Out of the Park

Strike Three ✔️

strike three, occurs when a batter receives three strikes during their time at bat

~Sammy~

I thanked every saint and god in existence that I didn't have history today. No history meant I don't have to hang out with Joey. Oh what a shame. But I know I can't avoid him forever, considering we were partners for a project and everything.

This past two weeks of baseball and History with Joey has been so draining, I can't stand to look at his almost emotionless face. When interacting with me, he's either frowning or blank faced, he only smiles around his loser friends. The dude must have some vendetta against me or some shit.

I ignored that issue for the time being as I walked into my science class, sitting next to Marcus.

Over the course of the tryout days, we've become well aquatinted with one another. I don't like him or anything because surprise surprise, people can actually be friends with someone of the gender you're attracted to. He just isn't my type, sadly, it's because he's too nice, I happen to have a thing for assholes and jerks. Not a good look for me.

Mr. Murphy ran into the room, late like usual. In these first two weeks of school and this teacher has not once showed up to this class on time. But the guy is super chill about tardiness, like if he knows your class is on the other side of the school. But if you're just genuinely late when you could have gotten there earlier, he won't be chill. The dude has my respect.

"Hey Marcus, are you excited for our first real baseball practice that's not conditioning?" I binged his shoulder. He smiled at me, "I think you should be more excited than I am considering you are the one who's going to be putting your co-captain skills to use." I playfully shoved him before directing my attention back at the teacher who was talking about rocks.

~~~

The second the bell rang, everyone jumped up, basically sprinting to the cafeteria like their lives depended on crappy food that will most likely give you salmonella. Me being a competent human being, I simply walked to my table, waiting for Rosie. Pulling out the food my mom made, the smell of homemade food never gets old when I'm surrounded by frozen food. My peace was soon interrupted by Joey's friend who can't seem to take a hint that he is literally the human embodiment of a migraine. "'Sup co-captain! Whatcha eatin'?" He sits down next to me with his arm across my shoulder despite my glare directed at him.

I still haven't learned his name.

Rosie walks over with her tray, she sees Jerkwad in her seat, anger written all over her face. She sits across from me with no intent to hide her distaste for the idiot sitting next to me. "Oh sorry man, did I interrupt your date? She's hot, good job, man." He clapped my back before jumping up and running off to his idiot friends. If looks could kill, Rosie would have at least three life sentences for murdering the same guy over and over. "Well," Rosie started, "he's a piece of work," she mused before returning to her garbage school food.

~~~

The final bell rang and I actually did sprint out of my math class, trying to beat Juniper to the car. I realize it was useless because he was already there, seat back all the way, passed out. He probably skipped his last class. I rolled my eyes before sliding into the passenger seat and promptly hitting the horn, waking sleeping beauty up from his deep slumber. He startled awake, getting twisted in his seatbelt in the process, I had no idea why he put on if he was going to sleep in a stationary car.

"You're an asshole," he muttered before fixing his seat and starting the car. "And you're an idiot who sleeps with a seatbelt and forgets to lock the car," I countered before buckling up.

The ride home was all but quiet as my brother had the radio on volume 100 and told me all about his day and how he skipped science class. Which I replied with "I'm telling mom," which he replied with "I'll give you twenty bucks!" I took the money but I was just going to sneak it into my mom's purse anyway.

"Mamí, we're home!" I called as I shut the door behind me, locking my brother out so I could see him struggle for his keys. "I'm in the kitchen," I heard her yell back. I walked in to see her staring at a bill surrounded by more bills. Shit. "Is everything alright, Mamí?" I asked hesitantly, slowly sitting down next to her.

We've always struggled with money since my dad left. When they first got married and had kids, she was a stay at home mom. The moment he disappeared, everything fell apart. Mom had to rush to get a job, she cut back on unnecessary buying, all while raising two kids. Leaving Juniper, the moment he turned 15, to try and get a job and me doing the same one year later.

Oh fuck. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I won't be able to pay the fees.

School sports are expensive, costing two hundred dollars minimum. I dropped my head on the counter, contemplating telling my mom about the expenses.  "Mamí, we have a problem," I mumbled, almost scared to continue. "So, I made the baseball team at school and-" she cut me off with a scream and she wrapped her arms around me, shaking my body. This lady is the reason I have hearing issues. (Not really though.) "Oh my sweet boy, I'm going to tell all my friends that you are a baseball star! You are going to be unbeatable!" Love the enthusiasm but in this moment, it's not enough.

"The thing is, it's really expensive," I paused waiting for the words to hit. "How much is it?" She asked while wringing her hands nervously. I couldn't even look at her while saying it "two hundred dollars, approximately." She sighed, looking down at the mountain of bills that suck all the money out of us.

"Mijo... we can't afford that, is there a way to get help? We can fundraise some money! I make cookies and you offer your smile to all those those those..." She trailed off, trying find the right word. "Lindo! What's the word?" She asked with her shy smile. "Cute?" I offered and she beamed. "You can flash your smile to all the cute boys!" It wasn't a bad idea but I'd have to talk to the coach to see if there were any other options.

She waved me off so she can call all her friends to talk about her great idea.

I flopped on my bed before calling Rosie. "You rang?" Her annoyingly sly voice seeped out of my phone. "Code green!" I urged and she immediately shut up, "what is it? Baseball?" Code green stood for an issue regarding money, we've been using it since her mom got laid off at the hospital where she worked as a nurse. So, we have both been put in situations where having only one working parent had major set-backs. "Yeah, just being on the team costs like, $200, but all the other stuff just adds up. My mom thinks we can do a little fundraiser," I said, giving an opening for Rosie's little two cents. "It's a good idea, but maybe there's another way, have you talked to the coach? Is it illegal to fund a player on your team?" I racked my brain, trying to remember if there was a rule like that. "not that I know of, but I'll try to talk to him Monday morning."

After about an hour of changing the subject to complete nonsense, she hung up so she can get ready for work, I had to do the same thing anyway. I threw on my uniform and grabbed my keys before running out the door.

I can drive, I just don't get the chance to do it a lot considering Juniper needs the car just as much as I do, that's why we coordinated our shifts so I work the days he doesn't and vice versa.

I work as a host at a pretty fancy restaurant at the other side of town, it isn't much fun but earning eleven an hour plus tip gets my family at least four hundred a month. I got clocked in and everything before setting up the stand, getting ready for the dinner rush of pretentious rich people. After about ten minutes of no one coming in, a family finally walked in.

Joey.

We made brief eye contact before I put on my fake-ass customer service smile and directed the family to a booth. I quickly walked off before letting a server know and hiding behind my stand.

That did not need to happen.

i related to this chapter on a personal level. one working parent and my older sibling and i needing jobs, except unlike my family, sammy doesn't have a younger sibling

later monsters