After thinking about her mom Jess went out and shot hoops until her dad came home. She didn't mention anything to him. Just smiled. They went over to Shauns house to eat. After Jess and Shaun got done they went to Shauns room, She told him that she thought about her mom yesterday, and how thinking about playing basketball on a team would be fun.
She went home with her dad. Went up to her room and thought about it more. she decided tomorrow she'd go down to the school and try out.
*Try outs*
"Name?"
"Jessicamae"
"what? what's your last name?"
"Parker"
"Wait, you're Emilys daughter aren't you?"
"Uh yeah."
"Okay, you're going to have to shoot 3 pointers, lay-ins and do a fast break. GO"
Jess did all of them, she did amazing too. the judges were inpressed. She didn't understand how the one judge knew who her mom was though, So she asked her.
" Um excuse me but, how do you know my mom?"
"Oooh Hunny, you're mom never told you? I was her coach during High school. I remember when she brought you to high school games, she had no point to she just loved the girls so much. But she loved you way more. I remember when we made a point you too would jump up and cheer."
Jess smirked." Yeah, I was really little then."
Jess walked home and after she got there the phone rang
"Jessicamae?"
"yes"
"You made it, you made the team. Go make your mom Proud."
she hung up. Jess muttered. "I will"
That night was special because her dad heard about her making the team, and shaun came over early like always when they had dinner, Shaun talked about how she was going to do on the team. Girls practiced before the boys so at some points Shaun can see how she does on the court.
They ate and Shaun's parents were so happy for Jessy, Jessy was nervous about being the main attention. She wasn't totally her mom she could handle a the attention Jessy couldn't she would get nervous and she starts stuttering.
*Next Day*
Jess and Shaun were out playing basketball. And Jess's moms coach came by to see what she was doing and her coach thought she'd like to know a litttle bit about her mom, and how she did when she was her age.
"Your mom was incredible. Everyone was amazed by her. Not only was she a good player, but when ever the other girls had a bad attitude about the score or something they didn't like being done she went out of her way to change it.
Their conversation went om for about and hour then her coach had to go she said bye. as she head out the door jessy said "Bye Mrs.Brown" she turned around and replyed. "call me Emma, your mom did."
Jess was suprised that her mom had such an effect on people. Jess knew that her mom was a game changer but she also knew that the way she looked wasn't going to help her much on the team. The way her hair was Pink and Blonde people knew jess had gone through something that made her change her apperance.
When she went to the gym for practice all the girls looked at their coach. Jess knew what was coming, but she kept her mouth shut and just praticed. Towards the end of practice they were asked to set screens for the players. Jess was happy because she knew she was good at screens. And the person she had to set a screen on was what Jess called the captain of the populars. Jess ran up to set the screen, the girl ended up on the ground. Jess had power, power from anger and stress. Her coach was amazed. Shaun had walked in when she ran up to set the screen. He was laughing when jess walked over and hugged him.
"Saw what you did there, Pretty sweet"
"Yeah, well she'll be on her ass the whole season if she keeps pissing me off."
Shaun gave her one more hug and walked into the locker room to change for hs practice. When Jess walked out of the school gym Zach was standing there.
"Hey, you up to go get some food?"
"Yeah. Where do you want to go?"
"Subway"
"yes"
They went to subway and ordered and ate. Zach asked how her practice went. She told him.
"So why aren't you playing?" Jess asked
"Well, my friends are assholes and I'm actually better than them. And if I tried out they'd kick my ass"
"Oh seems like you've got a problem. You should still go for it. And if they say yes, and they kick your ass don't fight back they'd get punished and won't be able to play."
"What so I just stand there while I get my ass kicked? yeah great plan."
"No, I'll stop it."
"How?"
"he likes me right? Or a part of me. I know a way. Just don't worry about it."
Zach walked Jess home. Waiting on her doorstep Shaun.
"Hey, What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you. Come here!"
Shaun grabbed her and hugged her. Jess was confused.
"Umm You don't know how hard it's going to be to tell you this but, I'm just going to tell you. And I promise you I'm going to be there for you. Jess... Your dad died." Shaun said while looking into Jess's eyes. Tears started to run down her face. Shaun wiped them away. Grabbed her again and hugged her. Jess looked up and ask Shaun who she was going to stay with. Shaun said with him.
Jess was happy she was staying with him because the first night jess crawled into Shauns bed. he didn't hesitate to ask why, he just wrapped his arms around her and she fell asleep in his arms.
When Jess woke up she didn't want to get out of bed, Shaun noticed she had opened her eyes, Shaun hugged her and kissed her forehead. Shaun could always make her feel better and Shaun told himself he was going to do that until she feels better. when they both went down to eat breakfast Shaun's parents were at work so Shaun and Jess ate and Shaun asked what she wanted to do if she wanted to do anything at all. She did she wanted to live her life like nothing at all happened last night. she wanted to go and shoot hoops, and wanted to play basketball. No matter how many times memories of her dad watching her filled her mind. She was going to play.
They got to the park where the hoops were. Zach and his friends were there, Zach came over to her and hugged her. Jess was off her game but she kep trying she failed everytime. She gave up for that day. Zach asked her if she wanted to go out, without thinking she said yes because she wanted to do something that wouldn't remind her of her father. She was just so confused. How did he die. She knew that was going to be all she thought about.
Zach wanted to do something fun with her so they just walked around the town a little bit, and went to the movies. Jess was in an okay mood trying to keep her feeling in her. which wasn't so hard. After they watched the movie Zach walked her home, he wached as her arm swung as she walked he slightly grabbed her wrist and made his hand slide down to intertwine their fingers. Jess went with it and let him hold her hand.Zach go to Shauns house and she slowly walked up the porch and his hand was still attached to hers as she walked up the steps Zach pulled her down, and Kisses her gently on the lips. and said goodnight.
As Jess was about to open the door it opened, Shaun. He was going on his date. Shaun softly said "Hi" and walked away. Jess walked into her room and thought about her whole day. How her date went with Zach and how she liked him. She wanted to know if he felt the same way. She'd just have to find out.
