*DING* *DING*

The sound of the alarm seems extra loud on a Saturday morning.

“Ugh god dammit.” You are glad you only had a 4 pack last night but even still if training is intense this morning you know you'll suffer.

With a loud huff to nobody in particular you roll out of bed and get ready. Within 10 minutes you are pulling on clothes and rolling down to the courts. To your dismay you are greeted by an extremely enthusiastic team. Bec looks like she is positively gushing chatting with Sam and even Flick actually looks ready to go.

“Rolling in dead on time, glad to see nothing's changed.” The familiar voice of your old coach rings out as he spots you arriving.

“Yeah yeah, I wasn't late so we're all good. Anyhow what's your plan for today.”

“Well Bec and I have been having a bit of a chat about your situation and what she wants to achieve this year. I think I'm just going to have a pretty standard session with a lot of modified points play and just see where the team is at.”

With that the training begins. It's not by any means a session of intense cardio but keen to impress the new visitor everyone seems to lift a gear. Well everyone except you. Even Flick is actually putting in, you start off strong but as the session goes on you wilt, really feeling the decision to drink last night.

Sam approaches you after your latest hard fought win over Flick. “You look like you've had a big night, but that's okay since I know where you're at. Looks like the brunette is a little less serious than the rest of you. The redhead, the one you've been making eyes at all morning, she's good but I think shes more of a doubles player and then there's the captain who's definitely your strongest player at the moment. How do you guys combine for doubles?”

You roll your eyes,“The one i've been making eyes at...? Anyway we actually haven't done any practice so I don't know how we'll go, but I play with Scarlett and Bec and Flick were teammates last year so they've stayed together.”

There is a half smile on his face when you mention you play with Scarlett, “Uh huh, well I think we should see how your partnership performs.”

“Ugh I'd forgotten how funny you think you are.” You roll your eyes again and walk off.

The game starts and as has been the pattern of the morning you continue to suck. However now it wasn't just yourself you were letting down. Scarlett was a fierce competitor and now she was pissed and she was bad at hiding it.

“Look I'm really sorry its just a bad morning for me.” You apologise for the 10th time this match.

You guys are only down 3-2 but you've been letting the team down hard and Scarlett is having a really hard time staying calm.

*Deep breath* “It's okay just chill out, keep the ball away from Bec.” she says gritting her teeth

You try your best but unfortunately you aren't getting much better, its 4-3 and you send another ball into the net and Scarlett is gives you 'the look'. You are beginning to worry that this might actually hurt you guys if you don't pick it up.

You begin playing a lot more defensively, just keeping the ball going back over and letting Scarlett end points. You stabilise to 6-6, somehow you made it to the tiebreak. Scarlett is not happy however, she has been carrying your ass the entire game and now she is a little grumpy at you. The worst part is Flick and Bec have been so composed the entire time, you actually catch them giggling a couple of times watching Scarlett scowl at you.

“Okay, being nice isn't working so, if we lose this you owe me a 30 minute foot massage. No fun after it either, just 30 minutes of you massaging my feet cause I feel like at some level I need to be rewarded for carrying your ass.” She puts down the ultimatum.

“Ugh, fine.” You stalk back to the base line and get ready to serve.

The tiebreak starts poorly and doesn't get much better. Bec really turns it up, Scarlett continues doing her best but nothing you do seems to work. Scarlett is seething and Bec and Flick look like they are having a great time. Its at this point you pay a little more attention to Bec, normally she would be quite serious and frowning at people who dared to laugh during a game but not this game. You watch her bend down to pick up a ball.

You notice a few things. “Giggling on court, Bending at the hips, tight top and tiny shorts (admittedly this was normal). Hmmm.”

Absentmindedly in your thoughts you glance over at Sam, his eyes are glued to Bec's ass as she bends over to pick up another ball. “That little hussy...”

Unfortunately this realisation does not help your game, next point you put another backhand into the net and you lose.

“Foot massage, no excuses.” Scarlett says as she stalks off not even bothering to shake your hand.

“Okay girls that's a wrap for this morning, close game. Anyhow I might have a bit of a chat with Bec and who knows you might see me again.”

“Yeah a 'chat' I bet,” you mumble under your breath.

Scarlett has already left she looking grumpy, presumably because she you let her down in the doubles and now she didn't look as good in front of the new coach.

“She will get over it,” you muse as you grabbed your bag and head off. There wasn't a lot to do so you decide to head back to your room.