Sandlot Love

20

Dedicated to haimonfleek for the awesome cover and trailer

"No Benny, you can't just expect everything to be fine. You didn't even listen to my side of the story before you assumed I'd cheated on you, you're meant to trust me"
"Ash I'm sorry I didn't think, I know I should've but I didn't"
"If life was lived in hindsight" I snapped, I couldn't believe he'd just accepted Phillips' story, without even asking me! Then he'd ignored me for days! And now he expected me to come running back! Well no way, he was going to get a taste of his own medicine.

"Ash please"
"No Benny, I'm done" I turned and walked away, I didn't turn around, I couldn't bear to see the look of heartbreak on his face. But he deserved it, I kept reminding myself, there's only one way he'll learn.

Over the next few days Benny was everywhere, I couldn't avoid him even if I'd wanted to, he was waiting for me at home, at the sandlot, before and after class. He eventually got the message that his rushed apologies weren't working, that was when the gifts had started, flowers showed up in my locker, on my windowsill, chocolates wedged in my bag, apology letters slid under the gap in my window.

He really was trying hard to make it up to me, had I been too harsh on him? Maybe I should give him another chance, had he learnt his lesson though?

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"You're being a bit harsh with him Ash" Smalls said, explaining for his friend "you know why he reacted the way he did. He couldn't believe you liked him at all, he kept expecting you to break his heart all over again, it was only too easy for him to fall into Phillips' lies"
"But Smalls he didn't even wait to hear what I had to say, wouldn't hear my side of the story"
"Are you hearing his? Look I'm not saying you should ignore this, I'm saying don't be a hypocrite, give the guy a second chance"

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"Ash, please forgive me I don't know what else to do" Benny begged, literally on his knees
"I'm not saying I forgive you just yet, but I'm going to give you a second chance"
"Thank you thank you thank you" he said, jumping up and wrapping me in a bear hug "I promise I'll make it up to you"

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And make it up to me he did, it took a month after the incident but he eventually persuaded me to forgive him. I was glad I did, Benny was my best friend and I loved him.

Life was good, I had amazing friends and an amazing boyfriend, I was happy.

Until the divorce was finalised, my dad received custody of me, I had to move away again. But it wasn't like last time, I kept in contact with my friends, still came down for visits and they came to see me. I didn't break up with Benny, we're trying our hand at long distance relationships. It's not for long, when I turn 18 I can move back to my mum's house and the Valley, be with all my friends again. Until then we just have to wait.

Please don't hate me guys but that's the end of this story, I know it ended a bit sadly but that's just how I felt it should end. I promise Ash and Benny get back together and Ash does move back to the Valley when she's 18. I have a sequel to this I'm posting soon, it's called Loving the Enemy, maybe it'll make you hate Phillips a bit less, or more I don't know. It's not about Ash but she is mentioned and she might even come for a visit if I can work it in there.

Please don't hate me for how I ended this, I really enjoyed writing it, it was great having people like one of my stories I hope you all read the next one.