Just Friends

*12*

"Are they ever going to actually hit the ball?" Alice whines as she watches yet another player on Fred's team swing and miss.

"Give them a break, Al." FP responds. "Besides it's more fun watching them fail."

"At least Fred can hit the ball." Hermione pipes in, smiling all lovey dovey.

"Yeah this game he can." Alice teases, earning a jab from Hermione. "Brady's pretty good too."

"Of course you think that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means whenever we come to one of their games you can barely keep your tongue from wagging every time you lay eyes on him."

Alice's mouth falls open. "Not true!"

"It's so true! Why don't you talk to him?"

"And say what?"

"Ask him out, invite him to the party on Friday."

"You think he'd come?"

"He'd be stupid not to." FP pipes in. "Can't hurt to ask."

"See even FP agrees."

"I'll think about it." Alice decides.

"Better think quick, looks like they're calling the game early."

"What do I even say to him?"

"You're asking us for advice?"

"Well, no, it's just, he has no idea who I am."

"So introduce yourself."

The team starts to walks off the field and Alice takes a deep breath. "Ok, I'm going in."

She struts over to the boy confidently, watching as he grabs his bag. "Hey," she greets.

He looks up and greets her with a cheeky smile. "Hey."

"I'm Alice."

"Brady. Nice to meet you."

"I was actually coming over to see if you wanted to go to a party on Friday?"

"A party?"

"Yeah, it's supposed to be pretty cool. Parents are out of town so pretty much anything goes."

He chuckles. "Best kind of parties." He agrees. "Yeah, I'm down. What's the address?"

"23 Parkway Lane. Invite some friends if you want."

"Sounds good. I'll see you there." He shoots her another charming smile and she blushes just slightly.

"Looking forward to it." She adds an extra sway to her hips as she walks back towards her friends, giving them an inconspicuous thumbs up.

"I take it that went good?" Hermione presses.

"So good! He'll be at the party on Friday." Alice answers with an excited grin.

"Is he going with you?" Fred asks, taking a swig from his water bottle.

"Not technically, but we're both going so we'll bump into each other for sure." She giggles with Hermione, the girl knowing exactly what Alice's plan is.

"So if he's not going with you then how did it go well?"

"Oh Fredrick. So much for you to learn my friend." FP drawls out.

"Honey, now that she knows he'll be there she'll make sure to look her absolute best and then she'll just happen to bump into him there and the rest will be history." Hermione explains.

"Speaking of which can I borrow that top you bought last week?"

"The one with the deep v?" Alice nods. "Oh yes! And I have this new bra that ups you like two cup sizes, you have to wear that!"

"I'm thinking with my leather mini skirt."

"Fishnets?"

"I was thinking those sheer stockings with the garter, so when we're talking, I'll cross my legs and give him a little sneak peek."

"Genius!" Hermione squeaks. "Definitely go red lip too, that'll drive him crazy."

Fred leans closer to FP, whispering to him. "Do you have any idea what is going on?"

"Not a clue, I've learned it's best to just not ask questions when it comes to girl world."

"Got it." Fred nods. "Can we go get Pop's or something, I'm starving."

"Well you are the only one on the team who seems to be able to hit the ball today so that's understandable."

"Were we that bad?"

"You made the little league team look like the Yankee's." Alice snakily compares.

"Geez. Harsh much?"

"Just being honest with you." She declares as she stands up from the bleachers.

"You know, your idea of honesty is what some people would call bullying." Fred whines, following after his friends.

"I didn't say you were bad, I said the team was bad." Alice points out. "You were fine."

"Just fine?"

Alice groans, tossing her head back in frustration."Oh my gosh. You were Babe Ruth out there, okay? Take the compliment and run with it."

Fred smirks and nudges Hermione. "You hear that? Babe Ruth."