"There you are. I was starting to think you wouldn't come."

"I told you I would. Didn't I?"

"Yeah, but you were with the girls last night and I thought maybe they persuaded you to do something with them today."

"Well they didn't. Here I am."

I look around the sandlot and notice that no one else is here besides Benny and I. Then I glance at my watch, seven thirty in the morning. Leave it to Benny to want to be here early. He almost never leaves the sandlot.

"I thought maybe you'd come with me to the drug store to pick up a new ball. We couldn't find it last night. It was late when we decided to leave and I came early to try to look but I can't find it anywhere."

I nod and he smiles. Soon enough we were making our way down the sidewalks heading towards Vincent's Drug Store.

"So how was your night?"

"Good. All we did was play baseball. You know the usual. It was pretty boring without you. The guys missed you too."

I nod, I doubt they did but you never know. Maybe they were just trying to make Benny feel good.

"They don't really like me, you know that right?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The boys. I can tell that they don't like me. It's pretty obvious, Benny. They look at me like I'm some odd creature. Almost as if I am interrupting your guys' friendship or something."

Benny lets out a small chuckle then turns to me. "Kady, that's because they think you're pretty. Guys are way more obvious with their feelings then girls. When we think a girl is cute you can tell. Plus you wouldn't be interrupting our friendship I've known you longer."

I nod slowly. That explains things. So that means Benny doesn't think I'm cute, because I haven't noticed anything.

"So what did you do last night?"

"All we did was talk. You know, the usual." I bit my cheeks thinking about the main subject of our talks last night. He was standing right next to me.

"You think you're funny don't you," Benny teased. He probably thought I was mimicking him.

Soon enough we were in front of the drug store. Benny held the door open for me, then made his way to the back towards the baseballs. I stood near the front of the store looking outside.

Soon enough Benny was right next to me with a ball in his hand.

"You ready?"

I nod and soon enough we are outside. We walked side by side in silence until Benny breaks it.

"Are you okay? You're never this quite."

"Yeah, I'm just thinking."

"Kady, school ended yesterday stop thinking. It's summer."

I nod and we continue walking. Before I know it we are at the sandlot and we aren't the alone. All the boys are there.

"Hey, Kady."

"Hi, Scotty."

All the boys smile at him teasingly. I always call the boys by their first names.

"Okay, you can sit in the dug out. Guys go to the field."

I slowly make my way towards the dug out and sit down quitely watching the guys begin to practice. They are real good and it's always entertainging to watch them. Especially, Benny. He always looks so cute when he is concentrated on the game. Wow, that felt good to actually say. Now that I admit my best friend is some what attractive.

"Awe, c'mon. What does he want now." I turn my head towards Squints as he loudly breaks the silence. Slowly, making their way towards the boys was Phillips and his gang of no good friends. I stood up from the dug out and made my way next to Benny.

"Hey pea brains."

"What do you want Phillips?"

"Your girl."

He nods his head in my direction with a small grin on his face. I scowl and give him a nasty expression.

Benny puts his arm out in front of me then stands more protectively in front of me. I don't know why but it sure did feel good when Benny touched me.

"Well you can't have her Phillips."

"Like I'd listen to you Porter. But the main reason I'm here is to challenge you guys."

"To what?"

"A game of chess. What do you guys think? Of course to play baseball."

"Yeah but they beat you fair and square last time. Do you want a recap of that Phillips." He turns his head in my direction and gives me a big smile.

"Fiesty. That's how I like it. Anyways, Rodriguez, tomorrow at our field at noon. Be there. Oh, and bring the pretty lady."

I roll my eyes as he walks away. Nasty.

"He disgusts me."

"Yeah yeah, but he seems to be pretty into you Kady."

The other boys nodded their heads while Benny just stood there. I don't know what came over me but soon enough I hear these words come from my mouth.

"Yeah. Too bad he's a jerk. He is pretty cute."

I walk back to my spot missing the boys' reactions.

Thanks for the reviews from Faith Love Courage and Iluvluv! They are greatly appreciated. I hope you like this chapter. I am in a writing mood so hopefully I update again today. Anyways I do not own Sandlot so that is my disclaimer for the entire story. Enjoy the chapters in the future!

-Laughter is contagious