Mister Myers welcomes his team to the bleachers, “Now that you’ve won against the Brave Berets, all that’s left is the final round.” Vincent massages his stiff shoulders, “I forgot about that. So, who are we facing in the final round?” The three pilots took their seats Anna passed each of them some juice, “Don’t know yet. This next match will decide who our next opponents will be.” Frank slurps his juice through the paper straw, “Which teams are fighting next?” Anna pointed at the screen. Their team had already made it to the finals. There was only one spot remaining.
Justin looked at the names of the teams closely, “Team Song of Victory versus Team Warmaster.” His eyes widened in terror, “JoJo’s not going to win this.” Vincent’s expression soured, “What are you talking about? She’s got this in the bag. Don’t you remember how strong she was when we fought her?” Anna shook her head, “I don’t think that’s what he means Vincent.” Justin nodded, “I’ve watched all of Warmaster’s previous matches. They easily overwhelmed their opponents. Even if JoJo somehow manages to scrape by, I don’t think she’ll be mentally ready for another match after facing them.” Hearing Justin talk about Warmaster had gotten Vincent worried about JoJo.
As Vincent and the team were going to get some lunch, Vincent notices JoJo standing behind a pillar, “Hey JoJo, why don’t you come and join us for lunch.” JoJo peeks out from behind the pillar and sees Vincent and company. She runs towards him with tears in her eyes while putting away a small bottle, “Vincent!” She runs into his arms and hugs him, “Vincent! Vincent! What am I supposed to do? We’re up against Warmaster? I don’t think we’ll be able to face you in the finals.” V
incent comforts her, “Come on. You guys haven’t even fought yet. How do you know you’re not going to kick their butts?” JoJo cries on Vincent’s shoulder, “But, they’re last year’s qualifier champions. They even made it to Nationals.” Vincent rubs her back, “There, there. It’s going to be okay. You can’t wimp out on me. I was really looking forward to our rematch in the finals.” JoJo’s nostrils flared up. She dug her face into Vincent’s shoulder even more. Frank, Justin, and Mister Myers found the atmosphere to be a bit awkward. Anna shook her head, “Vincent, why don’t you take care of JoJo. Come on guys, let’s leave these two alone.”
It took a moment but Frank and Justin nodded in agreement, “Alright.” Seeing the group leave, Vincent called out to them, “Hey! Guys! Wait! Anna! Frank! Justin! Mister Myers!” As they were leaving, Frank turned around and gave Vincent two thumbs up, “Good Luck, Vincent.” Mister Myers looked back at Vincent, “Is this really alright, Anna?” Anna answers, “I don’t mind helping an enemy team just this once. Even if that team has JoJo in it. Frank and I know full well about the pressure of having to face Team Warmaster. The pressure of having to face last year’s champion team. It's really daunting.” Frank nodded in agreement, “Let’s leave the two love birds alone, coach. After all, Vincent might be the only one that could cheer her up.” Frank moves forward and wraps his arm around Anna’s shoulder, “Ain’t that right, Anna?” Anna elbows him in the gut. Frank stops to catch his breath, “Nice move.”
At a nearby restaurant, Vincent returns to the table with a tray of burgers, fries, and sodas. “You should eat something. I found that we work and think better on a full stomach.” JoJo had her face down on the table. She was depressed. She had to face one of the strongest teams before she could face Vincent again. Vincent passed JoJo some food and drink, “Eat up. It’s my treat. This is my way of saying thanks for the lunch you made me the other day. It was delicious by the way.”
Watching the depressed JoJo, Vincent found it a little depressing, “If you don’t want it, I can.” Before he could continue, JoJo placed one hand on the cup and another on the burger. “So you do want it,” Vincent commented. Vincent shook his head, “You can’t be like this. Come on, cheer up. Otherwise, you’ll lose before you even get to fight.” Vincent leaned back on his chair and stared at the ceiling, “My grandpa once told me this. No matter who you face, no matter how tough they are, if you don’t have the spirit and mindset to face them, then you will never win. As long as you don’t give up from the get-go, then there is still a chance to turn things around.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
JoJo still had her face down on the table, “Then, how about you give me some spirit. How about you improve my mindset and give me a clear head.” Vincent was dumbfounded by JoJo’s words, “Huh, How do I do that?” JoJo spoke softly, “If my team wins tomorrow, promise me that you’ll go out with me.” “Beg pardon?” “Will you go out with me, tomorrow?” From the divider next to them, two heads peeked out, “JoJo’s really clever.” “Yeah, she’s gone behind enemy lines to capture her target.” They were the other two members of Team Song of Victory and JoJo’s most loyal groupies.
Another head peeked out from behind the divider, “My, isn’t this exciting?” The two girls turn to the third person in complete shock, “Sister Alice!?” Sister Alice turns to the two girls and grins, “What have you girls been up to?” The two girls sweat and looked at each other before quietly going back down. Sister Alice observed JoJo and Vincent and thought to herself, “Ahh, youth. How I do remember it so? JoJo, he is one of those dunces about love types. You need to be aggressive with him. Otherwise, you’ll end up like me. I’m cheering for you.” Sister Alice also went back down and sat at her table.
Vincent stared awkwardly at the depressed JoJo, “A date!? I have to go out on another date?” JoJo almost crushes the cup in her hand, “Another date? What do you mean another date?” JoJo growls, “Explain to me clearly. What do you mean by another date? Are you seeing somebody else?” The other members of Song of Victory overheard their conversation and their ears perked up. Vincent was trying to explain the situation, but he was doing a poor job of it, “Uh, um, I mean.” JoJo growled, “It must be that wench, Anna. It’s Anna, isn’t it? How frustrating. She always does this. She always finds a way to aggravate me.”
At another location, Anna, Justin, Frank, and Mister Myers were coming out of a restaurant, when Anna sneezed. Frank puts his hand on her shoulders, before feeling her forehead for her temperature, “Are you okay, Anna? You don’t look sick. Your temperature’s fine.” Justin chimes in, “You don’t have a cold do you? You should really take care of your health.” Anna elbows Frank’s gut, “I’m fine. Someone must be talking about me.”
JoJo, quickly eats her burger and fries, before finishing off by slurping her soda until it was completely gone. “So much for my sad, sweet, and mopey sympathy plan! At tomorrow’s battle, I’m going to win the battle and win your heart while I’m at it, Vincent.” Vincent tilted his head to the side with question marks appearing over his head, “Umm, you weren’t really depressed, were you?” Vincent’s question about her change in behavior left JoJo, speechless, “Umm, actually. Well..”
A girl with dark hair and dark skin walks by with a tray of food in her hands and giggles, “You’re flirting with a boy, right before your match with us. How bold? You must be taking us lightly.” JoJo observed the girl, “If I recall correctly, you’re from Team Warmaster.” The girl smirked, “The name’s Yolanda. Yolanda Washington.” “Sorry for the wait, Yolanda. But your boy is here.” A guy of similar age to Yolanda walks into the conversation with a tray of food in his hands. He was tall, with slightly supple skin and dark brown hair but looks to be a bit mature for his age. JoJo quickly stood up and points at Yolanda, “You’re one to talk. You’re here with a guy too.” Yolanda argues, “You’re wrong. He’s just here because I’m making him buy me lunch for being late to the venue.” The guy smiles gleefully, “Oh come on Yolanda. You’re being coy again. I like how you blush when you deny it.” Yolanda angrily denies her friend’s words, “Stop acting like we’re a thing. We are not a thing!” “There you go again. I really like that about you. Your shy side, I mean.” JoJo and Vincent could only watch the hopelessly awkward situation between the pair.