Chapter Text
The sound of my breathing and the thud of the ball hitting the court is all I hear. My opponent stands at the other side of the court. She's panting as hard as I am, sweat running down her forehead and onto her eyelashes.
We're both exhausted.
It's the tie-breaker. I won the first set, she won the second. And now, the score is 9-8. If I win this point, if I get this serve in, I win. I smirk and a salty substance enters my mouth. My opponent also smirks. I spit out the sweat...she does as well. I squint, she does as well. I then realize that my opponent, is me.
Her eyes glow red and the court disappears beneath my feet. Suddenly, she's right in front of me, so close to touch. Her mouth pulls into an evil grin. She practically spits the words out when she forms them.
"Watch your back. You're gonna lose, friend." She-..I- cackles maniacally and a whirlpool of black smoke consumes me. It fills my lungs and I struggle to breathe. I grasp at nothing, my lungs aching for oxygen. I try to scream but my words are lost in the smoke and my reflection's cackling. The smokes blackens my vision and I try another attempt to cry for help. The only thing that emits from my throat is a pitiful whine.
And then I wake up.
I roll off the bed, my blanket getting tangled in my limbs as I thrash around. The sweat sticking my hair to my face and neck. I try to even my breaths when I discover that it was just a dream, the clips already fading away. I heave a large sigh and get up, looking at my alarm clock. The red light blares 5:37. I grumble and throw my blanket back on the bed. No use in going back to bed, I needed to get up in an hour anyways.
I walk to the bathroom and peel off my now-drenched shirt. I turn on the sink and just dip my head under the faucet. The cold water feels refreshing on my scalp and I feel almost reluctant to pull it back. Eventually, I do. I change into some jean shorts and put on a plain raglan shirt. It was unusually warm today considering that summer had just started a few weeks ago. The temperatures had risen above the 90's and even the 100's but today was a whopping 85 degrees.
Once summer started, I've only invested my time into improving my tennis game since I finally have break from school. Don't get me wrong, I still leave a slot in my schedule for my friends. The only difference is, while I'm outside in the scorching heat playing tennis, they're in the cool A/C dancing. I'm not dissing dance, I'm just saying that when they start to complain about the heat, they know I'm not the one to whine to.
I puff out some air into the mirror, smile, and walk out. I put on my shoes and grab my keys, phone and a small bag containing my running shoes, just in case. I rush out the door and the warm breeze hits my face. The trees sway in the wind as I rush down the stairs, skipping every other step. I throw open the car door and jump in, throwing the bag to the back seat, starting the car and driving out of the apartment complex.
Once I hit the highway, I realize how elated I am to see everyone. It's not unnatural but it's unexpected. I can only guess after having that kind of nightmare, I just need some people to be around. And my friends are those kind of people.
*~*
We were talking last night, about anything and everything. The week has been a little rough on all of us. My friends dancing instructor has been rough on their technique since they have a recital coming up that I've decided to attend. And my coach has been constantly breathing down my neck about my footwork. I, as well, have a big event coming up: a tennis tournament. A really important one might I add. I think we all needed a break and somehow, I had agreed into attending one of their practices.
So that's where I'm heading now. I was never the one for dancing. You would think that since I was tiny, thin and flexible, I would be able to conjure up a few dance moves, but you couldn't even trust me to not trip on thin air. I was always naturally clumsy and I could never dance without falling flat on my face a few times. So, that's when I've decided to take up sports and now, tennis holds a special place in my heart.
I smile as I drive up to the ballroom, hearing the loud music thump the against the building and shady figures moving in unison through the dusty window. Before I could step out of my car, arms wrap around me and I have to grip the door to maintain my balance.
The arms disappear from my waist and I look behind me. A tall brunette smiles widely and giggles, her eyes crinkling a bit. A boy stands behind her, smiling, his arms crossed and his black, wavy hair hangs low over his brow. "Marcus. Riley. When did y'all get here?"
" A little before you did," Marcus says, moving to stand besides Riley.
"Yeah. Marcus thought you weren't gonna show up and he got all sad," Riley states using a mocking tone. Marcus punches her in the arm.
"That was you, you jerk!" Riley only laughs harder as Marcus' face glows with an embarrassed blush.
"Okay okay, you two can fight about me later, but for now, let's head on in. I'm kinda interested to see what you guys have to offer." I say, smiling at them. Riley grins and skips ahead, her brown hair swaying behind her. Before I know it, Marcus has me in a head lock, "Alright, Squirt. Time to show you what Marcus Eric Reyes has in store." And with that, the three of us head into the ballroom.