Love Love
They're only little tears, darling, let them spill
And lay your head upon my shoulder
Outside my window the world has gone to war
Are you the one that Ive been waiting for?
- Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Are you the one that I've been waiting for.
The tennis ball flips lazily from one side of the court to the other. Tanned, smooth, effortlessly hairless, teenage legs chase the ball.
Backhand, forehand, volley.
White socks with bobbles above white-washed plimsolls, painted every weekend to keep them white.
Green skirts short, slips of white bikini showing when they dip to hit the ball. White t-shirts pulled tight across suddenly full breasts.
The tennis teacher, Flash, he's called, leaning back characteristically on his heels and surveying the sea of hormones in front of him.
The best player is blond and cheeky. Her C-cup passes her in Maths and advances her in tennis. She has curls, good teeth, and an impish face. Even at 14 she knows how to stand close to the teacher, how to show the most flesh when she swings for the ball.
The ball slams, hits the faded clay, catches in the ancient net. The racquets squeak. Shoes thump.
The sun shines on and trickles of sweat run down the back of the tanned knees.
Circles of sweat start to form in the armpits of the clean white shirts. Beads form on noses. The ball slams.
Mid-afternoon and tennis ends, just as cricket starts.
The few boys, favourites of the tennis teacher, lift themselves from the shade of the hut, where they've been watching the play. Punching each other, horsing around, they pretend not to care.
Lanky and loping, they leave to chase different balls on a different field.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, you have a great writing style which is so descriptive and makes it easy to imagine the scene. I can see why you want to be a writer and why you should be :)
Well Ash, I have to agree with Stu. It put me right there, except some of the descriptive writing scenes brought back vivid memories of my own adolescence. I was able to see the scene you were trying to convey, but also to bring in my own imagery from personal experience. This is what will make you a great writer.
I also can't end without saying that you are so subtly sexy. I love that. It's like a provocative lyric in a song that is not over the top, but just right, to start things in motion. What things? I think you know what things. After all, you are the subtly sexy writer. ;-)
Mr Anonymous,
Your description of song lyrics putting things into motion makes me think you should be a writer yourself. Words can put a whole lot of things into motion, can't they? They're about as sexy as you can get.
I'm glad you identified with your own adolescence. Now if only I could bring back the crushed green grass smell of kissing behind the bleachers...
Stu, you're such a sweetie. I was so happy to see you in action at easylaughs on Friday. You've a talent for improv! I'm looking forward to seeing you again this Friday!