Chapter 8- Happy Face

Well, here I am, sitting across from the man of my dreams, but yet, I am probably the most miserable girl alive. The scene with Paula played over and over in my mind. Just a few weeks ago, I would have given anything to be here, at the Royal Tennis Academy, with a chance to play in the Island Open and beyond. But now, I would give just about anything to leave.

If Clay noticed that I was unnaturally quiet, he made no mention of it until the end of our almost silent lunch together. I tried my best to hide my silence be drinking my soda or eating my sandwich at any point where I could have inputted my voice.

"So, Ace, we're still going after Rank one, right?" Clay inquired, stealing one of my French fries. I nodded. I knew that if I spoke, the whole incident with Paula would come pouring out, and I knew he would fall for her as soon as he knew she had feelings for him. Clay raised his eyebrows. "Are you okay? You've been really quiet, and it's unlike you." He set his hand on mine, which was sitting rigidly on the table.

I froze. What should I say? What should I do? My mind was blank, even of my jealousy of Paula. I shoved my sandwich in my mouth with the hand Clay wasn't holding. I had to tell him I was fine. As untruthful as that may be, and how I hate to lie to him, I couldn't give him any reason to favor Paula. If I seemed weak, he would like someone strong like Paula. For my sake as well as Clay's, I needed to put on a happy face. As soon as Clay even began to consider Paula, my case was lost. I couldn't compete with her, period.

I pasted on a smile, wondering if Clay could see through it as easily as I could. He cocked his head to the left slightly. "I-I'm fine Clay. I'm just really hungry, you know?"

Clay smiled, seeming to be relieved. "Well, if you say so." He sounded somewhat unconvinced, but if he wasn't sure, he didn't push it.

"I'm so excited. In an hour, we could be Seniors." I told him, babbling on like I normally did. Clay nodded.

"It's weird, to think that a week ago, we were the newbies, and now, here we are readying to be Seniors." Clay agreed. Luna, the waitress, came over.

"Hi Clay, hey Ace." She greeted us warmly. "Can I ask you guys some advice?" Clay nodded, and Luna continued. "Well," She seemed embarrassed. "You see, there is someone I like and I don't know what to tell them." She muttered. Clay frowned.

"I'm not a good person to ask." I told Luna sympathetically. "I have enough trouble with my own love life." I chanced a look at Clay. Did he catch my hint? He hadn't, because he was frowning and rubbing his chin.

"Well, maybe you should tell this person how you feel. Or maybe drop hints." Clay suggested. "I guess I've never really been in that situation before." I wasn't sure whether or not I should be crestfallen by his comment. He didn't like Paula, or anybody else, but he didn't like me the way I liked him either.

Luna looked up, almost confused. "But aren't you two a couple? How did you guys tell each other?" She asked. Clay jumped up.

"Just because Ace and I hang out a lot, does that mean I have to fall in love with her?" He spat angrily, looking from the shocked Luna to the silent me, keeping my eyes on the table. "Right, Ace?" Clay turned to me for reinforcements.

I said nothing, but instead simply nodded. It was the best I could manage. Clay suddenly frowned. "Forget it, both of you. Ace, tell Luna here that we aren't a couple, and make it convincing to prove to Sasha and Sylvia we're capable of that." He stormed out of the restaurant, pushing past anyone unfortunate enough to be in his way. Luna turned to me.

"Whoa, talk about sensitive." Luna grumbled, before getting up and disappearing into the kitchen, leaving me alone at the table. What was the point in staying here?

Getting up, something caught the corner of my eye. Where Clay had been seated moments before, was a worn, brown wallet. I gingerly lifted it, and cradled it in my hands.

Could I open it and see what was inside? I'm known for being nosy, but something stopped me. It was Clay's, not mine. I had no right to look through it, no matter how much I wanted to.

Grasping it tightly, I dodged through the Junior crowd and began to search for Clay. The first place I checked was back at the Junior Courts. Mark was there.

"No, Ace, I haven't seen Clay since before lunch break. Maybe he went to go train." Mark suggested when I told him I was looking for Clay. Having no better ideas, I hurried to the Training Center. He wasn't in either of the training rooms.

Leaving the Training Building, I sat on a green bench by the entrance to the Varsity court. Where could Clay have gone? He wouldn't have been allowed in Senior or Varsity courts, and I didn't think the Lodge was open during practice hours. At the moment, though, it appeared to be my best bet, and I set off in that direction.

At the Lodge, I hurried down the hallway to where the woman at the front desk said Clay's room was. It was room number one hundred, on the third floor.

Licking my lips nervously, I knocked on the door. There was a shuffling noise in the room, and Clay appeared. "Ace." He said, shocked. "W-what are you doing here?" His voice was anxious.

"Your wallet, Clay. You left it in the restaurant." I told him in a barely audible voice. Clay didn't seem relieved at all. "I didn't look in it, if that's what you're worried about. If you wanted me to see, you would have shown me yourself." I told Clay confidently.

"Thanks Ace. But, aren't you mad at me? I know I kind of turned on you at the restaurant." He apologized. "It's just; I get so frustrated when people don't know the truth. Is there a problem with us being friends?" He wondered aloud.

Taking my hand, Clay continued. "People just jump to conclusions, you know?" He muttered darkly, frowning.

"Well, look at this." Came a voice from behind me. I froze. It was Sasha. "Holding hands, like the cute little couple you two are. There's no Mark to stand up for you here."

Clay looked down to my hand, which he was still holding. "Shut up, Sasha. Nobody asked you."

"Go away, Sasha." I supplied. Rolling her eyes, Sasha continued down the hallway. Clay was still holding my hand. "She is so mean." I complained.

"Agreed. Hey, we have a Rank one to capture." Finally releasing my hand, Clay led me downstairs and towards the Junior courts. I followed closely behind him.

Even though Paula was still as big of a danger as ever to me, and as much of a rival as ever, I felt strangely comfortable. I patted my own hand, the one Clay had held so gingerly.

It had to be the most romantic event that had ever happened to me, but that didn't matter. At the moment, all that mattered right now was the fact that Clay still valued me, and I was still in the competition.

"Kyle, Chris," Clay called to the two boys hanging out by the court used for all ranking matches.

"'Bout time you two losers showed up." Chris sneered, and Kyle nodded.

"It doesn't matter. We're going to beat you into the ground." Kyle told us confidently, punching the palm of his hand.

"Worse than Coach Harry worked poor little Ace into the ground." Chris told me snidely.

"Watch it, Chris, or we'll pummel you." I warned, smiling slyly. "Let's go, Clay." I motioned Mark over.

Watch out, Rank one, you'll be Clay and mine in just a little while.

A/N: Cheesy, but at least I finally updated…Heh…KLS