20 Blood, Punch & Tears

♫

Amanda checked her watch. The club had filled rapidly and by now the separated room Candice had booked for the party was packed. The noise of excited chatter drowned out the music and the chink of glasses promised an eventful night. She felt Elise’s hand touching her lower back and looked up.
“I heard there will be an award show,” Elise whispered in her ear. “They mentioned our names.”
She looked excited. It was the first time she was at the YEC award party.
“Really? Maybe the Couple of the Year Award?” Amanda laughed. “I never won that one before.”
“Did you win others?”
“The award for Friendliest Player two years ago,” Amanda smiled. “It’s awarded by the linespersons and ballkids.” Elise looked at Amanda. It was no surprise Amanda would win such an award. Elise laid her arm around Amanda’s hip and drew her girlfriend closer.

When Agathe and Candice took the stage the music was turned off and the buzzing died down. While Agathe stepped behind the DJ desk, Candice took the microphone and everyone looked up to her in thrilled anticipation. After an entertaining introduction, which set the mood for the show, she finally got to the award ceremony. Beginning with the award for Worst Challenge, Agathe played a video sequence of the nominated challenges much to the delight of the crowd. It was no surprise that the award went to Lana Uzilenko for the third consecutive year. It was followed by the award for Best Tantrum which went to Sasha Mrachova for her infamous rant against Anastasia Stea, who was cheered with big applause by the crowd.
After the awards for Friendliest Player, Most Infamous Quote and Most Entertaining Tennis Dress had been announced, Candice paused dramatically.
“We now come to the most anticipated categories,” she said dramatically. “Let’s crown the Couple of the Year and the queen of the Love Game.” Loud cheering erupted and heads turned around to look in Elise’s and Amanda’s direction.

Amanda knew she was blushing, even more so when Elise pressed her hip even harder. Being rewarded for your achievements on the tennis court was one thing, she thought. But receiving an award for being happy was a bit hilarious. She hoped, they wouldn’t get the prize. What should she say on the stage? She didn’t want to say anything. But before she could wrack her head, their names were announced and an exuberant Elise dragged Amanda through the applause to the stage.
Elise’s excitement slightly died down when Candice handed her the nicely wrapped potted plant.
“It’s a potted flower,” she said under her breath, smiling unbelievingly. Seeing her lover’s disappointed face Amanda cracked up laughing.
“What did you expect? A week in a hotel on Bali?” She squeezed Elise’s arm, who nodded but was already laughing. Thankfully they were not expected to make an acceptance speech as Candice prepared to announce the winner of the Love Game.

“She is a tennis lover, a fair player, a wonderful friend and a true champion,” Candice began.”Once again she has outplayed the other umpires in the game that matters most because she has a gift we all want. She knows where the ball lands before it is even hit. She has correctly picked our couple of the year,” Candice said and turned around to nod briefly at Elise and Amanda, “and therefore deserves to pick up this precious award.”
Dramatically, Candice unwrapped an envelope.
“Let’s hear a big applause for the multiple-time champion and this year’s Queen of the Love Game: Lynn Pebblestone.”
Amanda and Elise stepped back so that Lynn could take centre stage and pick up her pot.
“What is this Love Game?” Elise tugged Amanda’s sleeve to get an answer.
“Before the season starts, the umpires pick who will end up a couple on the tour.”
“How could she possible pick us,” Elise wondered.
“Because she is the best. She has a hawk’s eye,” Elise shrugged. “She just knows where the ball lands.”

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8