So, I'm back with a new chap here! Working on chap 11 and expect it to be done within a few days.
I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long. I have a lot going on right now and therefore it has been troublesome to find the time. But I'm doing what I can. Always feel free to tell me if you get to impatient. I know how annoying it is to wait so perhaps that'll give me a kick of some sort and make me find the time (it usually does).
Another note: I thought this through sooo many times in my head before I actually started to write it (the same goes for the upcoming ones).
So I feel like when I finally wrote it, it didn't turn out as well- or passionate- as it probably would have if I had written it earlier. But here it is. I hope it's alright. It's supposed to be a little teaser to the next chapter...
But enough said! I won't spoil it...
Time flew these days. Both Sam and Diane were tied up with studies and baseball. Especially Sam, whose team had just qualified for the semi-finals. So practice was a main priority which he killed a lot of time with. Since the coach felt the need to see everyone getting ready for the big upcoming games, he demanded each one of them to stay longer on the field to practice. So there was no time left for Sam to practice with Diane. But she was okay with that. She was just happy to see him glow in his success. Even the coach had told everyone in the locker room, that if it hadn't been for Sam, they wouldn't have gotten this far. This was not pleasing to hear for Rick, who was now a full-time reliever, always looking envying at Sam playing. This of course pleased Sam.
He had made remarkable progress for a long period now. To be honest, ever since Diane. He sure got more than a kick out of pitching with her. He matured a lot on the field. He owned her a thank you. It had been wonderful to reach this semifinal, but it bothered him that he hadn't been able to spend time with her as often as usual. The whole week leading up to the semifinal, they hadn't been able to anything but talk during breaks. He missed sitting down and having longer talks with her, pitching or fooling around with her. He even missed being taught about the 1800th century greatest poets. He missed having her around him.
It was Sunday. A.k.a. game day. Physically, he was ready. Mentally, he wasn't. No matter how hard he tried to focus on throwing great, troublesome balls, the focus always ended on her. A part of him wanted lose this game just so that'd he'd be able to see her more as soon as possible.
But this was what he had always been dreaming of. Leading a team to the final. Besides, he had gotten this far, it'd be crazy to throw it all away now. Only one more week in case of a win.
He tried to turn his mind to think about that, but her face kept popping up.
He walked out to the applause of the home-audience which of course boosted his confidence.
His team started with batting. That went horrible. Clearly the other team had just as talented pitcher as Sam. Their team was struck of the field. Now it was Sam's turn to do his job. A poorly delivered throw caused the opponent batter to second base. When they switched, the others were in the lead 2-0.
Sam hadn't thrown as expected. The coach wanted more insensitivity from him. The balls weren't tricky at all and speed couldn't always be his savoir. Rick looked hopeful at the coach. But the coach kept Sam as pitcher. Closing up to the end, it was tie. But due to a great hit from Jenson, they got in the lead with one. This was it. Sam couldn't let them hit a single ball. That would be too risky. He had to strike them out one by one to make sure that the victory would be his and his team mates'.
He took a deep breath, and looked up at the batter. He looked ready. The home crowd remained quiet, giving him space to plan the throw. But then he heard someone. He probably wouldn't have heard it if it hadn't been for the crowd being so deadly silent.
"You can do it!"
Of course it was her. In the middle of it all, he found her with his eyes. She hadn't even brought a book. She hadn't brought anything. Only the hopeful, gloving look she had upon him was noticeable. It made him beam in happiness. She hadn't come to a single game since the first one, she attended. She wouldn't "distract" him. Or make him lose "focus". She still found it funny. Nevertheless, she stayed away, as she said. But she was here now, cheering for him, and suddenly he was floating on a cloud, feeling like he owned the world. Nothing could get him down now.
The batter didn't even see it coming. It was so fast. This led people to cheer loudly again and struggle to keep the same quietness as before.
Two…three…out! In with the next one! Only two more to go and the victory would be theirs.
Every time before pitching he looked at her and got a smile and a nod. It worked every time, and before the last throw, he nodded at her, thankful, and struck the last guy out.
People came from every corner of the field, embracing him, sweeping him off his feet and throwing him in the air. He had never smiled bigger, and found himself embracing the spotlight.
When the celebrating had calmed down a bit a man dressed in a blue suit and with a red tie approached Sam.
"That's was quite a game you played there, Sam."
"Yeah, well, thank you."
"You have talent, son. Actually you got so much that we at Red Sox would like to see you play for our team next season."
"The- the Red Sox?" Sam said in surprise.
"What do you say, Sam? Would you be interested?"
"Of course! I mean- it's like a dream coming true!"
"Now, I know you're occupied for the evening with celebrating getting to the finals, but why don't you come by my office tomorrow afternoon? Then we'll discuss the matter," the man said and handed him a business card.
"Sure, I'll be honored, sir. Thank you very much."
"You're very welcome, Sam. I'll see you tomorrow," he said and shook Sam's hand.
Thereafter he left and Sam was caught in a flood of joy. He couldn't wait to tell Dia-
Wait. Where was she? He hadn't seen her since right before his last throw.
He needed to find her. He needed to share this great news with her.
In his search for her he ran into his best buddies; Jenson, Tyson and Lenny.
"Sammy! We never thought we'd be able to thank you!" Lenny cheered.
"It was nothing, guys, really," he said humble "say, has anyone of you seen Diane? She was among the crowd during the game, but I can't seem to find her now."
The guys shook their heads.
"I know where she went," a man said behind them.
Sam turned. The man in front of him could look like one of the teachers, but not one he knew of.
"Miss Chambers' father past away earlier this evening. I passed the tragic news to her about 20 min. ago."
"He- he what?"
Sam didn't believe his ears. And before anyone could say more, he started running towards the parking lot.
"Wait, Sam! Where you going!?"
"Where do you think!?"