Beginner's Luck

"Dude, you're holding that paddle like a dildo."

My friend didn't go easy on me. It was fair, though; it was the first time I'd ever picked one up. But I actually want to learn how to play.

I ignored their teasing and stepped back into position to swing. I’ve never been much of an athlete; I usually just do enough to stay healthy. But here I am, thinking I’ve finally found a sport I can actually enjoy.

I was chasing the ball everytime they swung the ball towards me.sprinting from one end of the court to the other. I felt great whenever I returned a shot properly, but sometimes I get discouraged when I make it fly out off the court.

After the game, my friend patted me on the back. He told me I did well for a newbie, which made me feel like I actually belonged there. Then he teased me for all the "flyballs" I hit.

My friends decided to call it a night, but I wanted to stay and practice. We said our goodbyes, and I headed over to the wall to work on my swings.

I was so focused on my swings that I barely noticed the gym was empty. Except for one other person. At the far end of the court, she was practicing her swings too, hitting a pickleball against the wall.

I think she noticed when I stopped hitting the wall, and looked at my way. I saw her smile at me and it almost melts me because of how beautiful she is.

I think she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and I am not exaggerating one bit.

She had large, round eyes and a perfectly symmetrical face. Her body was thin, but every proportion was spot on.

i think i actually drooled a little bit, she made her way towards me, I was speechless. Up close, she was even more perfect than I had imagined.

She smiled at me without opening her mouth, her cheeks puffing out slightly. She was so cute that I looked away. I blushed a little bit as I looked away.

"I like pickleball too," she said. "Would you mind playing a game with me?"

I tried to calm myself. I wanted to say yes, but I didn't want to sound like a lovestruck idiot while doing it.

I stuttered just saying "y..y..yes." She giggled, and it was so cute that I think I fell for her even harder, despite barely knowing her. (actually i don’t even know her name).

"Seeun," she said, reaching her hand out to introduce herself.

 I took her hand and gave it a firm shake. "Seunghan," I replied.

She smiled again. "Let's have a good game, Seunghan."

Just as we were about to start, a staff member walked over to let us know the gym was closing in 30 minutes.

"let's get started then" i said "so a 1 set match to 11?"

She agrees but wants to make a small bet to make it more exciting.

"What's the catch?" I asked.

She told me the loser had to give the winner a shoulder massage and buy the drinks, all while keeping the cutest smile on their faces.

I agree. I’m not sure if it was just bravado or the fact that I can’t ever say no to her, probably a little bit of both.

We flipped a coin to see who would serve first, heads for me, tails for her. I tossed it, it landed on tails, and just like that, she was starting the game.

Her first serve was surprisingly sharp, it caught me completely off guard.

she was jumping up and down with this huge smile on her face, totally hyped that she’d scored the first point.

At her second service, I was ready and returned it and we did have a little rally until she made a mistake and the ball hit the net on her return.