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.“Eh, I think we should start picking the movies next time, not Frankie.”Krista smiled and reached for Brett’s hand again.“I really liked it.”People were pushing, and through the commotion of leaving the theater, they got separated and walked outside.He liked Krista, but how much? Did he want to be seen holding her hand? The group of friends met outside of the theater and talked about the movie, most of which was negative, except for Frankie, who loved it.Krista remained by Brett’s side.“I need to bail early guys,” Brett said.“What? Why?” Krista asked.“We’re leaving early for the baseball tournament and I have to get up at like six.”Krista stuck out her bottom lip, pouting before saying, “You should have told us.”“I did.I told Frankie to let you guys know when his mom picked you up.”Frankie shrugged, and then muttered something about how he’d forgotten.“Sorry,” he said.Krista’s eyes popped open.“I’m so thirsty after all that popcorn; Brett come with me.I wanna buy a bottle of water.”Brett stammered, “My dad’s gonna be here any minute.”“We’ll be two minutes, come on.” Krista grabbed his hand, leading him back inside the theater.They got in line and Krista turned to face him.“Umm, I am thirsty, but I wanted to ask you something.In private.”Brett blushed.He knew what was coming.How could a girl ask him out? Wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around? He panicked and spoke first.“Krista, do you wanna like, go out sometime?” His eyebrows furrowed and his eyes cringed as he realized what he’d just said.Krista’s eyes sparked.“You beat me to it! I was going to ask you out! Of course I wanna go out.I’ll call you Sunday.Bye!” She leaned up on her toes, kissed him on the cheek, and ran out of the theater.Brett was more torn than ever.Sure Krista was cool, she was a good friend, and not too bad looking.but a girlfriend? That, he was not so sure about.The Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland was named after none other than local hero, Cal Ripken Junior, who played for the Baltimore Orioles for twenty-one years.Ripken was a nine-time all-star and was most famously noted for breaking Lou Gehrig’s record of consecutively played games, finishing his career by playing in 2,632 straight games before voluntarily sitting himself.The stadium itself hosts home games for the Aberdeen Iron Birds, the Class A affiliate of the Orioles.The entire complex boasts several smaller fields; in one of them, Brett and his team were playing.There was a smattering of fans outside the fences, his father included.It was a sunny Saturday morning with a just a touch of a cool fall breeze.Naturally, his thoughts were on the Titanic, Ally, and now Krista.Brett took to the batters box in the bottom of the first inning, dug his cleats into the dirt and took a few practice swings.“Well look who it is,” came a voice from the catcher.“Pretty boy Logan.”Brett turned and peered through the catchers mask.It took him a moment or two before he recognized who it was.Lance Hawk.He ignored him and faced the pitcher.Although he didn’t completely ignore him because three pitches later, he struck out and lowered his head in disgust.“Maybe next time, Logan.” Lance said, mocking him.He went 0-2 his first two times up, after which his coach contemplated sitting him in a crucial bottom of the sixth inning at bat, as the game was tied, with one out.At this level of play, they only played six innings so this was just like the bottom of the ninth and the pressure was on.He took the first ball on the inside corner and the umpire yelled, “Strike!” The second pitch he swung through a curve ball to make the count 0-2.“I guess it’s not your day, is it?” Lance said from behind the catchers mask.“Not going to be your year either when you fail history class.”Brett stepped out of the batter’s box and looked back at his coach who was nervously chewing gum in the dugout with his arms folded across his chest.Brett didn’t have his ‘A-Game’ today, that much was apparent.There was only one way he could get out of this situation in a positive light.He stepped back in and crept forward toward the plate.The pitcher wound up and threw a ball outside.The count was now 1 ball and 2 strikes.The next pitch was the one he was looking for, high and tight.He turned into the pitch and it nailed him on the shoulder.Brett grimaced from the pain, tossed his bat toward the dugout, and trotted to first base.The manager of the other team slowly walked to the umpire behind home plate and made it clear that he was not happy with Brett’s performance at the plate.Brett reached first base and his coach touched his shoulder and asked if he was okay.Brett nodded and took a small lead off the base while waiting for the next batter to come up to bat.“That the only way you can get to first?” the first baseman on the other team said softly.Brett said nothing.“Pretty lame.”Brett agreed with him, but what could he do now? Toby Matheson, the team’s best hitter, was up to bat, and it didn’t take long for him to see a pitch he liked.He roped a line drive right over Brett’s head and Brett took off running.He rounded second quickly and glanced at the third-base coach.When he was just a few feet from third base, the coach wind milled his arm again and again, signaling Brett to go for home.Brett kicked it into gear and charged.He could see Lance preparing to catch the ball.Brett was going to have to plow into him if he wanted to score and win the game.His helmet was slipping off his head as he ran as fast as he could, trying to beat the throw home.He looked at Lance crouching low about to catch the ball [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]