The 15-yard turn
Tori
As the US Open went on, like, I totally noticed the mix of excitement and anxiety in Jade's eyes, you know? Even though she was all determined to juggle her tennis career and life. She was getting ready to get rid of the boot and get back on the court with me.
So, one night, over the two weeks in New York, when we got back in our shared room, I was like, "Hey, I wanna do something cool for you, Jade." She was, like, always carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, and I wanted to give her a break.
Jade leaned forward to take off her boot, I sat down beside her on her bed. "You do cool things for me all the time." She said as I lifted her leg toward me and started massaging her foot, you know, just trying to help her relax. It was a small thing, but it meant a lot. She let out this happy sigh, and looked at me with those big, blue eyes. That's when I decided to bring up something I'd been thinking about.
"Jade," I said, "I've been thinking about all the stuff you missed out on as a teenager. Like, What's the one thing you really wish you could experience?"
She got this dreamy look in her eyes and nodded. "Yeah, prom. I always wondered what it'd be like to wear a gorgeous dress, dance all night, and just be a regular teenager."
"And you'd want to be Prom queen, of course," I said letting my hands wander up her leg toward her thigh. She smiled and scooted closer to me.
"But of course." She said with a smirk and leaned even closer bringing her face inches from mine. "I can tell you something else I want to feel right now."
I quirked a brow. "Oh? Like what?"
"Like your fingers… Inside me."She whispered and kissed me. I surged forward and clambered onto her bed to settle between her thighs as we made love for the first time.
The next morning, I was on a mission to find the absolute perfect spot for our DIY prom. I was all in to make this happen for Jade, you know, to give her a taste of those teenage experiences she'd missed out on. I had Central Park in mind, and there was this gazebo by the big pond that seemed pretty rad. It wasn't super private, but it had these fairy lights that would make the place look magical.
So, I got Sikowitz on board with my plan, and he was totally down to help set things up before I brought Jade there that night. We gathered fairy lights, some comfy seating, and a portable music player to set the mood just right.
That evening, as we got ready for our surprise date, I couldn't help but feel this excitement bubbling up. I asked Jade to come out for a walk, blindfolding her with a silk scarf once she agreed.
"Do you trust me?" I said with a cheeky grin.
Jade chuckled, all soft and sweet. "Of course, Tori."
I led her carefully through Central Park under the starry New York City sky. When I finally took off the blindfold, Jade's eyes went wide with surprise and wonder. Fairy lights were hanging all around, giving off this warm, enchanting glow. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, and there was a soft melody playing in the background.
We stood there in our little DIY prom setup, and I couldn't help but feel pretty darn proud. I grabbed Jade's hand and gave her this big smile.
"I wanted to give you a taste of what you missed out on as a teenager, Jade," I said all tender-like. "And to remind you that life isn't just about tennis. It's about making memories like these."
Jade's eyes got all teary, and she looked around, holding onto my hand. "Tori, this is beyond amazing."
As we swayed to the music, I could sense that something was still bothering Jade. There was this hint of vulnerability in her eyes, and she held onto me a little tighter.
"Jade," I started softly, "What's on your mind? Is it about getting back on the court?"
Jade kinda hesitated for a sec. She started chatting about all sorts of stuff, anything but the fear that was probably eating at her. But I wasn't gonna let it slide; I had this feeling that something was seriously bugging her.
So, I pressed on gently, telling her how I'd gotten pretty good at reading her moods since we'd gotten closer, and how I genuinely wanted to be there for her. After a beat, she finally nodded, almost like she was giving in to the vulnerability she'd been hiding.
"Yeah, Tori," she admitted, her voice all soft and heavy, "I'm scared. Scared that I'll never measure up, that I'm not good enough to go pro." It was like she was laying bare all her fears and insecurities. Then she told me how the injury, in a crazy twist, made her say no to the non-stop training that had been her life for, like, forever. It also showed her a glimpse of a life beyond the tennis court.
I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, letting her know I had her back. "You don't have to face that fear alone, Jade," I said. "We can totally tackle this together. And hey, tennis isn't all there is to you. You're way more than that."
I could see hope twinkling in Jade's eyes, and it seemed like she made a choice right there. She was gonna live in the moment, enjoying where she was now, instead of freaking out about what might happen later. "Thanks, Tori."
In a totally impulsive move, I dipped her, and we both cracked up like we were shedding all the serious stuff and just having a blast in the here and now.
I beamed at her, my heart swelling with love and awe for Jade. "You got this, Jade," I told her, my voice filled with total confidence. "And when you do, I'll be right here, cheering you on every step of the way."
The next night it was the third round of Women's singles. And Jade and I headed toward center court. We settled into our seats, in the buzzing stadium, our eyes locked onto the center court where the highly anticipated match was about to commence. My heart raced with anticipation, knowing that we were about to witness a tennis legend in action. She had said this was her last tournament. I wasn't going to miss a thing.
As the match unfolded, the tension in the stadium grew with each passing point. I couldn't help but get swept up in the electrifying atmosphere. I was fervently rooting for Serena Williams, my voice rising with every powerful serve and graceful volley.
"Come on, Serena!" I cheered, my enthusiasm contagious.
Jade nodded vigorously, her gaze never wavering from the court. "You've got this!"
The match was an intense battle, with both players displaying incredible skill and unwavering determination. I found myself perched on the edge of my seat, my heart pounding in sync with the powerful rallies happening on the court.
However, when the final score indicated that Ajla Tomljanovic emerged as the winner, a heart-plunging disappointment enveloped me. I had been fervently hoping to witness Serena not only triumph in this match but go on to win the entire tournament. The realization that Serena wouldn't hoist the trophy was a bitter pill to swallow.
Despite the disappointment, I couldn't help but admire the grace with which Serena accepted the loss. Serena's sportsmanship and resilience were awe-inspiring. At that moment, I applauded not just Serena's tennis prowess but also her remarkable character.
Even though Serena didn't secure victory in that specific match, I knew that Serena Williams would forever be an icon of excellence and determination in the world of tennis, a role model for generations to come.
Jade
Back at home, I could sense the disappointment in Tori after Serena's loss. I knew just how much Serena meant to her, and it hurt to see her idol fall short. So, I decided to redouble my efforts in helping Tori prepare for the upcoming Juniors tournaments, the stepping stones before the Junior Pros. If Tori could secure a top-ranking in the ZGATS, it would open doors for her to join the junior circuit, where she aspired to be.
As the matches in the ZGATS began, I was there at every single one of them, watching Tori's every move. It was amazing to witness her talent and determination on the court. With each match, her love for the game seemed to flourish even more. I saw her fame rise as well, partly because of her proximity to me, but mostly because of her natural talent, which matched her unwavering dedication.
Tori was turning heads in the tennis world, and it wasn't just because she was dating me. Her skills spoke for themselves. People were starting to take notice, and she was quickly becoming a rising star in the tennis scene. It was a remarkable transformation to witness, and I couldn't have been prouder of her.
After Tori's impressive win in the semi-finals, the press quickly gathered around her, the other four finalists, and the top competitors in the Junior Pros, among them Petra Patricova. I made my way to the platform, my boot-clad foot a constant reminder of my injury. Because of this, there were speculations that I might not be joining the junior pros, and no one had asked me to participate in the press conference.
Finally, when I reached the press room, I was met with an unexpected sight. Petra was kissing Tori, and my emotions became a tumultuous storm of confusion, anger, and jealousy. I didn't know how to process it. I felt like an outsider in my own world, excluded from the press conference, and now witnessing this unexpected situation between Tori and Petra.
Fury welled up within me, and in a fit of frustration, I tossed my crutches aside and removed my boots. I needed an outlet for all the pent-up emotions, the fear of failure, and the uncertainty that had been haunting me. So, I began drilling myself on the court, just as I had been doing with Tori. Tennis had always been my sanctuary, the place where I found solace, and in that moment, it was the only thing that made sense.
On the day of the ZGATS final match, I found myself in a state of frustration and resentment towards my girlfriend. I had learned that she had kissed Petra… They have had history, of course, she went back to that bitch. It left me feeling hurt and betrayed. In that moment of anger and spite, I decided not to support her in the final match.
I chose to skip the match and, instead, treated myself to some retail therapy. It was a way for me to cope with the emotions swirling inside, a means to distract myself from the turmoil in my relationship. Shopping felt like a small indulgence, a much-needed break from the complicated emotions I was grappling with.
Later, I got an invite to a beach party from a bunch of tennis enthusiasts, and I thought, "Why not?" So, I hit the beach, played some volleyball, and even tried my hand at surfing. It was a refreshing escape from the usual tennis grind, and I was genuinely having a good time.
After the beach party, I was eager to catch up with Cat and share all the teenage fun I'd had. I knocked on her door, expecting her to be proud of me for trying something different. But when Cat opened the door, her expression was anything but welcoming.
"Hey, Cat!" I greeted her with a nervous giggle.
She turned away, leaving the door open, a silent indication for me to follow. My curiosity was piqued, and I couldn't help but ask, "What's your problem?"
Cat shot me an annoyed look, rolling her eyes. I decided to brush off her attitude and forge ahead with my story. "Anyway, you won't believe what I've been up to today!"
Cat's response was less than enthusiastic. "What?"
I couldn't contain my excitement. "I decided to take a break. I went shopping. Then, I got invited to a beach party, and, oh boy, you won't believe the awesome things I did."
"Oh, really?" Cat responded, her tone still lukewarm.
I paused, sensing her lack of enthusiasm. "What? Isn't this what you always wanted me to do? Relax, Jade... there's more to life than tennis."
But as I brought up Tori's match, Cat's mood took a sharp turn. She unleashed her frustration on me, making it clear that Tori had lost her match, and they had all looked for me in vain.
I shrugged defensively. "She didn't seem to need me last time."
Cat's frustration reached a boiling point. "Oh, for fuck's sake, Jade! Tori needed you there, and you're off partying? Probably flirting with god knows who."
I rolled my eyes, my own irritation rising. "Don't be so dramatic."
She didn't hold back, emphasizing the importance of my responsibilities and friendships.
"I'm happy you tried to expand your horizons, Jade, but you can't just bail on your friends and your responsibilities," Cat stated firmly.
With a sense of finality, Cat turned away from me, heading upstairs to her room, and uttered a sharp farewell.
"Don't let the door hit you on your way out."
I tried to call her back, but it was clear that she was done with me.
"Cat, wait..."
Her response was curt and final.
"Bye, Jade."
I got home and found Mom munching on a late-night snack in the kitchen. I figured it was a good time to chat with her. She noticed something was up, though.
"Hey, Mom," I said, my tone carrying the weight of the day.
She looked at me with a concerned furrow in her brow. "Jade, you've been MIA from tennis, and it's starting to worry me. What's going on?"
I plopped down in a chair and started spilling the beans. "Mom, there's this thing with Tori. She's my girlfriend, and I really like her, but maybe Dad had a point when he said she's holding me back."
Mom's eyes widened as she heard Tori's name. "Tori? The girl from your tennis training?"
I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. "Yeah, Mom. She's become really important to me, and her passion for tennis has me second-guessing my own reasons for playing."
Mom listened carefully, nodding as I shared my doubts and thoughts about my tennis career.
When I finished, there was a moment of silence, and Mom finally broke it with a thoughtful question. "Jade, why do you play tennis?"
I paused, trying to find the right words. Mom's voice was gentle but firm as she gave her advice. "You need to do some soul-searching, Jade. Find what truly drives you in tennis. Create balance in your life, and don't let your father's expectations dictate your future."
Her words hit home, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I knew I had her support as I navigated this period of self-discovery. We kept talking, diving into deeper conversations about life, dreams, and the importance of staying true to myself. With each word, I felt more reassured that I didn't need to be afraid; I just needed to live my life, whether with Tori or not.
