The Game

Fear (Ben's POV)

Mary was 60, she has been divorced for 10 years and has one daughter that lives in Utah as a firefighter.

Her daughters family would come visit every so often. Mary never talked about her past that much, she said it's more important to look forward to the future.

~~~~

I wake up to the sound of my phone going off, I groan as I roll over to read the name.

It was Cooper.

I answered after waiting a couple more seconds, "Hey what's up."

He started laughing, "Do you realize school starts in 10 minutes where are you."

That's when I was awake, I shot out of bed and down the hall towards the bathroom.

I throw on some Nike sweatpants, a Vanderbilt hoodie and my white Adidas.

I hurl myself down the stairs, grab a protein bar and sprint to my car quickly checking to make sure I had my wallet, keys and phone.

I pulled into school just as the final bell was ringing.

I did a slow jog to my accounting class and plopped right into my seat next to Sam.

She gave me a quick once over, her eyes showed a glimpse of concern.

She ran her fingers through my hair, "Wow solider, did you not brush your hair this morning."

I laugh, "I got up 15 minutes ago."

She smiled as she messed with my hair for a couple more seconds, "Okay you look more presentable now."

I smile back, "Thank you Samantha, you're so incredibly kind."

She winks, "I know I am, all free of charge might I add. Can't have you looking like you just rolled out of bed, oh wait you did."

I did a obvious fake laugh, "Wow your humor really cracks me up."

She smiles and goes back to writing on her paper.

I look over at her, she was wearing black leggings, a sweatshirt that said Colorado on it and was wearing black vans. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she had a couple of bracelets on.

I smiled, not a day goes by where I don't think she's beautiful.

Once school was over I get a text from Mary telling me I could start looking at insulin pumps, I've been wanting one for a long time. I heard they make life so much easier.

After I check my blood sugar, I grab my equipment and head out to the field. I wave at Sam and Gretchen as I walk by the softball field.

When I got in the dugout, Chase comes up to me. "I just wanted to say man, thank you so much for pushing me to get back into baseball. I appreciate it."

"Of course, I'm glad you gave it a chance." I said as I found a spot on the bench.

"Alright boys, the first game of league season is tomorrow. We play every team twice, so we have a total of 14 games. In order to get to states we have to win the league and districts to move on to states. So we have to play every game like it's our last."

With that, we all took our places on the field. I stepped on the pitchers mound and I looked around me at my teammates. We all had a talent, we all wanted that title more than anything.

I smile at Coop as coach starts hitting a round of infield.