My excitement for the game was overwhelming. In the mirror I adjusted my cap and shirt, making sure I looked somewhat presentable. My hair had the tendency to stick up in random places if I didn't comb it down.

For one thing, I was glad we made it to the playoffs because that meant Okito wouldn't have to be all over my ass about it.

"You kept your promise," he had said after we won the game. "We made it."

"Yeah, we did. Now can you stop being a jerk when I'm with Yui?"

He shrugged. "To be honest I still don't think she's very good for you."

Even after all this time, he still didn't want me with Yui. Even after I kept my promise and didn't miss anymore practice, and even won the playoffs for him. I guess that just wasn't enough.

My hands balled into fists. "Why the hell are you even so worried about me and her? She hasn't even done anything wrong! What's your problem?"

"Look man I can't talk about it right now," he looked behind me at his family who started to aproach us. "There's nothing I can do to stop you so I'm not even gonna bother."

He slapped me on the back, and left me without saying another word.

Ever since then, I had been trying to think of what he could be so concerned about, but had come up with nothing. I tried not to worry about it, but it always ended up crossing my mind.

When it was finially time to get Yui, I arrived to her house half an hour before the game. She apeared as excited as ever, her long pink hair tied back in a pony tail and her bright eyes twinkling with happiness. As I pushed her wheelchair down the street, I suddenly remembered the snow globe I had seen the other day in her bedroom.

"Hey Yui?" I asked. "There was this snow globe I saw in your room that I was going to ask you about."

"Oh? Which one?" The cold breeze blew in our faces, the orange and red leaved trees rustling along with it.

"It had balloons in it and looked home made."

She instantly knew which one I was refering to. "Oh! I love that one. I got it at a small store when my mom and I were traveling a few years back. The lady who owned the shop was older, and everything in there was hand made."

"Sounds like too much work if you ask me."

"That's why I have a lot of respect for people who make everything on their own. I had to get something," she continued. "The snow globe display got my attention and my mom told me I could pick one out."

"Why'd you pick that one though?"

"Hush, I'm getting there!" She said. "So while I was looking at the display the woman who owned the store came up to me and told me that all the snow globes had a special meaning to them. I asked her about the one with the balloons, and she explained that they represented all your worries and problems."

"Then," Yui continued. "She said that you should imagine every one of your troubles, problems, worries and struggles being turned into balloons. You should picture yourself holding all those ballons in your hands, and after taking a few breaths, let them go. Let them float into the sky, far, far away. Gone."

"Wow, that has a lot more meaning than I thought," I said.

She nodded. "That's what I was thinking when she first told me about it. So of course I bought it."

We walked in silence for a moment. "Do you have a lot of troubles, Yui?"

She swallowed. I couldn't quite see her expression but I knew it wasn't a happy one. "I guess. But everyone does, right?"

"That doesn't mean your feelings arent important."

She didn't say anything. I could see the baseball diamond in the disntace with all the players warming up. "If you ever want to talk about something," I told her. "Just tell me okay? I'm sure you have thoughts of your own that you're willing to share."

"You wouldn't understand," she said coldly. "It's just a lot of crap you'd never feel anything for."

"Hey, that's not true," I said gently, surprised in her sudden mood change. "Sure, I don't know everything you've been through; but keeping your emotions caged up inside all the time won't do anything."

"There really isn't any point," she shivered in the cold. "Thanks though."

A few minutes later we came to the field, and I parked her wheelchair in the grass next to all the other people who had come. I kneeled down so I was at her height. "If you need anything just tell someone to get me okay? If you feel like something is wrong or feel sick get me right away."

"But-"

"No excuses. If anything happend to you I don't know what I'd do," I adjusted the blanket on her lap. "And I can't know how you feel unless you tell me."

She hesitated. "Okay... I should be fine though. Don't worry about me."

That was better said then done. I met her eyes, and I had the biggest urge to give her a hug and to keep her sheltered from the cold. But before I could say anyhing, Okito clapped me on the back.

"You ready dude?"

I glanced back from him to Yui. "Even if you want me to fix your blanket, or want some water or-"

"Hinata," she gave me a small smile. "I'm fine. Don't worry. Win the game alright?"

"If you're sure," I looked into her eyes one more time, and although she didn't say a word, I knew by her eyes that she meant it.

Okito gestured behind him. "I believe we have some butt to kick."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

I was the starting batter, which meant I would be the one to start the game up and probably the one to finish it. Of course I was a little nervous; if we lost this we lost everything. But I had been in this situation before. I knew my strengths and I had my strategies, and all I was hoping was for my teammates to be the same way.

My coach called us all over a few minutes before we started. "You guys have done tramendous this year. I'm counting on all of you to win this, and I expect nothing less. Hinata's gonna start this up for us, with Akitaka next followed by Sakuya. It's up to you three to get the bases loaded for us to get some runs in."

I glanced at Akitaka, who was new to the team this year. He was the stereotypical jock; his mucular and lean body, just the right height with strong hard eyes that made girls go crazy. Next to him I probably looked like a wimp.

But then there was Sakuya, who was one of the shyest people I had ever met. Anytime someone called his name or even talked to him, his face would flush red and he almost never talked. But the guy was an awesome hitter and we were lucky to have him.

"We work as a team, not as individuals. Remember that," Coach announced before outstretching his hand. We all put our hands on top of his.

"3, 2, 1 GO TEAM!" We all shouted, but I said it quietly. I didn't feel too confident about the game, having a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Promising myself I would try my absolute best, I gave one last glance to Yui across the diamond. When I met her eyes she was already looking at me, and she smiled. She mouthed the words "good luck," and I suddenly felt like a weight had been lifted.

"Alright Hinata," Coach grumbled. "You're up."

Once again, I'm so sorry for the wait. The end of the quarter for school was recently so I had a ton of tests and work to do. And I'm afraid school comes first for me :( My birthday was also last week so I was a bit busy with that. I also apologize for the short chapter, but I'm going to make it up by posting another longer chapter this week :) thanks for all the reviews/follows/favorites!