Chapter 17
Eliana paused, thought for a moment, and then nodded. “Alright, let’s go together.”
Seeing her agree, Cameron turned to Landon “Bring the car around.”
“Got it,” Landon replied casually.
The group strolled to the west gate of the campus to wait for Landon to pull up.
With nothing better to do, Thomas struck up a conversation with Eliana. “So, Eliana, you thinking about joining any clubs?”
Eliana didn’t even hesitate. “Nope
Thomas raised a brow. “No! Don’t you think college life’s go
Eliana stayed silent.
‘s gonna get kinda horing without one?”
Before her time travel, she’d been so busy working part–time jobs just to scrape together tuition that joining any clubs had been out of the question. Socializing had seemed like a luxury.
But this time, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try something new.
Eliana remembered that had signed up for the tennis club back then just because Roman was in it too.
It wasn’t just any club at Isonstead University–it was the club. The most popular one, hands down. Its members were either top–tier students everyone admired or rich kids whose parents were VIPs in Dratora City–CEOs, government officials, or straight–up royalty.
There was even a
was even a saying at Isonstead: If you can get into the tennis club, even as a ball boy, you’ve already made it.
Eliana turned to the three men standing beside her. “Are you guys in the tennis club too?”
Cameron looked a little confused “Too? What do you mean ‘too?”
Just curious, Eliana said quickly, brushing it off.
Adam laughed. “Yeah, we’re all in the tennis club. Landon here is actually the club president.”
Thomas grinned and chimed in. “Eliana, you should join the tennis club too. I can pull some strings–skip the whole application process for you. What do you say?”
Every year, hordes of students tried to join the tennis club, but fewer than thirty made the cut. The competition was brutal, a testament to how exclusive the club w
And why wouldn’t it be? The perks were insane. Private training facilities, members only lounges, a luxury practice court, and tournaments with jaw–dropping rewards.
It wasn’t just about the benefits, though. Being in the tennis club meant connections–valuable ones. Networking there could set they up for life. Graduate with a few of those named in their phone, and they wouldn’t need to worry about a job.
Selection, though, was a bloodbath. They used a quarter–final elimination format, and newbies often got cut in the first round.
Most people assumed Eliana didn’t know how to play tennis. If she joined, they figured she’d just be there to look pretty,
But honestly, no one would complain about that. She had the connections to get in, and being a “club darling” was hardly a bad thing
The tennis club, huh? Sounds cool. Alright, I’m in Eliana declared confidently, her eyes shining with determination. “But I’ll make it through the tryouts fair and square. No shortcuts for me!”
Thomas raised an eyebrow at her boldness. “That’s some spirit, Eliana. But let’s be real–can you even play tennis? You’re not exactly the sporty type, and I bet your usual exercise routine is close to zero. I’m telling you, the elimination rounds are no joke, and those rookies who make it to the finals? They’re beasts.”
The tennis club often competed with those from other universities, so members needed to be skilled. Players in Isonstead University’s tennis club were as good as national athletes, highlighting the challenge.
Eliana shot him a glare. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you underestimating me?”
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Before Thomas could respond, Cameron chimed in with a smirk. “Relax. Worst case, if you don’t make it, you can always join the cheer squad.”
Thomas snorted. “Cheer squad? Dude, does our club even have one?”
There were few women in the tennis club, so a cheer squad was unheard of.
“Not yet,” Cameron replied, his voice calm and steady. “But it could.”
Thomas blinked in disbelief. Is Cameron serious? Is he suggesting they create a cheer squad just for Eliana if she doesn’t make the cut?”
he wondered
That would be wild, even for Cameron. Then again, if anyone could pull something like that off, it was him,
Their banter was interrupted by the hum of an engine as Landon pulled up in his car.
Once inside. Thomas wasted no time. “Hey, Landon, make sure we save a spot for Eliana in the tennis club this year”
Driving with one hand on the wheel, Landon glanced at Thomas through the rearview mirror. “Eliana’s joining the tennis club? Awesome. She can skip the tryouts and just join directly”
From the backseat, Eliana leaned forward, her voice firm. “No way. I’m doing the tryouts like everyone else. No favors, no shortcuts, Got
The car fell silent for a moment. Seeing how serious she was, no one argued further.
Still, Thomas and Cameron exchanged knowing glances. Whether or not the tryouts would be entirely fair was up to them.
They soon arrived at the Epicurean Club, a high–end recreational hub Eliana was taken aback by its minimalistic, Zen–inspired design.
She had expected the largest entertainment venue in Dratora City to be flashy, maybe even gaudy, but this was a pleasant surprise,
A staff member greeted them and led them to the third floor, where the billiards rooms were located.
The floor was divided into private rooms and open areas, with the private rooms charging by the hour–or by the month, for those who could afford in
The staff clearly recognized the group. Cameron, in particular, was a familiar face. He had a long–standing lease on the club’s most premium billiards room, practically turning it into his personal hangout.
This, however, was the first time they had ever brought a woman along. Eliana couldn’t help but notice the curious glances sent her way as they walked in.
Inside the room, Eliana wandered around, taking in the space while the others prepared their cues.
The walls were lined with custom–made billiard cues, each one a masterpiece worth a fortune.
Cameron shrugged off his jacket, revealing a loose gray T–shirt underneath. Rolling up his sleeves, he exposed his sharp collarbones as he approached the cue wall.
“Help me pick one,” he said casually, turning to Eliana.
Eliana blinked, surprised. “Huh? Me?” She tilted her head, scanning the wall of cues before pointing to a pink–and–purple one. “How about this one?
The cue she chose had a purple tip, a pink handle, and-much to Cameron’s dismay–a little bow tied around it.
Cameron froze, caught off guard by her choice
Adum, who had been selecting a cue of his own, burst out laughing. “Oh, man. That one? Cameron’s mom gave it to him for his eighteenth birthday. Special limited edition. He swore he’d never touch it.”
Eliana grinned. Perfect. Since he’s never used it, today’s the day. No backing out now!
Cameron hesitated, clearly regretting his decision to let her pick
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Eliana leaned closer, her tone teasing. “What’s the matter? You’re not gonna chicken out, are you? Come on, Cameron, a man’s keep his word. If you back out, I’ll mack you for the rest of your life”
“Fine,” Cameron muttered, pulling the cue off the wall. “Let’s do this.”
Adam doubled over laughing. “This is gold! Cameron said he’d never use that cue. Looks like he’s eating his words today!”
The rest of the group erupted into laughter, the room filled with teasing and banter.
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