The game is on its last inning. The game is in it's final stretch. The score is even, 50-50. The enemy team's pitcher steps up onto the plate. Afterwards, the umpire steps up to the plate.
"Tom! It's time to step up to the plate!" The coach says. Tommy Davis sits on the bench, before slowly looking up at his coach. Tom then looks to his side to see someone that's leaning against the wall. The man continues leaning up against it but he leans his head up, and he looks on at Tom.
"Tom. You're the one that can make a difference in this game. Everything's dead even right now, but you can change it." The man says.
"But Jonah, what if I miss? What if I can't get the shot? I'm gonna cost us the whole game!" Tom responds, his anxiety about it all leaking into his words.
"Kid. I see why you're anxious. But if you want to win, you gotta unchain that anxious. The world's not gonna end if you miss. Don't beat yourself up about it if you lose. Just keep your eye on the ball, and keep the bat ready. Show those maggots what's good!" Jonah says with gruff yet confident tone, a small smile on him.
"I'll go out there. And I'll try my best. I'll show you that." Tom replies, his anxiety slowly turning into a bit of confidence as he stands up off the bench.
"That's the spirit, my boy! Show them what you're really made of!" Jonah shouts confidently, grinning brightly. Tom exchanges a confident smirk with him as well. He then steps up to the plate, grabs the bat from off the ground and ready himself, breathing in and out. He looks up at the pitcher, while the Umpire arrives by his side. He readies his bat in anticipation. Then... The pitcher throws the ball. Tommy swings the bat to try hitting the ball, but... He's too early, and the Umpire grabs the ball like it's nothing.
"STRRRRRIKE!" He then yells. Tom frowns.
"I still got two shots left... Just focus, nail the ball, win the game." He thinks.
"Focus, Nail the ball, Win the game." He thinks. The pitcher throws the ball again. Tom waits for a couple moments as the pitcher throws the ball once more, and swings.
"STTTRRRRRIKE!" The Umpire yells once more. Tom waited too long and was late on swinging, missing a second shot.
"It's fine. It's fine. I'll just nail it this time. Focus, Nail the ball, Win the game." Tom then thinks. He grips his bat as the pitcher throws the ball one last time. It's now or never. Win or lose. Do or die. He grips his bat, the ball seems to be flying at him in slow motion. He readies himself, and swings the ball. However, he doesn't hear the ball hit. Instead, he hears it hit the glove of the Umpire beside him, and his heart sinks.
"OUT!" The Umpire then yells.
"Aw..." Jonah groans. Tom drops the bat with a frown, before flopping down onto the ground. His team's pitcher steps up, and the enemy team's heavy hitter walks up to the plate. The Umpire stands next to him. The pitcher throws the ball and what'd ya know, he nails it first time. The ball heads out of the stadium. It's a home run. They won, he lost.
"Dang..." Tommy mutters.
"I blew the whole game... Darn..."
"Don't get so mad at yourself about that."
"Huh?"
Tom looks over his shoulder to see Charlotte Emily, his best friend, standing over him.
"Charlie? When did you get here?" He asks. Charlie smiles a little.
"You didn't expect me to come to my best friend's games?" She asks, chuckling a little.
"Nah... I thought you wouldn't consider them your tempo." He responds.
"I'll take any chance to support my friend." She says, smiling brightly.
"Aw... Thanks!" He says.
"Getting the sentimental nonsense out the way, Charlotte has a point. Everyone fails at some point. It's called being human. There's always room to improve, especially in sports like these." Jonah interjects.
"Beating yourself up about every misstep, every mistake, will get you nowhere. Tomorrow's another day, you know. It's another opportunity to improve." He adds.
"Anyways, wanna go grab some grub?" Jonah then nonchalantly asks.
"Heck yeah!" Tom shouts.
"Sure!" She says.