Chapter 6- Sick?
It was a comfortably warm sunny September morning. Birds were chirping in the trees surrounding the Academy, and the sun was streaming through the open window. The sky was a heavenly shade of blue, with only a sole cloud to spot the horizon. My physical health was top-notch.
So what could my excuse for being miserable possibly be? Why was I going to call in sick today, when I was fine?
Technically speaking, I'm fine, but emotionally, I'm a wreck. I'm even more devastated than I would have been if the Academy rejected me, if you can even believe that.
Taking the phone in my room off of its cradle, I dialed the Academy's number. But as I reached the last digit, I didn't have the heart to lie to the headmaster on top of everything.
A chill swept through me, and I dryly wondered if I had caught a cold. I smoothed my hair back with a brush dejectedly. Why should I care about my appearance? I have no one to impress.
But, to avoid any further pain, I was determined to set out early today. I had to get some practice in, after all. I couldn't just win the singles title without lifting a racket, now could I?
As I hurried down the hallway at the fairly early hour of six, I met Mark. Carefully avoiding his eye, for I knew it was watching me, I went to the restaurant for a quick breakfast.
A cool breeze wafted into my face as I wandered slowly down the path. Why not take in such wonderful weather? No one was waiting for me. I had all the time in the world.
It was a terrific feeling to be free, to not be tied down by other people. As expected, the restaurant was deserted. The woman inside nodded as I sat down at a table close to the front.
"I see your flying solo today." She nodded, and I flinched. "So, what do you want?" She flipped open a small notebook. I blinked. I hadn't realized the restaurant had wait-in service.
"I didn't know the restaurant had waitresses and waiters." I told her, and she laughed.
"Only early in the morning and late at night for our night owls and early birds." She told me, grinning. I ended up ordering a bagel, and some orange juice. I wasn't in the mood for anything special.
"Luna, we've got two over here," A man in the front called, and Luna nodded, hurrying off towards the door. One of the chefs brought me out my juice, addressing me as "miss", which I found strange.
Rubbing my thumb on the glass, I caught a glimpse of my reflection. I looked miserable. My eyes were red from last night, and I looked tired. Why wouldn't I be?
After leaving the courts after Clay's performance for Emi, I had gone straight to my room. And as much as I hated myself for doing so, and for admitting it afterwards, I cried.
I cried for Clay, who had been sidestepped from his dreams, I cried for Emi, who had unintentionally screwed everything up.
But I cried for me most of all, not because I was being selfish, but because I had been so blind that I couldn't see what had happened. Not only had I been sidetracked from my dreams, but I was crushed by the fact that my partner liked Emi.
"…And she wasn't in her room this morning!" A voice yelped from the booth behind me, and I paled. Clay was sitting behind me. Luckily, I hadn't been spotted by him yet, since I wouldn't know what to say. "I'm a bit freaked out, but mostly I'm worried." He told whomever he was with.
My heart soared. Clay liked me enough to talk about me with people when he was worried about me. I grinned.
But that grin faded away moments later as I heard the reply. "Don't worry, Clay, I'm sure she's around." The reply said kindly. My heart sank as I recognized the speaker. It was Emi.
Luna brought me my bagel, and I thanked her quietly, hoping Clay wouldn't here my voice. I wondered sarcastically if he'd even recognize it.
"Clay, do you want anything else?" Luna inquired, scribbling down Emi's order.
"No, I need to find Ace right now." Clay replied sadly. Luna stared at him quizzically.
"Ace?" She repeated, easily confused, and she came back to my booth, making both Clay and Emi stand up to see where Luna had gone. "Ace, he's looking for you." She pointed at Clay, but I didn't look up from my bagel.
There was nowhere for me to hide from him. "Ace," Clay cried joyously. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Have I introduced you to Emi? She's my… Ace?"
I stood up, throwing down money for Luna. "You…you be quiet! She's your girlfriend, right?" Emi blinked, and she appeared to be on the verge of laughter.
"What?" Clay asked incredulously. "You've got this all wrong, Ace." I rolled my eyes, finally turning to face the two of them.
"I'm sure I do, Clay. Look, if she's more important than our goal for the Island Open, then fine. I'll find a new partner." I told him pointedly, and he was shocked to silence. An uncomfortable silence fell between us.
I was furious. Why, of all people, did Clay fall in love with Emi? She was perfect, and there was no way anyone could compete with her!
Emi broke the icy silence with her laughter. "Clay's not my boyfriend, Ace. He asked me once when we were little, 'cause we went to elementary school together before I moved, and he asked me to teach him some tennis. He was horrible, weren't you?" Emi laughed, ruffling Clay's hair.
Clay nodded empathetically. "Besides, Emi's with Roy, ain't she?" Clay teased, and Emi blushed a deep shade of red.
"None of your business." She replied, but it was easy to tell she liked him.
"So, you mean to tell me that Clay's not madly in love with you, and he's not picking a partnership with you?" I asked, not realizing I was thinking aloud.
Clay snorted. "Emi's totally ranks above us, Ace, and besides, I'm not in love with her. 'Childhood friends' and 'lovers' are two entirely separate terms." He reminded me. "I wouldn't trade out partnership for anything. We make a great team."
Emi smirked, and I knew what was coming. "Don't even say it, Emi." I warned her. But that made her smirk more, and Clay slapped his forehead. He muttered something incomprehensible under his breath.
"Clay and Ace, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Emi sang.
"Quit it!" Both Clay and I yelled at her. She smiled and continued. But, I was just so glad to be on Clay's side again, to see him as a friend, and not as the sole person I wanted to avoid, that I found it hard to argue with Emi. Clay and I were on the same side. I felt free, like I had earlier, but it wasn't people that had imprisoned me.
I had imprisoned myself by telling myself that Clay was I love with Emi, and by jumping to such conclusions. I regretted it now, but at least I learned where I stood with Clay.
"First comes love, and then comes marriage," Emi taunted. She knew all too well that she was pushing Clay's buttons.
His face was as red as Emi's had been when he had teased her about Roy, if not redder. "Emi!" He complained.
"And then comes Ace with the baby carriage!" She squealed, clapping her hands. "You two make a cute couple, and I would never rob Clay of that." She winked at me.
"You are so horrible to me, Emi!" Clay complained.
"Clay and I are friends, Emi. Just friends." I told her sternly. Emi raised her eyebrows as if to argue, but she decided for the better and didn't. Instead, she patted my shoulder.
"You say just friends, to quote Ace, but only for now. I have a feeling that it'll be progressing real soon." Emi told me, and I felt my face burn. Why was she torturing us?
"All students are to report to their training areas immediately." The headmaster's voice blared across the speakers. Luna came over to usher us out.
"Emi," She told her strictly. "You of all people need to get to practice on time. Kevin's not lenient with late breakers." She turned to us. "Clay, Ace, please make more of an effort, 'kay? Mark may be easygoing, but not all coaches are like that. Keep that in mind."
With a light heart, and my silver racket in hand, I led the way to the Juniors' Courts, to challenge Sylvia and Sasha for Rank two.
As expected, the two troublemakers were waiting by Mark. "Took your sweet time, you did." Sylvia grumbled. "I thought maybe you chickened out." She challenged.
"Oh, no." Clay assured her. "I was quite afraid it would be the opposite."
"Clear the court. We have a ranking match." Mark announced, leading the four of us to our respective sides. Holding the tennis ball firmly in my left hand, I readied my serve.
Clay turned to me, and he smiled softly, giving me a thumbs-up. It was reassuring, knowing he was there.
"Serve's up!" I cried, and I knew that whether we won or lost, there would always be another game, and Clay would always be there.
A/N: How was it? I'm afraid it came out a tad bit corny… Sighs Anyway, please R&R! KLS
