Badminton
The next few weeks were chaotic for Rei. She didn't join Minako and the others for lunch every day. On gym days she would eat alone, and the other days she sat with the other girls. She didn't know how she would handle Minako twice in one day, and told her as much.
Minako continued to tease her during PE. Rei gave as good as she got- most of the time. There were still times when Minako could make her blush. However lunch continued to be surprisingly pleasant. The blonde preferred to spend her lunchtime talking to everyone, cheerfully pulling people along with her wherever the conversation led. Rei was relieved at the lack of teasing, enough so that she didn't mind engaging with the blonde. She wasn't quite seeing a new side of Minako- she knew the other girl was bright and lively and could, in fact, restrain herself- but it was still refreshing to not be on edge around her.
A greater change came in how she viewed the other girls. She had never put much thought into anyone at school, but now she was around these people very often, and couldn't help but get to know them. Her first impressions had largely been accurate. Makoto was boisterous but kind, Ami was quiet and shy, and Serena was a ditz.
Only small, surprising things flew against her expectations. Maktoto's notebooks were covered in doodles of flowers and cute characters that were quickly covered by the tall girl. Ami would let her impish wit fly every so often, quietly interjecting with occasionally sharp, but always friendly retorts. Serena was expectedly forgetful and surprisingly thoughtful. Where she didn't remember lessons or schoolwork, she remembered personal details; likes and dislikes, and important dates and events in her friends' lives.
Of course, she knew objectively that people were more complicated than their first impression. However it was another matter to experience the differences. Frankly, it was something she had avoided when it came to her classmates. Getting close to others never ended well in her experience.
One day, in PE, the teacher told them they would be playing paired badminton, girls vs. girls and boys vs. boys. Rei could practically feel Minako's gaze on her.
"Hey Rei," Minako said.
"No," Rei replied.
"Come on," Minako whined.
Rei thought quickly. "We can't play each other if we're on the same team."
Minako frowned and narrowed her eyes at Rei, clearly suspicious of Rei's motivations. Still, the prospect of playing against Rei was enticing enough for Minako to nod.
Most of the other girls in the class were already paired up. Ami and Makoto were nearby, though already standing next to each other. They were talking to Serena and Molly, and Rei got an idea. She knew Serena was excitable, and she seemed to enjoy Rei almost as much as Minako did.
"Tsukino," she said, getting the blonde's attention.
"What's up?"
"Let's partner up."
Serena squealed and Molly looked uncertain. Minako sidled up to her.
"Me and you, Molly," Minako said, throwing an arm around the other girl. "We're going to take them down."
Molly seemed less than thrilled at the prospect of a serious match, but Minako shook her shoulder and grinned. Molly seemed to accept the situation and smiled back. Rei again found herself amazed at the effect Minako could have on the people around her. The other girl effortlessly connected with people and could bring them around to her point of view.
"Come on, partner, let's get some rackets," Serena's cheerful voice cut through Rei's thoughts. Reluctantly Rei followed Serena. She wondered if she had just traded one problem for a new, but equally bad one.
Serena rushed to a court, motioning for Rei to hurry up and join her. She was practically bouncing in her excitement. Rei stalked after her, and Minako followed, dragging Molly behind. They took the place opposite Rei and Serena, and with the way Minako was looking at her, Rei steeled herself for an intense game.
The game started with Minako serving. She went right at Rei, who returned it with no problem. Despite how quickly the birdie travelled when first hit, most of its speed left it by the time it passed the net. Minako called out to return the birdie on the other side of the net. She did, and the group had a rally going. Rei and Minako took most of the shots, but Serena and Molly inevitably had to take some as well. Unfortunately for Rei, Serena took a shot first, sending it directly into the net. Rei huffed.
The game continued that way, with Rei and Minako driving the volleys, and Serena and Molly ending them. Of course, Rei and Minako weren't mistake-free. But the points came largely from the other two. The points added up quickly, and soon the game was tied at match point. Rei served hard and fast towards Minako. She wanted to win against the other girl, not Molly. Besides that, she knew she would never hear the end of it if it looked like she was running away from facing Minako. Minako returned the serve, and they volleyed.
They each darted around the court, calling off their partners to get the final point themselves. However, Serena was an excitable person who wanted to be involved in the game as well. On one return the birdie headed close to Serena, who loudly called for it, energized and smiling widely. Rei despaired as she watched the blonde swing, smashing it over the net and out of bounds.
Across the net, Minako cheered and high-fived Molly. Serena wailed and Rei groaned. Minako flashed her a triumphant smile before sticking her tongue out at Serena. Serena returned the gesture.
As they left the court Serena started complaining.
"I really thought I had it that time," she said.
"I bet," Rei said under her breath. She knew Minako would gloat about her ill-gotten victory later. Serena didn't seem to hear her. The teacher called for the teams switch to new opponents.
Their next game went much like the first. Rei struggled to keep them in it, but more often than not, when the shuttle reached Serena the other team scored. Constantly running around the court to cover for Serena's mistakes left Rei breathless and irritated. When the teacher's whistle blew for them to switch opponents again, they were losing handily.
"You know, I think I'm getting better," Serena said. Rei rolled her eyes. She was breathing too heavily to believe the other girl had gotten any better.
"I know we lost, but still, that was a lot of fun," Serena said. "I'm glad you wanted to be partners, I was beginning to think that you didn't like me." Serena turned a big smile towards Rei.
"I wonder what gave you that impression," Rei said flatly.
Serena laughed nervously. "Actually, you do seem a little angry. Did I mess up your thing with Minako?"
Rei had to consider the question for a few moments. Of course, losing to Minako was frustrating, and Serena was the direct cause of that loss. And Rei could admit that the competitive side of her was angry about losing twice in a row. Even the phrasing of the question bothered Rei- she didn't have a 'thing' with Minako. Besides that, Serena's loud voice, air-headedness, and general exuberance rubbed Rei the wrong way. She couldn't understand how someone could be that excitable all the time.
But still, watching Serena's face grow more worried the longer the silence stretched between them bothered Rei more than she expected. After all, while the other girl was annoying, she certainly wasn't malicious. Her excitement and energy allowed her to befriend almost anybody. And even if her distinct lack of physical ability had cost them a game against Minako, it was only a game. And Serena had only been trying to help. Rei sighed. Maybe she had a weakness for blondes.
"I don't have a thing with Minako. She just gets extra annoying when she wins." They settled in on a new court. Makoto and Ami took the spot opposite them.
"Well then, next time we'll just have to, won't we?" Serena said brightly.
As they stood facing Makoto and Ami, waiting for them to serve, Rei frowned. Next time. She hadn't considered continued exposure to Serena in PE. She didn't have to be angry at her for their loss to Minako, but next time?
Rei watched Serena swing at Ami's serve, missing the shuttle entirely and tangling her racket in the net instead. Next time she'd grab someone a touch more coordinated.
