indentations - benny rodriguez

ch. 5

~indentations~

Parker stuffed her sleeping bag into her old backpack, ensuring that she had essential things like a toothbrush and change of clothes.

The boys had invited Parker out to something they called a campout, held in a tree house in the sandlot.

Parker was unsure at first, but eventually agreed after Kenny convinced her it would be fun.

Apparently, s'mores and cheesy games were his idea of fun.

Parker slung her backpack over her hoodie, heading for her door before something caught her eye.

On her desk, sat a blue cubs cap, signed by her brother.

It read: "fuck u. love, matteo". The message made Parker laugh every time, her heart ached for her brother. Normally, she hated his guts. But when he was gone, Parker seemed to miss his unpleasant presence.

Parker pulled the baseball cap on, angling it backwards and leaving her home.

As she approached the sandlot, a million thoughts ran through her head.

Did I overpack? Did I underpack? What am I missing?

Her worries eased as she saw Benny hope down from the tree to greet her.

"Evening Park." He said in his best cool-guy voice. "You're late."

"By ten minutes." Parker reasoned. "Where's the ladder to get up?"

"Other side, follow me." Benny lead Parker to the ladder, which she climbed with ease.

The treehouse itself was a little crowded, but it had just enough room for Parker to squeeze past the boys and set her stuff down next to Benny and Kenny.

"Everyone's here now!" Benny announced as he plopped down next to Parker. "Ham's gonna tell a story, it's shit."

"IT IS NOT!" Ham protested.

"Well ever since last summer, it kinda is." Squints took a large bite of his s'more.

Ham proceeded to tell the story of "The Beast", including the part where Benny outran a giant dog.

Parker was impressed, she nudged Benny every time his heroism was mentioned and he turned red.

"No one thought of knocking on the door and asking for the ball?" Parker questioned the boys.

"Well actually-"

"No."

Chuckles emitted from the group. They began to tell small stories of them throughout the years, all at the expense of either Scotty or Benny, with the exception of Squints first kiss.

Parker laughed at almost all, enjoying the bright blush on Benny's face and the embarrassed look on Scotty's.

Eventually, their conversation hit a lull. In which Weeks had the dumbest idea ever.

"Let's play truth or dare!"

Parker shook her head, the boys nodded theirs.

She groaned, flopping back down onto her backpack.

"Sorry Parker, you're outvoted." Kenny shrugged. "And because he ate my s'more, Squints, truth or dare?"

The boys face paled. "Um, truth?"

Kenny smirked. "How was you're kiss with Wendy?"

All the boys ears perked up, leaning in to hear his response.