Summary: Bella is forced to take tennis lessons, but when Edward sees the tennis coach, things take an unsuspected turn…
Bella's State: Human
POV: Bella
Tennis"Honey, you have to do something! Charlie told me that you have just been sitting around." Renee enquired. I knew Charlie also had told her that I have just been "sitting around" with Edward, and that was what she really was concerned about. "So, I took the liberty and asked Charlie to sign you up for tennis." She said the words and I just froze. The phone fell from my hand. I heard my mom yelling something through the phone.
"What's wrong?" Charlie asked with a mouthful of the spaghetti we were having for dinner. I stood there in silence, picking up the phone and putting it back on the receiver. I took a small, shivering breath before I looked at him straight in the eyes.
"I can't believe you!" I screamed, totally abandoning my plans of seeming calm, "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ARE MAKING ME TAKE TENNIS!" I swear, my scream shook the house.
"Whoa." Charlie looked a little scared. He got up and was now stepping backward. "You know when your mom says something, it's law."
"I don't care what she says, I am not going to take that class." I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest.
"But you have to." He said in an overly confident voice. Wow, I never knew Charlie could be so fatherly.
"No I don't." I said simply.
"Yes you do, and that is the end of it." He said and went to pick up his dish. He went to the sink and started scrubbing, signaling that the conversation was over. I walked back to my room, stomping as loudly as I could.
Once I got to my room, I turned on the lights to see Edward, which wasn't a surprise.
"So tennis…?" He smirked. He was sitting in my rocking chair, rocking back and forth.
"I don't want to talk about it." I said icily. I plopped down on my bed and laid back, trying to find a loophole out of this hell.
"Tennis will be fun!" Edward said in a sarcastic tone. I felt his cool arms encircle my waist.
"No it won't." I whined and sat up, leaning against Edward.
"I will sit and watch you, making sure you will not fall." He whispered an encouragement into my ear.
I whined again, which made Edward look down at me.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"You are going to see me look like an idiot." I put my hands over my eyes, shaking my head.
"Do you honestly think I care what you look like?" He asked, "I just want to make sure you don't injure yourself too badly." He chuckled and I groaned. Why? Why did my parents have to punish me with such a cruel and unusual punishment?
---0---
In the morning, I felt Edward shaking me, telling me to wake up.
"Tennis practice!" He smiled and I groaned loudly. I got up and got my toiletries before heading toward the bathroom. When I came out, I heard Edward laugh hysterically.
"Charlie wanted me to wear it." I said, scowling at him. I was wearing a small white skirt that flared out at the bottom and a white shirt that was skintight. Not what I call a comfortable outfit.
"You look darling." Edward said. He kissed me on the cheek. "Now eat quickly. I heard Charlie thinking and he said it was a private lesson, so at least not many people can see you." He offered, trying to lift my mood. It didn't.
I ate and then Edward drove me to the small park that was near school. I had found out that he had bought me a racket and a few balls, and I was so grateful. As we were getting out of the car, I saw a man hitting a tennis ball at a wall.
"That must be him." Edward chuckled quietly. "I'm going to go sit over there," He pointed to the benches near by, "I'll see you later." And then he left me. I felt my stomach drop as the nervousness started flooding in. I was wearing a ridiculous outfit and this guy looked like a pro.
"Aww, you must be Bella." He said as I walked into the fenced area of the tennis courts. I nodded shyly. "I have known Charlie for a long time and he has always talked about you. It is nice to finally meet you." I had never heard Charlie talk about this guy, but whoever he was, he was a bit young to be one of his friends. He looked sixteen!
"I'm Jack, Jack Penta." He finally said. I nodded awkwardly, noticing I hadn't said a word this whole time. "So I know you are a beginner, so we will start with the basics. What is good is that you brought your own racket." He complemented. "Now put your hand like this." He took my hand and placed it on handle. I struggled to keep my hand in the position. He kept pushing it back into place, and in the corner of my eye, I saw Edward fidgeting in his seat. He didn't like other people touching me. I smiled slightly, but then quickly put a serious face on, trying to look as if I was trying hard with this grip thing.
Finally, I got my grip on well enough to hit the ball. Jack went to the other side and threw a ball at me. I swung and missed, and then, to my embarrassment, I fell. I gave Jack a wry smile before getting up.
"Okay, just keep your eye on the ball." He yelled from the other side. He threw the ball again, and again, I missed it. But at least this time, I didn't fall. I mentally patted myself on the back for keeping my balance.
"Let me show you how to hit." He said. He ran to my side and stood behind me. He took my hand and put it on the racket. "Now you swing like this." He said and started rocking our bodies.
And before I knew it, Edward was at our side.
"Bella, we are leaving." He said in a strained voice. He then took my hand and pulled me out from Jack's grip. As we were running away, I looked back at poor Jack. He didn't know what hit him.
"I can't believe him, touching you like that…" Edward whispered to himself as he pulled out of the parking lot and sped toward his house.
"He was just teaching me." I offered, looking at him. His hands were clenched on the steering wheel and his jaw was clenched.
"He thought…he thought…" Edward struggled for words, "He was too young." He finally ended up saying, and I giggled a little at how protective he could be.
Once we got to his house, he sat in the car, not getting out. I motioned to get out, but he stopped me with his hand.
"No, just wait." He said in a calm voice. He had his head laid back and his eyes were closed.
"What…?" I started to say, but I could see Edward was going to explain.
"I am never letting you do another sport in your life. I am never letting you be near another man, other than my family and Charlie." He stated. I smiled, seeing that he was in pain.
"Don't worry, I am all yours." I reassured him.