
She chortled - "probably not"
- "to D.T.T's disbandment" they clinked their drinks together.

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I'm sorry if this chapter is boring, I was literally writing it with my nieces yelling over my head 😤