The Lateral Skaters to Sprint

Tori

My world felt like it had been turned upside down. I couldn't believe Jade had missed my match. Feeling hurt and betrayed, I decided against going into the club that day. I needed some time away from tennis, at least from training with Jade.

Instead, I reached out to Andre and Robbie, my trusted friends. They had been there through thick and thin. I knew they'd understand my need to escape for a while. We planned to spend the day playing video games, a perfect distraction.

As Andre and Robbie arrived, I grabbed my phone and ordered a large pizza, a necessary component of our gaming sessions. With controllers in hand, we settled in, ready for a day of digital adventures.

But Andre and Robbie, being the good friends they were, couldn't help but express their concerns. "Tori, you can't just give up on training. You've got so much potential, and there's scholarship money on the line," Andre said, his voice laced with worry.

Robbie chimed in, "Yeah, you're a natural talent, Tori. Don't let some girl mess that up for you."

I sighed, torn between my emotions and my dreams. I knew they were right, but the sting of Jade's absence still lingered. It was going to take some time to sort through my feelings and decide what was best for my future in tennis.

The doorbell rang, and I got up to get the pizza, but it wasn't the pizza guy. It was Jade, strolling in with her tennis gear on. She had a somber look on her face as she spoke.

"Hey, Tori," Jade began, "I'm really sorry for missing the tournament."

She waited for a moment, expecting me to say more, and I could sense a hint of frustration in her voice. "Aren't you going to apologize?" she shot back.

I furrowed my brow, genuinely puzzled. "Apologize? For what, Jade?"

Her eyes narrowed, and she said, "I saw you kissing Petra."

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Petra kissed me, Jade. She saw you coming, and I think she did it to make you jealous."

Jade's expression softened, and she seemed to be weighing her words. "Maybe I'm the only one who needs to apologize," she said quietly.

Jade looked at me with genuine concern. "So, why aren't you training, Tori?" she asked.

I sighed, trying to find the words to explain. "I needed a break, Jade. After my tournament run was over, I just felt mentally drained. Your support has been my anchor, and when you didn't show up, it was like I lost my motivation. I couldn't get in the right headspace to train."

Jade nodded, her expression softening. "I get it now, Tori. I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me the most. I promise I'll be better."

I shook my head, trying to dismiss my earlier disappointment. "It doesn't matter now, Jade. My tournament run is over, and I'm not in line for the junior pros anymore."

Jade, however, had a different perspective. "That's not necessarily true," she replied. "You can still join the doubles tournament."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Doubles tournament? Who would I even play with?"

A mischievous glint appeared in Jade's eyes as she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "How about me?" she said with a sly smile.

I gasped in surprise, my eyes widening. "You? But what about women's singles?"

Jade chuckled, her confidence evident. "I can do both, Tori. We make a pretty good team, don't you think?"

The idea of teaming up with Jade in both the doubles tournament filled me with excitement. It was a new beginning, a chance to rewrite my tennis journey, and I couldn't help but smile. "I think that sounds amazing, Jade."

Jade's enthusiasm was infectious, and she urged me, "What are you waiting for, Tori? Let's go train."

Just as we were about to head out, the doorbell rang once more. This time, it was the pizza delivery person. Tori, Andre, Robbie, and I exchanged glances. Jade smirked mischievously and suggested, "Well, how about we eat that pizza first?"

So, instead of rushing off to the tennis court, the four of us settled on my couch with pizza boxes in hand and my Nintendo Switch. We played rounds of Mario Kart, laughing and competing like old times. Jade even called Cat to come over and hang out with her boyfriend.

As we raced virtual cars around colorful tracks, Andre looked around with a grin and said, "You know, I really need to get myself a girlfriend."

Our laughter filled the room, and for that moment, all worries and disappointments seemed to melt away. We were just a group of friends, savoring the simple joy of being together.

Jade

I arrived at the tennis court early, determined to work on my lateral quickness and strengthen my ankle. Lateral skaters were on the menu. Starting with my right foot beside the left, I pushed off laterally, gliding to the side, then landing on one foot before pushing off again, mimicking the movements of a speed skater.

As I was engrossed in the drill, I sensed a presence beside me. Turning with a smile, I greeted my girlfriend, "Good morning."

"Hey, babe," Tori responded. She eyed my exercise curiously. "What are these?"

"Lateral skaters," I replied, demonstrating a few more before glancing at her. "Are you ready to sign up for doubles?"

Tori's face lit up. "So cool I get to play with my girl."

I couldn't help but smirk. "Better than playing against me."

She playfully teased, "I'll get you one day."

With a chuckle, I responded, "I know you'll try." We continued with our drills, pushing ourselves to improve our skills before pausing to head to the tournament sign-ups together.

Jade and Tori walked hand in hand to the doubles sign-up area. As we approached, I noticed my dad's disapproving expression. He started to voice his concerns, loudly disagreeing with my decision to sign up for doubles.

"Dad, I'm starting to hate tennis!" I exclaimed, my frustration evident. "I need to find the joy in it again. Playing doubles with Tori is a great way to get back into the game."

My dad's brow furrowed, and he crossed his arms, clearly not convinced. "Jade, you have a future in singles. Doubles won't get you where you need to be."

Tori, always supportive, chimed in. "Mr. West, I really believe we can make a great team in doubles. It's a chance for Jade to enjoy tennis again and maybe even improve her singles game."

I appreciated Tori's words, but I knew this was a battle I had to fight on my own. I locked eyes with my dad, determination in my gaze. "Dad, I need this. I want to rediscover why I fell in love with tennis in the first place. Please, support me in this."

My dad's expression remained stern, and he shook his head. "Jade, I can't support this decision. You're throwing away your future."

I felt a pang of disappointment, but I knew I had to follow my heart. With a heavy heart, I nodded. "Alright, Dad. I understand your concerns, but I have to do what's right for me."

Tori squeezed my hand in support as we turned away from my dad, defiantly signed up in front of him.

In the days leading up to our first tournament game, Tori and I were pretty much attached at the hip. Our mission was crystal clear: get my ankle back in shape. That thing had been a pain in my butt ever since I injured it, a constant reminder of my tennis woes. But with Tori by my side, I felt like I could tackle anything.

Our training routine was no joke. We hit the court at the crack of dawn, before the sun even realized it had a job to do. Tori, being the tennis guru she was, pushed me hard. She wouldn't settle for anything less than my best. We ran drills, did serves, volleys, and sprinted until we were both a hot mess of sweat and determination.

In between all those sprints and serves, I'd sneak glances at Tori when she wasn't looking. Our love was like a secret weapon, reminding us that we could conquer anything together.

But as the tournament got closer, I couldn't help but have some doubts. Would my ankle hold up in the heat of the game? Tori was my rock, always there with encouraging words. "You're a beast, Jade. Your ankle's getting stronger by the day."

I nodded. "You're darn right, Tori. We've put in too much sweat for anything less than a win."

The court became both a battleground and a sanctuary. We drilled relentlessly, sweat pouring from our brows, our bodies pushed to their limits. But amid the physical exhaustion, there was an undeniable sense of unity and purpose that bound us. Our love was the driving force behind our dedication, and we drew strength from one another.

Yet, despite our unwavering commitment, I couldn't shake the nagging fear that my ankle might betray me when it mattered most. The uncertainty festered, threatening to erode my confidence. I kept my concerns hidden from Tori, not wanting to burden her with my worries.

Each night, as I lay in bed, I found myself tossing and turning, my mind consumed by thoughts of the impending tournament. Would all our hard work be in vain? Could my ankle withstand the demands of the game? These questions haunted my dreams, leaving me restless and anxious.

In the quiet moments between training sessions, I stole glances at Tori, finding solace in her unwavering belief in me. Her presence was a balm for my troubled soul, a reminder that I wasn't alone in this struggle. With her by my side, I knew I had the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the tournament date loomed closer, I clung to our love as my anchor, hoping it would provide the strength I needed to overcome my doubts. The court awaited, and I was determined to step onto it with unwavering resolve, ready to prove that my ankle, and my love, were stronger than any obstacle.

One evening, after returning home, I found myself in a confrontation with my father. He brought up my relationship with Tori, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. "Jade, I didn't know you were... well, you know."

I didn't shy away from the conversation. "A lesbian?" I offered, knowing that there were questions that needed answering.

My father hesitated, clearly struggling with his emotions. "Yes, I... I didn't expect this."

"Why were you so against Tori and me playing together, then?" I asked, not holding back my curiosity.

He sighed, looking for the right words. "At first, I thought Tori's reputation as a player was affecting you. People were spreading rumors about your... preferences, but I assumed it was because you spent so much time with her, not because you were together."

I took a moment to absorb his words, then firmly stated, "Dad, I'm in love with Tori."

He nodded in understanding, his silence speaking volumes.