The Prince(ss) Of Tennis

Challenge

It was weekend, and for that reason Aifang and Zhuo Yu having no premeditated plans for the weekend, agreed to visit the public tennis courts, for some warm-ups, and a friendly game, in which the loser had to treat the winner to the dinner of their choice.
The inner courts were jam-packed now, unlike the weekdays, there were especially lots of obnoxious, mean looking kids. They glared daggers at the pair as they passed by them, as if tacitly inviting them for a challenge. Aifang purposely disregarded their unpleasant stares, and looked straight ahead, in search for any empty court. They were not in luck however, these kids showed no signs of having any intention to leave this soon. Aifang observed that instead of focusing on the correct techniques, the kids were busy gloating, and showing off, using ostentatious moves. She deposited her tennis bag on a vacant bench facing the courts, and flopped down onto it, Zhuo Yu followed suit.
Unfortunately the harsh cold prevented any human being from playing outdoors, so there was no other choice but to play indoors. Aifang rolled her eyes as one of the kids once again tried to put on a show - "someone needs to teach those kids how real tennis is played"
She reached in her bag for her flask, when Zhuo Yu tapped her shoulder lightly - "hey Aifang, the mean kids are heading our way" she ignored them and took a swig from her flask.
The said group of four middle schoolers surrounded them, one of the kids wore round specs, that boy cleared his throat. Aifang took her time, and stowed the flask away in her bag, then shot the bespectacled boy a level look - "yes?!!" She tried to come off indifferent, as she knew what kind of trouble boys this age spell.
This group specifically seemed like a gang of school bullies, or at least they looked so. Appearing disinterested and giving off an enigmatic air of "don't mess with me" was the safest choice to make. Adopting Siyang's signature poker face might scare them away. She struggled to keep this facade, she almost burst into laughter two seconds in, how does Siyang do that? A look of haughty disdain crossed the owlish boy's eyes, he sized up the pair, the proceeded to request for a match in the most snobbish way, picking Aifang as his competitor.
- "if I win your leather jacket is mine"
Aifang eyed her studded designer black leather jacket, she thought in herself - "ah ha, so that's what caught their interest" she blushed at the thought that she was parading her wealth, when it was not her intention even for single bit.
She looked over to Zhuo Yu for his opinion, he just shrugged indicating - "it's up to you"
Aifang thought if they had to wait around for all those obnoxious kids to clear the court, they would have to wait forever.
She cocked an eyebrow - "and what if I win?"
- "we'll do whatever you want" he said it so matter-of-factly as if his win was already secured.
She peered at their faces closely one by one, then released a chuckle - " I don't want anything, I just want to warm up today"
She retrieved her racket, gave it a couple of swings, her eyes twinkled with a slight tingle of anticipation, this challenge gave her such a buzz of excitement.
She drew herself upright, winked at Zhuo Yu conspiratorially
- "let's have some fun, shall we?"
She removed the prize for this challenge, her pricy leather jacket, revealing a plain white t-shirt, on it was a microscopic logo of another designer brand. The bespectacled boy nudged one of his friends, exclaiming in awe - "look, isn't that a Tommy Hilfiger tee, man he must be filthy rich"
Aifang was done stretching ahead of the game, she called over the boy - "hey, are we playing or not?" An impatient tone laced her voice.
- "COMING"

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The match began, and from the outset, it was as clear as day that
Aifang's skill and fluency were miles ahead of that boy's. He was unmistakably only a novice, judging from his amateurish playing style. Aifang cut this young boy some slack, by not exhibiting her full potential, he was barely keeping up with her even now.
The boy was well aware he couldn't beat her fair and square, as a result he brought into play a different method. He aimed to distract Aifang, and cause her to lose points.
- "I never asked you for your name, what's your name?" Aifang thwacked the ball back to him, without breaking a sweat. She appeared very relaxed, as if she could play this match with her eyes closed.
On the stark contrast the boy was in a horrible shape, sweat glazed his shiny forehead, he struggled to catch his breath, a noticeable tremor ran through his right arm. Nevertheless, quitting the match wasn't on his agenda today, it made Aifang admire the young boy's perseverance.
- "you didn't answer my question" he said brusquely.
- "less talking, more playing" Aifang replied.
He ignored what she said, launching one needless, irksome question after another - "how old are you?"
It was starting to become hard for Aifang to concentrate, she was getting bent out of shape by the second, but she still willed herself not to lose focus - "PIPE DOWN!!" She snapped.
A satisfied smile made it's way on his face, aware that he was getting under her skin.
- "is that how it is huh? I was gonna go easy on you, but I guess you want it the hard way"
She increased her speed, suddenly provoked into taking this match more seriously. And from that point onwards, her je ne sais quoi distinguished her near professional athletic prowess, from his amateurish style.
"WOW" one of the boys pulled out his phone, filming the match.
The boy was eaten by a sense of helplessness, his attempt to distract her only rendered her more focused, he realized that he was up against a unique opponent.
He could feel his lose deep in his bones, it dawned on him way too late, and there is no use shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted, that there was no other way out of this match, unless one of them won.
His sense of pride refuse to let Aifang take the win, he had find another way around this situation. He resorted to another dirty trick, to aim for her legs.
Aifang doubled over, clutching her right shin, she was muddle-headed, surely this hadn't been a mistake right?
- "Aifang, are you hurt?" Zhuo Yu crossed the court with wide strides, making his way to her, she stopped him with a motion of her hand - "I'm alright, I got this" he drew back, but not before fixing the boy with a suspicious glower.
Aifang got into position again, shouting - "PLAY FAIR" an advice he brushed off in an instance. Aifang counted two more attacks directed towards her legs, this was the last straw - "LISTEN TO ME, YPU EITHER PLAY FAIR, OR I'M OUT"
Aifang wasn't going to allow herself to be bullied by some thirteen year old anymore. The boy made a mistake he was about to regret presently, his next serve was aimed at her face, her swift reaction saved her from a bloody mess, the boy on the other hand, wasn't so fortunate.
Aifang had panicked and thwacked the ball back with extra force, and the outcome was bloody, quite literally. A pair of glasses got knocked down onto the ground, blood dripped down his hand, and along his forearm.
Aifang turned aghast at this horrific sight before her, she gingerly approached him to identify the source of the blood, confirming that it had come from his nose, she heaved a sigh of relief, for a moment she was dead scared she had blinded him by accident.
- "we should get you to the hospital.." She said in the smallest voice possible, not sure if he heard her at all, her voice got drowned out by a shrill shouting of some girl - "SONG YUANNN!!"
Aifang involuntarily flinched, the girl rushed over to him to check on him - "seriously Song Yuan!!! What happened now?"
She tugged his hand away from his nose, blood poured out in profusion, Aifang's stomach churned form the metallic scent of it.
Song Yuan pointed an accusing finger at Aifang - "yeah, sure I'll own up to my mistake, it was my fault" she spoke to the girl, whom she assumed was either the boy's sister or girlfriend, Aifang couldn't tell for sure, the girl was so short she'd pass as a thirteen year old.
The girl looked over her shoulders to Aifang, one glance at her guilt-ridden face was enough to silence any grumble that would've come out of the girl's mouth. It didn't stem from her realization that it wasn't an intentional act alone, but rather one look at Aifang's strikingly 'handsome' features made all words escape her, while her hungry eyes devoured Aifang's form.
Upon Aifang's observations, this girl was mighty short, even shorter than Liqin, whom Aifang always teased, calling her by the moniker of 'smurfette'
The girl stepped closer, and the height difference became more evident, her head was parallel to Aifang's shoulders - "now that's a true smurfette" Aifang thought.
- "I wish boys like you went to my school" the girl blurted out, exposing herself for falling for Aifang at first sight, if such a thing even existed.
Aifang felt uncomfortable, was this really the right time and place for this on top of the head confession, that came from a thirteen year old?
- "wait a sec" the girl peered closer at Aifang's face - "I think I know you"
- "how do you know me?"
- "you're Liu Aifang, aha you do go to my school, I'm a lucky gal"
- "wait, I thought you were thirteen?"
Thankfully the girl wasn't offended, she released a light laugh, brushing Aifang's arm - "you silly, I'm your senior"
Aifang rubbed the nape of her neck - "crap, I just offended my senior"
- "it's okay, I'll forgive you since you're cute" a blush creeped on Aifang's face.
- "Song Yan" one of the boy's companions called her - "I think we should take your brother to the hospital asap"
- "oh right" her hands flew to cover her mouth. Her brother whined, not being able to speak while the blood trickled still, lest it gets in his mouth.
Aifang tagged along behind them - "I'll pay for the hospital bill as an apology"
Song Yan's entire face brightened - "you're coming with us too, yay"

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I promise the next chapter is better than this.
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