Two Is Better Than One

[Poppy Lockwood]

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| Tagged: Christopher Kyle |

Wasting no time at all, Poppy Lockwood strapped on her sport shoes before slinging over her shoulder the duffel bag that was filled with her tennis equipment, a water bottle and a towel. Grabbing the cap that sat on her desk, the nineteen year old then walked straight out of her room, locked her dorm and went straight to the tennis court.

These days, she rarely stayed in her room because it only reminded her how lonely she was since the death of Coca Cola. Although it got easier to deal with each passing day, the girl liked to keep herself busy so her mind would not have the chance to wander off into that area.

With being so focused on basically doing anything, she opted to play a sport. However, only when she reached the court did she realize it took two to play the game. "Unbelievable," groaned the brunette. She dropped the bag to the floor and thought about to do now. Coming here was pointless with no partner. Damn it.

Poppy took out a couple of the balls and basically bounced them against the ground. Or gravitate it really high up before letting it fall so she could hit it. Ugh. It seemed silly. but at least it was something.

[Christopher Kyle]

Christopher yawned a bit as he looked up at the cloudy sky, his sunglasses helping his eyes not get killed by the brightness of the warm sun glowing above. The brown eyed boy continued on his path to the tennis courts, his racket bag on his back, he was supposed to meet someone here today and they were going to have a little friendly match. Chris knew he was better than his friend, but he still just enjoying going out and being able to hit before the school's boy's season started. 

As he grew closer, he grinned, the court was surrounded by a net to help block out the wind a bit so he couldn't quite see who exactly he could hear hitting balls on the court but there wasn't many other tennis players, and he figured the chances were slim that it as someone else besides his friend that he was supposed to be meeting. As Thomas walked into the courts he shouted with a chuckle, "Hey loser! You didn't chicken ou-" the boy froze as he found himself staring at a girl.

"O-oh hey there.. I-I'm sorry... I thought you were my friend..." Chris said awkwardly and quieter.. hoping the girl didn't notice him as his cheeks turned red from embarrassment. Christopher sat down on the side of one of the open courts and began to put his shoes on after taking off his hoodie he had on. He sat around and watched the girl for a while, very sneakily though obviously as he made it really seem as if he was just looking around up at the sky if/when the girl ever looked over his way.

After a while, Chris spoke up again, "Hey uhm, if you wouldn't mind.. Do you think we could warm up a little before our partners got here?" He'd ask, assuming the girl didn't ask beforehand or mention she was alone, which if she had he might look at her a little curiously, but still eventually offer to see if she wanted to help him warm up until his friend came.

[Poppy Lockwood]

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"Obviously not," she retorted. The short intrusion was probably the most exciting thing that had happened to Poppy since she had came to the court alone and had been bouncing tennis balls for the past who knew how long. Still, she doubted the boy came to the court alone as well. Who did that? What were the odds that he came out to play but forgot he needed a partner? Very highly unlikely. So when he mentioned his friend, the brunette nodded and continued on with what she had been doing before he arrived.

The funny and odd thing was that the boy made no moves to leave. He sat at one side of the court, which she occasionally saw from the corner of her eye. Although, sometimes Poppy would turn around and eye the boy curiously. She doubted there was anything fascinating about the sky right now. He was watching her and he was not particularly good at hiding that fact. But the brunette did not acknowledge him. Never one for small talks, she proceeded on with what she had been doing.

However, her attention went to the boy when he requested to do warm ups. Poppy did not bother to tell him that she was alone because at least this way, she would get to play a little. "Yeah, sure. I don't see why now. Poppy," she introduced herself before taking her position at one side of the net. "Ready?" And when he was, she would serve the ball. Then the trip out here would not have been completely wasted.

[Christopher Kyle]

"Christopher." he said in response to the girl's name. "Nice to meet ya." The boy said with a nod as he pulled out his racket and made his way to the opposite side of the court. "If you could go easy on me, I'd appreciate it." While he wasn't bad, he hadn't had any time to get loose like this girl had so, until he was ready, he thought he'd at least ask though by no means did she have to, he'd just have to suck it up and get warm quick. After a few very brief stretches, Chris nodded at Poppy and they began.

He watched her serve, it was very unique to most that he had seen before and with a quick step to the side, he hit the ball back up the line which the brunette seemed to quickly return to Chris as he hit it back. They were playing more of a match than he would have recommended for a warmup but no matter, he was really just waiting for a friend. Christopher was really focused early on, on how the other girl played, attempting to judge how much/how long this girl has actually been playing tennis and before long, he was down 15-40.

Christopher chuckled after losing the first point, but coming close to having a comeback before the girl put him away. Not quite yet breathing hard, Chris called out to Poppy, "You're not too shabby you know that? We should actually play sometime after this." Chris looked around for his friend as he got ready to serve... "Still not here..." he mumbled, glad Poppy was here to prevent him from not having come out for nothing.

[Poppy Lockwood]

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As she prepared herself for the serve whilst watching the boy do a few stretches, a thin smirk formed on her lips. Going easy on others was not something she did commonly. Well that was because Poppy Lockwood was inconsiderate towards others. She was not the So instead of replying, she gave him a shrug and let the unspoken words hang in the air. We'll see.

The girl had not received professional training or any of that sort. She was just a girl who played the sport since she was twelve. Besides playing it as part of her curricular activities, Poppy played tennis -- and swam -- frequently especially after using her power. Being a power over user, the girl sought out every moment to train and use it. This only lead to how often she had to deal with the side effects. One of it was hunger. So she ate a number of times a day thanks to it. Thus, played the sport to work off the fats. The fear of being overweight never escaped the girl.

Ha, she had beaten him in the first round. The brunette smiled cheekily as she took the towel out of her duffel bag to wipe the sweat off her. "Well I hoped not. I've been playing this for the past seven years. Shabby certainly just wouldn't do," she called back out before chuckling. "You're not that bad either. But I hoped you were not just letting me win just now because you're a so called gentleman?" Now if that were true, it would have been a shame.

"Hey, since your friend isn't here yet. Why don't we play another round? You know, that is if you're up to get your ass beaten again."

[Christopher Kyle]

Chris raised en eyebrow and nodded when Poppy told him old long she had been playing. It was certainly longer than he had originally thought though, not that it really mattered to him, it was just interesting. "I don't exactly, let, anyone just win. I simply was still warming up is all." He said with a wink, teasing a bit followed by a light chuckle. He wasn't actually sure what would happen if they played another. He had be trying, even though he was warming up but the girl was also actually fairly decent.

The girl had been playing the sport nearly as long as him, at 8 years of playing. "Yeah sure, but just fore warning, you wouldn't stand a chance." Chris said with a big grin on his face as he chuckled, "Don't want you to try and pull that gentleman card after what you just said so," he spoke as he walked over to the baseline and bounced the ball a few times, "Now's your last chance to reconsider Game 2." He said looking at her curiously, ready to serve the ball if she didn't get nervous and back out.

Chris knew what he needed to do to win, or at least had an idea. All that mattered was how much effort the girl was willing to put in to win, and that would simply determine how long she would last before losing. Christopher was determined to win this one, simply for his sake. If anyone found out he was trying and still lost, he'd be the laughing stock of his buddies. With that said though, he was also intrigued to see if the girl could win again, she would certainly become a friendly rival, and this girl seemed dedicated enough to actually showing up right? Both of them were the first ones to show up to their friendlies so, he would just have to assume she'd show up again some other time if he asked her to play again, or vice versa.

[Poppy Lockwood]

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The brunette made a face and snorted when he mentioned how he was still just 'warming up'. "Yeah sure," she replied sarcastically yet playfully. No matter if he was telling her the truth or not, Poppy Lockwood took his word for it. This only made it that much more fun to play another round. She wanted to have another go with him, one where he was not warming up. Her little competitive side factored in as well.

When he basically challenged her, the gravity manipulator knew she wanted another round of tennis with him. She was not the kind to back down, especially since it was not a matter of life and death. As he got into position, Poppy watched him whilst she drank from her bottle. After a few gulps, she set it aside, picked up her racket and strode to the opposite of the court. The corners of her lips turned up mischievously. "Game on, Christopher."

Round two was different than the first time around. His returns were sharper and quicker. This only satisfied the girl. Equally, she matched him. The fangirl side in her reminded Poppy of the scene in the anime, Death Note, where Light Yagami, the protagonist in her opinion, played an intense tennis match with the antagonist, L. She was enjoying this a lot.

Especially when she had won the game. "Oh yeah!" She fist pumped the air. In her giddiness, her powers turned on and she floated off the ground for a bit before returning back to the pull of the earth. It was a close match, Chris only lost by a few points. "Thank you for not being a gentleman," she said cheekily as she remembered his earlier words.

"You played well. But just not better," she said, winking. Okay she was kind of pushing it but it was too good not to. Winning twice was certainly better than once. Now if she could win a third...

[Christopher Kyle]

This other girl was proving herself to be a challenge and a joy to play with. Kind of. Poppy was good, no doubt but she was also annoying in the fact that Chrissy had his doubts of winning. 10/10 Poppy was definitely cheating and using her power to help her out though. Chris let out a sigh as he readied up. It was either now or never this point would be whether Chris had a chance at a comeback, or if Poppy would take the match, and he really couldn't afford her taking the match... well he could, but his pride might not be able to. It only took a few moments, but the last point seemed to take an entirety, and it seemed as though destiny was not in his side today as he hit the ball back and it was barely out.

Despite wanting to throw his racket to the moon, he gave Poppy a smile and nodded as she floated into the air, "Good game.." he said defeated. He chuckled and rolled his eyes at the gentleman comment. He was never really a fan of a "gentleman" in a sport and to him it was rude to not play someone as best they could, especially if the two were around the same skill level. Soon Chris found himself stumbling as he clutched at his heart after Poppy's next words. Absolute savage. The boy was chuckling and gasping. "Ouch that's brutal." He laughed.

"Next time, I won't let you win." He said raising his eyebrows up for a moment. Assuming they were to play a game again in the future, he'd be sure to not let Poppy win again. He couldn't, his reputation among the team would be crushed. To lose to a girl... Especially with trying his hardest, not once, but twice. Talk about a nail in the coffin. "Also though, good game and uh.. What's you're number? I'd like to play again sometime if you want.. Oh and, sorry your friend didn't show up, guess I know why now.." Chris said with a chuckled as he sat down by his bag and grabbed his water bottle.

[Poppy Lockwood]

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"Hey, the truth hurts," she said, shrugging, before laughing. Winning two games in a row against the same guy gave the girl a really good feeling. Her day was starting off quite well, despite the circumstances that brought her to the tennis court in the first place.

As Christopher issued what she assumed was another challenge, Poppy Lockwood smiled coyly. Oh, not giving up are we? She quite liked that actually. However, before she retort to his statement, the boy had continued on speaking. So when he asked for her number, the brunette took her water bottle and towel and sat beside him. "Two very good games," she stated. Once he had his phone out, she took it in her hands and keyed in her cell number, and put 'Girl That Beat You' as the contact name. "Call me. Maybe you can win next time. Maybe." Smiling, she handed the phone back to its owner.

The girl chuckled along with him after he mentioned about the friend. She took a gulp of water first before she spoke. "To be honest with you, I was not really meeting up with anyone. Technically, I kinda forgot that it took two to play the game when I first left my dorm. Yeah I know, it sounds a little silly, but yeah, that was that," she admitted. It was a funny story really, she realized as she retold it to her tennis partner.

"How bout you, where is your friend?" she asked as she looked around the empty surrounding, not seeing anyone. "Anyways, how long have you been playing this beautiful game?" Her hand gestured to the court, before dabbing the sweat formed on her face with the towel hanging behind her neck.

[Christopher Kyle]

Chris rolled his eyes and let out a chuckle as Poppy, more like poopy, informed him that the truth hurts. As if, words hurt more. . Christopher took his phone back happily and stared at the contact for a moment... The savagery never ends. And with a grumble he turned his phone off after he sent his friend a uh.. politely... worded message about ditching him, not cool. "Maybe I can win.. " he mumbled to himself with a scoff. "Oh yeah, and maybe I'll actually try next time too. I'm sure you'd rethink your words then." He said with a smirk.

Christopher looked at the brunette curiously as she explained her story.. Come out all alone?? I mean... It wasn't that weird because technically you could practice on your own.. It just wasn't all that efficient. "Eh, no you're fine.. Now you have a partner though if you want. Love playing and I'd be willing to come out nearly whenever." He said with a nod. Plus it would be nice to show her who's the actual better player of the two. She may have won the first two games.. But in the long run, she wouldn't win anymore.

Chris shrugged as the girl asked him where his friend was, "I don't know, probably ditching cause I'm too good for him.." then Christopher looked at Poppy and with the most neutral and calm face he could muster, he said, "I've never played before in my life. That's why my friend was coming out, to teach me how to play." Then after a while, seeing what Poppy would do or say if anything, he'd laugh and tell her he'd been playing .. "For a week. Naw 8 years, but it's close enough.. Right?"

[Poppy Lockwood]

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Ugh if she knew what he was thinking, she would slap him and made him stick to the wall. With her power, it did not seem impossible. It was just a contact name, which she knew he could change anytime soon. But Poppy Lockwood knew she was really really shoving her wins in his face. However, the girl was never the emphatic -- and she doubt it would change soon -- so she did not consider how Christopher would be feeling at the moment.

"Oh really?" she said in a challenging tone. Despite losing two times in a row, and to a girl, the boy still had confidence that it would not be the same the next time around if when they play tennis again. And for that, Poppy agreed. "Sure, you know how to reach me," she said before taking a gulp of some water. His confidence certainly made it all the more interesting. Plus, he was not being a sore loser and she always liked playing with a good sport.

At the comment on how he was better than his friend, the brunette chuckled. She arched and eyebrow in questioning as if to ask oh really. Furthermore, she kept her gaze on him when he mentioned how much of a newbie he was at the sport. Glancing at him sideways as she drank from her bottle, Poppy did not quite believe him. So when he confessed, the girl smirked. "Man, you and I have very different definition of close. Say, you play any other sport? Could use another competitive player."

[Christopher Kyle]

Chris gave her a nod, "Yes really." he said confidently as he packed his stuff up. Christopher was a lot of things; stupid, maybe. He really was just confident though, or at least felt like she wasn't that much better, if she even was better. He could go on and blame a lot of things, the sun, the wind, him just not having a good day, but all of those excuses he would keep to himself.. for now. With all that said though, a win was a still a win at the end of the day. He felt as though if he really wanted it, he could in fact beat Poppy, and next time he would.

Christopher gave en eye roll as she commented on having different versions of 'close', "Pfft, nooo." he said in a sarcastic tone. He perked up at other sports though and nodded to that question. "Yes I do, I also play lacrosse." He had been playing lacrosse nearly as long as he had been playing tennis at 6 years and he knew for sure he could beat Poppy at that game if all else failed. That was just a given due to the girl's version and the male's version of the sport were fairly different with different rules.

"Why do you ask? You looking to get beat in more than just tennis?" he said raising an eyebrow. "If you really want to lose that badly, I'd be happy to play you in any sport. You name it and give me a little heads up so I can get some practice in and learnt he rules, then you're on." he said, his belly giving a growl.

[Poppy Lockwood]

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Christopher was something alright and he intrigued her. He was not throwing his racket to the ground and having a tantrum, but he still had that smug look as if the only reason the brunette had won was because it was due to luck or whatever. At least he was not being an asshole about it, so Poppy actually looked to another one of their friendly matches. Some time in the near future she hoped.

"Ah, lacrosse. Can't say I've played that," she said shrugging. She was not an athletic one, hence the little sports she played which were tennis and swimming. But now she was doing two mile morning runs as well because she had attacked failed to prank a teacher. "Okay, first off pretty boy, you've never beaten me in tennis. At least not today." A lazy smirk grew on her face. "But you know, if you're ever up for redemption on your poor performance today, you know how to reach me." She gave a pointed look towards his phone before getting up to gather her stuff. After stuffing her equipment, she zipped the duffel and slung it over her shoulders.

"Till the next time, Christopher." Poppy gave him a two finger salute before turning around and walked off the court. Winning both games with the promise of another where she hoped to continue her winning streak, it was a good way to start her day. She looked forward for another chance to crush her opponent again.

FIN