To France With Love

"WAKE UP!" Shouted Ty. His voice woke me up, but I was content in my bed, under the covers. "You're due on court in thirty minutes. I let you sleep."

I reluctantly rolled out of bed and put on my pleated white skirt and pale pink Polo shirt. I knocked on Maria's door. She answered and we went to go find some granola bars before we had to practice.

"Good call on the iPads last night." I said.

"I know. I can't believe Rafa follow us out." She laughed. I grinned too.

"Yeah. I know." I said. Maria gave me a look. An I know what you're hiding look.

"You like him!" She said

"I think he's really attractive, but that was only the second time I've talked to him." I said. She laughed at me while I rolled my eyes and smiled.
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Ty and I left the courts after practice with Maria and Yuri. They decided that they were going to stay and work on more drills, but Ty said he "didn't want to push me to hard"" and that I "wasn't ready for a full on pro training session". Whatever. I thought I could handle it but, in reality I might have needed to work up to it.

As we walked off the courts, I saw Rafael walking off of one of the other courts. All of the paths off of the courts lead into one big one, so we caught him right where his path met ours.

"Hey." He said. "Are you done practicing for today?"

"Yeah." I said. "Maria's still working, but I have nothing else to do today."

"Good." He said grinning. "Wanna go somewhere for breakfast?" We had fallen behind Tyler who was keen to get back to the hotel. I told him I'd catch up with him there after I ate.
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"Where are you from?" Asked Rafa after we had gotten fruit and muffins from a coffee shop on the street.

"Washington D.C." I answered. "That's where I met Maria."

"I know you're from Spain, but where?" I asked.

"Manacor. In Spain." He saw the look on my face and laughed. "Its an island off the coast." I nodded
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Rafael and I walked through the streets of Paris. We had decided to walk back to the hotel rather than ride in the car.

We must have looked funny walking around with our giant tennis bags. Then again, it was almost time for the French Open to start, so I could see how people would not find it strange. I could also see people looking at Rafael, obviously recognizing the tennis star. People looked at me too. Walking next to Rafa made me look like I was also a pro here for the tournament.

"Do you have any idea where we're going?" I asked.

"Of course." He said. I looked around and didn't really recognize anything. I looked up at him and smiled. He sighed and pulled out his phone and Google mapped our hotel.

"Good idea." I said as he looked at the map.

"Looks like we headed the right way after all." He raised his eyebrow this time when he spoke. I noticed that he did this when he was having trouble saying what he wanted to in English. It was so cute.

"I'm sorry I doubted you" I said. He smiled down at me and I giggled.

We walked and talked and joked for another block or two when Rafa reached over and helps my hand. My heart fluttered when his hand touched mine.

When we got to the hotel and took the elevator up, he had to get out on the floor below mine. Before he got out, he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. As he walked out of the elevator and the doors closed behind him, I could feel my heart beat like crazy. I went back to my room, and passed out on the bed in pure bliss.