A Matter Of Pride

Back in the day, a lady chose a color of ribbon to place around the arms of the men she wanted to represent her family, in hopes they would become the new champion at whatever sport they played. I guess it was part of the reason why I started fear-leading in the first place; ruffling poms made of paper seemed a more practical alternative to looping ribbon around my chosen champions. I quit after the first two years, though. The work outweighed the satisfaction. Even after, I kept showing up to his games. Honestly, we both hated American sports. It wasn't the premise of sports that got under our skin, but that Americans had no idea how to play them properly. There was little sportsmanship, and every event was turned into some massive show of idiocy. There was nothing honorable about the American institution of sport, but that was probably why when Bram joined the Monster High casketball team, it was one of the best things to happen to them since the Wolf children were enrolled.

That first year, they never lost a game thanks to the combined forces of the former Belfry Prep team and Monster High's already decent lineup. Two years and some roster changes since, and it was our last season. We really wanted to graduate this time. I was sitting on the sidelines amid the sea of undulating purple and black, in my tight black jeans and wine colored sweater. Everyone else was on their feet, but I was waiting to stand. Vampire Academy had the ball, and we were down by seven. It was the fourth quarter, and there were two minutes left in the game. The paper-shaking little pep squad could only do so much.

When Coach Igor called a time out, I slipped down between the side rails. Bram stepped past his group and met me just behind the benches. I slid his still-frosty thermos into his hands and brushed the sweat dampened hair off his neck while he took a prolonged drink. A small river of red blood traced his jaw, but only momentarily. He wiped it away and passed the canister back to me. "Wolf keeps blocking my play. I can't force him to get out of the way or the other team will call us on it."

"You would think in a game like this, powers would make the playing field rather even."

He scoffed under his breath. I ran my fingers over his flushed skin. His cheeks had become rather pink, not the healthiest sight for a vampire. I kissed his nose and did my best to keep an optimistic smile on my lips, "Careful not to overheat."

"What are you, my mother?" he teased. "Stay until the end. I need my good luck charm."

I kissed his lips lightly. "For luck."

He broke into a grin.

"Devein!" Coach Igor called.

I released my hold on his jersey and took a step back to rejoin the crowd in between two of the recent transfers. He joined their lineup and shook the sweat from his elongated bangs, his eyes flickering to the massive wolf at his side. He said something, but it went inaudible over the din at my back. Too much noise surrounded me to focus on the larger picture, under times of great stress, it felt as if we were the only people in the world. They broke their circle to return to the court, switching Heath out for his newly-shifted elemental cousin.

Clawd made a three point shot in the next few moments. Then the ball was stolen, and we were back down to five behind. It became a struggle to keep the ball out of either basket after that. As soon as one boy would have his hold on it, they would struggle to go until Deuce got it again and threw it wildly through the air, managing to sink another shot into the other team's basket. Holt was shoved aside on a foul, giving our team an opportunity for a three pointer. It was much more tension than it seemed to be worth, because up until the final buzzer, they were locked in their struggle to play keep away. With their tie, overtime was called, and I caught sight of the fear squad huddled together for some gigantic fiasco or other. Clawd ducked out to consult his sister. I tucked Bram's thermos into my arm and waited, but he didn't break from his huddle. The other team rose their brows in the direction of the pitiful band of misfits struggling to endure combat. I stepped out to him.

"Sweetheart, I'm a bit busy," he said before I could utter a word.

Silently, I slid my necklace from around my neck and looped it over his. He paused when the cold metal hit his flushed skin and glanced back to me.

"There are men out there who don't think you're going to be a champion," I said simply. "Go prove them wrong for me. Properly."

His fingers traced the small pendant against his collarbone and he nodded slightly. Immediately, Cleo wrapped a bandage around Deuce's forearm. Draculaura slipped one of her sparkly barrettes into her boyfriend's hair. I rolled my eyes at the imitation, but turned away from their mimicry in favor of passing the thermos into his hands once again.

"For Lilith's sake, I have spent four years involved in sports for you. Make the playoffs, or I'm going to be cardinally pissed."

The irony of my statement didn't go unnoticed. He smirked, took a long drink, and passed it back to me with a nod. Like a true knight of caliber, he clasped a hand over his chest and bowed, "Of course, my lady."

"My lady me all you want later. Go out there and beat the bow ties off those prep school brats."

Alright, so Americans weren't entirely incorrect. When it came to war, the gloves of formality had the tendency of getting lost. Bram flashed me a wicked, boyish grin and turned back to his teammates. Not all of them were blessed with the driving force of a good woman at their back, but when they all looked to me, I shifted my hands to my hips and met each of their eyes individually.

"I can't promise you any of my friends will be interested, but they might be so inclined if you actually win."

They let out cheers that rivaled the affirmatives of soldiers at war, and grouped together for one last hurrah before taking to the field. This time, I couldn't bring myself to rejoin the masses behind me. I rested my hand on Heath Burns' shoulder for support, watching as they tore across the court with renewed vigor. The grappling for the ball became more fierce. First to the next basket won. Vampire Academy made a shot, but Deuce jumped to block it. Clawd caught the ball and passed it halfway down the court to Bram, and he passed to Holt only to have it stolen before Holt could pass it along again. The battle of wills lurched sickeningly back and forth across the court for as long as the boys could struggle without becoming violent. Finally, Holt ducked between two vampires shielding each others backs, and chucked the ball at my boyfriend with a wild scream.

Bram caught the ball and sunk it into the net above.

The buzzer sounded.

There was a complete moment of silence, and then the outburst of the monsters at my back seemed to shake the foundations of the gym to its very subterrenian depths. Heath leaped to his feet in full flame, and nearly threw himself into embracing me. I slipped by and raced out into the throng of retreating undead to meet my champion ahead of the crowd.

"What did I tell you?!" he shouted, grinning from ear to ear. Like a new patriot, he wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me slightly off my feet. I laughed, returning the embrace around his neck, and pressed my lips firmly to his.

….

"I always wondered why you quit fear-leading," he murmured into my ear as we slipped from the stuffy gymnasium into the crisp autumn air. "I suppose it just wasn't honorable enough motivation for you."

I laughed under my breath. "Honorable motivation?" I slipped my fingers beneath the chain and held the weighted stone above his skin. "I had no such honorable intention in making you win. Don't think for a second that I don't want to be the girl whose boyfriend made the winning shot. It makes us relevant again."

His eyes sparkled. "Sure. You spent four years watching me endure game after game so we could be relevant. Gory Fangtell, as your boyfriend, I must say... lying is the thing you suck at most."

A/N- Well, being sick this past week made me take the first vacation I've had in years. I can't say I didn't enjoy it. Just remember, requests are constantly open :) And thanks so much for the kind words.