The Boy Next Door

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

On Saturday, we had a huge softball tournament. Coach had made us work especially hard all week, so we could bring home another gold trophy for the school. The first game was at seven in the morning. I had to wake up at 5:30, so I could pick up Taylor. Will wanted to go, but I told him he could go to a later game.

It was bottom of the ninth, and we had a significant lead. We were batting, and I was on deck. Sam was before me, and she hit a single. I stepped up to the plate and waited for the pitch. The ball whizzed pass the plate, but the umpire declared it a ball. I waited for the next pitch, and I took a swing.

I heard the crack of the bat as it connected with the ball. I dropped the bat and took off running towards first. The ball was deep in the outfield, and I made my way home. My teammates all ran out of the dugout and hugged me like they always did when someone hit a homerun.

We had four more games to play, including the championship. Will came to the second game, and when I told him about my homerun, he was upset that he wasn’t there to see it. I told him it was no big deal before I had to prepare for the next game.

I was pitching in the final inning. If I struck this batter out, the game would be over; if I didn’t, we would lose. Bases were loaded and the count was full.

I took my position on the mound, and I began my windup. I released the ball, and it flew across the plate.

“Strike three! Batter’s out!” the ump yelled. My team started shouting, and we were excited that we were advancing to the next game.

We had an hour break before our next game, and I was starving. The team and I ran to the concession stand to buy food. We ordered our food and sat in the grass as we watched our competitors.

We figured that we would play our rivals, the Greenville Giants, in the championship, but we weren’t positive. There were still many great teams left in the tournament.

The next game went by without any trouble, and the following game decided if we were to go to the championship.

The game ended when Taylor hit a triple and sent me home. After the game, she ran over to Matt and gave him a big kiss. They weren’t “officially” together, but they would be soon.

We waited for the other teams to finish their game to see what team would be playing us in the final. As it turned out, our prediction came true. We were playing the Greenville Giants in the championship.

“Well, well, well, isn’t it the Winterfield Whores?” the catcher for the Giants spat. Her name was Misty, and if anything, she was the whore.

“’Sup Bitch.” Tay retorted.

“Very original.” Misty rolled her eyes.

“How ‘bout you stop trying to act cool, so we can kick your asses.” I smirked.

“Ye-“ Misty started, but she was cut off when Matt and Will came by Tay and me. “Well hello there.” Misty purred. I rolled my eyes. “What are you two doing with these tramps?”

“Come on babe, let’s go.” Will said as we walked away. I wasn’t finished with Misty, but I knew that I shouldn’t waste my energy on smack talk. The only thing that mattered was how you played the game.

“Heads or tails?” the umpire asked me.

“Heads.” I replied. The ump flipped the coin.

“Heads it is. Home or Away?” he asked.

“Home.” I said as I walked back to the dugout to retrieve my glove and facemask.

I had five warm up pitches, and then I was ready to go.

The first batter stepped to the plate, and soon I was leading the count at 0-2. I knew without looking at the sign that Sam was shooting me that I was to throw a change-up. I released the ball, and the Giant swung before it even reached the plate. One out down, two to go.

The next batter came up to the plate, and on the first pitch, she fouled the ball up in the air, and Sam caught it. The third batter grounded the ball right to me, and I gunned it to first. We ran back to the dugout and waited while the other team warmed up.

Our first three batters made contact. The bases were loaded by the time I came to bat. On the first pitch, that ball was long gone. I watched the ball soar over the fence, and I began my victory walk around the bases. A grand slam. My team greeted me at home plate. The score was now 4-0.

The game ended with the score Winterfield 12, Greenville 3. We waited in the field as we were handed our trophies. My team and I were walking out of the dugout, when Misty and her crew approached us.

“Nice game.” I said.

“You guys cheated. Those trophies belong to us.” Misty spat. I was flabbergasted. There was no way you could cheat in softball without it going unnoticed.

“Excuse me?” I asked bewildered, and my anger boiling.

“You heard me, slut.” She smirked.

“First of all, come up with new nicknames, and second we did not cheat, we are just a better team than you.” I retorted as I turned my back to her. I felt someone grab my ponytail. I spun around to see Misty. I was fuming. “Touch me again, and you’ll regret it.” I said with a calm voice.

A crowd started to form around us. I was not about to stand down to her, and she knew it. She shot me a death glare, which I returned. She turned her back, and walked away. She was all talk, and everyone knew it.

“Let’s go, I need a shower.” I mumbled. Will followed me to my car without talking. He could tell I was mad. I tried to calm myself down. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. It was actually pretty funny. I was expecting you to rip her head off.” He laughed, and I joined with him.

“She thought so too, so she left. Nothing but a coward.” I replied.

“Anyways, nice hit. You did great every game. I can’t play baseball to save my life.” He said as he drove us home.

“Thanks. I was shocked that it actually went over though.” I said through a yawn.

“Tired?” he asked.

“Mhm. I had to get up at 5:30 in the morning and play five games. I would be surprised if I wasn’t.” I mumbled. I felt my eyelids get heavy.