It may have been windy, damp, and cold with leaves blowing about but Sophie wanted nothing more than to escape the Calloway gym. Turning sharply away from Jake's unnoticed threat she scanned the bleachers behind her seeing teacher and parent alike were there, eager to observe the game.
Christina was seated two rows up from the team but noticing Sophie's distress marched down the bleachers.
"What's the matter, Sophie?" she knelt to meet Sophie's eyes.
"I'm scared I'll mess up, Mommy," Sophie whimpered, "I'm too small"
"No, I think you're perfect just the way you are," Christina hugged the girl tightly, "Besides, we're supposed to be having fun, win or lose, okay?"
"Okay"
"Why don't you come sit with me until you're called in?"
Sophie happily grabbed Christina's hand, following her back to her seat.
…...
The score was tied. The game to close to call but Jake had a sneaky plan. If the tiny half-werewolf was brought in then Calloway would claim the trophy for the first time in five years.
Harper was blindsided by the ball which hit her square in the face, sending her sprawling onto the gym floor. A time-out was called.
"I'm so sorry colonel Calloway sir" Jake /blubbered tearfully.
"It's alright, Simmons," the colonel patted Jake's shoulder, "These things happen.
Jake's teammates, however, weren't so easily convinced by his performance.
"What are you doing?" Flim-Flam grabbed Jake by the arm when Calloway's back was turned.
"Relax, I got it all under control"
…...
"Are you okay, Harper?" Sophie bounded down the bleacher steps to where her father was guiding a dazed Harper to the bench.
"I'm a-okay," Harper grinned through her pain.
"Sophie, you're up," Shaggy declared while Christina hurried to help Harper.
"But...but...Daddy"
"You'll do great, Sophie," Christina smiled reassuringly, "Just try to have fun"
that was easier said than done. She missed every serve, often tripping over her own feet while Jake taunted quietly so the adults wouldn't hear.
"Gonna cry, are you?
"C'mon, show everyone what a baby you are and cry"
"Do it, I dare you"
"Go cry to your Daddy"
Sophie's blood was boiling. Thanks to the combined efforts of Winnie and Lupa Jake's plan wasn't working quite as well as he hoped which only served to fuel the nasty remarks that no one else could hear. Though Sophie did not like the feelings of anger coursing through her, she took them and directed them into the game. She got so worked up in fact, that she transformed without realizing it. The volleyball went sailing over the net.
Sophie took a running leap, her hand connecting with the ball for the first time in the game,
"OOOF"
Jake fell onto the floor, his nose spurting blood.
Sophie had spiked the ball into his face, breaking the tie and winning the game.
…...
The after-party was in full swing with plenty of snacks to go around. The cadets-for the most part-were good sports, enjoying themselves, and dancing with the girls. Sophie was still flushed, grinning from ear to ear even though she sat quietly in a corner.
"Come dance, Sophie," Harper beelined for her best friend.
"No thank you, Harper," Sophie replied, "I'm okay right here"
"But you love to dance," Harper gasped, sitting beside the blonde werewolf, "What's different now?"
jake was there. Jake hadn't stopped glaring at her, making the same slashing across the neck motion he had before the game. That was why she hadn't moved since before the party started. That was why she was the only one still wearing her uniform.
"I'm going to get Miss Christina," Harper jumped up when Sophie didn't answer.
Sophie barely nodded, too busy watching the others dance and mingle with one another.
…...
"Shaggy!" Christina lightly scolded, "Stop stalking the desserts"
Shaggy looked up from his fifth slice of pie, apple filling smeared in his fur, "But, you made it!" he protested, finishing off the slice in one swallow, "Like, it's sooo good!"
"Well, thank you but you need to leave some for the others"
Shaggy eyed the spread, forcing himself to look away and to Christina.
"Did I tell you you look amazing yet?"
"Three times already," Christina blushed, "It's just an old dress"
"Oh, believe me, it's not the dress I'm talking about," Shaggy wiped his face, rounding the table to grab Christina's hand, "How about a moonlit walk after Sophie goes to bed?" he whispered.
"Sounds perfect!" Christina nodded as Harper rounded the corner.
"Miss Christina?" the harpy panted clearly having flown all over the place, "Will you come talk to Sophie? She's been in the same spot for forever"
Christina looked at Shaggy.
"Go," he said, "If she needs me I'll know," he headed for the stairs, "I'll see if I can like, find Scooby"
…...
Sophie was still sitting in the corner where Harper left her, arms crossed over her knees, smiling from ear to ear but otherwise unmoving.
"Sophie," Christina knelt to her eye level, "Is something the matter?"
"Jake," Sophie whispered, nervously.
"It's alright, I won't let him do anything," Christina picked up Sophie, "Let's get you into some clean clothes"
"Do I have to take a bath?" Sophie asked with her face pressed into Christina's shoulder.
"Would you like to?"
she nodded.
"You can then"
…...
Meanwhile outside, Jade had been chasing Scooby since the beginning of the party and he was beginning to wear out. With limited options, he ducked inside Christina's garden shed. Sadly for him, Jade was right on his heels.
"Now I have you, Scooby", the lovely she-wolf growled with a sultry grin, stalking closer to her 'prey'.
" Roh-no!"
"Don't be afraid", Jade panted with hooded eyes, now nose to nose with the trembling great dane. "Did you know that wolves mate for life?"
"N-n-no, I ridn't", Scooby stammered, not sure where she was going with this.
"It's true. And, Scooby-Doo", Jade paused to lovingly lick his nose, "I choose YOU!"
Scooby's eyes widened in shock as Jade closed the shed door with her tail!
"Breed me, Big Boy!", Jade growled lustily as she jumped on top of her intended mate!
…...
Inside:
Drake was also cornered, backed into a classroom wall by an over-eager Valerie who'd managed to escape her uncle's watchful eye for the time being.
"C'mon Drake," she cooed flingers gliding across his neck, "Just one dance to celebrate?" she batted her eyelashes, "Please?"
It was abundantly clear nice wasn't working when it came to turning down her advances. With an inward sigh, he braced himself for the possible backlash...if Valerie was anything like her father he wanted to be prepared.
"Look Valerie," Drake sighed, dodging her attempt at a kiss, "I'll admit you're very pretty but you just aren't my type"
Valerie looked like she'd been slapped, "How can you say that?" she pouted.
"you just aren't a nice person, Valerie, you pick on the younger girls and disobey the teachers if you ever want a chance at a relationship with ANYBODY, lose the attitude"
With those words, he left the gobsmacked vampiress to rejoin the party.
…...
"Feel better now?" Christina asked, brushing the tangles from Sophie's hair.
The two were in Christina's room, Sophie watching their reflections in the mirror. It did feel nice to be out of her uniform with the sweat scrubbed away. Now she wore a glittery pink shirt with a tiara on it and her favorite polka-dotted pants.
"Much better, Mommy," Sophie beamed.
"I'm glad," Christina smiled back, "How do you want your hair?"
"Just like yours"
"Okay,"
Shaggy peeked inside just as Christina was finishing, "Like, I wondered where my two favorite girls went," he stepped into the room holding a perfectly frosted cupcake snagged from the dessert table.
"Shaggy-"
"It's for Sophie," he interjected before Christina could scold him.
" Well, if it's for Sophie," she jokingly relented.
"Thank you, Daddy!" Sophie happily accepted the treat with its glistening swirly frosting and colorful pink sprinkles.
"You're welcome," Shaggy smiled.
"Did you find Scooby?" Christina questioned.
"No, but I like have a feeling he doesn't want to be found right now"
"Why?" Sophie asked, "Is it Scooby's bath time?"
Shaggy smacked himself, "THAT'S what I forgot to do yesterday!"
"That explains why he was so jumpy," Christina figured, joining Shaggy in the doorway, "Ready to dance off that sugar, Sophie?"
"Yup," Sophie said, licking frosting from her hands.
…...
Eh, not the best ending but it did hit all my chapter goals. A big thank you to goes to my friend, DRAGONDAVE45 for all their help with this and all my other work.
Please review!
