Wednesday, June 24, 2015

I was awoken by someone shaking me. When I finally forced my eyes open, I found that Luke was hovering over me. I hadn't seen him at all the previous day, and though we werr probably still fighting, it made me happy to see him.

"Someone's here for you," Luke informed me.

I wiped at my eyes while sitting up. "Who is it?"

"Some boy named Jordan," he answered, shrugging.

I cocked an eyebrow. "I don't think I know a Jordan here."

Luke shrugged again. "Well, I don't know, but he's downstairs waiting for you. Better do something with that before you do anything." He pointed to my face, and when I gasped, he laughed.

"You ass," I muttered, unable to hold back my smirk.

"I'm just kidding, you dork," he replied, smiling before ruffling my hair. "Now you have to fix it. I'll tell him you'll be down in a minute." With that, Luke left my room, closing the door behind him.

I grabbed my phone from my nightstand, unhooking it from the charger. The first thing I did was check all of my notifications to my social medias. I posted both of the pictures of me and Benny on Facebook and Instagram, and people had been blowing me up. My old friends from Tennessee were messaging me and commenting on the posts talking about how cute he was, and how lucky I was.

Instead of replying to anything, I set my phone back down and went to my bathroom. I brushed my hair and teeth, and changed into a white, long-sleeved Aeropostale shirt and black sweatpants.

During my descent of the staircase, I heard Luke talking. When I reached the living room, I craned my neck to see who was sitting on the couch. He stood up, and my heart dropped into my stomach.

"Hi, Makayla," he greeted me with a smile.

"Phillips," I muttered in response, not sure of what to do. "What are you doing here? How did you even know where I live?"

Phillips approached me. "I have my ways. But remember how I'm making up for my mistakes? I'm still trying to do that. And so today, I'm going to take you out to get breakfast. It's all on me."

A frown formed on my face. "What made you think I'd want to do that?"

He shrugged. "I guess I was just hoping you wouldn't turn it down. Who turns down free food?"

I sighed. "Well, I can't. I have to go to the sandlot. It's an everyday thing for me."

Phillips's smile almost completely disappeared. "Well, couldn't you take some time off? You could go after we eat."

"The boys might worry, and I can't exactly tell them I'm hanging out with you," I replied. "They still hate you."

"Please, Makayla. Just take some time off. I just want to make it up to you for what I said, and I just got some money."

I looked at Luke for help, and he had a smirk playing on his lips. When he noticed me staring at him, he stood up.

"I'm not hanging out with Skylar until later today," Luke piped up. "I'll be going to the sandlot. I'll tell the boys you're busy with something, and that you'll show up later."

I clenched my jaws; that wasn't exactly what I was hoping to hear from him. He was either trying to get back at me, or he actually thought I was worried about what the boys would think if I didn't show up to the sandlot.

Phillips smiled at me. "See? There you go."

I let out a deep sigh. "Fine, but I'm going in this."

"That's fine. You look great."

I laughed. "Thanks. Let me go put on some shoes."

I walked upstairs into my bedroom. I slipped on some fresh socks and gray Vans. Then I sprayed myself with perfume, applied deodorant, and put my hair up in a high ponytail. I grabbed my phone, stuffing it in the pocket of my sweatpants, and made my way back downstairs.

Phillips waited for me at the door, and Luke was sitting on the couch again.

"Text me if you need anything, Kayla," Luke called out to me as Phillips opened the door.

I glanced at him, sending him a nod. "Okay."

Phillips and I left my house, and I followed him down the street. We held up a simple conversation about baseball. In minutes, we reached a small diner.

"This is the place," Phillips announced, opening the door for me. I entered, and he followed behind me, closing the door behind himself.

"Smells good," I murmured. The delicious scent of food wafted through the air.

Phillips laughed. "Yeah, they make some good food here."

We took our seats at a booth, sitting across from each other. We were soon greeted by a waitress, and she gave us two menus.

"What would you like to drink?" she asked, holding her notepad and pen.

"Coke for me," Phillips answered.

"Water," I answered, sending her a small smile.

"All right," she responded before walking off.

I opened my menu, and scanned through the different foods. There was nothing too fancy or expensive, but it all looked good.

"What should I get?" I questioned, looking up at Phillips, who had already put his menu down. "I don't know what's good here."

"Well, I'm getting pancakes, because in my opinion, they're the best pancakes in the world," he replied. "You might think differently, but that's a suggestion."

I closed my menu and dropped it onto the table. "Okay, then I'll be having what you're having."

---

Honestly, the food was great, and I had a good time with Phillips, as much as I hated to admit it. I couldn't even imagine how betrayed the boys would have felt if I told them about this, though, so I decided to keep it a secret for a little while.

When we finished eating, Phillips walked me back home, because I didn't want to wear white clothes to the sandlot. My mother would have had a heart attack.

Phillips and I stopped on my doorstep, and we turned to face each other to say our goodbyes.

"Uh, thanks for taking me there, Phillips," I muttered. "I enjoyed it."

Phillips smiled. "Call me Jordan. And hey, I'm making up for my mistakes. You don't need to thank me."

I nodded. "Okay, Jordan. Uh . . . yeah, bye."

"I'll see you later," he responded, stuffing his hands in his pockets. He cast me a smile before walking off, leaving me alone. I sighed and entered my house, shutting the door behind me.

I changed into black skinny jeans, a purple tank top, and purple Vans. I took my curly hair down and put my black Yankees cap on backwards. Finally, I grabbed my glove, phone, and the fifteen dollars I had still failed to spend, and left the house.

When I reached the sandlot, I went through my daily routine. I put my things away behind the mini fridge, and made my way out onto the field.

"Makayla!" Benny called from the batter's box. "You can bat!"

I nodded, making my way over to him. He handed me the bat.

"Where have you been?" he asked.

In a casual tone, I answered, "Went to get breakfast. Sorry I came in so late."

Benny shook his head, sending me a small smile. "That's okay."

Benny stood a short distance away as I got into stance, swinging the bat around a few times while staring hard at DeNunez. I nodded at him when I was ready to bat, and he pitched the ball.

I swung, and the bat connected with the ball, making a loud crack noise. I dropped the bat and started running towards first base. Since the ball landed on the ground and no one had retrieved it yet, I continued on to second base. Luke finally threw the ball in to Bertram just as I was about to get to second base. Just as Bertram caught the ball, I dropped to the ground, sliding so my foot touched the base before Bertram could get me out.

The boys shouted compliments at my slide, and I stood up with a grin on my face. As we continued the game, Bertram tapped my shoulder.

"Hey, do you wanna smoke with me again sometime soon?" he asked.

I furrowed my eyebrows slightly. "I don't think that's a very good idea, Bertram. And you shouldn't be doing it so regularly either."

"Well, I can't stop," he muttered. "It's so fun, and it makes me forget all of my problems."

"Playing baseball alone can give you a natural high," I responded. "Just like smoking weed, it's only temporary, of course. Just focus on the positive things. Don't spend all your free time smoking."

Bertram shook his head, then returned his focus to the game. I sighed, turning around. Benny hit the ball, and I took off running for third base.

---

After a long game, we decided to call it a day. We all made our way to the dugout, but before I could reach it, Luke stopped me.

"What?"

"What's up with that Jordan kid?" he asked when the boys were out of ear shot.

I sighed, looking around to make sure no one was watching or listening before explaing. "He came over here a few days ago, and basically, it didn't end well. He and the boys hate each other, I guess, but he all of a sudden decides that he should make it up to just me for the other day."

Luke raised his eyebrows. "So basically, you're sneaking around with their enemy?"

I rolled my eyes. "No! I'm just taking his offers. I like eating good food without having to pay."

Luke chuckled. "Well, you do plan on telling them about it, right?"

"Of course I do," I insisted. "But . . . just not yet. They'll freak out. I want to wait until he's done doing whatever he's doing and leaves me alone."

"What're you gonna do if he never leaves you alone?"

My lips curved slightly into a smirk. "That's probably when I'll have to come to you."

Luke smiled. "Good answer." He ruffled my hair. "Hey, I'm sorry about the other night. I was just in a bad mood about not being able to spend time with Skylar. She's really special to me, you know?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I know. It's okay."

He kissed my temple. "And don't think I wouldn't choose you over her either. Besides mom, you're the most important woman in my life."

My heart warmed and swelled at his words, and I smiled, wrapping my arms around his waist in a hug. He hugged back tightly, and I breathed in his amazing scent, despite the fact that he'd been sweating.

"I wish more guys were like you," I muttered. "That was really sweet."

"Well, growing up around girls, I guess I just have a way with words, or I know what girls like to hear," he replied, pulling away from the hug. "It's true, though."

I chuckled. "True. You got plans tonight?"

"Yeah, I'm planning on going to Skylar's house. Why?"

I shrugged. "Oh, I was just going to see if we could go to the movies or something."

Luke bit his lip lightly. "I can cancel with Skylar if you want me to."

I shook my head. "No, it's fine. We can do it a different day."

At first, Luke nodded in agreement, but then he frowned and shood his head. "No, no, I'm gonna cancel. Because I haven't been spending as much time with you, and I need to make time for you."

"Luke, you don't have to —"

"I want to," he broke in, pulling out his phone. "Got any idea of what you want to watch?"

The smile returned to my face. "Well . . . Furious Seven."

Luke smirked. "Good choice. It came out two months ago, but since we had to start packing and all that, I never had the time to go see it."

I nodded. "Same. I've been dying to see it."

"You're gonna cry," Luke said, chuckling.

I laughed. "I know, but so will you."

Luke put on a serious face, and said, "I'm a man, I don't cry."

I playfully slapped his arm. "Yeah, I'll let you keep thinking that."

Luke scoffed, and his mouth dropped open in mock surprise. "How dare you?" He placed his hand over his heart dramatically. "You just broke my heart."

"Get used to disappointment," I replied with a smirk, sending him a playful wink.

Luke's fake hurt expression was quickly replaced with a mock angry expression. "Oh, now I'm gonna beat you up."

Before I could even blink, Luke picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder. I accidentally let out a squeal.

"Not again!" I exclaimed, laughing and letting my body go limp. "I'm gonna laugh when your shoulder breaks and your whole arm falls off."

Luke laughed. "Yeah, that's totally gonna happen. You're just so fat, Kayla, oh my God."

I laughed loudly. "Exactly."

"Don't make me whoop you, brat."

"Hey, they were your words, not mine," I responded, giggling. "I was just agreeing with you."

"You're like five pounds," Luke replied, smacking me in the leg.

"Ow!"

"Then quit calling yourself fat," Luke said, cracking up. "Next time, it'll be harder."

"Okay, okay," I muttered, stifling a laugh. "But I don't feel pain."

Luke laughed. "Says the one who just screamed ow."

"That was me pretending to have normal human feelings," I responded matter-of-factly, though I was trying to hold back a laugh. "I actually don't feel pain."

Luke slapped my leg again, that time harder than before, and I held back a flinch. "So you're saying you didn't feel that?"

"I felt it, but no pain," I responded.

"Tell me if you feel this —"

"No, honey, you don't have to do it again, I get it," I broke in, just because my leg was now stinging where he hit it.

Luke laughed. "Exactly."

He started walking, and I asked in a casual tone, "Can you put me down now?"

"Nope," he replied, popping the p.

I sighed, letting my head fall limp. "You're a pain in the ass."

All of a sudden, he hit my bottom — not in a dirty way, obviously. With a chuckle, he said, "Now I am."

I clenched my teeth. "I think I remember why my hit is so hard now."

"Because you learn from the best."

Luke and I reached the dugout, and some of the boys were talking about us, laughing.

"Having fun back there, Makayla?"

"Shut your mouth, Benny," I snapped playfully, causing him and the boys to laugh.

"She is," Luke answered his question. "Anyone would have fun on my amazing shoulder."

I laughed for the millionth time. "Yup, feels just like a pillow."

Benny chuckled. "I wish me and my sister had your guys' relationship."

I turned my head and found Benny. "You can. Just go up to her out of nowhere and throw her over your shoulder."

"Your sister is the one who answered the door that one night, right?" Luke questioned.

Benny nodded. "Yeah, her name is Elizabeth."

"She seems cool," Luke replied. "We talked about you guys a little bit before I left."

My eyes widened. "Were you guys talking crap?"

Luke laughed. "Actually, no, it was the opposite."

"That's hard to believe, considering you were pissed at me."

Luke shrugged only with his free shoulder. "I still wouldn't go around talking shit about you."

"Good, because then I'd have to beat you up," I replied, chuckling.

Luke laughed and finally put me down. "You mean make an attempt. But anyways, let's get going. If we're gonna make it in time for that movie, we have to get ready, and I'm assuming you'll want to take a shower."

"True."

I walked to the mini fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and after drinking some of it, I grabbed my stuff from behind the fridge. That was when I realized that my money was missing. My eyebrows knitted together, and I searched the area for it, but there was nothing but dirt.

"Has anyone seen my money?" I inquired anyone who was listening. They all looked at me, shaking their heads.

"How much was it?" Squints asked.

"Fifteen dollars," I answered. "Why, did you find anything?"

"Just a quarter on the ground."

I chuckled. "Wow, nice. But seriously, I need that money. No one's seen it?"

"No, but I'll help look for it," Smalls said.

With that, all of the boys got up, and they started searching for my money. After about ten minutes of searching all around the dugout and the field, even though I was sure I left it with my phone, we came up with nothing.

"Have you checked your pockets?" Yeah-Yeah asked after we all met up at the dugout again.

"Course I did. Nothing."

Yeah-Yeah sighed. "Maybe it'll pop up or something tomorrow. That always happens to me."

I nodded, biting the inside of my cheeks. "Okay. Let's go, then."

"Sorry we couldn't find it," Ham spoke up. "We'll look for it again tomorrow."

I smiled at him. "It's fine, and thanks. I appreciate your guys' help."

"That's what friends are for," Timmy spoke.

"That's what friends are for," Tommy repeated after his older brother, earning a giggle from me.

"All right, let's just go then," I muttered, kicking at the dirt.

---

Should I start making chapters longer? Like, the word count for this one is almost 3,000 words, and I usually go a little over 2,000 or a little less. Or should I make them longer than this? I'll do whatever y'all want. (:

By the way, I obviously made up Phillips's first name. I like the name Jordan, haha, I used to like someone with that name.

What do you guys think happened to the money? Comment. (;

Stay gold.