As soon as the sight of Smalls walking down the street with a pretty girl came into view, Benny knew everything was whack. Smalls, the same Smalls who couldn't even catch a baseball last year, Smalls, was talking to a pretty girl?
"Hey, guys, who's that with Smalls?" Timmy piped up.
"Who's that with Smalls?" Tommy repeated. We swerved our heads in the direction he was looking in, seeing a thin blonde girl walking with our friend.
"Yeah, yeah, there's no way he knows her!" Yeah Yeah shook his head in disbelief.
"You idiot, he's talking to her, of course he knows her!" Ham hit him lightly over the head.
Kenny insisted we go over there, and Benny didn't argue. They made their way over, and the gang excitedly introduced themselves to the new girl.
Benny stole a glance at her, and his eyes slightly widened. She was the prettiest girl he'd ever seen here in the San Fernando Valley. Prettier than Wendy Peffercorn. Benny never was obsessed with her like Squints was, but he had to admit Wendy was pretty good-looking. But this girl in front of them…wow.
She started to look his way, and he turned his gaze up the road, trying to look disinterested. Benny never paid attention to girls that much before. Sure, they always came to watch their games during recess in school, but he never paid them much attention. He never let anything come between him and baseball. Never.
"And who might you be?" her soft voice flowed through his ears. Benny took a breath and glanced up at her. She was prettier up close, with flawless sun-kissed skin, a cute little nose, long blonde hair, and those eyes. Man, he's never seen eyes that green before!
"I'm Benny," he introduced politely. If he ignored any feelings he had for this girl, they would go away. Simple logic, right? If he treated her normally, baseball would still be his number one thought.
"Andrea," she smiled, a large grin that made her whole face glow.
"So, Andrea, how you liking the town so far?" Squints started a conversation as they stood in the middle of the sidewalk.
Andrea held Benny's gaze for a second longer before turning toward the smaller boy.
"It's great," she nodded. He saw Yeah Yeah practically gazing up at her, a love-struck grin on his face. Typical.
"So, Andrea-" Ham started, before she cut him off.
"You guys can call me Andy."
"Isn't that a boy's name?" Timmy tilted his head.
"Yeah, a boy's name?" Tommy tilted his head the other way.
She gave them a strange look before nodding. "Who cares, I like it better than Andrea."
He nodded, thinking about how she looked more like an Andy. It suited her better, in his opinion.
"Well, as I was asking, how old are you?" Ham continued.
"I'll be sixteen in the fall," Andy smiled.
"Wow! So is Benny! He's the oldest out of all of us!" Squints exclaimed.
"Are you now?" Andy turned to him, her emerald eyes teasing. She cocked her eyebrow up. "When your birthday?"
"November 15."
"Damn! November 16th," she rolled her eyes jokingly. "Wow, one day apart, looks like you get to keep your oldest position."
"I guess so," Benny grinned.
"Come on, Benny, we have to get some baseball in before it gets dark!" Kenny looked at his watch.
The boys agreed and made their way down the sidewalk after saying good-bye to Andy. She stood there a little confused, waving after them with furrowed brows. Benny felt a little bad.
"Do you want to come watch for a little?" he asked, knowing it wasn't his smartest decision, but he felt like he had to.
"Benny! No girls!" they argued, hearing his suggestion from down the street.
"Yeah, yeah, I know she's cool and all, but baseball is guy time!" Yeah Yeah nodded with an apologetic look to the girl next to him.
"Don't listen to them, they're just scared they'll embarrass themselves," Benny chuckled.
Andrea smiled sadly. "No, it's alright, I don't have to come. Have fun, though!"
"You sure?" Benny asked, stepping in front of the blonde beauty. His hazel orbs questioned her.
"Positive. Now, go play some ball, hotshot," she giggled, pushing his shoulder lightly. He nursed it with a fake hurt look, but smiled as he jogged to catch up with his boys.
"Can you get back?" Smalls called back.
"I'll be fine! See you later, guys!" Andrea said goodbye and made her way in the other direction.
"Wow, isn't she something," Ham shook his head, his face remaining its natural flushed red as he looked back to probably check her out.
"Stop it, man," Benny flicked his baseball cap as they strolled toward the Sandlot.
"Why, Benny-boy, you want her for yourself?" Ham teased. "I saw you looking at her back there. You looove her!"
"You're hilarious Porter, I don't even know her."
"But you want to," he called over his shoulder. They finally arrived at the Sandlot and took the field. Benny didn't answer his last comment; it was still repeating in his ears.
Did he want to get to know her?
Yes. Yes, he did.