Running Bases With You

Chapter 51

{unedited}

*Annabeth's POV*

"Talia, let's go! You're gunna be late!"

"Uhg, I know! I'll be out in two minutes, I'm struggling here!"

I groan, growing insanely impatient. We have a game today, and even though I'm not playing, I'm decked out in my uniform and eyeblack, with my softball bow in my hair. My cleats and car keys are in hand, but my passenger is taking way longer than expected getting dressed.

"Talia!"

"Damn it, Annabeth! I'll be there in a second!"

I finally give up, stomping my way to the back of the house. I prepare to bang on Talia's bedroom door, but as soon as my hand reaches up to knock, the door flies open. Talia stands there, her hair in a braid, black headband on, bow in her hair, and eyeblack smeared on her face. She looks pissed at the world, but I'm feeling too relieved that she finally came out of her room to care.

"Took ya long enough." I huff.

"Oh, don't give me that shit. I couldn't find my belt. I'm gunna have a lot of cleaning to do when we get back; I tore my fucking room apart trying to find the stupid thing!" She half yells, pushing past me.

"I would've helped you find it if you said something!" I laugh and follow her down the hallway.

Talia grumbles something under her breath that I can't make out. I only shake my head and ignore her while I open the front door.

"Can we please go now?" I give her a tight smile, gesturing towards the door.

Talia rolls her eyes. "Yes, we can go now your majesty."

"Thank you!"

"Oh, save it would ya?"

~~~~~~~

Talia and I were five minutes late to practice, which in our coaches eyes means ten. Which also means ten foul poles, much to our disappointment. I smacked Talia on the back of the head and we bantered back and forth for the first five laps until we were both too out of breath to talk. We finished just in time for Talia to warm up and get loose so she could start catching for the starting pitcher.

Oh, how I wish that was me..

"C'mon ladies! Two down, two down! Let's get this last out, Warriors!"

I shout and yell in support of my team, biting my nails in anticipation. We're playing Birmingham, and we're up 4-2 in the top of the 7th inning. We've been struggling a bit to get the last out, and the bases are loaded, making my anxiety levels shoot up.

"Any base ladies, any base! Be smart!"

I huff, suddenly feeling a little bored. When you're not the one playing, it's not quite as fun watching everyone else.

The crack of the bat signals a live ball and it's a straight shot to our second baseman, Ali. She fields it cleanly, and makes a perfect throw to first. I jump up in excitement as the game ends, and we win our second game of the season.

I run out of the dugout and high five all of the girls, congratulating them on their win. I go through the line across the field and say 'good game' to everyone on the other team, patting each of them on the back. We meet in the middle of the field at the pitching rubber and say The Lord's Prayer like we always do before calling it a day.

As we walk back towards the dugout to pack up all our stuff, Talia catches up to me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, after we pack up our stuff, we're going to the field house. Coaches' orders; and don't leave without me." She says sternly, smiling as she walks away.