Here it is the final chapter to this Summer. I'm actually kind of sad :( but its not over not by far, we still have a lot to go so stay tuned after reading.
Thank you so much to my readers, followers and reviewers you're all amazing and the reason I write so thank you.
Disclaimer: I do not own the sandlot. . . damn.
BENNY POV
"Okay men! Today is the day, where men shall go where no man should ever have to go." squints said standing on a rock outside the Hotel where the dance was going to be held.
"Are you done?" I asked, from my spot crouching in the bushes.
"Not even close-"
"Squints!" we all complained.
"Fine." he rolled his eyes and jumped down from the rock and joined us.
"You guys know the plan right?" I asked. They nodded, I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants I waited for a moment until the door to the kitchen opened, out walked two serving guys older then us but not much bigger, I smiled and when they walked by holding the trash Grover and yeah yeah jumped out.
"Took you guys long enough." Grover said.
"Yeah yeah, we're on a schedule you know."
"Relax they haven't even started calling them down yet, I think the last just arrived." The tall one with red hair and a face covered in freckles said. They reached into the pouches in their aprons and pulled out extra uniforms handing them to yeah yeah and Bertram who changed quickly. Then followed the boys inside. When they were gone we stood up and stepped out.
They thought that Yeah yeah and Bertram were late after they were stuck on a date and that they needed to sneak in so they didn't get caught by the manager of the dance or the Mayor that took pride in the city's upkeep.
"We look good." Ham said adjusting his bow tie. We were all dressed up, we weren't as well dressed as the boys that were actually invited to the dance, they had well tailored suits and tuxes where as we had white shirts and either our dads old dinner coats or the suits we had from two years ago. I had on a red button up dress shirt since Emily had gotten Sunshine to tell her what colour she thought her dress was. The first few buttons were undone, and I wore a black tie and my jeans were dyed a black thanks to my mom since no dress pants fit me. I borrowed a black dress coat from Johnny that was a rather good fit but I left it open since the button was broken off.
"We look freaking hot." Squints corrected. I laughed and smacked him on the back of the head.
"Come on." I said and we walked around to the back where Wendy was standing putting lip gloss on.
"You know what to do?" I asked. She smiled and nodded.
"Guys?" I asked into the watch.
"We're in the kitchen. And we've got the serving under control, We're the only waiters here. They want to talk to security they'll be talking to us." Yeah yeah's very scratchy but audible voice came in.
"Good, starting phase two." Smalls said.
"work your magic." Squints smiled at Wendy and she turned walking around the back towards the man guarding the back door.
"Miss I don't think you should be back here-"
"I'm sorry." Wendy whimpered holding onto the wall for support. "But I was on my way to the entrance and I think I twisted my ankle do you think-"
"Come with me we'll get that fixed up for you." the man smiled, he looked to be about twenty or so he opened the door for her and she walked in giving him a watery smile and stepped inside. The door closed and we all walked around the side.
"Okay that was way too easy." smalls laughed as he worked on picking the lock. With a click the door opened.
"In anyone else's hands a regular bobby pin, but in mine-"
"Yeah we know the golden key to anywhere desired. When a bank robbery happens I'm gonna suspect you." ham said as we all went to the door.
"Which way?" I asked and Tommy pulled out the map.
"Turn left and then right." he said.
"According to Emily the boys have to walk down this hallway to get into the hall from the back." Timmy said looking over his brothers shoulders.
"We'll take care of Phillips." Ham smiled and he and Squints went running down the hall the other way.
"Okay, Tommy and I are going to the sound booth." Timmy said, the opened the door and ran up a steep pair of stairs.
"You Ready Benny?" Smalls asked me.
"You mean am I ready to crash this party and possibly get myself killed by Clara? As long as I'm with Toni on our anniversary I'm cool with it." I said Smalls smiled and lead me down the hallways.
"You think Luna was telling the truth about Mr. and Mrs. Kelly both being Lactose intolerant?"
"We'll find out." I said, at the moment Grover should be slipping some goat cheese into the little mini food being served to the starving parents before everything started. This was to get Mr. and Mrs. Kelly out of there, Luna also told us that Ms. LePage was a helper at her Cotillion last year and that although she was a aggressive woman she would never make a scene anywhere. It was better to deal with her then them so she was staying in the hall.
"You ready man?" Smalls asked me. I nodded. "Okay now, Toni's last, and if Ham and Squints did their part then you only have to worry about Clara seeing you." I nodded. Stay hidden until the last possible second, although I doubt anyone would recognize me in this get up, my hair is even brushed.
My mom wasn't too keen on the idea of me crashing this ball thing. She thinks I should just give Toni space but she doesn't get it, I can't just do that, it would kill her.
My Dad was all for it, and even helped us with the plan to get in and get ready.
I looked out from behind the curtain, all the guys had lined up already and the first girl was walking down the stairs.
Clara sat at a table directly in the middle of the room, one of the best seats I guess and she was with Phillips parents, and Toni's dad.
I had only seen Toni's dad twice before, one of the times him just rushing into the house after work. The other time I was with Sunshine.
She had wanted to turn around and walk the other way, when I asked her what was going on she just ignored me and went into the closest store. I stayed out to see a man walking out of a bakery, he was carrying a box and it looked to be a Cake.
He was dressed in a a black suit, his hair was rather short, and he had a strong jaw, he was tall and looked very important, but I didn't know he was Toni's dad until later that week when I asked her about it. He didn't really look like Sunshine, there were some similarities they apparently had the same hair and eye shape but I didn't have time to compare them. What didn't make sense to me was why he was cake shopping in a suit, then it made sense once she told me it was her dad the big wig cooperate guy.
It was her birthday that day I remember, but she never mentioned what happened that night. She always said her dad was a good person, but from what I understand he ignored her all the time. He rarely was home and when he was he couldn't even look at her, she didn't like to talk about it, she'd rather talk about Clara then her dad.
I didn't like her dad all that much, she insisted that he was a good person, never yelled or hit her, just didn't really talk to her.
But he ignored her, Clara hit her but she only really pissed her off, Her dad hurt her on such a level that she couldn't even mention it, I could see it, and to me that made him a Jack ass.
"Benny you need to focus."
"Huh?" I asked looking back at smalls.
"Focus man, they're gonna call Sunshine soon." I nodded and looked towards the stairs.
Timmy and Tommy better not mess this us. I thought as I watched the girls come down the stairs meet the boys take a small thirty second dance and then walk off to the wings.
"Ms. Toni Marie Spena." I took a deep breath and moved out from behind the curtain and took the little walk that was needed to get to the bottom of the stairs and stood there looking up at Toni, all eyes and lights on her, and I could see her squinting into the light.
She looked stunning in the red dress and her hair properly brushed, she was even wearing makeup but she looked so uncomfortable. She began to walk down the stairs, I could see her lips moving ever so slightly and I could see the bottom of her dress moving as she lifted her feet to take steps, what I did see was old worn fliers and I smiled to myself.
Still my sunshine.
She suddenly tripped, and started to fall down the stairs on her but, there were many gasps as she slid down the stairs and I quickly moved to help her, sliding a hand on her waist and then on her wrist helping her stand up, she didn't look at me, she looked down at her feet in obvious embarrassment.
"Thanks. . ." she said, she lifted her gaze and caught mine, she looked confused and then shocked her pretty green eyes widening in surprise. "Benny?"
I smiled brightly at her and took the flowers from her her hand and tossed them to a woman sitting at the closest table to us, she yelled out in surprise and caught them against her face, I chuckled at the sight and then turned back to her.
"You seem surprised to see me."
"And her escort Mr. Benjamin Rodriguez." Tommy's voice sounded over the crowd, there were some whispers and others clapped not knowing the difference. Sunshine looked up to the sound booth and smiled seeing our friends up there waving. She laughed and looked back at me as I took her hand and placed it at the proper position and placed my other on her hip and directed her to the dance floor when the depressing and horrible violin music began to play the other couples swirling around us.
"I didn't expect to see you here." she whispered to me. I smiled and pulled her closer as we moved rather smoothly through the other couples obviously being the odd couple out.
"You really think I was going to leave my beautiful girlfriend hanging on our anniversary?" I asked.
"How did you get in here?"
"We were invited." I winked she gave me a look and I laughed a spilled. "Wendy distracts the guard and we slip on in."
"I should have known the second I saw her limping in those heels, she can work those things better then running shoes." I laughed and quickly tugged her the other way to avoid an on coming couple. "Wheres Phillips?"
NO ONES POV
Phillips began walking down the hall in a straight line at the back. By orders of Mr. Kelly, who actually wasn't with them something about not feeling well. It didn't matter they had rehearsed a thousand times before. They had to walk around to the back and then past the curtain to get to the proper spot which meant walking past all the sound booths and electrical closets.
As Phillips walked past a closet labeled "Janitorial" the door creaked open. He walked past it not noticing until hands snatched onto his collar and he was pulled back into the closet. The other boys didn't even notice him gone until they reached the ball room.
"Heya Phillips." Ham said as he started to wrap up his arms and Legs with tape.
"I'll kill you Porter! You too Pala-" he started but was silence by the tape that was placed over his mouth by Squints.
"What was that?" Ham asked. Phillips muttered into the tape nothing audible.
"Come on Phillips use your big boy words." Squints laughed Phillips struggled against the tape against the hallway wall.
"Hey Guys Benny and Sunshine just started- What the hell?" Yeah yeah asked seeing what his friends had done. It looked kinda funny, squints was holding onto a mop handle and Ham held a roll of duck tape and sitting against the wall was a taped up Phillips with a stringy mop on his head.
"What happened to the plan?" Yeah yeah asked.
"This was more fun." Ham said throwing the tape back in the closet.
"Well I guess it worked, come on lets get going its all up to Benny now."
BENNY POV
"Don't worry I told the guys to treat him with respect." I said to her. She smiled and moved closer to me so our chests were touching.
"Toni!" we heard Clara yell, we looked over to see her getting out of her seat.
"OH shit!" I said. "Hey Timmy, pick it up, like now!" I yelled to him he nodded and the music stopped for a moment, before picking up quickly with the song I gave them to play. It was a fast salsa song one that Toni was familiar with. I quickly started to move to it with her, weaving in and out of the couples trying to match the tempo but just ended up bumping into one another.
Clara had found her way onto the dance floor with a fiery look in her eyes as she tried to push her way through the dancers towards us.
"Wanna get out of here?"
"I think we better move, she can run pretty quick in those heels." Toni laughed and I grabbed her hand and together we ran. No one seemed to notice me which was good other then Clara.
I wanted to go out the front door but Clara was coming from there I looked around and tried to think of the best way out.
"Hey Rodriguez!" Someone called to me over the deafening music. I turned to see a boy standing there, he looked familiar, he had a girl with him and they were waving us over. I didn't question it I ran to them. "You can get out this way." he said pulling back the curtain to reveal the door being held open by another boy.
"Thank you." I said.
"Don't worry Toni, We'll keep her away as long as possible." The girl said.
"You were never here Benny." The boy said and then I realized he was a boy from another team we play in the tournament every year.
"Thank you." I said again and then ducked under the curtain with Toni.
"I don't like Clara all that much either." The boy holding the door said.
"Where's smalls?" I asked him quickly.
"Left the second you had her hand now go!" he said pushing Toni lightly out the back way leaving Clara in the middle of the dance floor probably still trying to get past the bumping and fast movie couples. Guess Cotillion kids aren't that bad.
We ran into the hallway laughing our heads off still holding hands.
"She dodged those kids like a trained military guard." I laughed leaning on the wall for support.
"I think she might have been in the military before, would explain her ability to take the torture of wearing heels." Toni said still laughing. We finally calmed down and Toni reached for my hand "I can't believe you're here." she whispered. I smiled and placed a hand on her cheek.
"Of course I'm here, I wouldn't let you go through this, especially not on our anniversary, come on you should know better." She smiled and reached up placing a quick kiss on my lips, then pulled back abruptly.
"Then why were you treating me so bad?"
"I couldn't let you figure out the secret, besides I wanted you to be all that more surprised."
"I hate surprises." she glared I laughed and placed my hands on her hips pushing her back against the wall.
"But you love me."
"Of course." she sighed and then I leaned in a kissed her softly. Her hands reached up running up and brushing through my black hair sending a familiar chill down my spine I sighed happily and kissed her a little harder curving my fingers around her hip to pull her closer so she was flush to my body.
I pulled away slowly my eyes still closed until I felt her hand smack me on the back of the head.
"Ow, what was that for?" I asked with wide eyes.
"For being so stupid as to sneak in here and get caught by Clara, I mean what the hell were you thinking Benny?! I thought we agreed to keep you and Clara as far away as possible. Not to mention all the progress we just ruined, I might never be let out of the house now! Not to mention you technically just crashed a town event they could get you in serious trouble for that! You could have just asked to meet after the dance-"
"Are you done?" I asked interrupting her angry rant, she looked at me her eyes softening
"That stunt was absolutely insane and stupid, but also incredibly sweet."
I smiled and placed another kiss on her lips.
"Toni?" A voice asked from down the hall separating us, we both turned our heads to see Clara walking up to us.
"Shit run run run run run run." I yelled as we started running away from Clara laughing our asses off.
"TONI!" Clara screeched at us, as we pounded down the hallway. Holding her hand I tried to run her speed and not drag her behind me, I took a sharp turn and she followed easily and we ran out of the building into the cool summer night.
"Come on." I said tugging on her hand again rushing down the street.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
'You'll see." I said back and we ran, all the way to the fair, we didn't stop at the gate just ran right in and towards the Ferris wheel.
We got rather odd looks, considering I was in a suit and she was in a large red ball gown, both our hair windswept and her's falling out of its style from the running.
But I didn't care to me it felt like we were the only two people there sitting on the top of the Ferris wheel her in my arms as we watched the fireworks go off.
"You know you look gorgeous right?" I whispered to her.
"You look rather handsome yourself." she smiled at me her breath taking smile.
"But I think you look the most beautiful in your dirty baseball gear, hair a tangled mess and no makeup."
"You're my boyfriend you have to say that." she laughed moving closer to me.
"Yeah, but I don't have to mean it either, but I do." I whispered.
"Really?"
"You're your happiest when you look like that, cause you just finished playing baseball, and when you look like that it reminds me of why I love you so much. You don't give a damn what others think, You're always bright and smiling even though I know the shit you go through, you make me laugh, and best of all you keep me focused on my game, cause if I didn't you might be better then me."
"Might be? I think you need to realize that I'm already better then you." she joked.
"At bragging."
"Make your jokes, but remember I'm still the only pitcher that has ever struck you out."
"Which is why Imma have to keep you quiet so no one will ever know." I smiled mischievously and kissed her sound on the mouth.
"So we rode the Ferris wheel now what?" she asked as the cart began to come down.
"Now, we have some real fun." I said grabbing her hand and running to the sandlot.
"Benny I need to change my clothes." Sunshine said once we were in the dugout.
"No you don't" I said shrugging off my jacket. "We're gonna prove to Clara that nothing can stop you from playing ball." I handed her a bat and winked before heading to the mound still in my tie. She smiled and set up at the plate hitting it with the end and then setting in her stance. I wound up and being the horrible pitcher I am let the ball fly right over the plate.
She swung and cranked right down the third base line. She dropped the bat and began to jog around the bases, it looked kind of awkward since the dress was so big but it was also kind of pretty to see the dress getting dirty with dust as it scraped the ground. I couldn't help myself I ran towards her and picked her up like a bride spinning her around in a fast motion she yelled out in surprise and then started laughing clinging to me as the world became a blur of colours.
I lost my footing and went flying to the ground with her still in my arms.
Dust flew into the air clinging to our clothes and into our hair. Sunshines hair fell loose falling around her laughing and smiling face.
"It appears Cinderella has lost her shoe." I smirked when I saw her shoe sitting a foot away from us.
"And prince charming has found it." she joked right back as I reached out to take her old worn shoe.
"May I?" I asked.
"Not looking like that." she joked picking a blade of grass from my hair. I rolled my eyes and stood up. Brushing my hair back with my hand, trying to imitate the slicked back look I saw some of the boys had. I put on my best snotty face which made her laugh and bowed down exaggeratedly.
"My dear may I?" I asked, she laughed and shifted to stick her left leg out.
"How can I say no to such a proper young man?" I bent down on one knee and slid her worn out shoe onto her foot then tightened the laces she refused to tie.
"It fits perfectly! I've found my Sunshine, to share my Sandlot kingdom with." I shouted to the heavens as if they could hear me, then grabbed her hands and pulled her to her feet.
"And I've found my Jet, my one true love in this crazy Baseball world." She said throwing a hand to her forehead and leaning back holding onto my collar to keep from falling back too far.
She leaned back up to me and I placed my hand on her back.
"I've saved you from the wicked step mother Clara now all I need to do is kiss you and we can be married in the morning!" I exclaimed pecking her cheek.
"it is done!"
"We are so obnoxious." I said in a low voice. She laughed and gave me a hug, one that was to tight and warm that we didn't pull away, I rested my chin on her should and just held her for a few moments her cheek against my shoulder and she breathed deeply.
"You know, my mom and dad's wedding anniversary is today." I pulled away to hold her at arms length.
"Really?"
"Yeah, my dad had all these pictures out and he told me that it was their wedding anniversary."
"So they got married the day we got together?" I asked, I knew it was a stupid question, and she knew it to from the look she gave me but she nodded anyways. "That's a freaky coincidence."
"I know . ." she said, her voice small, like it is whenever we talk about her mom.
"Hey don't be sad, please don't be sad."
"I don't even remember her."
"I know." I sighed leading her over to the bench, we sat down and put an arm around her slowly rubbing her back in lazy circles.
"I know it's hard, it freaking sucks, and I'm not going to tell you that shes in a better place because I know that's not what you want to hear. And I'm not going to tell you I know how you feel because I don't, but I know that I love you, and because of that I know that your mom must have loved you too, a lot cause you're a very loveable person. But Toni being sad about her isn't going to bring her back, it's okay to be sad it is, but its better to be happy knowing that she was in your life, and that she was your mom. Things are hard, but they always get Better." I whispered to her slowly.
"I just don't want to lose anyone else." she said holding her head in her hands.
"You're not gonna lose me, or the guys or anyone, I promise." I said reaching into my pocket and pulling out the bottle cap on a string she gave me.
She looked up and when she saw it burst into laughter.
"You still have that?" she asked.
"Yeah I do." I replied sliding the cap back into my pocket.
"Okay you know what? Enough of the sadness lets have fun." she said jumping up, noticing her dress was now covered in sandlot sand I smiled and jumped up with her.
She took her turn pitching, tripping a few times in the dress before she got a hand of it.
We stayed like that pitching and hitting until the large bag of balls was gone and over the fence which we would go get later.
"We need to get to the diner." I called to her dropping the bat.
"wait why?" she asked coming over to me.
"Because I told the guys I'd meet them around nine and its nine ten lets go." I said. She nodded and followed me out of the sandlot a grin plastered on her face.
I started to lead her out of the sandlot and instead of going left like we usually do I turned right.
"Where exactly are the guys?" she asked as we walked rather quickly through Phillips neighborhood.
"You're never going to believe me." I smiled and then grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
We were almost there when she tripped and fell to the ground, trying to hold in my laughter I asked her "What happened?"
'What do you mean what happened? I tried to run in this stupid dress." she snapped and got up stuffing the fabric in her fists and walking ahead of me. I shook my head and caught up with her leading her to Phillips Field.
TONI POV
Benny and I arrived at Phillips home field, it still amazed me how they could have all this and still not be that good.
We went around the back in case any of the grounds keepers were around.
Last year we had stolen their uniforms and ham put them on and got them all dirt and grass stained, I think scotty or someone took a picture of it, it was priceless, the looks on their faces too.
When we walked around the dugout and and stopped dead in our tracks at what we saw.
The boys were there that was no shock, but what was, was that in the middle of them sat a tied up duck taped Phillips.
"What the heck did you guys do?" Benny demanded walking over to them.
"You said to keep him away-" Yeah yeah started.
"Ya keep him away, not gag him, Bind him then kidnap him like a human smuggling ring!" He exclaimed throwing his hands up in the air completely exasperated. "I thought you guys were just going to lock him outside. Not go overboard and extremely complicate things." As he spoke Phillips tried to twist his head so he could see Benny more clearly since he was sideways and his back towards Benny.
"Its like you don't even know us." Squints said slightly offended putting his hand to his heart.
"Well why did you bring him here?" Benny asked gesturing down to him.
"Cause its hilarious!"
I can imagine them carrying Phillips here, and him threatening them but only getting out muffled words that just sounded like whale noises.
I walked up behind Benny and smiled at the guys.
"How did you even get him here without questions?'
"Please Sunshine, we've done way weirder stuff then this, us carrying phillips was just another day in the Valley."
'Oh my god our lives are just one giant freak show." Benny said with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Well what do we do with him?" I asked gesturing to the squirming Phillips that had started his movement after hearing my voice.
"I have a few ideas. . ." Benny said cracking the only knuckle he could crack.
"No, I think this is humiliation enough, you don't need to kick his ass. . . .again." Smalls laughed.
"Hey where's Tommy and Timmy?" I asked looking around for them.
"they're still doing the music, they said they can't leave the sound booth without getting caught just yet so they're coming later." Ham explained to me.
I looked at them and noticed that Grover and Yeah yeah were in waiters clothes, and the rest were dressed up. Well more dressed up then I have ever seen them.
I then realized how planned they had been about this, they had to have known where Phillips walked, had to have known how to get into the building, work the sound system.
"You guys are awesome." I suddenly said they all smiled though seeming to know what I was talking about because they gave me a big hug.
"Okay now go change outta that thing." Squints said picking up some clothes from the ground and shoving them into my arms.
"You went through my drawers!?" I demanded with wide eyes.
"Benny wouldn't let us, he went through it." Smalls said turning the slightest shade of pink.
"The underwear drawer was quite interesting." Benny's hot breath said into my ear. I shivered and pushed him away from me.
"You're the worst." I muttered walking away.
"Way to go Benny, you're anniversary and you probably just wrecked your only chance of getting laid." I didn't have to turn around to know it was ham who said that, I also didn't have to turn around to know that Benny tackled him to the ground.
Part of me thinks Ham needs a girlfriend, but a bigger part would be terrified if Ham had a girlfriend, I can't see him with a girlfriend honestly he's too big a flirt.
So in the mean time he teases us, and lives a relationship through us.
I quickly changed into the clothes I was given, which happened to be jean shorts and the team shirt I made for us three years ago, it was tighter on me but I made them baggy so it still fit. When I walked out Benny was in a t-shirt plaid shirt and. . His boxers.
"Uh Benny might want to hurry it up." Grover grinned seeing me. Benny looked over at me and his eyes widened, holding the jeans in his grip.
I don't know why he was so worried I had seen him in his boxers before.
I had seen all the guys in their boxers, being the only girl I'm a little more private but them? Nope.
"SUNSHINE! Turn around!" he said in a rushed and frantic voice.
"Alright, alright, keep your pants on." the boys snickered at my word play and Benny scowled as I turned back around.
"He's decent!" Yeah yeah called. I turned around and noticed all the boys were dressed differently now all their clothes in a pile.
"Why'd it take you so long to change?" I asked.
"He had a little talk with Phillips." Ham smirked, I looked down at Phillips, he wasn't squirming anymore but he didn't look beat up so that was good.
"Right, so what are we gonna do?" I asked.
"Well the dance will be ending soon and we were thinking we should let Clara know exactly what happened." Ham smirked.
"You know if you wanted to do this we should have just left him here."
"Well we couldn't risk someone finding him, plus it just added to the fun." Squints explained as we placed Phillips on top of the car in the front then laid my dress along with the boys waiter uniforms on it.
"Lets not put the glove on it." Benny said catching Yeah yeah as he went to place it beside a glaring phillips. "Clara knows we did it, but there's no way they could pin it on us, there's no witnesses, only her and Phillips really know that I wasn't supposed to be there. Let's make her look like a fool." he smiled.
"I like the way you think." I said patting Phillips on the cheek and giving him a big smile before running back to the side of the building to wait for everyone to come out and see Phillips.
"Go fish!" I said.
"Sunshine, we're playing crazy eights, do you ever pay attention?!" Benny said whining, almost every time we play cards I forget what we're playing and just start playing go fish.
"No." I said plainly.
"Yeah but what really sucks here is that even though she doesn't know what the she's doing SHE'S STILL WINNING!" Ham said throwing his cards down in frustration.
"Oh yeah I'm winning at go fish, there's a profession I can really pursue." I said sarcastically.
"CRAZY EIGHTS!" they all yelled at me.
"What ever!"
"Hey guys what are you doing here?" Timmy asked.
"What are you doing here?" Tommy asked right after.
"Everyone coming out now?" Benny asked them getting up the cards forgotten.
"Yeah." Timmy said running a hand through his hair. "It's all over now."
"Then just wait for-" Squints started but he didn't get to finish, there was a huge buzz of yells, anger, laughter, and even someone screaming "SANDLOT!" guess they removed the tape from Phillips mouth.
"It was Toni Spena and Benny Rodriguez!" Phillips yelled.
Together we all leaned past the wall to see what was going on, Phillips still sat on top of the car my Dress over his legs.
"The sandlot boys did it!" he yelled "get this stuff off me!" he demanded as two men started to unbind him. It took everything I had not to laugh when Phillips fell from the top of the car and onto the pavement. "They attacked me in the hall way, and tied me up!" there was laughter as Phillips became hysterical.
"Phillips what are you talking about?" Emily asked. "They weren't even here."
"Yes they were!" he yelled.
"No they weren't." one of the other boys said, it was amusing and amazing that they were all sticking up for us, one by one they all agreed with Emily that they saw non of the sandlot boys here.
Everyone knew it was us, who else would it be? But these kids were more then willing to take my side then Phillips any day, the girls hadn't noticed Benny because they didn't really have time to they were with their own dates and the boys over the time in class grew to like me a lot more then phillips and were willing to stick up for 'the jet'.
"They announced Benny though!" Clara yelled out into the crowd pushing her way to the front to stand by Phillips.
"So? That's probably the worst they could do, change the name in the lineup, anyone could, they said Michael's name was Makayla when we first rehearsed remember? Sunshine must've done it as a joke. She told me before she wanted to, that must be what she did." Emily said.
"I saw him!" Clara glared getting as worked up as Phillips was. So far it was them against everyone else.
"What are you saying? That they somehow got through all of security, and all crashed this party without even being seen?" a parent asked, Clara glared at the woman.
"This is getting good." Ham whispered from below me where we looked past the wall.
"I just got off the phone with every last one of the boys parents. Scott is at home reading all night, Hamilton, Michael and Allan are having a sleep over at Hamilton's house. Tommy and Timmy are grounded, Bertram is at his grandmothers and Benny has been home all night with his parents making food for old man Myrtle down the street." The mayor of town said crossing his arms over his chest.
"And you believed them?! Those Rodriguez's are filthy liars! All of them, all those mex-" Clara began my eyes widening with each word said.
"I suggest you stop right there." he interrupted, "The Rodriguez family are respected people in our town, the sandlot boys are good kids and I do not want to hear another word about them and what you think they did am I clear?" he asked giving Clara a look that would put her evil glares to shame.
"Crystal." she muttered.
"Wait!" Phillips yelled."Then where the heck is Toni, huh, her dress is here, covered in dirt-?"
"She must have gone to the sandlot." Wendy said showing up in the crowd. "We all know how Sunshine is and she told me she didn't want to come tonight, she must have skipped out when the music got messed up and took the chance to run she probably went and hit some balls and nothing is stopping me from thinking she tied you up." Wendy laughed.
"But she didn't! It was the boys." Phillips yelled. I smiled to myself and listened as Phillips made an idiot of himself.
"Hes just embarrassed that a girl did that to him." people were muttering about Phillips.
"But she was announced came down and was dancing with someone!" Phillips yelled getting annoyed with everyone.
"Andrew, we saw her come down the stairs but didn't you dance with her and then she took to away when the music messed up? Its the only explanation, I mean you were in the line with us walking down the hall." a boy said, and I grinned.
"They Grabbed me in the hall!" He yelled at him.
"Okay I think he's a little shaken up."
"Mom it wasn't me you know that right?" He demanded. I could see the fear in his moms eyes in the crowd she in no way wanted to be involved.
"It was rather far away and it was a well groomed boy-"
So there it was, everyone had heard what Clara was about to say and were angry with her, and everyone thought Phillips was insane and petty trying to blame the boys who were "home all night" and the best part was that they all thought it was me and didn't even care.
"I AM NOT CRAZY AND IT WASN"T ME!" Phillips screamed like a five year old girl in frustration.
"Phillips is telling the truth I know it was those brats!" Clara said finding her voice again.
"Now see here Clara-" The Mayor started again.
"No you see here, I don't know what kind of messed up system this is or what you're all trying to pull but I know it was the Rodriguez boy and his friends!"
"And where is your evidence?" he asked crossing his arms.
"Security cameras-"
"There's nothing on them."
I looked back to the boys as Clara started yelling again.
"Remember that huge bang that came from the hallway?" Smalls asked.
"yeah?"
"I pushed the generator keeping the cameras going over." Tommy smirked. I laughed and went back to watching the scene.
"Clara this is getting ridiculous."
"No you're Ridiculous! This whole place is ridiculous!"
"Calm down." Clara reached over to one of the servers, a boy with red hair and freckles, still holding a pastry plate and grabbed a cupcake from the tray.
"Don't tell me to calm down!" she yelled and shoved it right into his suit leaving a pink frosting stain on it.
"NOT COOL!" Ham yelled out.
"BOOO!" Benny jeered along with the rest of the boys which turned into the whole crowd Booing her.
I couldn't believe she actually did that. . .
I saw my dad sheepishly walk out from the crowd and try to move a flustered and screaming Clara away from the crowd.
"And I expect you to apologize to the Rodriguez Family, and we will be seeing Sunshine around town more often since she is now banned from all formal social events. She'll have to spend her time out and about rather then in the buildings am I correct?" The Mayor instructed.
That was my punishment? More like a freaking blessing! I started jumping up and down in my excitement. Clara's head hung in defeat, she had made a fool of herself and she knew it, now the town could see her rudeness, but Clara wouldn't move away from this, she was too proud and would have her friends sticking up for her no matter what. But it was still the greatest thing ever.
"You will!" My dad called to him as he ushered her away.
"I don't want her around those Hispanics don't you understand that?!" Clara screamed at him. Another loud boo echoed through the street.
I watched as a boy picked up a cupcake and actually threw it at her hitting her arm. I burst out laughing as another kid did and then another. Soon everyone, aside from the more dignified people were throwing food at her as she screamed and ran down the street in large tears.
"Man its gonna take a week to get that icing out of her hair!" Ham laughed.
"Did you hear that? She has to apologize!" Yeah yeah laughed with him.
"How did this work out so perfectly?" I asked hugging Benny close.
It didn't seem real, what had happened, we pushed her to her breaking point and everyone and I do mean everyone was angry with her.
"The tournament is in a few weeks, I suggest we will now have the star pitcher there?" I turned around to see the Mayer standing there. I froze in place.
"I-uh, I'm really sorry about all this." I said pointing to the people that were now in a huge food fight.
"Sorry? This is the most fun I've had in years and it will be great for the papers. And Sunshine I want to personally apologize for what happened right under my nose, I can assure you I will be watching what goes on in town and if I don't see you out everyday I will be making a visit to your house." He said a smile on his face. I was shocked, how did he know all this? I mean he has to have known for him to say that. "And don't worry Clara won't know anything. And no police involvement I'll make sure there is no need of that." he winked and started to walk away.
"Wait! How did you know?" I asked him.
"I'm sworn to secrecy." he smiled and then ran out to join in on the fun as well.
He didn't have to tell me, I already knew who it was, I turned around to look at my boys. And raised an eyebrow, Benny cracked a smile.
"I told you, it'll only get better if you tell someone." he said.
I shook my head.
"I want to be mad." I told them.
"But you're not right?" Grover asked.
"I'm too damn happy to be mad." I said.
"Bitchin!" they chorused and then tackled me in a huge hug.
If it was how I thought it was. . . it was over.
"I still can't believe you told the Mayor." I said shaking my head.
"Are you mad I did?" Benny asked as we walked home his hand holding mine swinging back and forth without a care.
"If everything went total shitsville yeah I would be." I said Benny grinned happy that it didn't. "I just can't believe that you chose him a out of everyone."
"Well see I didn't really have a choice." he admitted.
"Explain?"
"The Mayor was at Dinner that night you were with Phillips and your parents, and Clara. He was at the table behind you, so he saw me walk up to you. When I left he caught me out the door asked me if you and I were together and I told him that we were. And I asked him not to tell Clara. He didn't ask why, just said 'wouldn't want another shiner.' I don't know how he knew Toni but he did."
"So you just told him about the plan?"
"Actually no I told him I was going to do something about it myself, but I'm guessing Clara wasn't the only one that saw me there tonight and everything clicked for him."
"I just can't believe that this happened, I mean the excuses weren't that sound. ."
"yeah I know, but I don't want to question it." he smiled.
"Me neither." I replied he smiled brightly and pulled me towards my house. When we arrived the car was there, and I could hear yelling from inside the house. . . it wasn't me this time so something told me it was my dad and Clara, but it seemed very one sided.
My dad was yelling at Clara for the first time ever.
Benny looked at me with a surprised look, it wasn't odd to hear yelling coming from the Spena house but it was odd when there was a male voice involved.
Benny and I jumped up onto the roof and towards the window, which was missing a large metal lock opening the window I climbed in and walked over to the door, which was muffling the screams and yells. I turned the knob and it opened.
"I've never been so embarrassed and you should have stood up for me!"
"What the hell was I supposed to do? You insulted that family and made up a ridiculous story, you're lucky I didn't join their Booing! You're acting Crazy!"
"Don't you dare say that you-" I shut the door then, and was a little upset with myself that I had a smile on my face.
Benny was seated on the bed grinning like an idiot too.
"I have to go get something I'll be right back." he said. I nodded and he left out the window, a moment later a knock was heard on my door.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"I heard the thud on the floor boards and knew you were home." my dad said.
The fight must be over now. I nodded and watched as he came in and stood in front of me.
"What you did at the hall wasn't right Toni." he said blowing out his breath. I nodded and looked at my shoe covered feet. "But I also applaud the way you stood up for yourself. However it still wasn't right." he told me.
"I know, sorry, it's just. . . dad I'm not a cotillion person."
"I know that, I've always known that, I was surprised when you agreed to do it as well." he said. I nodded again not willing to tell him that Clara had forced me to go.
"Anyways, your mother and I have decided that you are grounded for a week for the stunts you pulled but I want you out of this house from now on okay? No more holding up in the bed room, you heard the Mayor he wants to see you around town and having fun. I want to see that too Toni you don't look happy around here anymore." I was so speechless, we humiliated Clara and it resulted in me getting out of the house on my dads orders? I was smiling when I saw Benny at the window, he was about to open the window when he saw my dad standing there, his eyes widened and he ducked so he wasn't seen.
"What?" my dad asked seeing my gaze and turned around only to see nothing.
"Nothing a bird. So I'm grounded for a week?' I asked.
"Yes, I want you home every day by four o'clock and at that time you will come home and stay in your room okay?"
I smiled again.
"Alright."
"Good." then he left the room, and in came Clara I gulped I forgot she even lived here, but when she arrived she looked beaten down, defeated almost, her head hung lower then I had ever seen and her heels were off the frosting still in her hair.
"Look Toni, you may have won this one but I will never be okay with it." she sneered, there was a hidden threat in there. "I know that spanish boy was there and I don't know how you made sure no one saw him but assure you I will remember this for a long time." she snapped.
"Good." I replied. "Cause I won't forget what you did to me either, ever. And don't think for one second that I will forget. My dad might not know what you really are, or the whole town for that matter, but you will always be who you are, you always be the woman that hit me, insulted me, and wounded me with words. I don't think there is anything worse someone could do to me then making me live with you. I haven't won yet Clara, not yet, but I will. Remember that, I'm going to be your nightmare, one day I'm going to get away from you, forever. But until then remember that you just made me ten times stronger and I will never break. " I replied and watched as she walked out of the room and shut the door. I ran over and locked it, hearing Benny enter the room again.
"You're free?" he asked me standing there in the middle of my room a hopeful yet knowing look in his eyes.
I nodded.
"Yeah I'm free, Clara can't keep me away from you guys anymore, things are going to be like they were." I said in a astonished voice. He grinned and picked me up in a spinning hug.
Back to the way things were.
It wasn't perfect how things were before still had to keep my dad and Clara out of the loop and that was pretty hard to do since almost the whole town knew about us but it didn't matter to me. It was perfect because Benny and I could be together whenever we wanted now.
"I have something for you." I told him and then went to the closet and pulled out the box.
"You didn't have to get me anything." he said holding his hands up refusing to take the box held out to him.
"Non returnable Benny, take it." I said he sighed and took the box from me.
He sat down on the bed and opened it slowly.
Inside was a new pair of flyers since his were completely wrecked. He grinned and turned his head to kiss me.
"You didn't have to, but I love them." he said I smiled and then he reached into his pocket.
"It's not much." he said holding out his closed hand and took mine his his other, then dropped something cool into my hand.
It was a necklace that much I knew, the metal of the pendant was cold but the rope it hung off of was warmer.
The rope was black and thick, the metal attachment was an S, and then a B with a baseball between the letters.
"Sunshine and Benny." he explained as I rolled the little metal baseball between my fingers.
"I love it, really I do thank you." I said giving him a hug. He smiled a smile of relief and helped me put it on.
"Three years. . . surprised I haven't gotten sick of you yet." he joked.
"Shut up!" I replied punching him in the arm. "You're a jerk."
"Maybe, but remember you're the one that's in love with a jerk, so what does that make you?"
"An idiot." I said crossing my arms across my chest. He grinned and kissed my forehead and then my lips.
"I love you."
"Yeah whatever." I huffed.
"You better tell me you love me Toni Spena." he whispered against my lips.
"Or what?" I whispered back.
"You're a pain."
"You're cocky."
"You're rude."
"You're frustrating."
"You're annoying."
"You're crazy."
"You're mine." he breathed sending small shivers down my spine.
"And you're mine." I whispered back before his lips pressed against mine, his fingers spreading across my thigh. Fingers tangling in my hair.
"TONI COME DOWN TO EAT!" My dad yelled Benny sighed and pulled away from me.
That was something new, I rarely ate with my dad or Clara, I looked over at Benny who just shrugged and headed for the window.
"Get some sleep." he said.
"Wait you're leaving?" I asked.
"I'll see you tomorrow, we have some serious practicing to do for the end tournament." he smiled.
"Everyday?"
"Everyday." he confirmed, then disappeared out the window.
Everyday. Everyday I was with my boys. Just like it should be.
End of summer.
MUST READ THIS!
…...
First off I apologize if any of you were disappointed with the ending but I needed to keep some things the same in order for the story to progress. You will be happy to know that Clara drama is a minimum in the next addition of the story. :) However I chose the mayor because I thought that he would have the most power over everyone and it would be someone Clara would HAVE to listen too, and this way Toni wouldn't be taken away from town or anything.
Okay so that is the end to the second summer of their lives. I will be back with the next summer, HOWEVER it will take a while for me to get it up and going so please just bare with me. Although I will put out an epilog for the next summer in a week or so so you have something to read while you wait for the next summer :)
Thank you so much for all my readers and reviewers so far you're all amazing and I actually love you all to dead. Thank you 3
Stay tuned for more.
-Lexi- Joe Makay.
