Same day from the last chapter. (SATURDAY)
Benny.
"Have you met the new neighbors yet, Benny?" My mom asked, her voice was soft and laced with a hispanic accent. He was setting up plates for my father and the twins, Moira and Manuel. I was early as usual. The earlier we get to the sandlot, the earlier we could play. Besides, school lets out for 2 more week and summer only last 2 months. I think its pretty short for a vacation. And today is Saturday. At least we could spend it playing baseball all day.
I look up to her from my bowl of cereal and shook my head, "No."
It wasn't really a lie. I mean, I saw them, they saw me. We wave and smiled but we didn't really have a proper greeting to each other. I didn't even saw their parents.
"Well, your father and I are going to invite them over for dinner on Saturday." She smiled.
What!?
"Why?" I asked.
Not to be rude or anything, but inviting new neighbors for dinner isn't really my family's kind of thing.
"Well what's wrong? I mean yes, when Mrs. Holly and the Conways moved into the neighborhood, we never invited them, and that's unfair," My mother pointed out, setting down dad's plate. "...but don't you think it would be nice getting to know other people? Been so long since someone moved into the valley. Oh and I saw them earlier outside their house, they have two kids. Their teenage daughter is very pretty." She winks.
I shook my head at my mom. Since I've got my mind stuck on baseball, I got no time for any girl at all. I know my mom has been waiting for me to finally have a "crush". She says it's apart of growing up. Baseball can't be my only priority, she says.
And I guess I have one now. My mom was right. That girl is very attractive. Yesterday was kind of rude of me to not even introduce myself. And because of that, I didn't get her name. But what's the deal though? What if she's just like the girls at my school? Pretty, but very... girly? I mean there is nothing wrong with being a girl, what I meant is, they think sports is boyish enough for them, they're face is caked with make-up, and some of 'em are just... unkind. I'm not talking about every single girl at school, but most of them are. A simple and athletic girl would do for me. Although I did saw her wearing a New York Yankees shirt...
"... Do you know their last name?" I asked pouring more milk into the bowl.
"Divines. Mrs. Conelly told me."
I nod my head.
I glance up at the clock and saw it was already 8:45. Crap.
I shoved the last spoonful of cereal inside my mouth and jump up from my seat. I snatch my glove and bat beside me and walk over to my mom. "I gotta head to the sandlot. Bye." I kissed her cheeks and pacingly walk out the door. From there I just jogged.
The first thing I saw was the pink house of our new neighbors.
Looking over their front window, I saw her. It maybe a little bit too far from where I was, but I could still see her clearly. Is that her bedroom? She really shouldn't leave her windows open while she's changing. Especially where the whole neighborhood could see her through that thick piece of glass. Luckily, she was already dressed.
She was only putting on a red flannel shirt over her tank top. Then she checked herself on the mirror. She seemed to wink at her reflection, which caused me to smile. It was kinda cute. And then she ran outside the room and disappeared from my sight.
I completely forgot what I was doing until someone called out my name, "Benny!"
I stopped jogging and saw Ham running towards me, glancing suspiciously every now and then towards the pink house and back at me.
Then he stop. It was getting annoying with the look he was giving me.
"What?" I asked, irritated.
"What ya looking at over there?"
"N -nothing. A new neighbor moved into that house. So what?" I shrugged.
He put his hands up in defense, "Hey I'm just saying. You were staring at that house for whatever reason you wouldn't tell me," I rolled my eyes as he smirked, "but if it wasn't for me you would have run through that garbage can." He laughed pointing towards the smelly garbage can that I just walked pass from. Hmm, I didn't even saw it earlier.
I shook my head, "Let's just go to the Sandlot."
20 minutes later...
"Watch out!"
Wait, isn't that the kid from-
"AAAAH!"
I cringed as he fell to the ground. The guys started laughing as I notice his sister ran up to him. Oh man.
He stood up quickly. "Okay I'll get it!" He yelled.
I looked over to his sister and noticed she has a nervous expression on her face. She still looks really good though. I feel bad for her brother, and these blockheads kept on yelling impatiently. I can't blame them. It was taking him forever to grab the ball.
"Throw it over!"
"Yeah yeah, hurry up!"
He snatched the ball very swiftly and pushed himself off the ground. He ran away from the fence, looking back at it every once in a while. It must be the beast again.
"WE ARE WAITING!" Squints exclaimed.
I scratch my head impatiently as he stood there staring nervously at us. Why can't he just throw the ball?
"C'MON!"
"Throw it!"
"Give it already! C'mon."
Again, I glanced at his sister. She looks pissed at the guys. And it was really a bad time for me to think she looked hot. I shook my head at myself. What am I thinking? I just licked my lips and turned away from her. Stop thinking like this, blockhead! Focus on her brother.
"HURRY UP!" Timmy yelled.
The kid looks like he was about to throw the ball. Well.. try to throw the ball. He was having a hard time with all the positions he's doing, he was thinking to much.
I shook my head. This guy has got to learn baseball.
"Gosh throw it already!"
"We have a game to play!"
"THROW THE BALL!" Ham yelled.
And boy I wish he didn't. The ball landed literally three steps away from him. I look down, shaking my head. The guys once again laugh at the poor kid.
I look up and saw him run away, as his sister yelled for him.
She looks really angry right now. Well no shit!
First time I like a girl and we already pissed her off. Well the guys did, but of course she'd count me in since I was with them.
She glared at us, if looks could kill... now what is she doing?
She angrily picked up the ball her brother left and threw it. My eyes widened as it came swooshing past all of us and hit the fence which made us cringed.
I look back at the fence and back at her. She shook her head at us and ran off.
Not one of us talked or moved. This girl was something else. The guys turned to me with shock written all over their faces. I probably look the same as them. How the hell did she throw like that? Even Kenny's heater aint that fast or strong. I was impressed, really impressed. There's no hiding to myself that I like her, she was beautiful and hot... but, her knowing baseball... that's the real shit.
I find myself smirking. I knew I should never underestimate a girl. She can play baseball... and for girl, she has got some arm. Bitchin'.
"No way, a girl just did that!" Bertram exclaimed.
"Yeah yeah, she's a... girl." Yeah yeah said.
"M- maybe she just looks like a girl. But i'd say she's a boy." Squints reasoned. What the-?
"Squints you idiot, no way a girl as attractive as that can be a boy!" Kenny retorted.
"But girls can't play baseball." Ham said.
I rolled my eyes, these blockheads...
"Shut up, you morons! A girl threw a baseball. Its not that hard to believe. Lets just get back to the game." I said irritatingly.
"Whoa whoa, why you getting so defensive Benny?" Ham smirked. What's he saying now?
I frown, "What?"
"Yeah, Benny man. You know girls can't play baseball." Timmy said.
"Girls can't play baseball." Tommy repeated.
I rolled my eyes, "Then mind explaining what she did back there guys?"
That shut them up.
"What about that guy she was with? Man that was the dumbest thing I ever saw. Ever!" Bertram exclaimed.
They all laughed once again.
"Yeah yeah truly. What kind of throw was that!"
I was getting really annoyed with them. Sure their my friends. But it doesn't mean they could judge people just like that. Heck they're not even that professional at baseball. I admit I felt bad for the kid.
I was about to say something. But Ham threw the ball at Kenny as soon as the laughter died down, "Forget about them, lets just continue the game." He says. I just shook my head and played.
After playing for 4 hours more, we decided to go home. Me and Ham are usually the last ones walkin home together.
"So, you know that girl earlier..." Ham smirked. Here he goes again.
"What?"
"You like her?" He simply asked. I was a little taken aback by his question. I would expect something about baseball. But was it really that obvious?
"She's alright." I shrugged, nervously.
"Mhm. Yup, I knew it! You do like her."
"What!? You blockhead! I don't even know that girl!"
"So what? You find her attractive. Thats it. I mean the guys and I think so too." Ham grinned teasingly. I shook my head.
"I don't like her alright." Obviously, that was a lie.
"Oh c'mon Benny. I know she and the guy earlier are the new neighbors living in that house over there." He pointed to the pink house ahead. "... which is why you were staring over there earlier."
I was about to protest but he cut me off.
"AND YES! I knew you were lookin' at her through that window. Don't try to deny it."
I licked my lips, trying to hide my embarrassment.
"And, let's just say I noticed you staring at her at the sandlot."
"But-"
"AND, you were getting irritated with us because we were saying girls can't play baseball." He cut me off again.
I rolled my eyes. Why are we even talking about this?
"C'mon Benny you like her."
I didn't say anything. He already knew anyway. What the point of denying.
And why are we talking like this?! Girls do this stuff not boys.
"Whatever."
He grinned. "Ha I knew it. Can't believe it. Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez like someone other than baseball."
"Shut up you idiot. I'll see you at Sandlot tomorrow." I said irritatingly.
My house was just around the corner, so I walked a little faster than him leaving him behind, not before hearing him laugh and say,
"Its okay Benny man, having a crush is normal."
I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
I look over to the pink house again, checking to see if she's in her room. And she was.
She was lying on her stomach, reading a magazine, which I cannot clearly see, what it is about. She looks really into it. Her hair was tied up, and was smiling. She looks beautiful.
Having a crush is normal... I smiled at what Ham said.
I look away from her and continued walking to my house.
.
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Hellooo. So how was it? Boring? Suckish? What? Pls tell me. I would appreciate advices and ideas.
P.s thanks for taking time to read, and sorry if its a little corny.
Have a great day ahead. :)
