Just gonna do Shoutouts!
Thanks
Brandi
And
Kaychaylorandetc!
About a week later. Jasmine skipped into the kitchen and flopped onto the window seat by the door, giggling to herself. Jordan, who was on the phone, held up a finger to quiet her. Jasmine covered her mouth, the giddy look remaining. Jordan smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Yes Mrs. Ardsteine….." Jordan said on the phone with the principal, her eyebrows soon raised.
"Really?...How so?...Today?..." Jordan listened to her reply and began to laugh nervously "I…don't believe that's possible Mrs. Ardsteine, because I have to watch my niece." She said. At that Jasmine's curly long hair flipped in Jordan's direction. Jordan widened her eyes at her, reminding her of business.
"Oh! Sorry!" Jasmine whispered, knowing better than to butt in.
"Yes Mrs. Ardsteine, I understand…no no I comprehend." Jordan gave a small smile "I made a commitment and I have to stick to it. I'll be there…..Okay! Goodbye!" Jordan hung up and sighed, leaning on the counter.
"Is something wrong Jojo?" Jasmine asked concerned
"Yes. One, you know better than to enter and eavesdrop on adult conversations." Jordan said
"I'm sorry…" Jasmine said
"I know you are…and two I have to attend a meeting. I'm not allowed to bring you and the meeting is mandatory." Jordan said
"What's the definition of mandatory?" Jasmine questioned
"Well the proper definition is that you have to attend whatever it is, that is the short definition if you will." Jordan walked to the window seat and sat on the floor "For the matter at hand it means that if I don't go to the meeting, I won't be your teacher anymore."
Jasmine gasped "They can't do that!" she shook her head "You're the best teacher there! I'm reading at a third grade level right now!" the four year old exclaimed
"I know sweetie and I'm very proud of you, but those are the rules." She kissed her forehead and walked back to the phone
"But who's going to watch me?!" Jasmine said
"Your mom is working and she can't have you in the office…Kevin is-"Jordan started to say to herself
"Don't call Kevin please!" Jasmine pushed her hand forward begging.
"At work…" Jordan completed to herself, Jasmine sighed in relief as she went to get a coloring book.
"Or is he?..." Jordan looked at the ceiling with a confused look. She called him. "Hey Kevin its Jordan….yes I was wondering if you could watch Jasmine while I'm at work?...oh so you are working….Okay! That's fine! Bye!" Jordan hung up as Jasmine came back down with her coloring book.
"Jasmine there is no one to watch you." Jordan groaned, her eyes soon brightened. "Unless…"
"What? Unless what?" Jasmine looked up at her aunt.
Jordan stooped down, flipped some hair out of her face and placed her hands on Jasmine's shoulders
"Well you know what they say!?" Jordan smiled, waiting for Jasmine's reply.
"….Ohhhhhh!...If at first you don't succeed try try again!" she smiled
"No." Jordan said disturbed
"Let's get ridiculous?" Jasmine suggested
"I would be highly afraid of the actions and outcome if that was it."
"No good deed goes unpunished?" she smiled nervously "Yeah?...no?..."
"That's from WICKED!" Jordan said exasperated
"Um….turn down for what?" she said
"Where did you hear that song?" Jordan said sternly.
"I don't know." Jasmine looked to the side; she gasped "I know I know! When one door closes another one OPENS!" she jumped up and down
"Uhh…." Jordan raised an eyebrow in pure disturbance. "Close enough, whatever." She got up and called someone "Hey Chad! It's Jojo!" she grinned
"Jordan!" Chad smiled
"May I ask you a favor por favor?" Jordan said
"Si. Yes you can." Chad said
"Can you watch Jasmine while I'm at work?" Jordan asked
"Uh, Jordan? Your niece is an angel but I have basketball practice." He said
"Aren't children allowed?" Jordan said desperately
"Well, yes. But so many things could happen-"
"Chad I will pay you just please watch this human being!" Jordan exclaimed
Chad ignored the last part "…really?..."
"Yes" Jordan nodded
"Mm. Wow. Um….no no I can't do that…." Chad said
"Why not?!" Jordan held her head back
"Have you ever had a babysitter?" Chad asked "If you paid me Jasmine would think that I don't want to be with her. "
"You're right." Jordan said
"You have to enter the mindset of a child. I'll babysit your niece and you don't have to pay me." Chad agreed.
Jordan shrieked "Thank you so much!"
"No problem." Chad smiled
-beep beep-
"Okay so, she has really happy moments when she'll just randomly start being giddy and giggling to herself? Just try to ignore that." Jordan said as she slid Jasmine's bag into the car.
"Got it." Chad said
"I'll see you later." Jordan gave him a fist bump
"K. Ready to go Jasmine?" Chad turned to her, she nodded.
"Mm-hm." Jasmine nodded
"Have fun!" Jordan waved as they drove off.
After riding in total silence Chad smiled to himself
"Now Jasmine, I know you're not just going to be completely silent the entire time I'm babysitting you." He smirked
"That's true, sorry…" She blushed "So you play for the Chicago Bulls if I recall?" Jasmine asked
"Okay so we're going to talk about me. Okay." He said to himself quietly "Yes that is correct! You're quite the basketball prodigy!" Chad said
"I watch it sometimes with Jordan." Jasmine smiled
They continued talking until they pulled up to the arena; they entered the gym and saw that it was empty.
"So…where is everyone?" Jasmine asked
"Honestly?..." Chad sighed "They're probably running late." He set his gym bag down and began to dribble a basketball, Jasmine walked over to him.
"Can you skate on this floor?" she asked
"Yes, but it's not recommended." Chad said
"So what would happen if I did?" Jasmine continued slowly
"You would probably kill yourself." Chad said as he began to bounce it faster
"So would that be suicide?" Jasmine smiled as she placed her hands behind her
"Yes." Chad said, going faster.
"But technically it isn't because I didn't say I wanted to kill myself or even imply it. All I said was that I wanted to skate on the floor. So then what would it be?" Jasmine continued
"I have no idea." Chad said
"Would it be murder?" Jasmine said
"Can a floor murder you?" Chad said
"I dunno. Can it?" Jasmine smiled
"I don't know, why don't you tell me?" Chad said
"But…I don't know. SO how could I tell you?" She grinned
"I don't know. You tell me." Chad dribbled the ball even faster.
"You tell me." Jasmine said
"No you tell me."
"You're the adult.?" Jasmine sang
"You're the child.?" Chad replied in the same tone
"That was a lame comeback." Jasmine smiled and crossed her arms.
Chad suddenly zoned out and began to dribble slower. He could swear he saw something in the corner….it was like…two ghostly looking figures by the wall…it was a 16 year old version of Chad and Taylor.
Flashback
"So if x=9 and pie equals 3.14 etc. and the quotient of the equation is 5.99023, what is the answer?" Taylor said to Chad as they studied for math class in the basement
"I honestly don't know so why don't you tell me the answer?" Chad said
"I'm not going to tell you the answer!" Taylor exclaimed
"Why? We could just review it over again." Chad said
"But it would be easier!" Taylor said
"Exactly!" Chad smiled
"But you're the one who is supposed to be figuring it out!" Taylor said
"And you oh smart and intelligent one…" Chad said as Taylor smirked "Are supposed to be helping me."
"But you're the student right now!"
"And you're the smarter one!"
Taylor slowly began to form a smile
"You are SUCH a lunkhead- you do realize you just insulted yourself?!" she smirked
"Whatever let's just study!" Chad said exasperated
They studied in silence before Taylor smiled and crossed her arms to herself "That was a lame comeback."
Chad grinned and shook his head, Taylor laughed.
End flashback
"Yes…that was a lame comeback…." He continued dribbling before Jasmine snatched the ball in midair
"So can please you teach me how to play? It could help me with my scholarship later on in life?" Jasmine asked
Chad blinked "They said I was babysitting Jasmine. Not Taylor." He said
"What can I say?" She tossed the ball in the air "I'm her daughter."
Chad smirked "First off?" he began; he snatched the ball and ran "Never be caught off guard." He lowered the basketball hoop. "It's just a suggestion."
Jasmine smiled and ran over eagerly. For about an hour, Chad taught Jasmine the basics. She was so good; eventually she was starting to be better than Chad! Chad smiled. His teammates began to enter and stare in admiration.
"Chad!" Derrick Rose called "Way to go!" he teased
"I'm just cooling off!" He smirked
A few minutes later, Jasmine tossed the ball one last time into the hoop. Winning Chad 10-5. The team cheered and all as they gave them hi-5's
"Ready to practice?" Michael Jordan asked
"Completely ready. I just need to calm down" Chad confirmed, the rest of team went to practice. He went to the sidelines with Jasmine. "You were awesome!"
"Thank you!" She smiled, brushing her hair away from her face and putting it into a low ponytail. "I learned from the best." Chad smiled warmly before the two were blocked from the gym light by a shadow, they both looked up.
"Oh…." Jasmine did a one second quick smile "Hey Kevin."
"Oh so you're Kevin." Chad smiled
"Yep….that's Kevin." Jasmine layered her arms on her knees before placing her head on top. "The one and only."
"You've heard of me?" Kevin questioned
"Um, yeah. Taylor's fiancée?" Chad said
"What do you know about Taylor?" Kevin said
"Uhh, a lot." Chad sarcastically motioned over to Jasmine who grinned sarcastically and waved.
"How so?" Kevin continued
"Does it matter?" Chad said
"Yes."
"I'm babysitting your stepdaughter." Chad said
"What did you expect Kevin?" Jasmine said before Chad gave her a Jordan look "I apologize."
"First of all that…." Kevin pointed to Jasmine and twirled his finger around trying to get what to say. "Girl isn't my stepdaughter."
"Soon to be Stepdaughter then if you will." Chad revised
"Second of all I took off work to babysit her. Jordan said she was here with you and I've come to put a stop to that." Kevin glared
"Well…that's kind of not going to happen because Jordan's almost off work." Jasmine said
"Whatever- you know I bet you're just a part of the sexual trafficking thing." Kevin sneered; Chad and Jasmine raised their heads in disbelief
"If I was why would I bring her 5 blocks away from her house?! I'm a celebrity for crying out loud!" Chad exclaimed, he didn't even look at Jasmine but he could tell her hand was raised "Yes you may butt in."
"That doesn't make sense Kevin." Jasmine said
"It really doesn't." Chad shook his head
Kevin burned with anger "Okay tough guy. So you think you're better than me?"
"I never said that." Chad rolled his eyes, Kevin ignored him.
"You and me-"he began
"You and I." Jasmine corrected
"You and me. One on one. Now." Kevin said as Chad got up.
"Don't act like a child please. What is this going to solve?" Chad said calmly
"The fact I'm better than you." Kevin said. "Clear the floor!" he called before stepping onto it.
Chad groaned, held his head back and began to go. Jasmine grabbed his arm.
"Mr. Chad?" she said
"You could just call me Chad?" he smiled weakly
"Okay. Chad?" she said before stepping on the bleachers and removing the towel off his shoulder "Don't let his professional, I'm a 'skinny rich newsman' appearance fool you. You look and play better."
Chad blinked at that compliment…wow…that was nice…
Jasmine blinked and gave him a 'stop zoning out smile' "So go get him!? I'm rooting for you!" she said
Chad stepped on.
"I will tear you limb from limb." Kevin said
"It's just a game Kevin." He sighed before Kevin made a shot.
"Bam." He said
Chad turned to look where the ball had landed and grabbed it.
"Bring it on." Chad shook his head
"What is going ON here?!" a voice said sternly
Every head turned as Taylor, who was still dressed in black heels, a black skirt and an over jacket with a white blouse underneath, stepped in. She walked straight up to Chad.
"I absolutely cannot believe you would be so childish." She teethed
"Oh really? Am I the one you should be informing of that?" Chad crossed his arms
"Oh yes Danforth. You are." Taylor crossed her arms as well.
"Do I always get blamed for everything?"
"A basketball game?! What was that going to prove?!"
"Your fiancée started it!"
"I highly doubt that!" Taylor said as Kevin and Jasmine went by the bleachers
"You shouldn't. You really shouldn't." the team shook their heads
"This doesn't concern you!" Taylor scoffed and pointed "What are you doing with my, KID?!"
"Babysitting. Unless if you wanted her home alone." Chad fired back "Your sister had a mandatory meeting."
"I know that! That's why I came to get her! To save her from idiots like, you." Taylor said
"HEY-"
"So….what are you Chad's girlfriend?" Derrick cut in slightly annoyed
"Whoa! Guys she is not my girlfriend." Chad widened his eyes
"I'm just his ex." Taylor said
Quick silence.
"Chad you had some tastes!" Derrick whispered in disbelief
"Yeah so….Why did you let her go again?...that just…doesn't connect with me." Michael Jordan said as the rest of the team shook their head and agreed
"I do not know- why are we talking about this right now?" Chad glared
"Wait. You guys talk about this?" Taylor said slowly
"Yeah." The team said
"Well not anymore because all of you are forbidden to speak about it." Taylor said
"Fine." They answered
"Look I'm just here to pick up my fiancée and my child and we'll be fine." Taylor said
"Well be my guest little Miss. Sunshine." Chad motioned
"MRS. Sunshine, Danforth. Don't forget it." Taylor grinned evilly and walked away.
Chad rolled his eyes turned to his teammates and blinked when he saw the expressions on their faces.
"What?" he said
"Idiot." Derrick popped him on the back of his head
"You CANNOT be serious!" Chad glared
-sighbeep-
On the way home Jasmine sat sadly in the car, Taylor looked out the window and Kevin looked straight ahead at the road.
"Hey?" Kevin smiled "There's a baseball expo next week and I'm going to have an interview for work? Did you want to come with me? We could have a bonding vacation and it would be WAY better than lame basketball." He said
"Basketball isn't lame." Jasmine sighed sadly
"It is. It really is." Taylor groaned as she thought of her past incident.
Jasmine snapped and tried to keep cool "Why do you always take his side?" she said
"I don't." Taylor looked back at her
"Well a mom and dad have to agree." Kevin said as Taylor smiled
"You aren't my dad Kevin. I'm sorry but that's the truth." Jasmine sighed "I actually quite like it that way."
"Well it isn't going to be that way soon." Taylor said
There was more silence.
"So….Chad was winning. According to the scores. Kevin was so close." Jasmine said
"You know what- I've had enough of you cheerleader!" Kevin boiled
"What did I do?!" Jasmine said shocked as the car exploded in lava- er, arguing.
"You always-Please stop yelling at me-KEVIN!-You-JASMINE!-MOM!-SHUT UP!"
When they finally pulled up to Taylor's, Jasmine was the first one out the car. Taylor locked it so she could talk to Kevin. After a minute of silence Taylor whipped to him.
"What were you thinking?!" Taylor said
"I'm sorry…" Kevin held his head back
"I can't believe you could be so immature!" she sighed
"I know….I'm ashamed." Kevin said.
Taylor sighed "Just please promise not to do that again."
"I promise." Kevin assured before lifting her chin "We are going to the expo right?" Kevin smiled hopefully
"I wouldn't miss it!" She pecked him on the cheek before her kissed her and she got out the car. She watched him drive of and she sighed.
-Bored.-
Later that night. Taylor was lying on the couch trying to take a break until she heard the sound of chopping. She groaned and flipped onto her stomach, laying her head on the armrest.
"Jordan. What is that highly obnoxious sound?" she said with exasperation
"Carrots." Jordan said as she turned on the pulsar. The blending noise was nerve wrecking.
"She said as she continued her rampage." Taylor mumbled
Jordan stopped pureeing the carrots, flipping the switch.
"Okay, issue one this is not a rampage. Its dinner and you haven't cooked it in awhile." Jordan said "Issue two, that's my area for relaxation? You have an office." She smiled. Taylor moved. Before Taylor could enter the office Jordan spoke.
"There's something I want to discuss with you." She said
"Go." Taylor said
"It's about me watching Jasmine." Jordan continued
"Oh yes, I wanted to bring that up. Yes I understand that you heard what happened with Chad, and that you won't do it again." Taylor assured
Jordan blinked "That was sooooo not what I was going to say." Jordan grabbed her meal and placed it in the oven. Taylor walked over and leaned on the counter.
"So…What are you trying to say?" Taylor said
"Taylor. We all know that Kevin had that coming to him." She closed the door and stood
"Not you too." Taylor stated
"His actions were foolish and highly childish." Jordan said
"Yes he was wrong. What is the essence of this conversation?" Taylor sighed
"The essence is…" her sister inhaled "What did I tell you as we were rushing into the hospital for you to have Jasmine?" she asked
"Um…" Taylor thought "Take deep breaths and If you dare leave me with this child I will set your grave on fire?" she said
"Yes." Jordan began
"That is not seriously the point!" Taylor exclaimed in terror
"No…yet very close." Jordan said "The point is, I've been the one watching Jasmine. I have things to do and sometimes it seems as if I'm her mom."
"I'm a lawyer JJ I've tried!" Taylor laughed
"I know, it isn't your fault you chose a time consuming job and leaving your sister with your kid." Jordan said seriously
Taylor narrowed her eyes at her sister "Be serious."
"I am." Jordan said "So I was thinking…maybe we could have Chad take her to practice sometimes and also appoint other people to help?"
"Chad? No!" Taylor laughed
"Yes. Chad." Jordan said
"After today?!"
"How many times must we explain before the message gets through to you?" Jordan said annoyed
"Okay. The answer is no I'm sorry I love you." She walked to the office
"He needs to know. You know that." Jordan said "And the satellite is still messed up, He's coming again tomorrow."
"JOJO!" Taylor balled her hands into fists and held her head back
"Just try to get along with him!" Jordan said
"Fine I'll try. But please stop doing that." Taylor said "This is the tenth time this month."
"I know." Jordan said slyly
Whoo! Reviews please! This story has become more popular than Troyella (Minus 1!)
