Love At First Pitch - Kenji Sato

nine

I woke up to the soft glow of my phone screen, the familiar chime of a notification pulling me from my sleep. Squinting against the brightness, I reached for my phone, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Kenji's name. I opened the message thread, only to find two deleted messages. My mind raced with possibilities of what they could have said. Before I could let my imagination run wild, I noticed the new message he had left in their place: "I'm so sorry about last night. I'll make it up to you at some point, promise."

I allowed myself to feel a pang of sadness, just for a minute. It was frustrating, the way he could stir up my emotions with just a few words. But I quickly tossed my phone aside, determined not to let some stupid boy who I barely even went on a full date with control my mood. I had promised myself that I would never beg for anyone's attention again. I did that once, and I was done now. Never again would I let myself stoop that low.

I got out of bed, shaking off the remnants of sleep and the lingering thoughts of Kenji. I had a full day ahead of me, and I wasn't going to let his cryptic messages ruin it. I went through my morning routine with a sense of purpose, each task helping to clear my mind. As I brushed my teeth and combed my hair, I reminded myself of my own worth. I didn't need validation from Kenji or anyone else. If he truly wanted to make it up to me, he would reach out soon enough. Until then, I had my own life to live.

I made myself a hearty breakfast, savoring the simple pleasure of cooking. The act of preparing food was therapeutic, grounding me in the present moment. As I ate, I thought about the things I wanted to accomplish that day. There were errands to run, friends to meet, and hobbies to indulge in. I wasn't going to let Kenji's inconsistency affect my plans.

After breakfast, I decided to go for a run. The fresh air and the rhythmic pounding of my feet on the pavement helped to clear my head. With each step, I felt the weight of my worries lift. Running had always been my escape, a way to process my thoughts and emotions. By the time I returned home, I felt lighter, more in control.

I spent the afternoon catching up with Sky. We met at our favorite café, the one with the cozy atmosphere and the best lattes. Sky gave me a knowing look when I told her about Kenji's messages. She had been able to read me like a book, something she was quickly getting better at as we grew closer. She understood the complexity of my feelings even when I couldn't put them into words.

"You deserve better, you know," she said, her tone gentle but firm. "Don't let him mess with your head."

"I know," I replied, grateful for her support. "I'm not going to let him get to me."

We chatted about other things, shifting the focus away from Kenji. Sky's presence was comforting, a reminder that I had people in my life who truly cared about me. By the time we parted ways, I felt more grounded, ready to face whatever came next.

As the day drew to a close, I found myself reflecting on the events of the morning. Kenji's message still lingered at the back of my mind, but it no longer held the same power over me. I had made a choice to prioritize my own well-being, to not let his actions dictate my emotions.

I settled into bed that night with a sense of peace. I knew that I was strong enough to handle whatever came my way. If Kenji wanted to make it up to me, he would have to prove it with his actions, not just empty promises. And if he didn't, well, that was his loss. I had a life to live, and I wasn't going to wait around for anyone. With that thought, I drifted off to sleep, ready to face a new day.

***

As the weeks passed without so much as a word from Kenji, I initially found myself upset, constantly checking my phone for any sign of communication. It was like a part of me was missing, and no matter how much I tried to distract myself, his absence was always there, looming over me. But as the days turned into weeks, I slowly began to get over it. I fell into a routine that kept me busy and helped me move on. My mornings started with a run, the rhythmic pounding of my feet against the pavement a comforting distraction. The early morning air was crisp, and the quiet streets gave me time to clear my head. Afterward, I would make breakfast, a simple ritual that grounded me before diving into my schoolwork. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sizzle of eggs in the pan became the soundtrack of my mornings.

Tuesdays and Thursdays became highlights of my week. I would meet Sky at our café. The barista knew our orders by heart, and we always sat at the same corner table, where the sunlight streamed in just right. We'd chat about everything and nothing, the conversation flowing as easily as the coffee. Sky had a way of making me laugh, her stories and antics a much-needed distraction from my thoughts of Kenji.

Saturdays, however, were a different story. Our nights out were eventful, filled with laughter, dancing, and the electric energy of the city's nightlife. The clubs were always packed, the music loud enough to drown out any lingering sadness. Sky had a knack for attracting attention and would often leave with an overly attractive male or female. She had this magnetic charm that drew people in effortlessly. I, on the other hand, always ended up going home alone. Don't get me wrong, I could have left with many men of my choice, but as much as I wanted to pretend I was over Kenji, I wasn't. I would watch Sky disappear into the night with her latest conquest, feeling a mix of envy and relief. The truth was, I wasn't ready to move on, no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise.

Despite everything, Sky and I still attended the Giants' home games occasionally. It was bittersweet, watching Kenji on the field. His performance had been deteriorating as the season dragged on, and it was hard not to wonder if his sudden disappearance that night had anything to do with it. Sitting in the stands, surrounded by cheering fans, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. The roar of the crowd, the smell of popcorn and hot dogs, the excitement in the air—it all reminded me of better times. Now, it was just a reminder of what I had lost and what I was still struggling to let go of. The sight of Kenji, once so confident and strong, now looking lost and frustrated on the field, only made it harder. The reality that moving on was going to be a lot harder than I had anticipated.

~A/N:

Uh oh trouble in paradise??

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