Chapter 35
Supporters
CHARLOTTE
The days leading up to the tournament were filled with practice sessions, laughter, and a fair share of playful banter.
Our sponsors had generously provided us with computers to practice on.
Nep and TJ seemed to be in a constant state of playful argument, with TJ repeatedly telling Nep to stop flirting with me. I didn’t quite understand it, as Nep wasn’t flirting, but Plut always jumped to TJ’s defense, insisting that he was. I chalked it up to them just being their usual goofy selves.
The morning of the tournament finally arrived. We were all required to wear the new kits, each adorned with the logo of our respective characters. I slipped into my Mars top, paired it with some jean shorts, and added my Mars necklace for good measure. I then made my way downstairs to meet the guys.
“Nep, you’re too kind,” I replied, blushing slightly when he complimented me.
“But I think you should save your tank tops for someone else.”
TJ entered the kitchen just then, wrapping his arms around my waist
from behind.
“Morning, handsome,” I said.
“I slept like a baby. I’m really excited about today. Do we know who we’re up against yet?”
“No, we won’t know until we get there,” he replied, his voice muffled against my hair.
Knowing we had to leave soon to make it to the convention center on time, we all sat down for breakfast. Plut’s mom had cooked up a hearty meal of bacon and eggs for us.
She would be joining us at the convention center, along with most of our families. They would be spending time with us in the green room between matches.
I wasn’t sure if Plut’s parents and the other families planned to watch the matches from there or from the auditorium. I knew they had reserved front-row seats for all our matches. My own parents, however, had to work and wouldn’t be able to make it. That made me a little sad, but I shrugged it
off.
At least Tracy would be there.
After breakfast, we piled into Plut’s car and made our way to the convention center. The drive was quick and uneventful. Upon arrival, we located our manager and headed to the sign-in table. Once we were all signed in, we made our way to our designated green room to relax.
“Charlotte!” A voice called out from behind me.
I turned around, surprised to see Carter, a familiar face from a rival team.
“Still sporting The Romans’ gear, I see,” he said with a cocky grin.
“If you want, I can get you something from The Sun Stones. You know, if you want to support the top team.”
“Sorry, man, she’s with us,” TJ said, stepping forward and wrapping his arm around me protectively. Nep and Plut flanked me on either side, forming a protective barrier between me and Carter.
“Hmm, so you’re all wearing The Romans’ shirts. Neptune and Pluto,” he said, pointing at Nep and Plut.
“And you’re wearing Jupiter. Does that mean you’re the infamous leader of the team?”
“That would be correct. Name’s TJ. Pleasure to meet a member of The Sun Stones,” TJ replied, his tone polite but firm.
“So, if she’s with you guys, does that mean Charlotte is your girlfriend?
Is she here to cheer you on?” Carter asked, his eyes flicking between TJ and me.
“Well, you’re half right,” TJ replied, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Oh, not the girlfriend? So, Charlotte, can I get your number then?”
Carter asked, his grin widening.
“That’s not the half you were right about. She is definitely my girlfriend,” TJ said, stepping forward just a little.
“Check out her shirt real good and then do some math.”
Carter looked confused for a moment, his gaze shifting among the four of us before finally landing on my shirt. After a moment, his eyes widened in realization.
“You’re Mars?!” he asked, his voice filled with shock.
“Yup,” I replied quietly, a small smile on my face.
“Wow! That should make this tournament interesting. There aren’t many females competing, and none in the top ten ranked teams. I can’t wait to compete against you guys now.”
“We’re looking forward to it too,” TJ said, his voice filled with confidence.
We excused ourselves soon after and made our way to the green room.
Once inside, we found several TVs that would show us different angles of the competition, as well as one with the tournament brackets. There was also a stocked refrigerator filled with various drinks and snacks, courtesy of our sponsor.
A few minutes later, Plut’s parents walked in. I hadn’t met his dad yet, so introductions were in order. While we were chatting, another woman and two men walked in. The younger man, who looked to be in his early twenties, walked straight up to me and took my hand in his, kissing the back of it.
“What is such an attractive beauty doing at a nerd fest like this? Can I assume that you were dragged here by your brother and parents, as I was?
Would you like for me to rescue you? We could abandon this place and get to know each other better,” he said, a familiar smirk on his face.
TJ immediately came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, glaring at the man.
“Ah, girlfriend, I see. I apologize for assuming,” he said, his smirk fading slightly.
“Bro, quit being a jerk and leave our girl alone,” Nep said, coming up
beside me.
“Our girl?” he asked.
“I think I would like an explanation on that one too,” the woman said, coming to stand beside what I assumed was her son.
“Mom, I’d like to introduce you to my teammates. That’s Pluto,” Nep said, pointing to Plut, “and this is Jupiter and Mars.” He pointed to TJ and me.
“You’re my kid brother’s friend Mars?” the young man said in shock.
“Um, yes?” I said, my voice filled with uncertainty.
“Wow. I’m sorry for being shocked, but all I’ve ever heard about you was how smart you were and how you’re probably the reason they’re all so good. I never expected you to be a hot chick. I’m Jay, Cory’s brother, by the way,” he said, still with a cocky smirk.
“Hi,” I said quietly.
“Charlotte?” a familiar voice said, filled with confusion.
“Oh my god! What are you doing here?” Tracy squealed, rushing over to hug me. I guessed TJ’s family had just arrived.
“Hi, Trace,” I replied, returning her hug.
“Seriously, what are you doing here? And why is my brother’s arm around you? I thought you two broke up?” Her eyes were wide with surprise.
“You broke up? So, you are single? How about that ‘getting to know you better’ offer?” Jay asked, his smirk returning.
“What is it with you brothers hitting on my girlfriend?” TJ asked,
sounding exasperated.
“Your what?” TJ’s mom had walked up.
“Who’s your girlfriend?” she asked, her eyes as wide as Tracy’s.
“Wait, you have been hitting on her, even though she’s your friend?” Jay asked Nep.
“Dude, you should see her in a bikini!” Nep replied, making me blush.
“CORY!” his mother exclaimed, hitting him on the back of the head.
“Can we go back to the girlfriend stuff?” TJ’s mom asked again.
“I would like to know, as well,” his dad added.
“You’ve both met Tracy’s friend, Charlotte. Well, she’s kind of my girlfriend now,” TJ stammered.
“Charlotte, dear, it’s lovely to see you again. So, are you here to support TJ, then?” his mom asked me.
“Um, no, ma’am. I’m actually competing,” I replied quietly.
“You are competing against my twin? How did I not know you played this game? And when did you start dating?” Tracy quickly asked.
“I’m not competing against him… You never asked… And a few days ago,” I rushed out.
“Wait, I’m confused, dear. You are competing, but not against TJ?” his mother asked.
“That’s correct, ma’am,” I replied shyly.
She just looked at TJ in confusion, waiting for an explanation.
“Mom, Charlotte is apparently Mars.”
“Wait, as in your best friend, Mars? The one that you never let me talk to when we were eleven because ‘BOYS ONLY’?” Tracy asked.
“Um, yeah, that would be the one,” TJ replied quietly.
“What about the reason you guys broke up? You had a crush on that guy you were always texting. Weren’t you supposed to meet him this week?”
Tracy asked me.
“Um, I always told you he was just my best friend,” I replied.
“Wait! Were you texting TJ? Does that mean both guys were the same
guy?” she asked, cracking up.
“Yeah,” I replied, blushing.
“Oh, that is awesome,” she said, still laughing.
After all of the drama seemed to be over with, Tracy and Jay came to sit with us on the couches, while all of the parents were sitting and chatting on the other side of the room.
I noticed that Tracy was being a little quieter than normal and kept subtly looking at Plut. I would have to warn her about him. He wasn’t Nep, but he was still pretty bad.
We sat talking for a bit, but then I heard the door open. I assumed it was someone leaving or our manager, so I ignored it.
“Dr. Jones, what are you doing here?” I heard TJ’s mom say.
“Nurse Williams?” came the reply, in a voice I recognized but didn’t expect to hear.
I quickly turned around and saw both of my parents standing at the door.
