lost //brance

7

bruce's pov:

i groan and hide my face in my pillow. a few days had gone by since me and vance had hung out. we went to school after he slept over at mine but we ended up being too busy to do anything else. i was focused on doing my part of the projects we had been given and he was focused on his part. i had finished it a day prior but i'm sure vance was still doing his bit of our project. i sit up in bed and look at the alarm clock next to my bed.

the time read 7:30. i wake up at that time almost everyday and somehow i am still always tired. it was a tuesday today and my try outs are after school today. i don't want to admit it, but i am absolutely terrified. a part of me wishes i hadn't have asked vance to come watch me try out in case i did something embarrassing, or didn't make the team. it's all i've been thinking about over the weekend and it's starting to eat me up from the inside.

i've never felt this nervous for baseball try outs ever. i guess i haven't seen vance in a few days so that may be why. just excited to see him, that's all.

i take a quick shower and get dressed in what i usually wear. the days were getting colder so i've started to wear jackets over my shirts. at my other schools i would ride my bike, but since the bus stops right outside my house i've had no reason to use it.

i pick up the things i need for baseball and shove them in my bag, carrying my bat in the least threatening way i can think of.

eventually the bus rolls into the bottom of my drive and i say goodbye to my parents and amy. i hadn't seen vance over the weekend at all, or even talked to him. i zone out and suddenly see vance walk up and sit next to me. he is wearing similar clothes to what he was wearing the week prior, jeans and a shirt with some writing on the front.

"hey bruce, sorry i couldn't call over the weekend. i've been busy working of those stupid projects."

he looks at me while he speaks, something seems off though. for some reason i cant look him in the eye. i try to face him and make eye contact but i feel my face get a bit red and my stomach starts hurting. god, these baseball tryouts must have me really stressed.

"hi vance, i assumed you were doing the projects so no worries. i've finished both of mine so that means we can hand it in on time."

he nods and a suddenly grins.

"baseball try outs are today right? i'm free tonight so i guess ill be there."

i let out a nervous laugh without realising.

"yeah, i'll look for you."

it goes silent for what seems like ages until i feel a hand pushing my shoulder

"don't look so down shitface. you'll do fine so quit acting like a kicked puppy."

a shy feeling arises in my stomach as i let out another nervous laugh. i'm not sure what's wrong with me. i slightly shift away from vance and turn to look out of the window.

"i'll try my hardest. don't jinx it though. if i do.. get on the team, would you maybe wanna celebrate with me?"

he agrees and we begin talking for the rest of the bus ride. i begin to loosen up but the feeling in my stomach doesn't leave.

the school day went by faster than i hoped it would. i need to get my head in the game now before i start becoming distracted. i was instructed to take my baseball stuff to the changing rooms and get dressed like i normally would. this morning i was called to the office and given a plain jersey. i'm assuming that's what i should wear for the try outs.

i finish putting my stuff on and i take a seat in the changing rooms. i needed to calm down before this started. just breathe bruce, you've done this millions of times. just get your head into the game.