She Stole More Than Just a Base

Chapter 17 Chrissy's POV

"Ahhhh!" we all screamed and scrambled after Alaska desperately. But no one dared to climb over the fence. Not after Mr. Mertle got his new pup from the pound. Desdemona, meaning 'Of the Devil...'

We all stood there, grief-stricken and our eyes wide open.

"A-A-A..." Yeah-Yeah stuttered.

Squints' jaw hung wide open, while Benny's was clenched. Scotty gulped.

We heard the shuffling of two feet and heavy breathing. A chain clinked against the ground and the fence rattled.

"Ahhhhhh!" we heard Alaska scream and we heard four heavy feet and two light ones. It seemed as if Desdemona was chasing Alaska around the yard.

Suddenly, a chain snapped and Alaska appeared from over the fence. She jumped over it quickly and landed on her stomach. She gasped for air desperately and her eyes widened with pain.

In her hand she held a ball. The ball we hit over the fence. Mercedes rushed over and she and I helped her up.

She groaned and doubled over.

"Are you okay?" Sadies asked.

"Yeah, you landed pretty hard," I added.

She exhaled forcefully and replied, "Yeah, I'm just a little spooked, that's all."

"Do you need ice or anything?" Sadies asked.

"N-No, just nobody tell my mom about this little incident, alright?" Alaska answered.

"Why not?" Smalls questioned. Instantly, we all realized he shouldn't have asked.

Laska looked at him expressionlessly. "She doesn't need any added stress."

Sadies and I looked at each other. We knew she was lying, but we decided not to argue.

"So what does Desdemona look like?" Bertram asked eagerly.

"Yeah, what does she look like?" Timmy agreed.

"Yeah, what does she look like?" Tommy repeated.

"She," Alaska asked. "It's a she? Well she is a big, ugly, slobbery, gorilla-dog thing."

I laughed nervously. I knew how Alaska could get when she was really fired up. Not just her personality, but she was a greaser too. We all knew it, just nobody had the guts to say it out loud.

Kenny opened his mouth to ask another question, but Sadies shot him a look.

Yet Ham did one of the most stupid things anyone could ever do. "So babe, that was really awesome. How'd you like it if I took you out later tonight?" he asked her.

Instinctively I looked over at her and I saw a wild look in her eyes.

"Oh you're gonna take me out tonight?" she asked in an overly friendly voice. "You're gonna take me out tonight, huh Hamilton? Are you gonna take me to a drive-in 'cause that's where a filthy greaser like me belongs? Huh? Well I don't think so, bub."

Then Sadies said, "Laska, calm down. He's just trying to be nice."

She laughed bitterly. "Calm down? Ha, I'm calm. In fact, I'm so calm I could basically do a heart transplant." Then she stormed off.

"Benny, I'm gonna go - " Sadies started, but I cut her off.

"No, give her some time to cool off," I advised.

"But she's our star pitcher!" Squints complained.

"Hey!" Kenny whined, clearly offended.

"She's our relief pitcher, remember guys?" Benny said.