Chapter 375: Beaulieu Manor
Saturday, February 4th, Afternoon (Eastern Standard Time)
After school and cheerleading, Sawyer and Keni would get their ride home from Mina. Typically, after a light evening meal, they would grumble and do their homework. With cheerleading at basketball games, the homework tended to pile up, and Wednesday and Thursday are when they would catch up.
Once Sawyer finished her homework, she packed it up into her Tardis backpack. They didn't know what to make of her bag at school at first, but now they just see Sawyer as quirky. So once everything settled, Sawyer put her backpack by her coat in the gallery.
The question for tonight is to stream or not to stream. Sawyer shook her head; she didn't feel like running and gunning tonight. The news had been harsh, as Sawyer heard of the border clash, Sawyer wasn't in the mood to play a tank game, but Izzy disappearing made sense now.
There was another place she could go. Sawyer trekked to the North Range and the gym. She had some time, and it shouldn't affect her. The time limits drove her nuts; Sawyer wanted to be outdone, not watching.
Entering the gallery that would bring her to the gym, she heard sounds coming from the weight room. Sawyer stopped, listened, and came to the conclusion that Angela was using the space. Although Sawyer shrugged, she hadn't hung out with her aunt since she got here.
Sawyer walked into the weight room, but instead of Angela, it's Jess. Sawyer stood at the door and watched her young cousin. Jess was on the treadmill like a person possessed. Sawyer could see Jess's blonde ponytail swishing left and right as the ten-year-old pushed her limits. Sawyer noticed something in her cold deep blue eyes; she was hyper-focused.
Shaking her head, Sawyer walked into the weight. Slowly, with purpose, Sawyer walked to the front of the treadmill. Sawyer looked at Jess and could tell Jess wasn't seeing her.
Sawyer snapped her fingers several times, but Jess didn't respond. Finally, Sawyer tilted her head and looked at Jess.
"Jess," Sawyer said, but Jess didn't respond. Finally, Sawyer shook her head and snapped her fingers. "Jess," Sawyer said.
Finally, Sawyer shook her head. Next, Sawyer grabbed Jess's arm and shook her. Jess finally shook her head and looked at Sawyer.
"What, Sawyer?" Jess asked, a bit breathless from her running.
"What are you doing?" Sawyer asked.
"I'm working out; what does it look like I'm doing," Jess said.
"Why are you working out?" Sawyer asked.
"Trying to improve," Jess said.
"Jess, you're ten; you have plenty of time to get better," Sawyer said.
"You didn't," Jess said.
"I can still beat you on the court, any day of the week and twice on Sunday," Jess said.
"I won't be here on Sunday," Jess said.
"Get your ass off the treadmill and onto the court," Sawyer said.
"Why?" Jess asked.
"I'm going to prove it to you," Sawyer said.
"I'm working out," Jess said.
"Work out on the court!" Sawyer said.
"Fine!" Jess said and started to slow down the treadmill. Once it stopped, Jess got off the treadmill and followed Sawyer to the gym. First, Sawyer looked at Jess, who was only slightly shorter than Sawyer. Then, Sawyer bounced the basketball and looked at Jess.
"What are we doing?" Jess asked.
"One-on-one, to ten, by ones, make it take it," Sawyer said.
"Can you do it?" Jess asked.
"I can," Sawyer said.
"Why did you give it up? Couldn't handle it?" Jess asked.
Sawyer dribbled the ball for a moment. "You need to work on your trash-talking," Sawyer said and pulled up, taking a shot. The ball swished the hoop, "That's one, by the way."
"That's all you got?" Jess asked.
"Try me," Sawyer said and took the ball out. This time she decided she would test Jess. Sawyer smiled and drove in; with a simple head fake, she made Jess overextend, and Sawyer just ran by for a layup.
"What was that?" Jess asked.
"Skill," Sawyer said and took the ball out again. She looked at Jess and smiled started to drive to the hoop. Jess tried to play tight, Sawyer noted. Jess has talent, and she had the drive, but not the experience. So Sawyer bumped off Jess and went straight to the hoop.
Sawyer looked at Jess and picked up the ball. "Are you going to play?" Sawyer asked.
"That was a foul," Jess said.
"Yeah, blocking on you," Sawyer said and started to take the ball out.
"What's wrong with you?" Jess asked.
"There's an old saying, basketball is a blood sport," Sawyer said and brought the ball out behind the line.
Sawyer dribbled the ball and watched Jess. This was too easy; five years at their age is light-years apart. Sawyer nodded; she was just only barely a year older than Jess when she gave up basketball.
"Are you going to stand there all day?" Jess asked.
Sawyer nodded, how she was going to score this basket. Sawyer studied Jess and looked at the hoop. Once she almost pulled off a slam dunk, maybe she should try it again. Why not? What did she have to lose?
Sawyer started down the court and picked up speed. Jess went all in to try and pick Sawyer's pocket. Sawyer knew it was coming, turned, and spun around Jess. Sawyer was clear to drive to the hoop.
The approach to the hoop clear, Sawyer started her leap. Sawyer smiled and had the feeling she was going to do it.
"Sawyer! What are you doing?" A voice echoed across the room. Sawyer lost her grip on the basketball, which she lost.; once Sawyer landed and looked at the door.
Sawyer's aunt stood in the door. Angela Scott loomed in the doorway, and her cold blue eyes stared at Sawyer, sizing her up as prey. Sawyer noted that Angela had the look of an angry she-wolf. Angela slowly strode out onto the court.
"Is this how you spend your night? Beating up on a girl five years younger than you?" Angela asked.
"Not normally," Sawyer said.
"Then why are you doing it?" Angela asked.
"A challenge," Sawyer said with a shrug. Angela looked at Sawyer and shook her head.
"Are you even supposed to be doing this?" Angela asked.
"I can," Sawyer said.
"But should you? You know what you're dealing with, and you made a promise," Angela said.
"I still have time," Sawyer said.
"Doesn't matter," Angela said.
"Sawyer Brooke, just leave, and I'll forget I saw this," Angela said.
Sawyer nodded and left the gym. Angela turned to look at Jess. "Are you okay?" Angela asked.
"Yeah," Jess said.
"What did you do?" Angela asked.
"I don't know," Jess said.
"Just a word of advice, never go against a beast," Angela said.
"Yes, Mom," Jess said.
"C'mon, let's get out of here," Angela said and guided Jess off the court.
Sawyer sighed and leaned against the padded wall under the hoop. She tilted her head back against the wall, closed her eyes, and tried to control her breath. Sawyer finally reached up with her hand and rubbed her chest, and tried to control her breathing.
