The Little Vampire Girl ~ Chapter 3 "Basketball Breakdown"

Jayde swung her backpack over her shoulder and said goodbyes to Debbie before leaving home with Rose and Emma. Jayde shivered from the autumn air. It was already October, Halloween was coming up. Along the way Tanner met up with the girls and talked to Jayde about the Halloween party he was hosting. Tanner always threw the best Halloween parties.

Luckily Brittany and Rachel weren't at school because they both happened to get sick at the same times. Jayde smiled to herself and dropped her bag off at her locker. Until Brittany and Rachel come back to school Jayde won't have to worry about being shoved in a locker or being pushed into walls. Tanner appraised Jayde's smile and the two walked off to science.

In Jayde's science class was some of the basketball team members whom she has gotten along well with. They all sat around the team captain, Tessa. Tessa met Jayde's gaze and smiled. She joined her friend's and talked about the upcoming basketball game.

"So what plays are we gonna set up?" Jayde asked. "Until coach gives us the finals all I know is that we might be setting up plays 3, 5, 7, and defensive 6." Tessa answered. "Oh man, this game is going to be so awesome." Naomi exclaimed. "Our opponent isn't very strong from what I've reviewed, but that doesn't mean that they won't pull out some tricks from their sleeves." Kenna explained. "Jayde, we're all depending on you as our ghost player." Tessa said.

Jayde was given the nickname ghost member because she was fast and unnoticeable. Originally there are only suppose to be 5 team players in, but because Jayde is so invisible she can sneak into the game as another team play sneaks out so that Jayde can get the team a few points. She's become an invincible player in basketball and the hidden weapon of the basketball team.

The teacher entered the room and Jayde quickly got to her seat. She squirmed a little uncomfortably in her seat as Mrs. Lyner began talking about animal reproduction. The class laughed, but Jayde found it to be downright gross. Mrs. Lyner began stuttering and even Jayde eventually cracked under the pressure of laughter.

"Miss Jayde, would you like to explain how a cow reproduces?" Mrs. Lyner asked. Jayde cursed under her breathe. "Um, no ma'am, you explain it a lot better." Jayde giggled. "Very well, next time try to listen and keep your mouth shut." Mrs. Lyner threatened.

When Mrs. Lyner turned back to the chalkboard Jayde quickly stuck her tongue out and flipped up her middle finger.

"Jayde, you are so weird" Tanner laughed. "There was no way in hell that I was going to explain how cows have sex! That's for older people! Can't life just keep a few secrets to itself?" Jayde exclaimed.

The two were on their way to the lunchroom as their morning classes ended. They met up with Clyde at their usual table and got talking like a regular routine. Jayde smiled to herself as she saw how well Clyde fit in with her little group of misfits. After Clyde told Tanner about his crush on Tessa in September, even Tanner has lost his attitude and jealousy toward Clyde.

"Clyde, are you coming to the Halloween party?" Tanner asked. "Yeah, is there a theme?" Clyde asked. "The theme I'm going with this year is 'Myths'." Tanner answered. "I'm going as the vampire queen Lucinda Bloodrayne" Jayde proudly announced. "I wonder what I'll go as" Clyde trailed off. "Oh yeah, my basketball game is tonight. It is a home game and I expect to see you two there cheering for me." Jayde said. "I wouldn't miss it." Tanner said. "You just give us a good show." Clyde chuckled.

"Tessa, I'm open" Jayde yelled. The player that was blocking Tessa didn't realize that Jayde was open and was taken by surprise. Tessa passed the ball to Jayde who successfully caught it and went for a basket at half court. The ball made a lovely swish sound as it went into the basket. The buzzard went off, signifying that the game was over. Jayde's team had won. Tessa gave Jayde a high five over their victory and Jayde looked into the crowd.

She noticed that two people were missing, her parents. Her heart sank and her eyes dropped to the floor. Jayde's parents weren't there to smiles at her and her achievement. Her parents weren't there to congratulate her. Her parents were dead. Tears brimmed her eyes, but she forced them back to keep her composure as her teammates ran over to her to celebrate their victory. Jayde forced a smile and continued to rejoice with her friends on winning the game.

When Jayde got home it was pretty late. Her cell phone started playing Miss Murderer by A.F.I. She had a phone call, it was Tanner. She flipped open her cell phone and said, "Hey Tanner, what's up?"

"You faltered earlier; I saw it, what's going on?" Tanner asked. "What do you mean? What are you talking about Tanner? Nothing's going on." Jayde lied. There was a slight pause on Tanner's end like he was analyzing Jayde's answer. She hoped he wouldn't detect her lie, but her hopes were too high.

"Don't lie to me Jayde. You can lie to me once, but not a second time." Tanner said. "Tell me the truth." Jayde began to tremble as tears threatened her eyes. "I thought about my parents, okay?" Jayde trembled.

Her voice shacked and she struggled to keep control. Tears threatened to fall and her vision blurred. She couldn't hold back her tears any longer and they began falling like rain from her eyes. She never thought she would struggle so much. It has been so long since she last cried for her parents. She felt a piece of her heart disappear and soon her heart had completely shattered. She began crying and Tanner just stayed silent on the other end of the phone.

"I'll be right there, don't go anywhere." Tanner said with gentle words before hanging up. Jayde shut her phone, wrapped her arms around her legs, and buried her face into her knees. It wasn't long before Tanner showed up at her house.

He led Jayde outside and pulled her close to him as he wrapped his arm around her and held her tight. Jayde broke down into tears again and continued to cry into Tanner's shoulder, unable to control herself. Tanner understood how sensitive she was to the topic of her parents. How she could crumble at the very thought of them. Losing your parents at such a young age would devastate and haunt anyone for a really long time.

Back when Jayde was only in the third grade Tanner had met her for the first time. She was weak, shy, and cried a lot. Tanner was there at her side to witness every time Jayde cried after he had met her. Tanner eventually became the only friend left who hadn't gotten tired of Jayde's constant crying. He was a loyal best friend who stuck up for Jayde when she would get picked on. Never once would he think about his decision, he was there for Jayde immediately. He had fallen in love with the lonely little vampire girl and promised he would be there for her whenever she would cry, shatter, hurt, get picked on, and smiled. Tanner aimed and lived for the little vampire girl to smile always.