New story. Thanks for clicking on this despite my horrible ability to write summaries It says Eiji is the love interest but I honestly haven't figured out who will be so it may change.
Ch. 1
A small sigh left my lips as I look around the abandoned tennis courts.
Everyone had finished practice and had headed in to change only I was left. I didn't play the sport only made observations and helped them advance; in reality I hated the sport because it turned my best friend into a monster. Well I should say him but his father turned him into what he was now. Most people wouldn't be as angry just sympathetic but in a strange way I really loved my best friend and would do anything for him.
The wind began to blow and I had to hold onto the papers on my clipboard so that they wouldn't fly away. On them they had mostly the tennis player's information and the strategies of how their plays could get better but on the last page hidden by the rest of the stack lay one paper I dreaded more than anything in the world.
My transfer paper.
My father had just gotten a job promotion and lucky me it was all the way in Japan. Don't get me wrong it sounds like a lovely country it's just I wasn't ready for change or the emotion space between my best friend and I. We had been together since we were children or as my dad like's to say since we were in diapers.
Inseparable ever since I tried to knock him out without a soccer ball for saying soccer was lame. Ha what an interesting day he then threatened to knock me out with him racket but seeing as we were only four we ended up best friends after.
We had started as only idiotic friends fighting over ever thing. He was stubborn but happy and I was just as bad. Soon I began to unknowingly fall for him.
His stupid way of pushing things away he didn't like or how if he was wrong he would make up a distraction and try to avoid saying that he was wrong. I was still head over heels with him even after he became obsessed with what turned his dad into a beast.
Being away from him ripped my soul in two but he didn't seem to notice the way I would indirectly mess with him or stare at him without realizing it even though ever one else seemed to.
I sighed and let my toe draw small circles around the dirt that lay forming on the courts. I was waiting for Mr. Baker to come out for his office so he could sign these since I was technically under contract even though I was paid under the table and he said I could leave at any point in time.
He was a man of business and didn't let anything get in his way but usually I wasn't this shy. Maybe it was the fact that I knew he was going to tell the guys that I was leaving. I hadn't had the guts to tell them yet. I knew they would freak out, well most of them and it was hard enough to leave now but they would probably cry and make me feel guilty about what I had to do.
I inwardly slapped my forehead I was never afraid to speak my mind or tell my friends anything before so why was I now? I was so deep in thought I didn't notice Mr. Baker Striding towards me with a small smile on his face it wasn't until he poked me in the forehead I realized it.
I stumbled backwards and looked up giving him a strained smile. It seemed he could tell though but didn't bother inquiring.
"Mr. Baker I have something I need you to sign" I said holding out my clipboard with my contract nullification on it. He looked shocked for a moment before looking up at me,
"Ariel is this some sort of a joke?" I shook my head and then let it fall to my chest.
"My dad got a promotion and it's all the way in Japan. There's no way I could stay here even if I wanted to" I said solemnly.
"Well were going to miss you but family is family. I wish you luck where ever you go" he said waving his hand dismissively as though it was nothing. It almost hurt to know that he didn't really care but why should he we never were close or even talked. I only talked to his 'students.'
I sighed and took my clipboard back from him pocketing it in my satchel. Soon after he left and Kevin exited the changing rooms, I felt a tear slip down my cheek and I wiped it away and told myself not to cry. If I was going to do I was only going to do it once.
XOXO
"Com'on mermaid let's go" Kevin barked as I stayed frozen to the spot. The teacher had just asked me in front of the whole class, if I was going to miss the class. Everyone was confused especially Kevin but don't worry the teacher proceeded to tell the whole class just why he had said it. Notice the sarcasm?
Kevin seemed pretty upset I mean, I wonder how you would feel finding out your best friend was leaving in less than three days and hadn't told you.
I would be pissed but Kevin tried to pass it off. You could tell by his attitude he was mad though. I just wish he could've found out from me instead of our loud mouth teacher.
"Don't call me that Blondie" I mumbled without energy. I felt bad not telling him and the stress all the other kids were putting on me. It was like all of them wanted to be my friend now since I was leaving. Stupid middle schoolers I wasn't even supposed to be in their class that day.
Kevin was 12 while I was 14 not a big difference but still a difference.
We made it to the court to see everyone waiting around Mr. Baker. They all seemed pretty upset and I hoped to god it wasn't because of what I thought.
As we came closer they heard our footsteps and their heads all shot up. They all started asking questions at once and I only got bits of each question. I held up my hand and almost instantly silenced them. I would've laughed and made a joke about them being so obedient if I wasn't so upset. People kept telling my business. It's my business if I wanted it out on the streets I would've told them.
"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner guys but I didn't want to distract you from your training. My father got a job promotion and we are relocating to Japan" I said sighing. I almost felt the energy radiating off of Kevin as he asked, "What Japan, where Ryoma Echizen is."
I nodded my head solemnly. I had a feeling it was going to come to this, he was going to ask a million questions and make me all depressed because my best friend cared more about his rival than me.
"Wait why can't you just stay with one of us" I heard Terry ask.
"Do you honestly have the money to afford feeding another mouth" I asked shaking my head in disbelief. No one answered and I took that as a no.
"We could've spent more time with you mermaid" Billy said slapping me on the back. I grimaced as I knew my skin would be red there tomorrow.
"Well you could always send me letters" I said shrugging my shoulders.
"Yep com'on let's go celebrate" Billy said cheering. A small cough was heard and we looked back to see Mr. Baker's disapproving gaze.
"You need to practice not fool around" he said sternly turning on heel and walking away knowing that we wouldn't disobey him. He helped most of them and they owed it to him as they believed.
XOXO
It was the day of parting. I was sitting with my legs crossed in the terminal waiting for my dad. He had suggested that we leave at different times because he had more to pack. My mother was already there fixing up the house and buying furniture so all we had to do was bring our clothes and ourselves.
I was dead tired of the mood that had settled over my friends and I lately. The first day was all basically all partying and spend time together but now they were beginning to act sad and moody.
They were going to make me cry today I just knew it. It was bad enough that Kevin had been obsessing about Ryoma more than usual lately because I was going to be living "near" him apparently. I swear that kids a freaking stalker.
I heard loud laughter and a couple people joking around but didn't bother looking. Mr. Baker wouldn't let them off just to say goodbye to me.
I was proven wrong as a felt a hard slap on my back.
"Billy" I whined, "stop injuring me"
"Well you're going to be gone for who knows how long, I just want to make sure I get my beatings in for all the birthdays I'm going to miss" he said grinning.
I just pouted and looked around to see the rest of my "team" and an unfamiliar face.
Apparently I was staring because I heard a small chuckle from beside me.
"She's our new consultant" Terry said laughing. I frowned, I had been replaced… and so soon. I thought I was at least somewhat special to them. I was more fun wasn't I? All she did was hide behind Kevin holding onto his sleeve as he blushed slightly…
WAIT! WHAT?
If I did that he would've thrown me off and yelled at me for being clingy. He would've hit my head and called me unprofessional and then ignored me for the rest of the day, but here this new girl is already becoming buddy, buddy with him.
Now that I looked at it she was probably better for them. She had sandy blonde hair, blue eyes that reminded me of the ocean and was probably a tennis player judging by her form.
Me I had auburn colored hair and blue eyes color, I was a soccer player and a dancer… I wore clothes from hot topic and forever 21 while she wore business clothes and sweats.
I was no match for her, I was ordinary…
I felt my eyes water up at the fact that I was being replaced but they were mistaken as tears for the reason that I was leaving them. Instead it was like they were leaving me…
I was unneeded her and I didn't need anyone to tell me.
I got my last hugs murmuring a goodbye to Kevin not even bothering to hug him and grabbed my bags leaving towards the plane knowing my father was already there.
