I like you, for you.

Chapter 3: Boy Talk

    
    "Why, Vance, are we in a run-down junk yard?" I wonder as I maneuver past the remnants of an old car that have come loose, I'm guessing from a long time ago. The air smelled like burnt campfire wood, most likely from the teenagers who used to hang out here. Even if it means getting into serious trouble. This made me concerned about what would happen if we were caught. My stomach dropped as I noticed a faded out 'No Trespassing' sign in the distance.

     I noticed all of the worn-out antiques that had been recently abandoned here to deteriorate until they were destroyed by most likely by other trespassers.                           

Every time I thought about it, I felt sad. Imagine having been used for many years, perhaps by a wonderful family, and then having all those memories wasted. Just because they weren't good enough anymore. My stomach aches again in sorrow.

I'm probably overacting. It is simply an object.

"Well then..." Vance teasingly pouts out his lip and says, "We are here to help, you, little Brucy...Maybe get better at your godforsaken batting." I look into his eyes. I make an effort to give him a 'Shut up' look.

He wasn't at all alarmed by my gaze, though. I couldn't help but nervously breakdown again inside when Vance makes a smug face. With him, I couldn't help but smile. My face soon becomes sore from constantly grinning at him.

I felt his hand grab lightly on my shoulder, jarring me out of my usual daydreaming. He whispers in my ear, "I've got a surprise for you," and then quickly turns and sprints behind the well-used, damaged storage bin.

Even though I knew it was a most likely a poor idea, I was still going to love it. Hopefully...

I could hear rumbling until cocky Vance reappeared from the opposite side with two outdated baseball bats. Probably dropped off from an old player here. Again, I smirked broadly.

He stuck out his tongue in thought and tried to mimic my regular batting stance while pretending to be me. He didn't plant his feet firmly or bend his knees, causing it to be terribly incorrect and imprecise.

But I didn't tell him. I'm not exactly certain why.

Instead of swinging, Vance accidentally throws the bat, hitting the back of an old coach that was left here.

I couldn't stop laughing at him. My knees were unstable and my eyes teared up, from how horrible he was at it. "You fucker!" He approaches me swiftly and grabs the side of my arms, mockingly saying, "How dare you for laughing.. Don't you know who I am? I am Bruce Yamada, a.k.a. the baseball world's biggest star." He breaks halfway through his act with a real laugh as his eyes close from embarrassment.

Vance gives me a sincere smile.

When I saw it, I briefly became frozen in his arms. I kept looking at the smile on his face.

                       I wished I had his smile.

  I unintentionally covered my lips using my hand. It took me a few seconds to realize that he was simply standing there and staring at me in confusion. "I'll swing then, I guess." I say humiliated.

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THUMP! I practice my swings but I could hardly focus. I inhale deeply and give Vance the side eye. I couldn't stop looking at him. For the previous 20 minutes, he had been closely watching me too. Maybe I made him uneasy. My face begins to flame up with embarrassment as I turn to face the ground.