THE LONGEST A/N IN THE WORLD: Alright so here is the low down on what's happening. My "Wonderful" Beta and I came up with assets that could be added to this story to make it so much better. However we have to fix a couple of things. First off Clary is being switched to the Bella we all know and love. Which means Bella is now Nessie's best friend and the girl who is taking ball girl Bella's role is Tanya. No, Tanya is not a bad person in this fanfic like she is in 98% of them. The second thing is the introduction of a new character. His name is Phiz. He is based off of three guys in my life who I would do anything for: my Beta, and my friends Kev and Jem. All three have helped me more than words can say so this is my way of saying thanks. So I took each of their own unique characteristics and my favorite qualities and mashed them into one character. So here is a little bit on Phiz and more will be revealed in the story. His full name is Phineas and he is Nessie's next door neighbor. They've known each other since infancy. He is tall and very thin. He is an avid swimmer and loves to surf. He also is a big baseball fan. He dyes his hair every color according to his mood. He is also a fabulous artist and holds within him a secret only Nessie knows. I don't own twilight or the Phillies truth be told if I owned either of them I would not be writing on Fanfic. Also the views and idea in this story are strictly my own If you don't like it so what I'm one of those people who could care less if you flame or not (bring on the fire). I'm a huge Phillies and Jacob Phan (fan for those who do not speak in the Philly tongue). So here is my story. The Heart of a Champion. EVERYONE IS HUMAN (duh we can't have vampires in the Majors) and SEMI-OOC.
Jacob's POV:
The idea of being a player in the major leagues was never a new concept to me. Even before I was born I knew I was destined for the MLB. All during her pregnancy my mom wore baseball affiliated clothing, growing up my father Billy and I would watch every game. I was the star pitcher on my grade school and high school baseball teams. I was accepted into UCLA where I began as the left fielder. In my freshman year a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies noticed my potential and offered me the chance of a lifetime, to warm up with the team during spring training.
A couple days into training the manager Charlie Manuel offered me a spot on the team. And so began my career as the rookie pitcher for the Phillies. I was welcomed onto the team by all the players. The first game of spring training was against the Los Angeles Dodgers. I "took the baseball world by storm" as many sport stations put it. I pitched the entire game with one hundred and three pitches, eighty-three of them being strikes. In the offensive position I was as golden as defense hitting my fist Major league grand-slam. My team won seventeen to one. I not only gained the acceptance of Phillies fans everywhere but also the nickname 'No take Back Black.'
That was two months ago. Today was April 13. The home opener for the Philadelphia Philllies against no other than our longtime rivals the New York Mets. I was warming up on the mount when I saw her. I walked over to Carlos Ruiz the catcher of the game.
"Who is that?" I asked looking over to the petite strawberry blond who was clad in the typical wear of the Phillies ball girls; a Red and white pinstriped jersey identical to the teams and matching pinstripe shorts.
"Who the ball girl?" he asked, getting a nod from me in reply. "I think her name is Tanya, don't get to mooshey though, according to Sports Illustrated she is taken by Edward Cullen,"
That name was familiar to everyone in baseball. Edward Cullen was as much as a girl player as he was a baseball player.
"Besides you are nineteen and young, she is twenty-one and well not as young,"
"Are you saying I have no chance with her?" I said holding back a laugh.
"More like would you really want a chance with her?"
"I'm going to talk to her,"
"You do that and tell me how well that goes over," I grinned and walked toward her seat on the left field foul line.
"Hey, I'm Jacob Black," I said causing her to turn around.
"Hi, Tanya," she replied smiling. "You are the new pitcher the Phillies picked up, right?"
"That would be me,"
"Tani, baby," a familiar male voice boomed from behind me. I turned around and lo and behold Edward Cullen, the bronze-haired green eyed outfielder for the Mets. He walked over to the strawberry blond girl and kissed the side of her face. "Are you ready to lose yet another home opener, rookie?" he asked straightening his ugly gray jersey. His words stung like venom to me.
I sighed before looking at him, "Your team is one to talk. Besides, you and I both know how the season usually plays out,"
"We'll see about that," he said smirking,
"Yes we will," I said with a glare. "I've got to go warm up, it was nice talking to you Tani," I said mocking him before walking back to Ruiz.
"So?" he said making his way to me,
"I have a good feeling about today," I grinned throwing a breaking ball to him.
"Hello and welcome to Citizens Bank Ball Park," Tom McCarthy the announcer of the game began his voice echoing through the stadium. His voice served as a cue to us that it was time for the Mets to have the field and warm up. We exited as the crowed cheered. "After a long winter, baseball season will have it official start, so watch as our own Philadelphia Phillies," more cheers, "take on the New York Mets," the crowed booed.
After a half hour Tom McCarthy's voice announced the beginning of the game by the welcoming the St. Hubert's chorus as the singers for the National Anthem. I took off my cap and turned around to the American Flag in the back of the park. After he introduced the players it was time for the game to begin.
Cole pitched the first two innings giving up three runs in the first but recovering in the second and third innings. Joe Blanton kept the game four to one with the Mets winning for the next five innings. The eighth inning I pitched. I struck the first two player out on strikes however when Edward was up to bat I lost my concentration. Envy and rage overcame me and the first two pitches I threw almost hit him. Ruiz called a time out and walked over to me placing his glove over his face.
"Concentrate, do not walk him. One more out concentrate," I nodded taking his advice to heart. He slapped my back and ran back to home plate crouched down and nodded. I threw a 95 mile per hour curve ball at him. Strike One. The next pitch was a slider he swung and missed strike two. The next pitch was sure to get him out a fast ball he swung and hit a pop up to center field. Shane Victorino caught it and the inning was over.
I sat in the dugout awaiting my chance to bat. When I was up, there where three men on base, Rollins, Utley and Howard, if I could hit a homer we would take the lead five to four. I took a deep breath as Sean Green threw a fast ball, I swung and it fouled out of play Tanya caught it and gave it to a boy about the age of six that was sitting near her, she was so sweet and caring-
"Strike 1" the umpire called. Crap I need to focus. I watched as the ball came to me and hit it with everything I had. It flew on to the center field upper deck. The liberty bell rang symbolizing my homerun. The crowd cheered for me as I rounded the bases this is what I loved the most about the game, feeling like a rock star and saving the game.
I met the other players at home plate and was congratulated with high fives. It wasn't long till "lights out" Lidge finished the game leaving it five to four. I was dubbed Chevrolet player of the game and Shane Victorino came out of the dugout with his plate of shaving cream and smashed it in my face, a tradition he did for every player given this title.
We lined up out of good sportsman ship and slapped the other players hands, however when I got to Edward he glared at me and I returned the glare. I went to the locker room got a shower and dressed in a casual outfit dark jeans and a black t-shirt and a shorts jacket overtop. I waited in the dug out for Ruiz and the others.
That was when I witnessed the inevitable. Tanya was dressed in jeans and a blue tank top walking next to Edward who had his hand around her hip. He handed her something and when she held it up I knew what it was. A small autographed Mets Jersey with his name on the back, she put it on a perfect fit for a girl as small as she was. She smiled before standing on tip toes to kiss him.
"Did I not tell you, young blood," Ruiz said calling me by my nickname the team dubbed me. "Just give up, that's one thing in baseball you can let slip by you,"
"That's the problem when you start out in the League so young you need to find a girl it is hard to know who's real when you have money and looks," Jimmy Rollins said walking toward us.
"You'll find someone," Chase Utley said patting my shoulder.
"If Cole here can find someone you can too," Ryan Howard joked elbowing Cole Hamels the other young pitcher.
"Your nineteen, already playing for the Majors, and six-foot-two and tan to top it off. What girl wouldn't want that?" Shane Victorino said encouragingly.
"Not Bella apparently," Jimmy joked, causing everyone to shoot daggers at him.
I rolled my eyes before fishing my keys out of my pocket. "I'm going home, see you guys tomorrow,"
"See you tomorrow, young blood," They called to me as I made my way to the garage.
"Don't worry one day you'll be old enough to go to the bars with us," Jimmy called.
"I can't wait," I laughed climbing into my white Audi R8. I owned a house in New Jersey much like all Philadelphian sports players did. I blared my radio as I made my way home.
I walked up to my door stalling before opening it. My house was enormous and resembled a house one would most likely find in Los Angeles. It had a three car garage, four marble steps lead to the large double doors four white pillars decorated the entrance. I opened the door and sighed.
Maybe they are right, I need someone to share this house with, and it is too big and vast for only one person. Jamie Moyer has the life I want, a loving wife and loving children, however his was obtained earlier. Maybe joining the majors at such a young age wasn't the greatest of ideas. I thought to myself as I hung up my coat in the foyer closet.
I walked into the kitchen. It was large like the rest of the house, with its white marble counters, a large island with pots and pans that were rarely used hanging above. I walked over to the cup boarded, took out a cup and walked over to the refrigerator filling my glass with water before turning off the kitchen light and walking downstairs to the entertainment room.
I sighed turning on the light illuminating the room. To the left was a billiards table with the Phillies insignia on the table and balls, above it were matching hanging lights, and a matching clock hung on the wall. In the corner was a Pac Man game machine, and jukebox. To the right was a build in home theater with a large black leather wrap around couch, a Phillies afghan was draped over the back, my grandmother had made it for me the day I made the team.
I sat down on the couch with the remote and flipped through the channels on my big scream before settling on the show CSI: Miami and eventually dozing off into dream world.
I was alone at the ball park millions of empty seats around me. The dugout abandoned the clouds above the stadium were gray and threatening. I was standing on the pitcher's mount looking up into the upper deck. When I turned my attention toward left field I saw a shape, at first I thought it was Shane or Raul, but as it approached I noted the it was a she and although from her neck up was shadowed by the cap she wore I could tell she was beautiful. She walked over to me and wrapped her arms around me in a loving hug. She had to have been no taller than five foot five, however, before I could remove her hat the bright lights of the stadium went on startling me from my dream.
I looked at my phone it was eleven in the morning, I fell asleep on my coach and had to be at the stadium in an hour. What a great day this was shaping out to be, I groaned before getting up.
Nessie's P.O.V.:
"Come on Ness, just pick one we're gonna be late," Phiz said sitting on my bed obviously bored with my tenth wardrobe change of the hour.
"Which one do you think I should wear?" I said looking at my friend whose hair was currently dyed crimson red with white pin striped.
"Nessie!" My father called from the bottom of the steps interrupting Phiz's opinion .
"Yes dad!" I yelled back as I held the two jerseys up to myself deciding on which one to wear. To most girls these two jerseys look identical. However, to me they couldn't be different. True their white and red pinstripe designs were indistinguishable however the player on the back was different. Today was the Philadelphia Phillies opening day and I was deciding on which teammate to sport today the veteran pitcher Jamie Moyer or the rookie pitcher Jacob Black.
"Nessie! I'm going to tap Mac, I'll be home soon," He called up the steps.
"Alright dad," I yelled back settling on the newbie jersey. Setting the jersey on the bed with the rest of my outfit, I grabbed my towel and walked to the bathroom. After my shower I got dressed throwing on my jean shorts, red converse, and blue tank top and Jacob Black jersey. After I got dressed, I walked over to my vanity. It was a gaudy thing that my mother had insisted that I have. I looked at my makeup selection, and choose an electric blue. Smiling, I applied it liberally.
"Can I borrow some of that," Phiz said already knowing my response, standing up and walking over to me and began to rummage through my make up bag. He pulled out a bottle of glitter and patted himself down.
My mother, Rosalie tried her best to get me into girlie things like beauty pageants. However that wasn't exactly what my father Emmett had I mind. He wanted me into sports. Their big compromise was allowing me to watch sports to satisfy my dad and annual beauty pageants for my mom. I think it goes without saying I prefer my dad's world over my mothers. Screaming at a TV is one hundred times more fun than wearing princess gowns and answering stupid world peace questions. I straightened my curly dirty blond hair, put it in a pony tail and put on my red baseball cap on pulling my pony tail through the hole in the back.
"You know, it's kinda sad that people don't know. I mean you make it so obvious," I said eyeing him and laughing as he hip checked me off my stool.
"You know how I feel about that,"
"I know I was just messing,"
"I know you were but if you ever get mad at me I don't want that to be the thing all over the school newspaper,"
"I don't think Bella would let that happen," I said watching his eyes roll.
"Nessie, are you ready?" my mom's voice asked as she walked into my room. She was wearing jeans and a new Phillies shirt, her platinum blond hair was down in loose curls around her face. "You are not going out looking like that young lady,"
"Mom it is a baseball game not the Academy Awards," I groaned applying red eyeliner.
"You look like a clown,"
"So? Look at Phiz, he's the epitome of Clown University," I asked looking at her and then at Phiz trying to muffle a laugh.
"So! So!" she repeating her tones gaining strength.
"Nessie you look great," my father said putting at hand on my mom's shoulder.
"Thanks dad," I said smiling.
"I can never win with you can I?" she asked looking at my dad.
"We had an agreement and whenever Nessie isn't competing in Grown-Up Dress Up Time, she is allowed to dress however she wants,"
"I didn't think she would do this!" she pointed to my face. "It looks like Picasso threw up!"
"I think it looks great," He said nodding at me. "She is being creative,"
"Creative!" a groan escaped from her, "I give up!" she said before storming out of the room.
My father and I just stared at each other before he broke the silence.
"Don't worry, she is just stressed,"
"What is it this time?" Phiz asked flopping back down on the bed.
"One of the women she is designing a dress for made her redo the entire dress, and the wedding is in a month,"
"Oh, that would make her flip," My mother is a wedding dress designer. I remember when I was little she would leave her sketches on the table and I would draw on them. Even I had to admit her dresses were awesome. She also designed all my stage clothes for pageants from the ball gown to the swim suit. She was the mastermind behind my winnings. I guess it also has something to do because her Miss Universe title expired fifteen years ago. I sighed before dropping the bomb I intended on dropping soon, "Dad, I don't want to do pageants anymore,"
"You know how your mom will take that," he said giving me a look of doubt.
"Daddy, please, you and I both know what I really want, what my real passion is,"
"Yes, but your mother will never understand,"
I sighed, "Most girls on my team all had their mom come to at least one game except for me, and I have to tip-toe around her to do the one thing I want to do,"
"Nessie, even if your mom knew you played softball and knew how great you were at it she would never accept it nor would she go to a game,"
"True,"
"Besides the Miss Teen USA shebang is coming up. Your mother will be very upset if you quit now,"
"I guess you are right," I said looking over to the white shelf that hung over my bed. It was lined with the trophies I've won since I was three. "But after this one it's over I'm quitting. I'll be eighteen soon,"
"Don't remind me," he said as we walked out of the room.
"Don't forget to pick up Bella," I called from the back seat of my dad's red Jeep wrangler.
"I won't honey," he said looking through the rearview mirror.
Bella was my best friend apart from Phiz. She lived with her father Charlie in the same housing development as us.
Flash back
We met at the community playground when she first moved to Philadelphia from upstate New York, she was six I was five and a half. Before we became the friends we were today, she was a New York Met's fan and the two of us were rivals.
It was that one summer when we were seven that we called it truce. We were riding our scooter through the sprinkler in playground, her in a Mets shirt Phiz and I in our Phillies shirts, when the 'bad boy group' as they called themselves started picking on her and took the Phillies/Mets rivalry too far. They threw her off her scooter and to the ground and while they were at it, they threw every insult they had at her. Mike Newton the leader of the 'bad boy group' was the first to open his mouth. "Hey Eric, what do you call a Mets fan?" he asked to Eric Yorkie his right hand man.
"I don't know Mike what?" he replied kicking Bella in her side. When she cried from the impact of the kick was where I drew the line, it doesn't matter what team someone roots for no matter how bad they were, this was not the spirit of baseball.
"Stupid that's what," he replied getting ready to kick her other side. However before his foot could meet her side I used my leg to stop the blow. "Nessie you shouldn't be hanging with trash like her. Go back to New York," he spat in her face.
"Mike that's enough!" I said putting my foot down. I looked over to Phiz then down to Bella.
"She's a Mets fan, she trash, no she's worse than trash," he said before I punched him in the face making his nose bleed.
"She might be a Mets fan, but she is my friend," I glared at Eric. "And if you want to look like Mike here I dare you to keep talking trash about her," Eric backed away turning when Mike did and ran in the opposite direction.
"Are you okay?" I asked helping her off the ground.
"Did you mean it?"
"Mean what? If you were okay, yes I meant it,"
"No, I'm fine. Did you really mean what you said when you said we are friends,"
"Yea, that's what we are right?"
"Yea, I guess you are right," she said smiling.
"Do you want to get ice cream?" I asked pointing to the truck that was coming to a slow stop at the entrance to the playground.
"Sure,"
End Flashback
From that day on we became closer than ever. She eventually traded in her Mets attire for something more suitable for the city of Philadelphia and became like a sister to me. She attended every one of my pageants along with Phiz and never made fun of me. She played catcher to my pitching and always leant an ear when I needed to vent. She was my cold remedy in the dead of winter, my lifesaver, when I needed her I knew I could count on her.
"Hey Nessie," a familiar voice called breaking me out of my revere.
"Hey Bella," I gave her a hug as we pulled away. She was wearing a Phillies shirt we picked up as a joke one day in the mall. It had the Phillie Phanatic chasing Mr. Met with the World Series Flag that said 'Two years and running' and jean shorts with blue converse high tops.
"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Hale," she called to my parents.
"Hi sweetie," they called back.
"Thank you again for taking me,"
"No problem Bella, you should know by now with my job I get season tickets," My dad worked for Jeep one of the main sponsors of Major League baseball. "Beside Bella, you are practically family to us," She blushed from his compliment.
"Phiz," she said nodding. He returned her nod and forced a smile. My two friends have a history of arguing to no end so I made the edict that neither of them can converse without my consent especially when my parents were present.
We made it to the ball park and took our reserved spots. Field seats so close we could talk to Tanya the ball girl. We sat down just as Edward Cullen the Met's outfielder was kissing her.
"You suck!" Phiz shouted causing Edward to glare at him than look back at Tanya.
"Tanya you traitor!" Bella and I called at the same time. This time it was her turn to glare at us.
Once the game began we took our seat and interrogated Tanya between innings. She was an okay girl trying to get through College without financial aid. The only thing that irked us was the fact that Edward Cullen swept her off her feet.
"How can you like someone like that?" I asked looking over to Edward. "His ego is the only thing he has going for him,"
"He is more of a person than people like you give him credit for,"
"So he is a person I thought he was a vampire," she glared and ignored Bella, Phiz and I for the rest of the night.
"I think she hates us," Bella said as we exited the ballpark after our victory.
"Probably," I agreed. Bella looked back making sure my parents were far behind.
"So what is wrong with your mom?" she asked.
"What isn't?" I replied half sarcastic.
"She seems tenser today for some reason,"
"Some client didn't like the dress she originally designed for her and now she has to redo it all,"
"That sucks,"
"Yea but this isn't the first time she's had to redo a dress,"
"It could also be because of the pageant coming up, which reminds me, did you tell her about softball yet?"
"Absolutely, not!" I said glancing back to make sure my mom hadn't heard. "She would rip my head off if I tell her,"
"It's been almost four years. You are going to have to tell her sooner or later,"
"Later is the better option. At least till the next stupid pageant I have to be in is over,"
"I still can't believe you do those things,"
"Me neither,"
"Why do you go through again?"
"Because it was part of a deal my parents made and I also think my mom hasn't gotten over her 'Glory Days,'" Bella and Phiz both laughed knowing that was a very likely possibility.
We dropped Bella off and started to drive home when my mom started a conversation.
"I finished your ball gown yesterday for the Miss Teen USA pageant would you like to come to the studio to try it on?"
I groaned, "When?"
"Tomorrow if you do not have any plans,"
"What time?"
"Why does it matter?"
"There is a game tomorrow and I want to go,"
"You just went to a game can't you sit this one out?"
I groaned again, "Fine but I'm bringing Phiz and Clary and I'm making sure they are not on censor," Phiz grinned next to me.
"Is that all spoiled?"
"No, the game better be on and only on commercials can you make alterations to the dress,"
"Absolutely, not! I want a day with my little princess not some rug-rat sports brat,"
I groaned, "Dad,"
"Rose let her watch the game it isn't like she is asking to ruin your hard work,"
"I wish," I said under my breath looking out the window.
"I guess you are right," my mom caved. "You better be at my studio by ten o'clock young lady or I swear today's game will be he last game you ever see for a while," she threatened when the car stopped in the driveway.
"Alright mom," I said climbing out of the car and slamming the door. When Phiz was out I gripped his shirt b y the color. "Save me Psycho mom is crazy,"
"Ness, don't worry Clary and me will be there," he said wiggling out of my grip and hugging me. "Just think this is your last dress up time with your mom. At least pretend to have fun and enjoy it, if not for you, do it for her,"
I groaned before answering him, "Why do you have to be my conscience. Jiminy cricket, give me my best friend back,"
"Hence why I said it, I'm your friend. You know how much I wish to be you," I sighed knowing what he was getting at. "Live it up for me," I smiled before hugging him again.
"Although your advice is very cookie cutter, you're the best,"
"I know, so tomorrow bright and early,"
"Don't remind me," I groaned waving to him as I walked onto the porch and into my house.
A/N: So long first chapter my Beta and I are aiming on getting at least six updates by the end of this holiday season! I think we can do it so Review, Message, whatever just let me know what you think! Opinions are always appreciated!!!