Page 214 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“I have a bottle of purple sports drink in my diaper bag,” Vicker’s wife offered.
“Oh.” My freakout paused. “Sports drink works. Thanks.” I’d only switched to vitamin water since that’s what NYIT had.
AJ nodded. “Anything else?”
I shook my head as I drained the water out of my bottle into my mouth. Taking the can and the offered bottle, I added half the can, then the packet of gel, then most of the bottle.
“I want to make potions,” Jackson whined, tugging at Patrice’s arm, as I capped my water bottle and gave it a shake.
“Ladybug’s going to play in the game, so she gets to make a potion. It’s like how daddy always has a banana sandwich as his after-nap snack before a game,” Patrice explained.
Jackson beamed. “Ladybug gets to play?”
“Well, I get to sit with the players.” I sucked half the drink down and sighed as my anxiety faded and all was right with the world again.
Jackson and the twins gave me good luck hugs. Which melted my heart.
“Thanks, AJ.” I bit my lower lip. At least he’d understood my freakout. Hopefully, the other MASOs would, as well. They were the ones ordering bananas, washing–or not washing–the socks, and making sure everything was folded right.
I threw away the empty pack, but didn’t know what to do with the open can and bottle.
“Don’t worry about it,” AJ told me, following my glance. “Anytime. I get it. Mine was a very specific type of pickles. Grif went to five stores once to find them for me.”
I laughed. “Clark keeps pickles in his locker for between periods. One of his moms makes them and sends jars to him.”
“At least pickles won’t lead to heart failure.” Atty read the can, grimacing.
At least I didn’t mix my energy drink withcoffeelike Ty did.
“Ladybug, they’re waiting.” Silas came back in, grabbed my stuff, and left.
“You’ve got this.” AJ squeezed my shoulder.
“We’ll cheer for you,” Verity added, as I grabbed my stick and mask, balancing it with my water bottle. The other MASOs echoed it.
I grabbed a few snacks, stuffed them in my pads, and ran out of the family room, following Silas.
“Thank you. My name is on it,” I said softly.
“You’re littler than the others, and won’t fit in the one we have on hand. Always planned on making you your own. You’ve earned it. Also, Mia’s here.” He smirked. “Her dad trained me–and I remember you when you were tiny. You were her neighbor, right?”
“I was.” Wow, he remembered me? Silas had never mentioned that.
Music blared when we entered the locker room. Everyone turned to look at me as I stood there in a Knights’ jersey, hot pink pads, catching glove, blocker, and skates, with a pink mask and a pink-taped stick in my hands.
“Ladybug’s going to warm the bench,” Coach Atkins told everyone.
“Nice pads, Mariquita.” Carlos laughed and smacked me on the ass.
I struck a pose, nearly dropping my stick. “I’m a pretty, pretty princess.”
“Yep, almost as pretty as Vickers,” Nia laughed.
Vickers strut around, then slapped her on the ass. Nia hit him with her towel.
“I love the skates,” Nakey told me. He looked at Pauley. “Do you think we should get Patrice skates like that? Maybe in baby blue? She’d love the fur.”
Pauley laughed. “Sure, if you think it will get her on the ice.”
