Gabriel was true to his word. In less than a week, we had twelve players, enough to start a team. Our coach? None other than Huracán Espinoza. He put us through some hard core drills in order to see what we had to work on.
When it came to offense, we weren't too bad. Most of us were pretty light on our feet, those on the team who weren't made up for it by hitting well Yet, when it came to defense... Well...
"No! We do not catch the balls bare-handed, Petrov!" Gabriel grumbled. Frank shrugged, not really caring.
"I caught the ball, didn't I?" He retorted.
"That is not the point. I am teaching you this so when the other team throws you a line drive at 85 miles an hour and you catch it, you don't break your dominant hand."
"Like anyone can break my hand." He scoffed. Ha! If only he knew how skillful baseball players really are...
"Go back to center field, Frank. Tylerson, you're up. Max?"
"Sí?"
"You're pitching. Magda, on deck."
"On it." I grabbed one the only girl helmet from the side.I watched as max wound up. Her face focused on the optimum strike zone. Her arm made high arc, but her wrist flicked to her left. The ball spiraled toward the high outside corner of Kyle's strike zone. Kyle swung and missed. Strike one. Max threw an inside Curve ball. This time Kyle didn't swing, probably thinking it was too close. Nope.
"Strike two Tylerson." Gabriel called.
"Are you kidding? That was about to hit me!"
"No it was inside the zone. Now stop being such a nena and play ball."
I coughed. "Excuse me?"
"Perdón." He apologized. I smiled.
Max shook her head as she wound up for her next throw. In the blink of an eye, the ball made a hard "Smack!" Against the catcher's glove. Damn she was fast; I say she pitches like 90 miles an hour. Needless to say, Kyle was struck out. I was next at bat. Max and I locked eyes. She smirked.
"Come on lil' freshie, smile back. Show me those crazy fangs and those adorable dimples that Ray keeps drooling over." Leo called.
"I do not!"
"Heeeere batter batter batteeeer!" Frank jeered.
I squared my hips with home plate and took my batting stance, a little farther from home plate than most players stand. What can I say? I like outside pitches. She released her pitch. The ball made a low arc; she threw a slider. I swung a bit too early. The inside of the bat was the only thing to hit the ball, sending it flying towards the right foul line. "Foul!"
"You got a piece of it-"
"But we want all if it!" The team cheered from inside the dugout. Max threw a four seam. The ball almost made contact with my left leg: Ball one.
She pitched again. Even though the ball was beyond low, I swung at it anyways. I missed.
"Strike two!" Damn.
"Wait for your pitch!" Ray yelled.
"Are you going golfing? Come on! Ore are you afraid you royal brat?" Frank spat. Alberta's nephew or not, sometimes the guy didn't know when to shut up; and that day he was testing my patience.
"Petrov! Watch it..." Coach warned.
Max snapped her arm forward like a supersonic whip. I took my step. And swung that bat with all my might. "Whack!" The ball whizzed past the infield. It was a pretty line ball if I do say so myself. I felt pretty proud of myself... Until frank caught the ball... with his bare hand. It bounced off, however, I was no longer paying attention to the ball; I was focused on a certain center-fielder in deep crap.
He yelled and dropped to his knees, clutching his right hand. Everyone on the team, including myself, ran up to see what happened.
Coach knelt down beside Frank and cradled Frank's hand.
"Does this hurt?" He pressed his thumb into his palm.
"Aaaaah!" He cried "No fucking way! It hurts like a bitch!"
"Oh my god, I'm sorry." Crap, this was all my fault.
"Alright, nothing to see. Let's get you to the doctor and bandage you up. Practice is over for the day. See you on Thursday." Gabriel led frank to the infirmary.
"Let me go with you guys." I. Begged. "It's my fault he's like this."
Gabriel agreed. Frank was too busy coddling his injured we entered the clinic building, the familiar aroma of anti-bacterial made my hairs stand on end. My eyes darted towards the exit.A woman with a gentle face entered the lobby. As soon as she saw frank, she rolled her eyes.
"You know Frankie; we should get you a frequent visitor card. What is it now?"
"We were practicing when he tried to catch a ball with his hands."
Her look turned disdainful. "You know, they have these great new inventions, their called baseball mitts. They're self explanatory and everything. Try using one next time."
I almost chocked on a laugh. Gabriel shot me a look. I replaced it with a cough."Come on, I'll take you in." The doctor led frank through the doors, the one place I hoped I never ended up in. Gabriel and I took seats in the waiting room. I looked up at the TV; Star wars: Return of the Jedi was on. It's a great thing we came in then because the movie just started; C-3PO and R2-D2 were taken by sand people. I became immersed in the film, as if I was watching it for the first time. I forgot all about the fact I was in the soon as Leah bestowed the medals on Chewy, Han Solo, and Luke, Frank burst out the doors. A bright blue cast decorated his right hand.
"Lady and gentleman, I am cured!" He proclaimed.
"Well actually, he's going to wear the cast for three weeks. No baseball for at least another two."
"Aww. But-"
"No buts." She chastised.
"Fine. The team is going to miss me though."
"We so will and I'll totally be the one to miss you the most..." I rolled my eyes. We chuckled
"Hey listen, sorry about the 'royal' disses." He stared at the floor, like a little kid who was sent to the corner.
I tsked, "All water under the bridge." During the whole of the conversation, I kept eyeing the exit. Now that I wasn't distracted by the movie, I couldn't wait to get out of there. "You okay?" Frank asked.
I laughed. "I should be asking you that."
"I'm fine, but now I know not to mess with the wrath of Magda Szlesky."
I punched him lightly on the arm. Then I looked at myself.
"Damn we're a mess." My hair was caked in red clay. If I didn't get to it soon, I'd have mud stuck there for a week.
"I'm going to take a bath. See you guys soon?" I left abruptly, thankful to get away from the infirmary wing ASAP.
After a warm bath and change I found myself wandering the school. Crossing the chapel, I sighed. God and I weren't on the same page. I mean yea I believed in the dude but he's put me through so much crap that I found it hard to keep my faith in the guy.
"Seeking God?" I turned around to come face to face with Alexei Drosdov, one of the royals from my advanced Drama. He was what people would call... Hot. Like, 3rd degree burn hot. He had dirty blonde hair and big, pale green eyes and unlike most Moroi, the guy packed muscle. Mmm, if he were a camp fire, I'd make smores on him.
"Me? Nah... Just enjoying the sunrise."
"So, an atheist then?" I wouldn't go as far enough to say I didn't believe. I mean, miracles happened every day, did they not? Great I sound like a hypocrite; one moment I talk about how shit happens the next I'm defending miracles. Ugh, that's why I hated touching upon the subject.
"Nope. Catholic." I was raised on my family's principles. The Szleskys are the only royal family that never strayed from the pope. In fact, one of the earlier popes was from the Szlesky line. He was like the Vladimir of his time, but he also healed humans.
"Nice, Just like the rest of your family then." Oh, great. Another royal trying to get in with the princess' granddaughter. I grew irritated. "Listen, if you're going to try and get in good with me because of who my grandmother is and how close I am to her, you can forget about it." I snapped.
He held his hands up. "I was only trying to make conversation. Am I to be blamed for that, Magda?" The mention of my name made me all giggly inside. Stupid crushes, they would do that to me. I dropped my accusing glare.
"You know, you're not like the other girls. I would love to get to know you better." He walked toward me. "Brett Ozera is having a party tomorrow night in the lounge on the fifth floor of the Moroi dorms. I'd love it if you came, as my date."
Wow, this was kind of sudden from someone I barely talked to. I wanted to go, yet I didn't want to sound too eager either. "No."
"No?" He asked, taken aback. I doubt many girls denied him.
"Exactly. I'm not a dog; I don't 'go' anywhere. You pick me up." I smiled. The party girl in me won out.
"As you wish. At what time should I pick you up?"
"Around seven- that is- if you can get past the dorm matron..."
"Don't worry about that. I'm sure I can find my way." He took a step toward me, closing the space between us. I placed my hand on my hip. If sex was the only thing this guy wanted, then he had something else coming. "Saturday at seven then."
"Wear something nice." His eyes traveled downward. I closed myself off and narrowed my eyes, warning him not to cross the line. He quickly retreated his gaze, good boy.
"See you then. Who knows? I might surprise you."
"That I am sure of. I will be counting the breaths, meu premieu." He kissed my hand. I felt a slight heat rise to my cheeks at the flirty gesture, even though I had no clue what he said.
Like always I masked my vulnerability with a few smart-ass remarks. "Smooth, did you come up with that all by yourself?"
"Yes. I've been known to come up with all sorts of great ideas." His voice was gruff
"Really, now... Well maybe that ideas looking for a patent." I replied in a coy manner. If he thought he could flirt, well, two could play at that leaned in to steal a kiss, but I brought my finger to his lips.
"But before one can be granted, the idea has to go through the board of directors first."He frowned, his pale forehead scrunching in thought. "And where is this idea?"
"Eh, somewhere in the review pile." I shrugged as I turned to leave. Halfway there, Alexei asked loudly: "Put in a good word for me with the board?"
I smirked, "We'll see tomorrow, won't we?"
"Yes we shall. Goodbye, meu premieu."
"Adiós." I gave him a military salute and made my way into the dorm. The next task at hand? I had to find an outfit for the party.
okay no spanish here... a bit of romanian though... im not telling you what Alexei says though... and yes it is literally translated *wink wink*
so... Enjoy!
VAMPIRE ACADEMY IS NOT MIIIIIIINE! and im proud to say so! because VA is too BAMF a series to be written by me!