The Story of Mark and Mina

Chapter 2

I groaned. It was after school now and that meant I had to go to my after school club.

Not that was I welcomed.

Not after that conversation with Mark.  We used to have a simple relationship: classmates. Now after that I'm not sure we can go back to the 'hey help me with this question' sort of feel anymore.

I sighed. I didn't know where to meet exactly so I just headed to our school's diamond and to be honest, the diamond was small compare to the soccer field and football field. I didn't really understand why (again, no interest in sports) but I decided to ignore that sort of detail.

As I walked closer to the diamond I saw Mr. Ankles.

"Hey, Mr. Ankles," I said wryly, "Mrs. Ankles assigned me to be the new manager..."

Mr. Ankles turned to me and smiled warmly, "Oh you're the one Alexandra told me about! The boys are in the change room right now so there's not much to do, but you could do this."

He handed me a clipboard and a pencil. I tilted my head. 

"When they come out, ask each of them for their jersey number and write it down."

I inwardly cringed for probably what felt the fiftieth time. One by one players came and I scurried over towards them.

I wasn't sure how to introduce myself, so I decided...not to. Bad communication skills Mina, I know.

"Uh...what jersey number would you like?" 

The boy in front of me looked at me incredulously. He had short blonde hair and brown eyes with a hint of freckles on his cheek.

He grinned at me and I was wondering if he hit his head or something, I did nothing to make someone smile in front of me. 

"Are you the new manager girl?"

I nodded sheepishly before I repeated my question, "jersey number?"

"14."

I nodded again before I realized I didn't know what his name was, I looked up at him and he seemed to realize I had no idea what his name one.

I cleared my throat, "Uh, your name?"

He laughed at me. "We're already seniors and you don't even know my name Mina. I'm hurt."

I hadn't recognized this guy because the school is rather big, so it's hard to know who everybody was. His personality seemed very relaxed and the opposite of Mark, that's for sure.

"Sorry?" I managed to say lamely.

"No, don't worry. I hadn't notice you until Mark mentioned you."

Well he must've said lovely things about me. I cringed inwardly again.

"So, what's your name?" I repeated the question.

He grinned at me, "you really like to get straight to the point."

No shit! Is what I wanted to say but I managed to fake laugh and smile rather weakly, "yeah."

"Names Luke, I'm the catcher."

I nodded and scribble his name down and number. After I finished, Luke waved good bye to me and I continued to ask the same questions to the players.

"Name and jersey number?"

Luckily most of them weren't interested in small talk and answered the question I had asked.

"Ethan, 30."

"Connor, 15."

"Allen, 21."

"Zac, 4."