Here's the next chapter! Anyway, enjoy!


"Marcie? Marcie?"

Marcie's eyes opened a mere second as she saw Charlie Brown and Snoopy looking at her in concern. Charlie Brown then said, "I am so sorry, I didn't know you were even here! Are you all right?"

Marcie paused as she got up. "I'm okay, Charles... I didn't see where the ball was coming from."

"What are you doing all the way out here, anyway?" Charlie Brown asked as Snoopy sighed in relief.

"Well, I was just walking by, just thinking. I didn't have a whole lot to do since summer is beginning, so I thought I'd just take a walk." Marcie said.

"Oh." Charlie Brown nodded as he and Snoopy got up. "Well, since you're here, would you like to help me practice my pitches for baseball?"

Marcie blushed a bit as Charlie Brown continued, "I know you don't like baseball, but I really need a catcher, and even though Snoopy is somehow good in both aspects in batting and catching, I would feel a little better if a second player could help me out. Normally, it's Lucy who comes afterwards, but you've seen her catch. She never wants to participate in the game."

Marcie paused as she smiled. "Sure, Charles. I could use the exercise."

"Really?" Charlie Brown smiled. "Thanks, Marcie, you're a life saver!"

Marcie gave a big smile as Charlie Brown and Snoopy turned their backs. She couldn't believe that she agreed to doing baseball... but if it's with Charlie Brown, she felt all right with it.


After a few minutes of catching and batting, Charlie and Marcie sat next to each other on the play bench as Charlie Brown said, "I have to admit, Marcie, I'm impressed with your skills. It's a shame you're not into baseball."

"I wish I could join your team, Charles, but I'm sadly obligated to Peppermint Patty's team, and you know how she is determined to help people get out of their shell." Marcie said.

"I don't know, Marcie. I've seen some changes in you lately." Charlie Brown said. "For one, even if you're not eager to join any sports, you actually had some fun with it anyway. What matters is that any sport you play is for fun... no matter what you do, it's all in the game."

"Says the guy with the losing team." Marcie said.

Charlie Brown sighed as he looked at Marcie. "I wish I could start taking my own advice, but as manager, I have to think the opposite. I do care for my team."

"Says the guy who prefers to play in the rain even though it's pouring cats and dogs out." Marcie smirked.

Charlie Brown looked down as Marcie looked over at him. "Charles, I'm sorry. I don't mean to make fun of you. I was just joking alongside."

"Oh..." Charlie Brown said as he looked up at Marcie. "Well... I feel a little better..."

Marcie sighed as she looked up. "Charles, remember when I first moved into the neighborhood?"

"You told me something about that." Charlie Brown said as he looked up at the sky. "You were starting to miss Peppermint Patty because she was your very first friend you made at camp."

"That's partially true." Marcie thought to herself.

"Well, I can imagine my shock when my parents recently moved because of mom's new job... being in the same neighborhood as all the friends I made." Marcie smiled. "I think I visited Peppermint Patty first, talked with her a bit... then she called you."

"Yeah, I could imagine my surprise when I heard that the 'dorky girl' that we met at camp was here in our neighborhoods." Charlie Brown said.

Marcie sighed as she laid her head down on Charlie Brown, causing him to blush. "Do you really think I'm dorky?"

"Well... no. I consider myself to be more dorky." Charlie Brown sighed. "I don't know, hearing the word sounds derogatory to me."

Marcie's heart lifted as she looked up at Charlie Brown. "You really think so?"

"Well... there are better words to call people like us... I don't know what they are, but I'm sure as we grow older, we'll know." Charlie Brown said.

"Older..." Marcie sighed, imagining for a minute of what Charlie Brown and herself would be at in about thirty years from now.

"You know, Marcie, I'm glad to be talking with you. Aside from Linus and maybe Snoopy, you seem to be the only person in the world who understands me." Charlie Brown said.

"Thanks, Charles." Marcie smiled as she hugged him. "That means a lot to me."

"Uh... n-no problem, Marcie." Charlie Brown blushed as soon as the hug was over.

"Say, Charles, I was wondering... do you like me?" Marcie asked.

"Do I what?" Charlie Brown said in confusion.

Marcie sighed as she shook her head. "You're doing it again, Charles. You're avoiding the question."

"I'm sorry, Marcie, it's just... truth be told, I don't know. I DO like you... I just don't know what type of 'like' it is." Charlie Brown explained. "Do I like you, yes. That's beyond what I know... who knows, though?"

Marcie sighed. Charlie Brown was probably still pining for the little red-haired girl...what was her name? Heather? Maybe that was it. "You know, Charles, I was thinking... your crush on the little red-haired girl..."

"Uh, it's not a crush, it's..." Charlie Brown started.

"Don't deny it, you have a crush on her. Look, I know you don't have the guts to do it, but someday, you need to talk to that little red-haired girl, tell her your feelings..." Marcie said.

Charlie Brown sighed. "I know, and I want to do it... but I don't know how... I can't fly a kite, I can't do baseball correctly... the only thing I can do is own a dog, make toast and try to do good at school as best I can."

"Charles..." Marcie held Charlie Brown's hand as she and him made eye contact. "If you want help on how to talk with girls... I can easily help you."

"Can you?" Charlie Brown said in surprise.

Marcie nodded. "Anytime you want to talk to me, I'm here. You know where I live, right?"

"Yeah, Peppermint Patty talked me your address at least a few times." Charlie Brown said as Marcie got up.

"Well, I gotta go. I know you got some baseball practice to get to." Marcie said.

"Okay, Marcie. Thanks for the talk." Charlie Brown said as Marcie left. "You're a good friend!"

Marcie nodded as she walked off. As soon as she was out of eyesight from Charlie Brown or Snoopy, Marcie sighed, lovesickly, "He likes me! He likes me!"


And there is the second chapter! How did you like it? More to come along the way, so don't miss out! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!