Skating on the lane, Jeth flew her way to the Sidney Sussex tennis court where Sasuke’s playing. She arrived at the tennis court where the aspiring members of the Sidney Sussex Tennis club were holding the ranking selection. Jeth didn’t see Sasuke at first and after circling two of the tennis courts, searching for him, she finally spotted him watching a match in Court C wearing his other jersey, his face expressionless.

“Sasuke!” Jeth called, waving at Sasuke so he’d notice her. And he did. Jeth stopped beside him, Sasuke’s jersey on her hands, which were extended in front of her. “Here’s your jersey,” Jeth said, catching for breath, “I’m sorry for not returning it sooner. I had it washed, you see.”

“You shouldn’t have bothered,” Sasuke said, taking his jersey from Jeth, his hands brushing hers under the jersey. Jeth flushed. “But thanks Jeth. It’s really nice of you.”

“It was my pleasure,” Jeth said, smiling, “It’s my responsibility. So, how’s Noemi in her ranking selection yesterday?”

“She made it.” Sasuke said, without any sign of glee in his voice, turning back to the match.

“That’s great! Wow, Noemi. Excellent!”

“I knew she could make it. She’s a very good player, as both of us know very well.”

“Uhuh. But what a shame I didn’t see her play yesterday. It would have been nice if I watched her playing in the court, after years of not seeing her play. Did you watch her matches?”

“No.” Sasuke said, “But I sent her my regards.”

“You were confident that she’d make it. Well, me too! No doubts.” There was a pause, “So you’re having a ranking tournament today then.”

“Yeah,” Sasuke said, “We just started this morning.”

“I bet this will last for days. Of course it will. Have you played already?”

“Not yet.” Sasuke answered, “I will after this match.”

“Oh,” Jeth said, nodding, “Good luck Sasuke. Like Noemi, I have no worries that you’ll make it to the final eight! But you know, I think you shouldn’t take part in this. You should be automatically ranked as number one! And you are the captain. No doubt about that.”

“Thanks.” Said Sasuke simply.

They watched the match of a regular and non-regular player for several minutes, with the former scoring four sets correspondingly against the latter. “Don’t you think you should be having a warm-up by now?” Jeth asked.

“Yes, I think I should be,” Sasuke replied, “Can you play with me for a few minutes?”

Jeth’s face glowed. “Sure. You said it.” Then Jeth’s face fell, “But there’s a problem: I’m wearing skates.”

Sasuke looked down. “Oh,” Sasuke said, “Can you play with skates?”

Jeth’s eyebrows rose, “Play with… skates?” Jeth regarded him for a while, “Yep. Wow, this will be fun. Ok, I’ll try!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Jeth was excited, “It’ll be fun! I wonder what I can do! It will be the first time I’d play with skates.”

Sasuke grabbed two of his reserved rackets from the big case. “And it will be my first time to play against one too.”

ΏΏΏ

The Trinity College of Cambridge University will have their ranking selection after five days so Jeth and Sasuke went to the Trinity tennis court E to have Sasuke’s warm-up there, for no one’s using the court at that time. Good thing the sun was not giving off intense heat as Jeth and Sasuke settled to the court. Sasuke was to serve.

This is weird. Yet cool! Jeth thought as she prepared for Sasuke’s service, her racket on her right. And fun! I can’t use split step or my other techniques with these skates. This is a new challenge for me. Sasuke threw the ball in the air over his head, swung his arm upward and hit the ball right at the center to Jeth. Jeth raised her racket and hit the ball back to him. Good start. Sasuke returned the ball and Jeth skated toward it, striking it hard to him. Sasuke volleyed the ball and Jeth backed, her head facing up, and jumped to hit the ball. She landed on the floor but, she wasn’t prepared for this, her skates rolled in opposite directions and she gave a small scream when her backside banged on the ground.

“Oww,” Jeth moaned, rubbing her hurt backside, her knees buckled together.

“Jeth?” Sasuke sprinted to her and extended his hand for her to take. Jeth gripped his hand as she stood up, her face a little twisted. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Jeth said in a throaty voice, patting her clothes, “Still in one piece. Nothing broken.”

“Can you make it?” Sasuke asked with concern.

“Yes.” Jeth said, “Now let’s continue.”

Sasuke looked at her, uncertain. “I can do this, Sasuke,” Jeth gave him an assuring smile, “I’m ok, still in one piece. That crash was just nothing. Remember my ankle when we had our last game five years ago? That was much worse than this. I still played. This is just nothing. Now go,” Jeth pushed him lightly on his back, “Let’s carry on.”

Sasuke blinked at her and then went to his side of court. Lord, why is he so cute?

“Let’s have a nice warm-up.” Jeth said, bending her knees to prepare for his service. “Ok?”

Sasuke stopped dribbling the ball and looked at her with a gleam in his eyes. “Iitomo.” (Sure.)

-excerpt-
One Tough Girl
episode 3: the countdown
by Blaise