Him and Her

Four

Four

Eric

"Ball! Ball! Over here!" I shout to Jake. There is a loaded base and I can get a handful of people out. Jake tosses the ball to me and I whip it at the crowd. I wasn't really aiming for anyone in particular, but I hit a girl in the head on accident. She falls down onto the ground.

"Whoops." I say quietly as I run to get the ball. The base is still running so I throw the ball at the crowd again and hit a person out.

"Ana? Are you okay?" Mr. Wright kneels next to her. She is holding her head nodding. I guess I never noticed her before.

"I am fine. Can I get a drink?" She asks. The whole class is watching.

"Yes. Sit out for the rest of class. You got caught in one of Eric's throws." Mr. Wright laughs lightly.

"Okay." She stands up and walks out of the room.

"Courtney, you pitch." Mr. Wright orders. "Eric, a word." I jog over to him.

"Yes?"

"You need to apologize to Ana." He states.

"Why?" I question.

"You threw a ball at her head, that's why." He answers.

"I didn't mean to." I protest.

"But it happened. Just say your sorry." He orders. "Go back and play. Apologize after class." He says pointing to the game. I nod my head and jog back to my team and continue to play.

- Class ends -

Class soon ends and the blue team soaks in our victory as we go into the locker rooms. After I change and walk out of the locker room, Mr. Wright gives me a look. I hate giving apologies. Half the time I don't. But Mr. Wright is really focused on this one. I roll my eyes.

Just then, Ana walks out of the girls locker room. "It's Ana, right?" I ask even though I know it is.

"Yeah. I'm Ana." She says nervously. Her two friends, I think they are Emma and Kimberly look at each other before continuing toward the bleachers.

"So, I was forced- I wanted to say sorry for hitting you with the ball earlier." I say proud of myself.

"Oh, uhh. Thanks." She tries to speed off, her face is red. I grab her arm to stop her. She looks at me. "Can I help you?"

"I- are, nothing. Nevermind." I let go of her arm.

Josie and Maria come out of the locker room and spot Ana with a devilish grin. "Oh look! It's Ana! What does it feel like to be the loser of the school? So ugly and stupid!" Josie taunts, putting her hand in front of her face with an invisible microphone. Ana tears up. "What a baby! Eric look at the loser cry!"

"Don't bring me into this." I state.

"Whatever, Eric." They walk away and Josie blows me a kiss. I dodge it.

Ana turns toward the locker rooms. I grab her arm to stop her. "Are you okay?" I don't know why I care.

"I- I'm fine. I am used to it." She goes into the locker room.

I did not expect that from Josie. I thought she was just a short, innocent popular girl. I wouldn't think she was a bully. I go toward the bleachers. "Are you two Ana's friends?" I ask Emma and Kimberly.

"Yes. Why?" Emma asks. I point to the locker rooms. The two look at each other. "Thank you." Kimberly says before they go into the locker rooms.