Superheroes Play Soccer

Chapter 12: No Matter How Tough, It's Still Rough

Jade's POV
The rest of the day, I spent in my room, packing up what was left of my clothes. My mom had come by, Kelley her and I ate lunch together, then I drove Kelley to the airport. She was heading to Georgia, and the truth was I will be too in a couple hours. While I was there, I bought a one way ticket to Atlanta. I had to see Morgan. I missed that girl like crazy. As much as I have loved having Kelley here, and wouldn't have had a better time, there's just a special bond between Bean and I that I couldn't replace even if I tried. I changed into some army green pants with a black leather jacket over a cream tank top, along with my brown combat boots. I grab my bags and head down the stairs, smiling at my mom who sits at the kitchen counter. "Hey mom." I say happily, and offer her a bright smile as I walked over and hugged her around the neck. "Leaving already?" She asked, and I hesitated before nodding. "I've got someone expecting me. Hopefully I'll bring her here to meet you soon. You'd love her. She's like a sister. From another mister." I chucked, resulting in an eye roll from my mom. The past week has been rough. Which is understandable. But I made sure it was clear that she could now come to all my games, and that I'd be the one to happily pay for it all.

After a while of chatting, I decided it was time to go catch my flight. My mom dropped me off, and just as I had finished with the luggage area, I heard a familiar voice. "Jade!" I turned to see a bright smiling blond, jogging towards me. "Julie!" I almost screamed, quickly running and clashing into her, hugging her tightly. It honestly felt great to see her, I had missed her as well. "I was so worried about you! Where have you been?!" She said, playfully smacking my shoulder. I gave a chuckle before looking at her. "Here in Cali, seeing my family. What about you?" I asked, making sure to keep an ear out for my flight. "Just got into town to see my family for Thanksgiving. Where are you headed?" "To Atlanta. Morgan invited me to Thanksgiving, and I agreed. So here I am." "Well, you still need to tell me what happened- you know." I hesitated, and was fixing to reply but the intercom came on. "Now boarding all passengers for flight 97 for Atlanta." I glanced at my ticket, then back to JJ. "Sorry, that's me. But I'll text you when I get settled on the flight alright?" I told her, and she nodded before we hugged once more, then I rushed to get on the plane.

I placed my carry-on in the compartment above me, and I was happy to be sitting in a row alone. Surprisingly enough, the plane wasn't too packed. I sat down and placed my earbuds in, then texted Julie as I had promised.

Me: Hey Jules.
JJ: Okay, so what happened?
Me: Well, the night before the game when I was hanging out with Carli, my mom called me. She told me that my brother had been to a party at the bar, some things went South and he called my dad to come pick him up. Both of them ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time. They were killed.
JJ: Oh my God Jade. I had no idea.
Me: Not your fault, I didn't really tell anyone.
JJ: I understand why you left now..
Me: Yeah, my mom needed me. Sorry I didn't tell you.
JJ: Don't apologize. I'm just glad you're safe. Please don't hesitate to ask me for anything.
Me: Same to you. Enjoy your Thanksgiving, I'll text you later?
JJ: Always.

Once we finished talking, I decided to text Morgan, just to see what she was up to. She was at home, which was all I needed to know. I had been to her house once when we were having camp in Atlanta, and she had let me stay along with Emily and Lindsey. I can't help but smile as I begin to think of Morgan's reaction when I get there. Suddenly, I was tapped on the shoulder by someone, and as I turned there were a group of teens standing, one of them holding a sharpie. I quickly took out an earbud. "You're Jade Silverado!" One of the girls said, and I slowly smiled as I turned, nodding to them. "That I am." I replied, looking over the 5. 3 girls and 2 guys, one of them wearing a Lloyd #10 jersey, one wearing a Solo #1, another wearing Heath #17, one wearing Morgan #13 and the other wearing Press #23. "Will you sign our jerseys!?" The girl wearing Carli's squealed, and I couldn't help but giggle. "Sure." I say, before standing up and signing the back of each of their jerseys. I smiled as they walked back, and just as I went to stand up, more people stood to have my autograph their belongings. Some having me sign their phones and phone cases, others having me sign t-shirts and other misc items. I felt pretty happy, even though they probably just wanted items signed because I was an international soccer player. But the fact that someone knows me, is a real confidence booster.

I got off the plane, and once I retrieved my items from baggage claim, I called over a taxi and got dropped off at Morgan's front door. Her family owns a nice country style home on a small ranch, and I'm greeted by the small yips of the tan colored Dachshund running around the fenced in backyard. I chuckle, then hold my hand over the fence to ruffle his ears. "Hey Charlie." I chuckle, smiling as I continue to pet the tail wagging wiener dog. I then walk to the front door, a mischievous idea running through my mind. I hide to the right of the door in the bushes just before the porch, then call Bean. "Hey Morgan." I say happily. "Hey! What's up." She replied, and I hear her mom talking in the background. "Not much, hey I had a quick question. I got a letter in the mail for coach about next camp. Did you get it?" I ask, just getting the idea off the top of my head. "No I haven't, though I haven't checked the mail today. One second." I listen closely, she's walking. The front door opens, and I quickly hang up as she walks down the steps, before leaping out and screaming "HI." She screams bloody murder and jumps back, her blue eyes widen with temporary fear before she realizes it's me. "OH MY GOD- DON'T DO THAT!" She yells at me, and I can't stop laughing. She jumps at me and we hug for a while, I'm filled with happiness to see my best friend again. "I missed yyyooouuuu..." I say while continuing to squeeze, her doing the same. "I totally was NOT expecting you!" She said, before finally pulling away. Ms. Brian and Charlie stand at the doorway, and I wave with a bright smile before looking back to Morgan. "I told you I'd come, and I'm one of my word." I chuckle, before hooking my arm around her neck. She hugs me again, then we begin to walk up the stairs. "Hey Ms. Brian." I greet, and I'm offered a hug. "Hey Jade, come on in." She says happily, and just as I begin to carry my luggage in, Morgan stops me. "What's up?" I ask her, slightly confused. "What about that letter?" She asks me, and I facepalm. "It was just a reason to get you out here idiot." I snort, and she makes an "Oooohh" sound as she slaps my arm, then we head inside.