I had some help

One

Kelsea Ballerini as Alexandria Wilson

●2009●

"You're doing great, Morgan!" The crowd surrounding the baseball diamond called out to the pitcher in the middle of the field.

The teams were tied in the 7th inning, and Morgan was feeling the pressure until he heard his girlfriend's affirmations from the bleachers. The crowd sat on the edge of their seats as Morgan prepared to pitch the ball to the hitter.

As the ball flew out of Morgan's hand at 75 MPH, a snap echoed through the crowd. Morgan fell to the ground, clutching his elbow. Alex stood up, sprinting toward the opening in the fence. Once the play ended, Alex ran onto the field with the trainer, ready to help.

The game was put on hold as the Gibbs got their pitcher off the field and brought in a replacement. "Morgan, are you okay?" Alex asked, worried about his future.

Morgan, a junior in high school, had been sought out by colleges for months. No one knew how this game could change everything.

Before Morgan could answer, the trainer interjected, "You have to go to the hospital. They'll be able to X-ray your arm and help you from there." As the trainer spoke, Alex felt her eyes filling with tears.

Alex helped Morgan into his truck, taking the keys from him so she could drive them to the hospital. "Alex," Morgan started, his voice breaking. "What's gonna happen to me?" He asked, looking over at the worried girl next to him.

"Whatever happens, I'll always be right here next to you." She said, putting her hand on his arm while keeping her eyes on the road.

The pair made it to the hospital, rushing through the front doors and anxiously waiting to talk to a doctor about Morgan's injury. After what felt like an eternity, Morgan was finally called into a room. He asked to speak to the doctor alone, leaving Alex and his parents waiting in the lobby.

Morgan called the group into the room. Wanting to give him and his parents some space, Alex let them go in first. She could hear his mother's sobs, which made her uneasy about how her visit with him would go.

Eventually, Morgan's parents walked out of the room. Alex gave Mrs. Wallen a small hug before entering the room herself and shutting the door behind her.

"What did the doctor say?" Alex asked, sitting on the bed beside him.

"I need surgery," He started to explain, staring at the foot of his bed. "They'll do it tomorrow. They want me to prep and rest first."

Alex cuddled up to his legs, trying to offer comfort. She didn't know what to say. Sure, she had been injured during her volleyball career, but she didn't have a future in it like Morgan did with baseball. She dreaded asking about baseball, but she knew she had to.

"Morgan, what will happen with baseball?" She asked, looking him in the eyes.

The young boy in front of her started to tear up. He didn't want to believe it, but he knew he'd never be the same. Even with a safe and easy recovery, he was so good now that going back to normal seemed impossible.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do, Al. Baseball was my life. It was mine and my family's dream. I was gonna make it far." Morgan started, a tear rolling down his cheek.

Alex wiped the tear off his cheek with her thumb. She knew she needed to make light of the situation somehow. "Hey, I said I'd stay with you throughout this journey, I don't care if you're a pro or not, I'll stand by you even if you lose everything. But I do want you to know, I really enjoy when you sing to me. It makes me feel a certain way I can't explain. Maybe you could focus on singing?" Alex suggested gently.

Morgan gave a pitying smile. "It's not the same." He said, looking down at the girl resting on his chest.

"I know, baby." Alex said.

The couple lay like that until the doctor came in, gently sending Alex home and assuring her she could come back the next day.

Since that day, Morgan was not able to play baseball on a team again. Alex convinced him to focus more on his music. She wasn't lying-every time he sang for her, it made her feel a certain way she couldn't explain, and hopefully, it made others feel the same way.

(A/n: How long should this book be? I've started writing it and it's already very long, so please tell me how long it should be and how many words each chapter should have. Have a good day :))