Strike One

Chapter 3

School was finally over. Alexis and I were starting to walk to tryouts when the one group everyone has in school walked up to us. The snooty popular girls that play every sport and get MVP every time.

"Hey Alexis. Can't wait to see you on varsity. Oh wait. Your only freshman material." Bella, the only person in school I hate more than Owen. She always makes varsity because her dad is the sports instructor.

"Screw you Bella. Just because we're a freshman doesn't mean we can't make varsity." I practically yelled. You mess with my friend, you better believe I'll be right behind her backing her up, and you DON'T wanna mess with me.

"Oh my. They're gonna hurt me girls. I'm so scared." I hate Bella's sarcasm. Sometimes I just want to slap her sometimes and get that smug smile off her face. "Don't think I wasn't talking about you too Elizabeth. I get what I want because my dad's the sport instructor and I can get both of you cut from the teams. Tootles!"

"I'm gonna hurt her!" Alexis exclaimed through gritted teeth.

"Let's just get changed then go to tryouts so we're not late." I was trying to calm her down because she isn't kidding. She will hurt her and I'm not going to be cut for not trying to stop it. Softball is my life and I can't live without it.

"Fine! But if she does something to us, there are no promises." She gave in.

We got to the locker rooms by the field and changed. We got out to the field and started stretching then played catch to warm up.

"Ok girls let's go. We don't got all day and we still need to order jerseys by tomorrow. Let's start with something simple. Run to first base, side shuffle to second, run backwards to third, then side shuffle to home. Five rounds of that then start hitting with the tee. Ready? GO!" He yelled.

We all started going. After five rounds, me and Alexis started taking turns putting the ball on the tee and hitting. When we were done we had a water break then we had to play pickle. To end the tryouts half of us went with the coach to hit off of a pitching machine and the other half went with the assistant coach to catch grounders and pop flys.

"Ok. Practice is over. Tomorrow morning the teams will be posted on the sports board. If you made the team practice starts tomorrow and we need your sizes to order the jerseys. Practice dismissed." The coach was just writing notes down while talking.

Alexis and I walked home together since we only live two blocks away from each other. Alexis was also coming to my house to do homework.

When we got to my house I walked in to my mom cleaning up the kitchen so she could make dinner.

"Mom! I'm home. Alexis is with me." I informed my mom.

"Ok sweetie. Hi Alexis."

"Hello Mrs. Johnson." She replied.

We walked upstairs to my room to do our homework. Before we started our homework though, we took got cleaned up from practice. I took a shower first, then Alexis. Our house is practically her second home so she has some of her clothes here and I have some at her house.

After we were done we did our homework. We didn't have too much homework today so it only took about an hour to do.

When we were done we just talked about anything that came to mind. Of course the dreaded topic came up. Who do you have a crush on?

"Sooooo...." Alexis started.

"Sooooo?" I mocked.

"Who do you have a crush on? Nerdy Nell? Popular Peter? Athletic Anthony?" She asked. I just gave her a confused look. "What?" She questioned.

"Where do you have all this time to come up with these names?" I laughed.

"During school instead of doing work." She answered.

"Of course."

"Alexis your mom just called. You have to go home." My mom called upstairs.

"Ok. Bye Elizabeth. We will continue this topic tomorrow." She gave me big and grabbed her stuff. I laughed then walked her out.

"Bye Mrs. Johnson. Bye Elizabeth." She said before turning and leaving.

"Bye Alexis." I closed the door behind her then walked to the kitchen.

"What's for dinner?" I asked while smelling the pot on the stove.

"Spaghetti." My mom answered. "How was tryouts?"

"Tiring but good."

My mom drained the noodles then put it on plates and set them on the table. She called for my dad and Eliot. We all ate then I went and got ready for bed. I brushed my teeth and got in some pajamas. I put my hair in a messy bun then went to bed.