I don't give a damn about my reputation

Love, Vance (Pinball) Hopper

Bruce POV

It's my final turn

This single round determines my future

I must win

for my future

I adjust my stance carefully, my studs digging into the winter mud. A sharp eye about me, I remain focused on Finney, his hands ever so shaky. He breathes inward, simultaneously adjusting his own stance before looking back at me

The wood in my hand almost cracks under the pressure of my hands, raised centimetres above my head. My hands twist against the wooden grooves, trickles of sweat running down the oak.

I lean back, awaiting the whistle to begin the match

Whistle

Within seconds, Finney launches the ball my way, sending it spinning and soaring. It skims my face as it goes past me.

First shot missed

It's swiftly passed back to him as he returns back to his stance. He throws again, causing it to twirl. Almost like a blossom falling from a tree. I duck as it passes over me

Second shot missed

My grip looses slightly against the splintered wood, my sweat smeared within the minuscule cracks. I breathe once, planting my feet into the mud once again. I shift my gaze back to Finney's hand, his glove like a blanket around the ball

He shifts to throw, raising the ball above his head. A quick release sends the ball straight at me, an immaculate pitch. It hovers above the grass, almost like a frisby caught on air. Itching closer I bring my arm back, swinging it forward with immense pressure

A loud 'smack' signals my success as I drop my bat, speeding around the first base. A trail of dirt prints are left behind me as I pick up speed, the second base within my eye-line. I pass it with ease. A quick glance back at the field shows my further success, the ball still not within the oppositions hand. I almost don't even notice as I pass the third base. The roaring of the crowd brings me back to reality, watching Robin cheer for me in the crowd. I look back at Finney as he winks at me, clapping gently towards me

I did it

I won

I meet Robins eye once again, but this time with sadness

Vance didn't come

Robin turns to the empty seat next to him and gives me a pitiful look. He mouths an "I'm sorry", but it doesn't help. Looking at my parents is completely out of the question. Since the incident with my dad, he hasn't been the same

I know he will have a lot of criticism

I know it

my team rushes to me, picking me up with ease. I'm thrown around and cheered at, patted on the shoulder as my name is cheered

Brought back to the locker room, my team begins to dance and celebrate, a wide look of victory plastered on their faces

I wish I could say I felt their excitement

I grab my bag and walk out, going to find Robin and Finney. A quick walk around leads me to my best friends, casually flirting with eachother

" hola Campeon, how's that winning arm doing?"

Robin walks over to me, giving me a comforting hug

"Doing alright man. Can't believe I won the game."

"Lo que sea," he laughs, punching me playfully "Hiciste que esa mierda pareciera fácil"

"Dude, I don't speak Spanish."