An Unlikely Allie

Chapter 28

Phaedra's POV

"Alright, listen up, ladies!" We crowded around Coach Evans. "You girls have worked hard to be here. I know we can win this thing." He pulled out his clipboard, "first base, Sasha. Second base, Sarah. Third base, Lucy. Short stop, Rachel. Nicole, left center. Mallory, right center. Liz, left field. Gina, right field. Phaedra, pitcher and Katie, catcher."

We cheered as we made our way to our positions. I kissed my index finger and middle finger, touched them to my heart, and pointed to the sky. Katie tossed me the ball. She gave me a slight nod before getting in position. Game on!

Ponyboy's POV

I was worried that last events would throw Phae off her game, but she seemed as confident as ever. I knew she was nervous though. I sat next to Johnny and Two-Bit on the bleachers. Johnny didn't get there in time to see Phae before she got on the field, "how is she, man?"

"Nervous. I think she redid her hair about 15 times." She constantly takes her ponytail down and then puts it back up, takes it down again, and puts it back up. I just chew my nails.

"I already heard some bitch comment on Phaedra's face," Two-Bit said darkly.

That made my blood boil. Annmarie was treated with such compassion and kindness. It killed me to hear others mock Phae just because she's from the east side.

Johnny looked pissed, "I swear, next person to say something is gonna wish they were never born."

"Damn Johnny," Dally said, "never thought I'd see the day that you'd willingly start a fight."

Johnny blushed, "yeah, well gotta protect my girl."

Phaedra's team won the first game easily. She had a 45 minute break before the next game. Johnny and I walked down by the dugout to see if Phae was hungry, "hey Pone! Hi Johnny!"

Johnny kissed her cheek and she snuggled into him, "are you hungry?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah, I could eat," she turned to her team, "we're still on this field for nect game?"

"Nope," her coach shook his head. We are over there." He turned to the rest of the girls, "meet at field 4 in 30 minutes."

Phaedra, Johnny, and I walked back over to the gang, "shit kid, ya got some arm on ya," Dally said.

"You intentionally walked one of the players?" Darry asked.

"Yeah, she's a big hitter and the girl on deck swings at everything. We didn't want to risk her getting two runs in." She gestured to the catcher, "Katie was the one who called it."

Two-Bit laughed, "thought only you and Ponyboy were able to read each other's mind."

"We can not!" Phaedra and I said at the exact time, causeing everyone to laugh.

Soda's POV

It was great being able to watch Phaedra play. Before Mom and Dad died, if one kid had a game or an event, we all went. It was usually Darry's football games, or the twin's little league games, or my rodeos.

It was nice to see Phaedra laugh and smile. I knew she lived for softball, but I also knew having Johnny by her side helped alot.

"Phaedra!" We turned around to see the catcher walking toward us, "you wanna warm up?"

She nodded, "everyone, this is Katie. Katie, these are my brothers Darry and Soda," she pointed at me and Dare, "this is Dally, Two-Bit, Steve, and this is Johnny." She held his hand.

Katie smiled, "you're Johnny." Phaedra reddened. It's hard for me to picture Phaedra gushing about boys in the locker room.

"Let's go, Katie." Phaedra started walking away, "we're on field 4!"

The rest of us stood up to follow. The softball complex was crowded with players, coaches, and spectators. As we headed to the field, I heard, "She makes Frankenstein look adorable."

"No shit," another girl responded, "she's gross."

"Her boyfriend must be blind. How embarrassing for their team."

It took everything in me to not lash out. Darry and Pony looked just as pissed. Dally nudged Two-Bit, "Check it out Two-Bit, it's the Walking Chlamydia and her Gonorrhea Gals." He called out. Dally sure knows how to shut people up.

Phaedra's POV

It was late by the time we got home. My team was going to state! It was incredible. We stood up there in front of everyone. We got medals and the school was getting a trophy!

Tomorrow, we were going to go celebrate. I couldn't wait!