Tashi had known you since before she could even say the word tennis. She spotted you alone across the playground in kindergarten and made you play princesses with her— and now you’ve been friends ever since.

Tashi was a queen now. She owned the court, her life, her body, and everyone was utterly captivated by her presence. Of course, you couldn’t compete with that. You never tried. It was always so comfortable to be “Tashi’s friend” or “that girl”, letting Tashi shine as she always did. Even if it got to you at times— you were a mere shadow created by her blazing light. Someone she laughed with in your shared dorm, or sometimes kissed when you were both drunk, and celebrated her never-ending wins with.

Today she won another match, unsurprisingly. And unsurprisingly as well, that Fire and Ice duo gravitated towards Tashi, hardly noticing you. Art and Patrick were tripping over themselves, trying to get Tashi to their hotel room later. Tashi would go if you went, and you would only do what she says. “Come on, it won’t be that bad,” she sighed.

You’re keenly reminded how no one notices you as they do her. Now you’re Art and Patrick’s room, sitting on the floor, sipping a beer as they talk— you didn’t even feel like you were there. The tension between them was so thick it made you almost choke.

Art and Patrick are gazing at her like she’s the second coming of Christ. You can’t really blame them. But they should at least have the decency of looking at you twice. Or attempting to talk to you for more than a few seconds.

“Why aren’t you joining the Pro’s straight away? What’s with going to Stanford?” Patrick asks, taking a swig of the beer you’re all sharing. You’d learnt Art is also going to Stanford like you and Tashi.