Always Been There

CHAPTER 7 : A NEW PROBLEM

" Don't be so cocky Maya! " Aiden yelled at the top of his voice not minding the crowd around the court. " You just caught him off guard! That's it! You'll lose! I repeat you'll lose! "

I turned back to look at Calum, showing him an ' is-he-serious? ' look. I could see the beads on his face. Compared to the first round, I tired him quite a bit in the second round.

" What do you think? He's the biggest drama queen of our group " Calum rolled his eyes, shrugging it off completely.

I looked back at Aiden who stood at the sidelines looking as if he had done something worthy of being proud. I seriously want to wipe that looks off his face. A bulb went off.

" Hey, Addie! Are you a girl? " I smirked knowing how it irked him when someone reminds him his name is a unisex name.

" Maya freakin' Brewton!!!! Can't you see? I'm a boy! How dare you ask me that !!!! " Aiden roared like an angry animal.

" Because you certainly sound like an obsessed fangirl fighting against another fandom " I innocently shrugged my shoulder.

My friends couldn't hold it anymore and burst out laughing including Calum who barely chuckles. Noah who was drinking water spat it out but he couldn't stop laughing.

" I didn't know you became Aidan bro " Noah guffawed. " Sorry. Sorry. I mean Sis " and he continued crackling.

Aiden turned burning red in embarrassment. But he looked so cute. Now l know why Aria always pisses him off.

" Alright leave my boyfriend alone. I can't handle his cuteness anymore " Aria said hugging him from back, letting her chin on his shoulder and it seemed like her words worked. He let out a smile. No matter what he could never ignore Aria.

I helplessly shook my head at the couple showing their affection publicly. Public display of affection.

I felt someone tapping my shoulder. Calum smiled softly at me. " Complete the game "

We went back to our positions.

We started the last round. This time we started playing with all we got. I can say we're not holding back. Calum is a tough competition. Especially when is taking the game seriously.

Right now no one can say who'll win because it is getting a bit hard to score since Calum started playing seriously. Calum depends on his strength. He knows how to use it to control his strength. But l know my advantages.

I increased my speed, returning the balls. My flexibility is up to the level letting me change between backhand and forehand. Because of us playing, giving our best, the game got dragged for a long while.

Both of us are out of breath. Calum served the ball. If l return the ball and if he misses it then I'll win. Without a thought, I returned the ball with a backhand. This time l shot the ball with my full force and as expected Calum missed it. The ball fell in the service box.

I stood still for a few seconds to realize that he missed the ball before l heard loud applause. Then it is processed. I won. I won! Calum mostly depends on his strength but his speed is good as well. My advantage is speed. The ball l returned was too fast. So Calum missed the ball and l emerged as the winner. Calum gave a proud smile before someone else took my attention.

" Well played " I heard someone clapping beside me. His warm brown eyes showed a proud soft expression. I don't know how but it sent a very warm feeling inside me. Like as if it was enough as long as he's still like that. That soft look.

I smiled trying to give a reply but suddenly someone jumped on me with a high squeal. I know who jumps on me like that without any warning. Her shoulder-lengthwhiteI'mwhite colored hair sprawled on my shoulder when she hugged me not minding my sweaty body.

" Ari, Calm down! My body is sweaty " I said gently trying to push her a bit away.

" You know! You know! You know! You're the first girl ever to beat Calum in our whole school! " Aria got a grip on my shoulders jumping up and down in excitement.

Calum walked towards us while Aria continued jumping up and down. I looked at Calum for confirmation. He slightly nodded his head with a smile. The way he smiled l know, now l'm one of his close friends.

" Bro! You promised me that you will beat her " Aiden started acting like a kid again. I rolled my eyes.

" I didn't promise I'll beat her, " Calum said in an emotionless tone.

" But you were holding back!!! "

" No, he wasn't " Ryan chuckled at Addie's s petty behavior.

" Yes. You were holding back Calum " a voice which l didn't recognize said. We turned in the direction of the voice.

A girl from our club. If perfection is a girl then she is that perfection. At least in appearance. Wearing the same uniform as us, she has the perfect hourglass body with strawberry blonde hair and a pair of sea-green eyes. The mole on her chin made her look even more attractive. Even as a girl l took a double look at her.

Along with the girl, there are two girls and two boys. One common thing on their faces is arrogance.

Calum looked at the girl with indifference turning his head towards Aiden. He shot him a look. ' you started this mess '.

" Did he agree? No! " Aiden felt Calum's irritated mood.

" But weren't you just saying that he was holding back ? " the girl said a bit unsure she is. My eyes turned up a bit. " How can you go back on your words ? "

Aria smirked knowing what will happen next.

" Excuse me but that's my friend and l can say whatever l want to him and he won't even care about it " Aiden folded his arms giving her a mocking look. " I know nothing about Tennis so, l didn't know whether he was holding himself or not. On the other hand, l can see you are from the Tennis club. Don't you know how he was playing? Or are you still a beginner? " Aiden scoffed. This is how he talks if someone targets his friends. And now comes his cover.

" Pardon his rudeness, Ms. Laine " Sapphire's eyes were as gentle as ever, Ryan showed an extremely gentle expression but l know better after being friends with him for a week. " He meant as a player you should have your judgment and not get swayed by others opinion. He didn't mean to offend you "

Laine couldn't reply. She stood still. I can see

she's getting mad but Ryan apologized.

" Maya " I turned to look at Calum, blinking my eyes trying to accept the fact that he's calling me with my name. Till now he spoke less with me and mostly said hey.

" Ye..yeah Calum " I mentally slapped myself for stammering like an i***t.

" Can you around against Ms. Laine? " Calum wants to settle this with capabilities.

" Sure " I replied without thinking much. If l don't agree that only means Calum held back. I looked at Laine who was glaring at me as if I'm her enemy since the start. She turned around and stomped out of the court.

" You created a new problem in her list Addie " Noah softly said patting him on his shoulder. Aiden apologetically looked at me.

" I belong to the star section. That's enough for her to think before she acts. As long as l have you guys it doesn't matter " I told them looking at Nathan. He nodded his head with a smile.

" Yeah " Calum replied looking serious beside me.