Remember Me (Nash Grier)

Chapter 5

•Bailey's POV•
Nash, Hayes, and I were all out back, tearing the boxes apart to burn them. My mom was starting the fire and Courtney was piling the shredded boxes so we could burn them.
"Hey mom, when were done with the fire, Nash, Hayes, and I were gonna go to the batting cages," I say.
"Okay just be back before ten," she says, "And all of you need to take your phones. Nash, keep her with you," she warns.
"Don't worry. I got her," he says and looks at me. I smile and continue to tear boxes. My mom had the fire going and Courtney was already throwing the pieces into the fire.
•
In a half hour we were done.
"Okay guys I'm going to get my bat and helmet. Do you guys need anything? I'll pay," I offered.
"No I'm fine and you're not paying," Nash says.
"You just helped us burn all of our boxes. You're not paying," I demand.
"If I let you pay for the cages, I'm paying next time," Nash says.
"Deal," I agree.
We all get our phones and I get my bat bag.
"Are we gonna walk?" I ask.
"We could ride bikes or something," Hayes suggests, "it's not that far."
"I'd rather walk actually. You guys can ride your bikes," I say.
"I'll walk too," Nash runs after me.
"Well I guess we're walking," Hayes shrugs.
"So where are you from?" Nash asks me as we start toward the cages.
"Mercer, Pennsylvania," I answer. They look at me confused.
"In the middle of western Pennsylvania. Right near the boarder of Pennsylvania and Ohio," I add.
"Ohhhhhh," Hayes says, "Did you play any sports other than softball?" He asks.
"Track, volleyball, and gymkhana," I say.
"What's gymkhana?" Nash asks. They ask a lot of questions.
"Games where you ride horses," I answer again.
"I don't think that's a sport," Hayes starts.
"Well, can you tell me more about how football is in the Olympics?" I ask and nod at his football jersey he was wearing.
"I was kidding," he laughs.
"I was serious," I say, then I laugh with him.
"Geez you're readily defensive about that," Nash says.
"Yeah, well, so many people say it isn't a sport, but we put our lives in danger every time we go near a horse. They could kill me whenever they want to, but they don't. They choose to keep me safe," I say.
"Oh. Maybe I can come to the barn with you and Sky tomorrow and understand why girls are so obsessed with horses," he says and laughs.
I stop dead in my tracks.
"It's not an obsession, it's a lifestyle," I say sassily.
Nash laughs, "You sounded just like Skylynn."
I smile.
"Uh guys we're here," Hayes says and points across the street.
We jog across the street and walk up to a garage looking building. I give the man there a twenty dollar bill and he gives me eighty quarters. I split the quarters into three piles of twenty-six.
"Here," I give the boys their piles and they each grab a bat.
"Ladies first," Nash says and opens the door for me.
"You heard him. Ladies first," I repeat and push Hayes through the door. We start his pitcher robot thing and watch him swing, and miss.
"Hayes what happened?" I laugh.
"It's a sixty miles per hour machine and I haven't batted for a couple years," he defends.
"Well I play slow pitch softball and even I can hit those," I continue to laugh.
Hayes finishes his turn and I walk into the cage. I fix my stance.
"Start it," I say. The machine starts sputtering and throws a pitch. I swing a little late, but still send it flying. I continue to hit the pitches until it stops.
I whip my helmet off and wall toward Hayes.
"That was easy," I laugh. Hayes manages to laugh, but I don't think he was too happy about being beat by a girl he met yesterday.
•
We took turns in the cage until we ran out of quarters. I check my phone.
"Guys it's 7:30 should we head back now?" I ask.
"Yeah I guess so," Nash says.
We walk back in quietness. I'm so tired. I haven't batted any in a couple months. I think the guys are sore, too.
When we reach our houses, Hayes splits from me and Nash and goes to his house. Nash walked me up my porch.
"I had fun hitting more line drives than you," I say.
Nash laughs, "of course you did."
"Oh yeah paying for you was great too," I smile.
"Keep in mind that was the only time you're ever going to pay for me," he states.
I roll my eyes, "I don't like making people pay for me."
"Well I'm offering. Forcing and offering are two completely different things," he explains to me like I'm dumb.
"Oh wow I didn't know that," I say dumbly. We both laugh.
I start to shiver. Wow. I thought North Carolina was supposed to be warm...
"I got to go. I'm freezing," I say.
He nods. I open my door and step inside, then I feel a hand grab my arm.
"Are you and Sky going to the barn tomorrow?" He asks.
I nod. "Yeah, but I'm not riding too much."
"Cool. Can I tag along?" He begs.
"Yeah sure," I smile. He smiles and brushes his hand through his hair.
"See you tomorrow," he smiles.
"Bye," I say and walk into my house. I go up to my bedroom, take a shower and brush my teeth. I lay down on my bed and my phone buzzes.
Nash: goodnight😴 my mom invited your family over for breakfast tomorrow. Some of my friends will be there too.
Me: cool. What are your friends' names so I don't look stupid tomorrow lol
Nash: Shawn, Matt, and Cameron. they're pretty cool.
Me: sweet goodnight see you tomorrow
I fell asleep smiling for some reason.