Step It Up, Charlie Brown

by Ballz Mahoney

High School Junior Charlie Brown is used to being walked over which is why he is surprised to find himself playings baseball, which he hasn't done since he was in elementary school against the arguably best baseball player in the state: Jose Peterson.

2. Chapter 2

Step it Up, Charlie Brown!

By Sean Mahoney

Chapter 2

Jose Peterson sat comfortably in his father's armchair; the rest of the school's baseball team was scattered around his living room; all of the team except Peppermint Patty. Jose greeted his guests, "Glad everybody could make it on such short notice."

Molly Volley, a brute of a girl who despite her personal preference for tennis was a rather effective short stop grunted, "This better be good Peterson, I'm supposed to be at a mixed doubles match!"

Peterson smiled, "Which is why I thank you greatly Molly. I'm glad to see that you are putting baseball in front of tennis. After all, we are on track to go to state!"

Roy, a rather shy 3rd baseman replied, "I have a lot of homework to work on, so maybe if you could get to the point Jose?"

"Alright, sheesh. I'd like to let you know that we will be playing an extra game this season. We've been challenged by an unofficial team who thinks that they are better than us."

Thibault, the team's second baseman, began to furrow a brow, "Who are these punks?"

Jose grinned, "Charlie Brown and his friends. I saw him earlier; they think they have a shot against us."

Thibault's face went red, "I knew it! That loser is always going around thinking that he's better than everybody else!" He pounded his fist into his palm, "I say we squash him once and for all!"

Franklin, the team's centerfielder and one of the few students in the school to be known to practice reason on a consistent basis was skeptical. "Charlie Brown would never challenge us. He hasn't played baseball in years." Some of his team mates chuckled. "Besides, Peppermint Patty would never allow us to 'squash' him as Thibault so eloquently put it. This is all just nonsense."

Roy was quick to agree, "Yeah, so let's not bother with this and focus on resting up before the state championships, huh Peterson?"

Ignoring Roy, Jose smugly asked Franklin, "I wonder then Franklin, why do you think Peppermint Patty isn't with us right now?"

Franklin shrugged, "She has better things to do than listen to you spew your crap?" Some of the team looked at Franklin in surprise. It was no secret that Franklin didn't approve of Peterson's haughtiness, but he must have been pretty annoyed to actually call him out on it.

Peterson snapped, "Watch your tone with me Franklin, you're only a centerfielder! You're expendable! We wouldn't be going to state without my excellent hitting." Regaining his cool he continued, "I regret to inform all of you that earlier today I had gotten into a bit of a misunderstanding with Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty. She was very quick to jump all over me, and through her manipulations convinced the vastly inferior Charlie Brown that he had a shot against us. It is unfortunate, but she has openly acted against our team and thus will no longer be pitching for us!" Most of the team gasped in surprise. Roy was especially upset.

Thibault on the other hand was ecstatic, "Good move Jose; I've been saying all along that we don't need the likes of her on our team! She's nothing but trouble that one…"

Franklin cut him off, "Shut up Thibault, no one cares about your grudge. Peterson is full of it! Peppermint Patty loves this team more than anything! She's been the one who was so dedicated to bringing us to the state level in the first place! I highly doubt that she would just up and leave because of some stupid argument."

Peterson sighed, "Believe what you want to believe Franklin, why don't you go ask her herself?"

Roy whispered, "I don't think Peterson is lying. You know Patty man. Of course she would leave the team on the drop of a hat if something pissed her off." He added somewhat bitterly, "Especially if it was over Charlie Brown…"

Franklin sighed and then nodded, "Alright, maybe you are right Peterson. But what do you propose we do now? Sure Charlie Brown's team may have sucked in the past, but they have Peppermint Patty now. Plus that means we are out of a pitcher. I personally don't care what happens in this stupid game against Charlie Brown and Patty but I'd say not having a good pitcher for the state championship is really going to put us at a disadvantage. You probably just screwed over all our chances because you had to go make fun of Charlie Brown!"

Peterson smirked, "Now, now, don't worry about that. I've totally got it covered."

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Charlie Brown went over everything in his head once again: there was no way he and Peppermint Patty could defeat Jose Peterson's team. "I can't think of anyone who would want to be on our team Patty. I think it's a lost cause."

Peppermint Patty took a sip of her milkshake and thought to herself. The two of them parted ways from Marcie and Linus and little while ago in order to plan their next move at their favorite little diner. "Even if we could somehow get a team together I don't know how we'd be able to get past their defense." Charlie Brown looked down at Patty's notebook, at the quick roster she drew up of her former team and sighed. The worst member of their team was Joe Richkid, who all things considered wasn't too terrible of a left-fielder.

"Come on Chuck, we can't turn back now. I'm already off the team as it is. Besides, don't forget that while Peterson may be the team's poster boy; I was still the pitcher and the glue that held them all together. Without me they'd fall apart! Heck, I bet I could get Franklin and Roy to switch sides too!" Charlie Brown thought about being in their position; being asked to leave their team, which was on the way to being state champions mind you, in order to join Charlie Brown's team. Charlie Brown wrote that scenario off as impossible.

Not wanting to argue with Patty however, Charlie Brown asked, "So I assume you'll be playing pitcher, so what should I play. I'm not really good anywhere else…well not that I ever was anything as a pitcher either."

"Whattya talking about Chuck? Of course you're going to be playing pitcher! This game is all about you beating that high on his horse asshole, Peterson! If I was in charge it wouldn't have the same impact!"

Shocked, Charlie Brown gasped, "You can't be serious! You don't want me pitching? Are you crazy? We'll never win!"

"I have complete faith in you Chuck." Charlie Brown rolled his eyes, she'd be better off waiting for the Great Pumpkin to pitch for them.

"Where will you play then?"

Patty shrugged, "I can play pretty much any position, Chuck. I'll play whatever position we can't fill. It'll make it easier to get players since we can be a little more versatile. Now think, we got pitcher and second baseman covered. Who else can we get?"

Charlie Brown thought to himself and sighed, "Well there's always Lucy for right fielder…"

Peppermint Patty rolled her eyes, "Oh good lord no Chuck. We do want to win this thing, remember!"

Charlie Brown nodded, "Yeah, plus I don't think she'd want anything to do with this anymore. In fact I don't know why any of my team members would."

Patty sighed, "We're not going to want Marcie either; not that she'd play. We're going to have to get recruiting then; see if you can get anyone tomorrow at school." Charlie Brown had no idea how he was going to accomplish that, nobody in school had any sort of respect for him. Even if he could get someone from his old team they'd still be almost as bad as he was. Nobody on his team was any good….

Charlie Brown's eyes lit up, nobody except him. "Patty, I know who we could get! Shermy!"

Patty blinked, "Wait, class president Shermy? Why would he want to play for us, Chuck? He's the quarterback on the football team, he doesn't care about baseball!"

"He used to play first base on my team, before I met you! Trust me, he's really good! I think we may have a chance getting him to play with us too. Everyone knows that Shermy and Jose Peterson are rivals for the 'coolest guy in the school' title. I'll bet you that Shermy would want to show Peterson up!"

Patty thought to herself and then grinned, "You know what I like about you Chuck? You really can be a sly dog sometimes." Charlie Brown blushed. "Alright, you go see if you can talk Shermy into playing for us. Man just think Chuck, you may beat that asshole yet!"

Charlie Brown smiled, the thought of actually winning was certainly a fantasy, but maybe just maybe, it was entering the realm of possibility. And to the victor would go the spoils. Charlie Brown felt a warm feeling inside of him, imagining his team victorious as the Little Red Haired Girl rushes to the pitcher's mound, rewarding him with a big kiss.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Charlie Brown quickly realized that he rarely, if ever, saw Shermy at school, and thus resigned himself to leaving him a note in his locker. Linus, walking with Charlie Brown to the locker asked, "Are you really sure you want to go through with this Charlie Brown? "

"I can't back out of this now…Peppermint Patty really wants me to do this. I can't just refuse; she left her team just to prove a point in my defense."

Linus sighed, "I told Lucy last night, she fell off her chair laughing…"

Charlie Brown shrugged, "Well, it's not like we really want her on our team anyway. She was pretty terrible."

Linus muttered, "We all were. We're going to get slaughtered."

The two boys reached Shermy's locker. As Charlie Brown slipped the note into the locker he sighed, "I just hope nobody else finds out about this. Let's just try to keep this whole game as low-key as possible…"

As he finished his sentence however he already began to hear that all too familiar sound of his classmate's laughter. "Maybe I was wrong about you yesterday, Brown! Dropping off a love letter or something?" Jose Peterson, followed by his usual female followers was laughing at him. Flushed in the face, Charlie Brown tried to explain himself amidst the laughter. Of course the proverbial cat had gotten his tongue.

Fortunately Linus was quick to but in, "Charlie Brown was just dropping off invitations to join our team, Peterson!"

Peterson snickered, "So you're going for Shermy, eh?" He added with a hint of disgust, "What makes you think Mr. Perfect is going to want to play on your team?"

Charlie Brown spoke up, "I've known Shermy longer than anybody else, I'm sure he'll want to help out."

Jose rolled his eyes, "Ever the naïve one, eh Brown? Just because you knew him as a kid, doesn't mean he'll play for you. Hell, I played for you once and I got as far away from you as possible afterwards! Shermy's not going to want to play for you, kid, get it through your head!"

"Why wouldn't he?"

"Shermy's Mr. Perfect: the coolest guy in the school! Do you really think he'd want to stoop as low as to being associated with a dweeb like you?"

Linus responded, "He's not nearly as shallow as you Peterson. Let's get out of here Charlie Brown. We don't need to deal with this asshole." Linus and Charlie Brown walked away as Jose Peterson and his entourage laughed hysterically.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

As Peterson continued making fun of Charlie Brown, even as he and Linus had left; three girls watched the entire scene from a distance.

Frieda, one of the school's cheerleaders, angrily eyed Jose Peterson, "I can't believe that jerk would talk to Charlie Brown like that."

The other two girls, Patty and Violet, weren't quite sure what to make of the scene. "Well…he sure knows how to lace into Charlie Brown", Violet mused.

Patty laughed, "Yeah, I don't think even you'd go as far as to call him gay."

Frieda looked at both of them outraged, "How can you guys treat Charlie Brown like that! He's a really nice guy!"

Violet sighed, "He's a total loser Frieda. He's an absolute embarrassment to the school. I can't believe he had the guts to challenge our school's baseball team though."

Patty interjected, "You know that wasn't all him. Peppermint Patty resigned from the team, she's obviously behind this. She's got Charlie Brown wrapped around her finger."

Frieda glared, "You know, you two are absolutely horrible!"

Patty smiled, "Well, if you like Charlie Brown so much Frieda, why don't you ask him out? He's obviously single."

Frieda immediately gagged in disgust, causing Violet to chuckle, "Such a hypocrite."

Frieda growled, "Just because I don't like the kid doesn't mean I should torture him! You know what; I want to see Jose Peterson get his ass kicked! I'm going to see if I can help out!" Frieda stormed off.

Patty sighed, "I really can't stand that girl. She talks way too much!"

Violet was much quieter than usual though; she was deep in thought. After a moment she sighed, "I agree with her to a degree though. I think I'd rather side with Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty than Jose Peterson and the baseball team."
Patty looked shocked, "What? I'd never expect to hear it out of you!"

Violet smirked, "It's pretty simple; you know as well as I do that Jose Peterson has been getting way too much clout ever since that baseball started really doing well. Not many people are listening to us anymore. Jose is becoming more and more popular while we are being pushed to the fringe of the school. Just think, if Jose Peterson, the star player of the school's baseball team was to be beaten by the incredible loser Charlie Brown; the whole school would stop taking him seriously."

Patty shook her head, "It's not going to happen. Even if Peppermint Patty is on the team they have no chance."

Violet smiled, "That's why we got to get Shermy to join them. If he can take Charlie Brown from zero to hero, he'll not only have crushed Jose Peterson but secured himself as a school legend…and us with him."

Patty contemplated everything; if Shermy could take down Jose Peterson his legacy would be secured. And has his girlfriend Patty would be remembered as well. She and Violet would control the school, just like they used to.

"Even if they do win though, who's to say that we won't just get the entire school outraged? After all our team stands to be state champions; we could be traitors!"

Violet smirked, "This isn't any of our faults; Jose Peterson is the one so adamant about beating this unofficial team. It'll be on his shoulders should he lose. He'll have let the whole school down."

Patty squirmed, "But the same can be said if Shermy loses. He'd lose all credibility!"

Violet thought aloud, "Not necessarily. We would then just play up the loss as being Charlie Brown's fault…which we wouldn't even be lying about. We'd pin anything else on Peppermint Patty, which I'm sure you wouldn't object to. We just need to play up Shermy as being charitable; trying to help the underdog. If they win Shermy is elevated to hero, if they lose Shermy is seen as a good guy; nobody will expect anyone to help Charlie Brown's team win anyway."

Patty sighed, "I don't like this idea very much, but I guess it makes sense."

Violet nodded, "Then we are decided?"

Patty agreed, "Then we are decided."

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

"We're sorry Charlie Brown, we heard about what happened from Jose Peterson. We really sympathize, but we can't quit the team." Charlie Brown ate lunch with Franklin, Roy, Pig-Pen, and Marcie; the former who was speaking. "We're so close to getting to state; our team can't afford any more people leaving."

Roy frowned, "And I know that Jose Peterson is a real jerk…but we really want to go all the way this year!" Marcie sighed longingly as Roy mentioned Peterson. The guys rolled their eyes and then continued their conversation.

Charlie Brown was disappointed, but could hardly blame Franklin and Roy, "Yeah I understand. I just don't know how I'm going to get a team together then."

Linus grumbled, "This whole thing is absolutely hopeless. Besides do we really want to do this? It's almost like we're trying to turn the school against itself; right when we all should be banding together and cheering them on against Fremont!" Both Marcie and Charlie Brown reacted to that name; they both had had a mutually foul experience with a certain Freddy Fabulous from said school years ago.

Charlie Brown knew Linus was probably right, but this was really important to Peppermint Patty. He still couldn't justify not helping her after she gave up the chance to play at the state level to defend him from some jerk bully. "We got to do this, for Patty…" Linus sighed but nodded in agreement. Charlie Brown then turned his attention to Schroeder, who had spent the entire conversation, incredibly quiet, "Well Schroeder, we really need a catcher. Would you be able to play for us?"

Schroeder quickly responded, "I'm really busy that day, sorry Charlie Brown."

Linus stared at him, "We don't even have a date picked out for the game Schroeder…"

Schroder crossed his arms, "Well I'm sure I'll be busy anyway. I need to keep practicing if I'm going to get into Julliard. I don't have time to play some stupid game; which you know you have no chance of winning!"

Charlie Brown muttered, "Well…I don't know…maybe…"

Franklin sighed, "Look, it's not like I want to sound our own horn or anything, but you don't exactly have the best track record Charlie Brown. I'm sure Peppermint Patty will understand if you call this off. Roy and I will do everything we can to get her back on the team too. It's not like Peterson'll have a choice; we need a pitcher and she's pretty much the best there is."

Roy noted in response, "Well that one girl from Waffleton notwithstanding."

Franklin rolled his eyes, "Must we harp on every detail?"

Before Charlie Brown could ask Franklin to elaborate Pig-Pen cleared his throat. Charlie Brown was afraid this would happen. Pig-Pen was a fairly decent 3rd baseman back in the day. Since elementary school ended though…to put it nicely Pig-Pen had really let himself go. It wasn't like Charlie Brown was in much better shape, in fact most people considered him fat, but Pig-Pen had taken things to a new level. Since middle school began he had sort of become the defacto leader of the nerds and misfits of the school; and underground battle against the tyranny of the Violets and Petersons. It gave those like Charlie Brown, Linus, and Marcie a place to fit in at least; and Pig-Pen was only naturally the leader, he had the most pride after all. That didn't mean he took care of himself though: he was still incredibly messy in addition to being sure to miss every period of gym class. One time he tried to get out of swimming by claiming he had polio. Obviously that didn't go too well. Charlie Brown however was in that dreaded position of 'beggars can't be choosers' as had to ask, "You wouldn't be interested in playing 3rd base, would you Pig-Pen?"

Pig-Pen stroked his chin and thought aloud, "Well I don't know Charlie Brown; I'll have to check my schedule first to see…" Linus and Charlie Brown both stared at Pig-Pen annoyed. He wasn't exactly fooling anyone, "..but yeah I should be able to play."

"Well at least that's someone." Linus muttered.

"Yeah, one top of me, you, and Peppermint Patty….we still need more than half a team." Charlie Brown and Linus sighed; this idea was looking worse and worse by the minute.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

After school Linus and Charlie Brown went back to Charlie Brown's for their normal ritual of video games. "You know Charlie Brown, if we even can get a team together; we're going to have to start practicing. The only one on our team so far who's played any sport in the past four years is Peppermint Patty. "

Charlie Brown winced, he dread to think about having to practice. In fact, the only thing he feared more than baseball practice was the game itself. "Don't remind me. Ah…you cheating little…" Charlie Brown growled at Linus, who had killed Charlie Brown's character while he was in thought.

Snoopy, watching the two play, laughed at his master's misfortune. "Oh go back to sleep Snoopy…lazy dog." Charlie grumbled.

Snoopy stuck out his tongue at the round headed kid who muttered to Linus, "You know, some dogs respect their masters!"

Linus rolled his eyes, "I'm sure Lucy would have a ton to say about that." Charlie Brown shook his head, putting down his controller. Linus asked, "So, how many more positions do we actually have to fill anyway?"

Charlie Brown flipped through his notebook to the paper he wrote the team's positions on. Looking at the paper he felt like crying, "Catcher, 1st, Shortstop, and all three field positions!" Snoopy's ears rose upon hearing shortstop.

Linus shook his head in defeat; catching himself to remark, "Well Peppermint Patty is going to fill one of those positions right?"

"We're still missing five… and some of them being infield positions! We could get by with any old fielders…"

Linus continued, "…but without a shortstop we're finished." Snoopy immediately jumped up, imitating the stance of a baseball player in the infield.

Charlie Brown rolled his eyes, "Come on Snoopy, you know that you are way too old for baseball!" Snoopy cringed at the ageist remark; he did not like to think that he was past his prime. Woodstock, his ever present avian friend began laughing at an embarrassed Snoopy.

Woodstock continued his mocking, imitating an old man using a walker. Fed up, Snoopy grabbed the bird to teach him a lesson. As he held Woodstock in his hand, a devious idea crept into his head. He shouted at the boys for their attention and then tossed the bird as fast as he could. Channeling his hunting instincts he took off, past Woodstock just in time to catch him with his supper bowl before Woodstock could hit the wall. Woodstock, after recovering from the initial shock, began to understandably curse out Snoopy, "iii iiiii iiiiii iiiiii! Iii'I iii iiii ii iiii iiiii, ii I'ii iiii iiii iii!"

"Jesus Christ did you see that Charlie Brown!"

Charlie Brown looked at his dog in shock, "You never cease to amaze me Snoopy! Fine, I was wrong, you can be our shortstop!"

Snoopy grinned at the still angry Woodstock, "Joe Baseball is back, Woody!"

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The next day at school Charlie Brown felt a bit more optimistic. At least his team had a shortstop; Snoopy was in much better shape than he expected. Perhaps getting a team together would be easier than he first thought. He approached his locker hoping to hear that Shermy was ready to play first. Peppermint Patty, who was walking with him, looked on eagerly as Chuck opened his locker. As they hoped, an envelope fell out of the locker as it opened. Charlie Brown quickly tore it open, his exciting turning to disappointment.

"What's it say Chuck?"

Charlie Brown frowned as he read,

"Dear Charlie Brown,

I received your invitation to play first base in your grudge game against the school's team, and while I am flattered, I must decline. I'm incredibly busy as quarterback of the football team as well as my academic pursuits after my upcoming graduation.

Not that I intend to sound pompous, but if you are intending of playing multiple games I would ask you not to contact me in the future regarding this matter. Well all know your track record at baseball is not exactly what we'd call stellar. I'm the kind who needs to win now and then. With you it's different; I think you get sort of a neurotic pleasure out of losing all the time.

Best of wishes,

Shermy"

Peppermint Patty grabbed the letter out of Charlie Brown's hand and read it. She quickly tossed it on the floor in disgust, "Who does that prick think he is? Just cause he's class president he thinks he can go around…"

Charlie Brown sighed, "He's right, there's no we we're going to win this. I never win!"

Patty grunted, "It doesn't matter what that preppy jerk does, we don't need him! I can play first no problem!"

"But we're missing the entire outfield! We can't play without an outfield."

Patty smiled, "Don't worry Chuck, we'll find someone."

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The minutes always seemed like hours in math class. Perhaps it was the subject matter; perhaps it was the fact that the teacher may have been over one hundred years old. Charlie Brown had spent the entire class doodling. Though most of the page were just doodles of monsters and stuff from some video game he was playing, at the bottom right there was a sketch of Heather with a speak bubble which read, "Be mine, Charlie Brown." He sighed as he looked at his paper, "It's like I get more pathetic by the hour" and then looked at the clock only to note that the minute hand had not changed once since he last looked.

"Psst Charlie Brown…" Charlie Brown thought he had heard someone whisper, but the only person in math who would have ever talked to him was Lucy, who was up at the board solving a problem. It must have been his imagination.

"Hey Charlie Brown…" Charlie Brown turned his head; someone was definitely whispering for him; probably Jose Peterson to taunt him. Peterson however had his head buried in a magazine, probably one inappropriate for a place of learning.

Charlie Brown looked down back at his notebook but quickly felt something hit his head. "Owch, sheesh." He turned in the direction of the tossed object to see Frieda waving at him. He was shocked, he hadn't spoken to Frieda in years. She was a nice girl, but she always seemed way too far above him. She was a cheerleader while he was…well Charlie Brown.

"Charlie Brown I want to talk to you after class, okay?" she whispered. Charlie Brown nodded, confused as to what a pretty girl like Frieda would want with a loser like him.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Charlie Brown hung back after class to talk with Frieda. He was incredibly nervous; as Charlie Brown had told Lucy, it was almost impossible for him to talk to pretty girls or at least pretty girls he wasn't used to, as Lucy was legitimately pretty now that she was older. Frieda on the other hand he rarely spoke to; so he was literally shaking in his shoes. "W-what's up Frieda?"

Frieda smiled, "Oh nothing all too exciting Charlie Brown. Things have been pretty boring now that the football season is over and we don't have to cheer for the team? Did you see the game against Fremont? Shermy really showed that Freddie Fabulous jerk who's the boss? But I've been mostly just been focusing on studying, and maybe going on a rabbit hunt. I'd invite you along if I knew that dog of yours wasn't so against it. There really is nothing like the great outdoors and the hunt though, I like to think it's a great contrast to being a cheerleader, don't you think so?"

Charlie Brown merely smiled and nodded in agreement with Frieda. He had no idea what she wanted, and once she started on a tangent it was almost impossible to stop her.

Frieda glanced at the clock, "Oh dear! Sorry, I went off track, what I'm trying to tell you Charlie Brown is that I saw that idiot Jose Peterson making fun of you yesterday! That was rotten!" Charlie Brown blushed; it was nice to see someone stick up for him, even a little bit.

"Aw, well, it's no big deal."

Frieda smiled, "And I think it's great you are challenging him to that baseball game! Just because someone's an ace at baseball doesn't mean they can go around bullying people! I think you're really brave!" Charlie Brown's blush went to blood red.

"Wow, t-thanks Frieda, it's n-nice of you to…"

"That's why I want to join your team and kick Peterson's ass!" Frieda pounded her fist in her palm.

That knocked Charlie Brown out of his stupor, "Wait? You want to join my team?"

Frieda frowned, "I know you probably don't want me on your team, I was never that good when we were kids. But I really miss those days when we would all play baseball together. We were all friends back then. Now everybody is in some clique or something and everyone hates each other." Charlie grumbled that everyone still hated him back then. "I'm not going to lie, I don't think I'm a superstar or anything; but I've been in decent shape since I started cheerleading and rabbit hunting on the weekends, I think I'd at least be decent." Charlie Brown noted Frieda sounded desperate, he didn't intend to make her feel like he didn't want her on the team; he was just so shocked that anybody, especially a rather pretty girl like her would want to associate with his team at all.

Charlie Brown nodded, "I'd be happy for you to play. Would you want to take your position of center field again?"

Frieda smiled and gave Charlie Brown a hug. He tensed up like a plank of wood in shock. "Thank you Charlie Brown! You don't know how much this means to me!" She let him go, noting the embarrassed look on his face, "Oh, um yeah, center field is fine! Do you know when the team is meeting?"

Charlie Brown shrugged, "Not really, I figured I wouldn't even bother until I could get a team together."

Frieda took out a pen and scribbled on a piece of paper, "Well, here's my number, just gimme a call when you know." Charlie Brown took the paper, though felt it was wrong, he was not used to getting girl's phone numbers. Frieda glanced at the clock, "Bleh, I got to get to practice, I'll talk to you later Charlie!" Frieda waved as she left, leaving Charlie Brown dumbstruck in the room.

"Did that just happen?"

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Violet was shocked, "What do you mean Shermy isn't going to play?"

"He doesn't want to be associated with Charlie Brown's team. He's trying to be drafted to an Ivy League school after all", Patty replied as she clicked open her locker.

Violet was barely listening, "Doesn't he realize he can finally show up Jose Peterson!"

"I really don't think he cares about that Violet. Jose Peterson isn't really a threat to Shermy's personal ambitions."

"What a selfish, no good…"

"Hey, that's my boyfriend!" Patty scoffed.

Violet grumbled, "Someone still needs to knock that Peterson off his high horse… I can't believe I'm about to do this…"

Patty looked confused, "What are you talking about…wait, no! You couldn't? "

Violet sighed, "It's our only choice. Unless you'd rather do it yourself?"

Patty grimaced, "No way!"

Violet gulped, "Well then, it's time to swallow all of my pride."

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

"So you got Frieda, eh Chuck? Well I don't know how good she is, but it's better than an empty position, right? Good job kid." Charlie Brown smiled at Peppermint Patty's approval. Including Peppermint Patty to play the last position, they only needed to fill three more positions. The two of them were in Linus's kitchen, discussing the team at the table while Linus micro-waved up some popcorn.

Lucy, overhearing the conversation, sat herself down at the table, "Why the heck would you want that ditz on your team? She's useless!"

"That's a lot better than you could ever say for yourself Lucy." Linus snidely remarked as he placed the bowl on the table. It was met with a swift and powerful punch to the elbow.

"Hmph, you guys are signing your death warrant putting her on your team!" She smiled, "But that's alright, it just so happens I've been pretty bored and decided that I'll be playing right fielder for you guys."

Linus spat out some popcorn, "But you said a few days ago that you wouldn't be caught dead on our team!"

Lucy growled, "Yeah, well I changed my mind. Anyone got a problem with that?"

Both Linus and Charlie Brown shook their heads 'no', but Peppermint Patty interrupted, "Now just wait a damn second Lucille! There's no way in hell I'm letting you on this team!"

Lucy bared her teeth, "Why the heck not?"

"Oh come on! You're terrible. You might be the worst right fielder in the history of the game! Trading Marcie and that pizza for you that one time was the dumbest mistake I ever made in my life!"

Charlie Brown smiled, "That was a good pizza."
Lucy began to shout, "I know what you're doing! You're discriminating against me because I'm a woman!"

Peppermint Patty slammed her fists on the table, "I'm a girl you idiot! Stop your bellyaching and get out of here! We got business to discuss!"

Lucy gritted her teeth and clenched her fists for a moment, before an idea came to her and she calmed down, "Hate to burst your bubble, Peppermint Patty, but this isn't your team. Charlie Brown's the captain…" she turned to Charlie Brown and smiled, "…and he's going to make sure that I'm on the team."

Charlie Brown began to stammer, "Now Lucy, y-y-you r-r-remember h-how bad you…"

Peppermint Patty cheered, "Yeah, tell it like it is Chuck!"

Lucy grabbed Charlie Brown's collar and clenched her other fist. She glared right into his eyes, "You're going to let me on the team Charlie Brown! Right?"

Charlie Brown nervously nodded, "Y-y-yes, of course Lucy!" and sighed when she released him.

Patty protested, "That was duress! That doesn't count!"

Lucy smiled, "I think this is all going to be quite fun. I'll tell you what Charlie Brown! Let's have the whole team get together…say your place tomorrow?"

"Now wait here Lucille, Chuck's the captain! Not you!"

Lucy stared at Charlie Brown, "Oh I'm sure Charlie Brown doesn't have any problems with any of this, does he?"

Charlie Brown nodded, "O-of course not Lucy."

Peppermint Patty sighed, "You really have no backbone, do you Chuck?"

"Lucy destroyed it years ago. I think it was the 12th time she pulled the football away that did it in."

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Jose Peterson sat in the crummy diner located all the way out in Waffleton with Thibault. Thibault complained, "Jesus Christ, the food here sucks. I've never had a worse club in my life! When that idiot waitress comes back I'm going to give her a piece of my mind."

Peterson rolled his eyes, "Whatever Thibault." Peterson didn't think much of the diminutive player. He was a good enough 2nd baseman; and he did like some of his quips about Peppermint Patty or Charlie Brown, but there was something about the punk that rubbed him the wrong way. Maybe it was the sideburns.

"I swear Peterson; this trip out here had better be worth it!"

Peterson smirked, "I don't owe you any explanations, Thibault. You should remember to learn your place. But trust me; there is no better pitcher in the state: even better than Peppermint Patty. Thibault grimaced when he heard her name.

After a few minutes, they were finally joined by their guest. One couldn't be blamed if they were to mistake her for Peppermint Patty: she was of a similar build and hair style. However, her hair seemed even wilder, obscuring a good part of her face, except her nose. Those who criticized Patty's tomboyish would have a field day with this girl.

"Alright Peterson, I owe you a favor, so here I am. Let's get down to business."

Jose smiled, "Damn right you do. Now, as you may know, Peppermint Patty has quit our team. She's started up this upstart team to challenge us to a grudge match. I want her and her little boyfriend completely crushed."

Thibault interrupted, "Wait, you can't be serious! You're going to hire another girl to be our pitcher? This is crazy! Peppermint Patty was bad enough, I'm not standing for another broad as a pitcher."

The girl glared at Peterson, "What the hell is this Jose? You have me meet you out in this dinky diner to be insulted by this punk? I got standards you know, I'm not just going to sit back while a sexist asshole like…"

Peterson nervously smiled, "Oh don't worry about him." He turned to Thibault, "Get your ass outside now! I don't want to see you until we are done!"

Thibault protested, "No way!"

"NOW THIBAULT!" Thibault grumbled as he exited the diner, watching the two angrily through the window. "Sorry about him, he's a real jerk, but no one really takes him seriously. Now where was I?"

The girl, helping herself to some of Peterson's French fries reminded, "You want me to crush Peppermint Patty's team for you. Honestly Jose, this seems really petty. If it's just some grudge game, who really cares? I'd rather focus on the upcoming state game coming up. And you know I can't join the team for that, I don't go to your school."

Peterson smirked, "Oh screw the state game; we'll win that no matter what!"

Though he couldn't see it through her hair, the girl raised an eyebrow, "Look, I really don't want anything to do with your little ego trip then. I take baseball seriously, not as some cheap way to get laid or whatever you've been doing."

Peterson smiled, "Perhaps I forgot to mention who Peppermint Patty's little boyfriend, and the captain, of the team is: Charlie Brown." The girl visibly began to stir. Peterson knew he had this in the bag.

She stirred, Charlie Brown... the one who hit that ninth inning home run those many years ago…the one who almost ruined my entire life! He told me my Grandfather was a fictional character. He beat me twice! I was the only one ever to lose to him! I lost to Charlie Brown! I was the laughing stock of the entire county. Just because I thought he 'looked cute'. Well not this time…this time he's going to fall, just like everyone else has!

Peterson smirked, "So perhaps that piece of information has changed your decision?"

She sighed, "You're darn right it has. Alright Peterson, you got Royanne Hobbs as your pitcher."

To be Continued