Sorry for the long wait. I've been busy with everything, ya know? Anyway, here's the next chapter, and I know it's pretty short, so I'll update as fast as I can. Please review:)

"Whoa!" all the boys chorused in unison as they made it back to the starting point. Andrea and Benny both flung out their arms to cushion the slam into the fence of the dugout They leaned against it, sharing a quick glance before big but slightly tired grins grew on their pink faces.

"So?" Andrea looked up at the gaping baseball players.

"Dead tie," Squints rubbed at his glasses in awe, still staring at the blonde girl that just blew their mind.

'It wasn't that big of a deal,' Andy thought, biting her lip.

"Yeah, yeah! How is that possible?"

Andrea felt a warm hand on her shoulder, sending a little shock through her skin. Turning her head, hazel eyes crinkled as Benny smiled at her.

"Nice run," he hi-fived her, chuckling as he raised himself off the fence. Andrea watched him stretch out his legs, still covered by his worn jeans.

"It's getting dark, guys. Should we head home?" Benny wondered. It was then they all noticed the sandlot was bathed in an orange glow, only little tips of the sun's rays twinkled over the trees. It would be hard to see a little white ball flying around in this light.

"Yeah," Ham nodded, picking up his catcher's gear. "I'm out guys. Momma's got a nice turkey sandwich waiting for me!"

"Wait! Can Andy come play with us tomorrow?" Timmy quickly suggested.

"Can she?" Tommy nodded so fast his head should've came off.

They all looked at Benny and Andy, turning their heads like watching a tennis match. Andrea didn't like all the attention, but she peeked up at the handsome brunette to hear his response.

A smile broke out on his face as he stared at her. "We start at eight o'clock."

The boys cheered and high-fived Andrea.

"See you tomorrow, Andy!" Ham called, walking toward the street along with the other boys. Andrea lingered behind to talk to Benny, who was cleaning up around the homemade bases.

"You sure you want a girl to play on your team?" She asked, leaning against the fence post. He swiveled around, stretching his arms up and revealing a bit of his abdomen. Andy blamed the redness of her face on the heat.

"Of course I am," he confirmed, walking toward her and slinging an arm around her shoulder. He stood a good three inches over her. "You're one of us."

She liked the sound of that.

Actually, she didn't like the sound of that.

Andrea watched in disgust as Ham literally swallowed down a chicken wing, spitting back out the bone. Sauce covered his face and hands, and every other boy around him looked the exact same.

She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the gross sounds of her friends chomping on their food like animals.

"Why am I here, again?" she leaned over to Benny sitting beside her. He was at least eating like a normal human being, and was not covered in yucky meat.

"Hey, if you're on the team, you gotta come to the weekly dinners," he grinned cheekily. They were currently sitting around a long dining table at Ham's house, a miniature feast presented before them. Andrea would've thought twice before longing to be considered a part of the team if she knew she had to attend places like these. Did a piece of corn just fly out of Squints' mouth?!

She thought she was going to be sick.

"I need some air," Andy excused herself, pushing back the chair and stepping out the front door. The cool summer air greeted her, brushing against her pulled back blonde hair and tickled her neck.

She walked to the curb and sat down, thinking about the past week. Six days passed since she was officially invited onto the team. She showed up the next day at 8 o'clock on the dot, throwing back and forth with Benny. They practiced for hours, executing plays and perfecting steals. Andrea loved the feeling of being on an actual team, ever since she left Seattle. She didn't think she'd experience it for a long time.

She felt a presence next to her, and peeked to see her best friend sitting beside her, looking up at the stars.

"Pretty, isn't it?" he spoke up softly. He nudged her shoulder and motioned for her to look up. Andy craned her neck up to study the twinkling stars against the black sky. He was right, they were pretty.

Turning her head back to him, she blushed when she saw he was already looking at her.

"Sorry about them. I think they forget we have a lady on our team now," Benny apologized, picking at the grass next to him. He seemed to avoid her gaze.

Andrea shrugged, hugging her knees closer. Maybe shorts and a t-shirt weren't a good choice for a cool night like this. "It's alright. I don't really act like such a girly girl anyway, so I understand why they forget."

Benny opened his mouth to say something, but eventually closed it, not knowing how to word his thoughts. They sat in silence for a little, until Andrea slightly shivered.

"Oh geez, you must be cold," Benny raised an eyebrow. "Here."

He quickly removed his zip-up blue hoodie, helping Andrea slip it on. She smiled, feeling the soft material and musky smell that was just so Benny.

"Thanks."

"Anytime."

It was quiet again.

Andrea looked from the corner of her eye to see the great guy sitting beside her. He was perfect in her mind. Tall, fit, sweet, and those eyes. Not to mention he was like a god playing baseball, something Andrea definitely admired. But he was just a friend, a teammate. She couldn't have a crush on him. It was illogical.

It was stupid.

But was it something she could control?

He nudged her shoulder again, and she nudged back.

Nope, not at all.