We all woke up early the next morning and played baseball right away. All of our parents werent expecting us home until five for dinner and the block party. So we played up until 4:50, just enough time to get home. We walked home in groups, according to where our houses wear. I walked with Benny, being right next door to him. And to tell you the truth, I was enjoying his company.
"So, do you have to wear a dress?" He chuckled at me when we were about half way home.
"Ughh!" I groaned and pushed him to the side. "Dont remind me! I hate dresses!"
He laughed. "Well its not everyday you see a pitcher in a dress." I glared at him from the side. "But, hey, I think you'd look good in one."
I turned to look at him. "You never have anything bad to say about anyone, do you?" I smiled at him.
He tilted his head in thought. "No, I guess I don't." We were in front of our houses now and we parted to go inside.
I turned to his back. "Your a good guy Benny." I said as he turned around and I started walking backwards.
He smiled at me. "Thanks."
I nodded slightly. "Yeah. See ya." He nodded as we both walked inside our front doors.
I was probably wearing the girliest dress I had ever worn. But the truth was, I liked it. I liked it because it made me feel pretty, and not just like 'one of the guys'.
The dress was right above the knee and was light flower print. It had spegetti straps that were a royal blue and buttons through the bust the same color. It was beautiful in my eyes, and obviously in my mothers since she picked it out. But I was a little scared. Of what the boys might think. Most boys liked seeing girls in dresses, but these were sandlot boys, and I think they like my shorts and t-shirt just fine.
But what made me almost wet myself, was the make-up. I ussually always where make-up, but not like this. I had peach colored blush on my cheeks and dark mascara on my lashes. Thats part was fine. It was the lipstick that made me cringe and somewhat want to throw up. It was barbie-doll pink with shimmering gloss on top. Great. Stupid mom.
When I was examining myself in my full length mirror, I heard a knock on my door. "Honey! Its time to go!"
I took a deep breath and walked to the living room where my mom and dad were waiting. "Oh darling you look ten times more beautiful!" Screeched my mother. "Ooh, I bet this will impress that boy next door." She said to me in a lower tone.
My mouth dropped. "Mom!" I yelled. But truly, I did want to impress Benny. And I havent the slightest idea why.
My mom chuckled as we walked out the door to the very busy cul-de-sac. I didnt even have time to look for the guys before my mother pulled me up to the make-shift stage where the piano player was waiting for me. There was a sheet hanging in front of it so people couldnt peek in. I sighed and took my seat on top of the piano with mic in hand and crossed my legs how my mom and I had rehearsed. I could hear numerous voices talking casually in front of the curtain. The piano player started playing, quieting them. The national anthem was playing in the background before the curtain dropped and my music picked up.
Does he love me?
I wanna know!
How can I tell if he loves me so?
(Is it in his eyes?)
Oh no! You need to see!
(Is it in his eyes?)
Oh no! You make believe!
If you wanna know
If he loves you so
Its in his kiss!
(That's where it is!)
(Oh yeah! Or is it in his face?)
Oh no! It's just his charms!
(In his warm embrace?)
Oh no! That's just his arms!
If you wanna know
If he loves you so
It's in his kiss!
(That's where it is!)
Oh,ooh, oh! Its in his kiss!
(That's where it is!)
Oh, oh, oh, hug him!
Squeeze him tight!
Find out what you wanna know!
If it's love, if it really is,
It's there in his kiss!
(How 'bout the way he acts?)
Oh no! That's not the way!
You're not listenin' to all I'm sayin'!
If you wanna know
If he loves you so
It's in his kiss!
(That's where it is!)
Oh, ooh, oh! Its in his kiss!
(That's where it is!)
Oh, oh, oh, hug him!
Squeeze him tight!
Find out what you wanna know!
If it's love, if it really is,
It's there in his kiss!
(How 'bout the way he acts?)
Oh no! That's not the way!
You're not listenin' to all I'm sayin'!
If you wanna know
If he loves you so
It's in his kiss!
(That's where it is!)
Oh, ooh, oh! Its in his kiss!
(That's where it is!)
Oh, yeah! Its in his kiss!
(It's in his hiss, that's where it is!)
ooh! It's in his kiss!
(It's in his kiss, that's where it is!)
(It's in his kiss, that's where it is!)
(It's in his kiss, that's where it is!)
(It's in his kiss, that's where it is!)
(It's in his kiss, that's where it is!)
I didnt know that a block party could cheer so loud. I sang a couple more songs and went to find the boys. I found them in the back- at the cake table, of course. What...boys. I was walking towards them when I totally forgot I was wearing heels and tripped on a crack in the sidewalk, which sent me flying in to Benny who ran in to Smalls who rammed in to Yeah-Yeah who hit Ham and made him shove cake in his own face. Yeah, it must have been a pretty funny sight. Ham turned to Yeah-Yeah. "Yeah-Yeah you idiot!"
Yeah-Yeahs eyes went wide. "It wasnt me it was Smalls!"
Smalls turned to Ham. "Nuh uh! It was Benny!"
Benny looked at Ham. "No way man! Im not that clumsy! It was Alexis!"
Everyone turned to me and I put on my best innocent smile. "He-He." I nervously laughed.
Benny chuckled at me and I glared at him. "Well hey! Let me put you in four inch heels and see how well you walk!"
Rodriguez turned to me with a smirk on his face. "Well most girls I know can actually walk in those things!"
I smirked and took off both of my heels, getting ready to run. "Yeah? Yeah? Well how many girls do you know that can do this?" I took the biggest handful of cake I could get and shoved it in his face.
It turned out I didnt have to run. He just stood there, along with the other boys, with looks of shock on their faces. I smirked wider and brought my index finger to his cheek and licked it clean. "Hmm, you taste pretty good Rodriguez." And I turned and started walking away.
Benny called back to me, "Hey! Where you goin'? Night game!"
I rolled my eyes. "Do you really think I can play baseball in this? Im going to change, hun!" I shouted back and continued walking. I could hear Ham behind me talking to Benny, "Im suprised you let her get away with that Benny! How many girls can mess with you?"
I heard him reply. "Only one."
I heard Yeah-Yeah man-giggle. "She called you 'hun'."
As I walked in to my house I could hear a distant "Ouch!" And I knew that Benny had slapped him upside the head. I chuckled to myself and pulled on my shorts and a tank top. I put on my converse and walked out the door to find the guys lounging lasily on my porch rails, Benny and Ham with clean faces. I smiled "You boys clean up nice." I snickered as I picked up my glove, ball and bat.
They scoffed at me and we ran to the sandlot.
When we got there Benny hit a home run right away, right when the fireworks started. I noticed that we all looked to the sky in amazement, while he kept running. I jogged to homeplate to meet him. When he reached me I put a hand on his chest to stop him. I looked up to him. "Take a break, man." He smiled and nodded and we watched the fireworks for a few seconds before I turned to him again. "Benny?" He shifted his head to me and I threw my arms around his neck. "Thanks." I didnt have to explain for what, because I think he knew that I meant for everything because he wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me back. I pulled my head back a smidge and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. I returned my head to the spot by his neck and I felt him smile
"Anytime."