I love all of you for reviewing and reading my story! You guys are the best. Hope you like this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis, obviously, but I do own any characters I make.

Chapter Three

He's Always on My Mind

Ayumi went home right away after school. She was thinking about her talk with Kazumi about Ryoma. She sighed as she took some chips out to eat. She sat down in front of the computer and logged on. She was slightly glad Kazumi was on. Part of her didn't want to talk to her only because she might start talking about Ryoma. Ayumi looked at the message Kazumi sent to her and it said, "Call me. It's important."

Ayumi sighed as she dialed Kazumi's number. "Hey Kazumi," Ayumi greeted her when she heard her friend pick up the phone.

"Hey Ayumi," Kazumi said from the other side of the line. "We really need to talk about your feelings about Ryoma."

Ayumi sighed and made an angry face as she took some chips to put in her mouth. She realized Kazumi couldn't see her angry face so she spoke in an irritated voice. "Kazumi, can we not talk about it?"

Ayumi sensed her friend's impatience. Kazumi spoke in an attitude filled tone, "Holding things in aren't healthy you know?"

Ayumi sighed, "Okay, fine, fine maybe I do have the slightest feelings for him."

"That's not it."

Ayumi sighed, "Man, okay I like him, a lot. I never knew I would feel this way! He's always on my mind. I just can't stop thinking of him. Damn it, I hate how you always pull the truth out of me, you and your stupid tones of voices."

Kazumi laughed, "I'm right! Well got to go. Parents are home."

Ryoma was sitting in his desk listening to his friends while resting his head on his hand. It was the beginning of class and Ryoma was listening to the usual yelling of Tomo, the stammering of Sakuno and the boasting of Horio. He didn't really listen at first until Horio said something that caught his attention.

"Hey, you know that Ayumi girl? Well, I heard she likes Ryoma here," he said with a sly smile, "Echizen you're attracting so many girls, eh?"

Tomo didn't seem pleased with the news, "I don't approve of her! Ryoma don't lead her the wrong way. It would be best if you ignore her."

Horio rolled his eyes, "You just don't like her because she hangs out with Ryoma sometimes and her and her friend always tell you off."

Right at the moment Ayumi was listening, "Hey, who said I had a crush on Ryoma?" Kazumi came next to her who had the same expression as her friend. They didn't look very happy.

Tomo put her hand on her hips, "Well, do you like Ryoma?"

Ayumi couldn't believe this was happening. She only talked about how Ryoma was on her mind to Kazumi. Ayumi rolled her eyes, "Where did you hear that from?"

Tomo stood up straight and pointed to Horio. Ayumi took a step closer to Horio, "And where did you hear that from?" Horio looked scared and closed his eyes, "I just guessed! It seemed like you liked him. Don't hurt me!"

Kazumi laughed along with the other students who were watching. Ryoma decided to speak up, "So, we like to know Ayumi. Do you like me?" Ayumi looked over at Ryoma and saw a smirk on his face. He was enjoying this.

Ayumi glared at him, "You would like for me to like you, huh Ryoma?" Ryoma shook his head, "You're mistaking me for Horio. He would love for someone to finally have a crush on him."

Horio jumped up, "What did you say Echizen? That's not true!"

Ayumi laughed, "Well, Ryoma seems to be right."

Ryoma looked over at Ayumi, "You still didn't answer my question. Do you like me?"

Ayumi rolled her eyes, "As a friend and nothing more." She turned around to walk to her seat with Kazumi following her.

Once they sat down Kazumi stared at her friend, "Why didn't you admit it?"

Ayumi turned around, "There were people around and I think I changed my feelings about him."

Kazumi continued glaring at her friend, "I think I know you better than anyone else. I can always tell when you like someone so just admit it already! Well, admit again since you told me last night."

Ayumi looked around, "Can you keep quiet? Yes, I do like him and I never changed my mind since last night but damn it, he wouldn't care!"

Kazumi smiled in triumphant, "Now that you admitted it to yourself, again, it's time to admit it to him."

Ayumi shook her head, "I'll admit it when he admits he likes me. He doesn't like me so I won't admit it, ever! I'm not risking the chance of getting hurt…again."

Kazumi's expression softened, "You need to get over him."

Ayumi blinked back tears, "A year and half we were together. Even though it was on and off he was my first love. I am over him, trust me, but he will never go away."

Kazumi nodded her head, "I know you're over him and I'm proud of you but there will always be a chance of getting hurt. Before you never really cared about getting hurt instead you would always go after the guy you wanted."

Ayumi smiled, "I know but it's different with Ryoma. I have such strong feelings about him but the only thing he has strong feelings for is tennis."

Kazumi nodded then class began. Ayumi couldn't help but think of Ryoma again. He was always on her mind. She pretended to listen to the teacher when really she was thinking of how she could possibly get Ryoma to like her. Ayumi sighed knowing it was impossible but she couldn't help but think of him.

Class began and Ryoma was staring out into space. He was bored and he thought about the incident earlier. Ayumi said she didn't like him but he had a feeling she was lying. Ryoma felt another feeling. It was strange and he never felt it before. He looked in the front of the class in the third row where Ayumi was sitting. Her semi-long black hair with its red high lights flowed down her back. Ryoma admitted she was pretty. He wasn't sure if he liked her. He didn't even know how you could tell if you liked someone or not. Was it the strange feeling he was starting to feel? Was that feeling the feeling you felt when you like someone? The feeling was so foreign to him and he didn't know what to do. Ryoma was new to all of this and didn't know who to ask for advice about it.

Ryoma walked over to the tennis courts for his practice. Ryoma looked up and saw his captain.

Tezuka looked up, "Ryoma practice will be delayed for awhile. Some guys have been chosen to referee the girls' intra-school ranking tournament. You may go watch if you want. The others have already left."

Ryoma nodded as he turned to walk back to the girls' tennis courts. He spotted Ayumi and Kazumi looking at the schedule for their matches. "Hey, Ayumi, Kazumi what block are you guys in?"

Ayumi turned around and saw Ryoma, "We're both in the B block."

Kazumi smiled, "There's one other regular but we can beat her."

Ryoma smiled, "Looks like I'll be able to see you two play each other." Kazumi smiled, "Ayumi will win."

Ayumi smiled back at her friend, "I'm not so sure but I have to go. I have my first match." Kazumi nodded, "I do too. See you later Ryoma."

Ayumi walked into the court. She was honestly nervous as she faced her opponent. She was in her second year and her name was Sora. After they shook hands Ayumi turned to see who was watching and saw some girls and Ryoma who was with Momo. It made her feel nervous but at the same time she had the urge to impress him.

It was Ayumi's serve. She took a deep breath as she threw the ball up. As she swung she let her breath out and rushed forward to get ready for the return. She didn't need to because Sora couldn't return it. Yes, Ayumi thought.

Ryoma's eyes widened, "Momo, she's really good."

Momo nodded her head, "That serve was really fast!" The rest of the game went by pretty fast which was mostly full of Ayumi having service aces and return aces.

"Game and set to Ayumi. Six games to love! Ayumi wins."

Ayumi shook hands with Sora.

Sora smiled, "Everyone knew you and your friend would make it. Congratulations."

Ayumi smiled, "Thanks." She left the court and walked towards Ryoma and Momo, "So what do you think?"

Momo smiled, "You were great! What's your style though? I didn't see any special moves."

Ayumi smiled, "I didn't feel challenged enough to use some of my moves. Let's go see Kazumi and her match."

As soon as they turned around Kazumi was standing in front of them, "No need. I won six games to love."

Ayumi high-fived her friend, "We're doing great so far." Kazumi nodded as she looked towards a match which has taken place in the court Ayumi was in.

Momo seemed excited, "So when's your next match?"

Ayumi sighed, "I'm facing the only regular in our block. I feel kind of nervous."

Kazumi smiled, "At least I don't have a match. I get to watch you play that regular." Ayumi nodded as she walked to the court where she would play her next opponent.

Ayumi faced her opponent and shook hands with her. Her name was Rika.

Rika looked down to Ayumi since she was taller, "I don't care what people say about you and your friend making it to the regulars but I'll make sure one of you won't get in and I will. Besides you guys are just freshmen."

She turned around to walk to her spot. Ayumi looked at her with disgust. Just a freshman? Ayumi thought in rage. Ryoma is a freshman and he made it in the regulars for the boys' team, Ayumi thought as she turned to walk to the baseline. Rika wasn't the best on the regular's team and she made it in by luck. She got extremely cocky when she made it. She was nice at first but became all stuck up.

Ayumi turned to walk to her spot getting ready to receive Rika's serve. Ayumi hit the ball easily and dashed for the net. Rika saw this and hit it high up behind her, "Too bad Ayumi! You need to grow more!"

Ayumi didn't focus on any of Rika's taunts as she rushed to the back and hit the ball back to Rika. Rika smirked as she did a drop shot. Damn it, Ayumi thought as she ran as fast as she could. She was able to hit it behind Rika. This allowed Ayumi time to back up and get ready. Perfect, Ayumi thought as Rika hit the ball back. Ayumi hit the ball but when it landed on the other side it didn't bounce back up but curved downward then back up creating a shape of a stretched "U."

Rika stared at the ball in shock, "That was pure luck!"

Ayumi rolled her eyes at her ignorance as she walked back to get ready to receive the next serve.

Ryoma had to blink his eyes several times to make sure he saw what he saw. Ayumi was really good.

About twenty minutes passed and the game was over.

"Game and set to Ayumi! Six games to three! Ayumi wins."

Ayumi walked up to shake hands with Rika but Rika walked away. So much for sportsmanship, Ayumi thought.

Momo rushed towards Ayumi, "What's that shot called? The one that curved?"

Kazumi walked next to Momo, "I call it smiley face but if you're the one receiving it, it's a frowning face. Get it? If you're the one who hits it you will most likely get a point so the one who hits it sees it as a smiley but the receiver can't return it so he sees it as a frowning face."

Momo laughed, "That's brilliant!"

Ryoma smirked, "You're not average after all, are you?"

Ayumi smiled, "Guess not."

It was the end of the tournament for the day. Ryoma didn't see the rest of her matches because he had his own practice. Ayumi was happy he got to see her play the stuck up regular though. She fell on her bead with exhaustion. Tomorrow's match would be against Kazumi. She knew her special moves but Kazumi also knew Ayumi's special moves. Ayumi knew it would be a tough match. She was the one who got Kazumi into tennis and even helped her get better.

Ayumi decided to go to bed early in preparation for her match. She was scheduled to play Kazumi in the afternoon. Kazumi also played the stuck up regular today. She won six games to four. Ayumi knew how to counter all of Kazumi's moves but she also knows how to counter Ayumi's moves. It was going to be a great match.

Kazumi was excited once it reached tennis practice on the afternoon. It was her turn to play Ayumi.

"Hey, Ayumi!" Ayumi turned to her friend, "Hey, can you believe we're definitely going to become regulars?"

Kazumi jumped up and down, "No, I'm still in shock but don't take our match lightly." Ayumi nodded, "Of course I won't."

Momo sneaked up behind Ayumi and scared her. This was a bad idea. Ayumi was startled but punched Momo right in the gut, "Momo, I'm sorry! Never, ever do that."

Ryoma caught up with them, "Momo got beat up by a girl." Momo shook his head, "It didn't even hurt."

Ryoma smirked, "You look like you're in pain."

Momo looked up, "Okay it did hurt. Ayumi you're really strong."

Ayumi apologized again, "Ryoma, guess what? Kazumi and I are definitely in the regulars!"

Ryoma smiled, "Good but I still want to see your match against Kazumi."

Ayumi and Kazumi nodded then walked inside the court. They have always played but they never played seriously.

Kazumi walked to the baseline for her serve. I can't wait to show Ayumi how fast my serve has gotten, Kazumi thought as she threw the ball up.

Ayumi was bouncing lightly while she prepared herself for Kazumi's serve. Ayumi swung back her racquet but the ball passed her before she was able to hit it. Kazumi's serve is much faster than before, Ayumi thought.

Ayumi prepared herself for the next serve and was able to hit it. Ryoma stared in amazement at the rally that was taking place. He couldn't help but stare at Ayumi as she moved somewhat gracefully to hit the ball. He shook his head lightly trying to shake the thoughts off.

"Ryoma, it seems you are feeling something strange, something you never felt before."

Ryoma turned his head to see Fuji smiling but he was looking at Ayumi's and Kazumi's match. Ryoma looked at him, "By strange, exactly what do you mean?"

Fuji smiled, "Do you find yourself thinking about someone often now? Or maybe you realize that you stare at a certain someone for awhile. While all of this happens do you have a strange feeling, something that you just can't describe?"

Ryoma looked up at Fuji's smile and his eyes were now open, "How did you know?"

Fuji finally took his eyes off the match and closed his eyes again, "I just notice these things."

Ryoma turned to look at the match, "What is that feeling? I've never felt it before."

Fuji continued smiling, "Ryoma, you're growing up more than you realize."

Ryoma was honestly confused, "You mean because of all that milk Inui is making me drink?"

Fuji laughed softly, "No, Ryoma, I mean you're starting to experience strong feelings for someone."

Ryoma looked over and saw Ayumi running to get the ball. Was it possible? Did Ryoma really have feelings for someone for the first time?

"Game to Kazumi. Switch courts."

Kazumi was able to keep her service game. It did last awhile. Ayumi was able to keep her service game also. It was now Kazumi's serve and Ayumi decided it was time they step up their game. Ayumi hit her smiley face ball but for Kazumi it will be a sad face.

She's hitting the ball that makes a face. Okay, I'll hit it before it bounces. Only lightly though because of the amount of spin Ayumi puts on it, Kazumi thought as she rushed forward to hit the ball before it bounced. When the ball made contact with her racquet it went up a little but it went straight towards the left of Kazumi. She increased the spin she adds to it, Kazumi thought as she looked at the ball in amazement. Ayumi was able to break Kazumi's serve and it was now two games to one with Ayumi in the lead.

Ryoma was deep in thought during their match. He looked at Ayumi's technique. She wasn't bad at tennis but she was good. Ryoma smirked, I bet I could beat her, he thought as he continued watching.

The match ended and Ryoma didn't notice because he was too busy thinking about his new feelings.

"Game and set to Ayumi! Seven games to six. Ayumi wins."

The day after the intra-school tournament ended Ayumi was happy yet exhausted. Kazumi slept over again last night and they didn't sleep much. Ayumi said good-bye to her friend for her math class. They were in different classes for math.

Kazumi sat down next to the window. She hated math.

"Okay everyone, I will assign you a partner so you can finish this lesson and learn it once and for all," the teacher said as he entered the room. It turned out Kazumi was partnered with Ryoma. She saw a disapproving look from Tomo but ignored her as Ryoma came over to sit next to Kazumi. Kazumi decided to have some fun and ask Ryoma some questions. She knew the lesson once Ayumi taught it to her.

"Hey, Ryoma, I noticed something lately. You've been staring at Ayumi lately," Kazumi said with a smile but she was just playing around.

Ryoma didn't know she wasn't serious, "Fuji told you?"

Kazumi looked up in shock, "I was right? I was only kidding!"

Ryoma lowered his head, "Yeah, I guess I like her."

Kazumi opened her mouth in shock. Ryoma said it softly but Kazumi was able to catch what he said. Kazumi leaned a little closer so no one would hear them, "Tell her because you know she likes you."

Ryoma shook his head, "I won't."

Kazumi's face became confused, "Why not?"

Ryoma looked down, "I have better things to focus on, like tennis. I don't want to have any commitments what so ever or even anything to do with Ayumi no matter how much I like her."

What do you think? I didn't want to go in depth of Kazumi's and Ayumi's match because it isn't the main part of this story or chapter. I did include some though and I don't think I'm very good in tennis parts of a story. What do you think? Tell me in your reviews! You know I rewrote this chapter 5 times? Well, I feel better now that I've changed it. Remember I LOVE to hear what you think.