Step up to the plate and batter up

Katie

It was a hot day outside. The sun is shining right into my eyes, just as I'm about to swing. Kenny pitches the ball. I take a swing but completely miss. 

"Strike 3! You're out Johnston!" Ham announced. 

"I know I know." I roll my eyes. I set down my bay and walked over to Benny. 

"It's way too hot Benny. Can we go get ice cream or something," I beg him. He just sighs and nods his head.We were kicked out of the pool so ice cream is the next best thing!

As we walk into town we see the sign for the carnival. It's opening this weekend.

"Finally! This is the best part of the year!" Bertram smiles. We reach the small ice cream stand and get in line. 

"Hi, what can I get for you!" The girl asks Squints. 

"Wow…I mEaN-can I get strawberry ice cream please?" She smiles and begins making his ice cream. 

"What kind are you getting?" I ask Benny. 

"I'm probably just getting vanilla." 

"Well that's boring," I laugh. He just glares at me. 

" I mean classic vanilla never hurts-" I laugh nervously. It was finally our turn to order. Waiting in the sun for so long makes me wanna die. 

"Oh my god is that Benny Rodriguez?!" The girl smiles, " It's been forever. I haven't seen you all summer!" 

"Just been playing baseball" He smiles. 

"Just like every summer! Hey, maybe I'll come see you guys play one of these days."

"Oh um okay. Anyways, my ice cream?" 

"Oh right! Well I already know what you want," she giggles. 

"Vanilla" They say together. Benny smiles awkwardly and she is just loving him. I'm not the jealous type but gosh her annoying voice just makes me WANT TO- 

"And what can I get you?" She looks at me. 

"Um, just mint chocolate chip please." I tell her and she begins scooping it. 

"Are you new around here? Have never seen you before," She asks.

"Yeah, I just moved here this summer!"

"Oh cool cool…I'm katie." Wait, that name is so familiar. I look at her once more and remember. Wait this is who Benny had a crush on! 

"Lydia." I told her as she gave Benny his ice cream. "Benny yours is on the house~" She giggles. I could tell he was kinda uncomfortable. He kept looking down or at me. I could also tell that he knows I'm jealous.

"50 cents please-" she tells me. 

"Oh right sorry-!" I tell her and start looking through my purse. 

"I'm actually paying for Lyd's." Benny smiles and hands her the money. I smile at him and give him a hug. She just kinda looks at me funny and hands me my ice cream. 

"Enjoy…" She says snooty. We walk away and sit down with the rest of the boys in the shade under a tree. 

"You called vanilla basic but got mint." He teased me. I laugh at him and lick the ice cream. I couldn't stop thinking about Katie. What if Benny still liked her? Or he breaks up with me for her?! I start over thinking, my leg begins to shake uncontrollably.

"You okay Lyd?" He looks me in the eyes and grabs my leg to stop it from shaking. 

"Yeah yeah. I'm fine." I try to smile at him. He just nods his head and looks away.. He doesn't question it. But deep down I know he can tell I'm lying.

"Well Katie had a glow up~" Squints smirks. Everyone rolls their eyes at him. 

"Dude she's Wendy's sister! Of course she's going to be hot!" Yeah-yeah smiles. Wendy's sister? Huh I guess they do look alot alike.

"Her personality didn't change though." Benny scoffs. 

"Oh come on Benny! We all know that you secretly loved all the attention." Ham teased. 

"Especially because we caught you kissing her," I look up at Bertram. "In…the. Alleyway…. ok I'm going to shut up now-" Everyone just looks at me and Benny. 

"Busted-" Timmy snickers. 

"Busted" Tommy repeats. 

"Dude, that was last summer!" He punches Bertrams arm. "I swear babe!" 

"No no it's okay Benny!" I tell him and he sighs with relief. I believe him but it still kinda makes me feel weird inside. 

"Ugh… it's just so hot-! Kenny takes off his shirt and flops onto the grass. One by one they take off their shirts and lay on the semi cold grass. 

"Much better" Squints smiles. I fold my napkin into a fan and begin to fan myself. 

"Yikes, it must suck to be a girl. You can't even take off your shirt." Ham looked up at me. I just laugh at him. 

"No kidding. I feel like I'm going to die." I wipe the sweat off my face. That must have got Bennys attention because he shot up. 

"Are you okay though? We can head back!" He starts to get up. 

"Benny I'm fine,  I promise," I laugh," I'll live. I grab his hand and pull him back down to the grass. 

"Here let me help!" He takes my fan from my hand and begins to fan me. I laugh and begin to relax. Finally I was feeling better.