7 Days {edited}

Nine

Everyone went outside to play the game, and I lagged behind with my team. Blake joined me, asking, "Hey, what's wrong?"

I startled. "What? Oh, nothing."

"You sure?"

"Well I just...don't like kickball. I'm not any good."

"I see. Well, if you want, I can give you some pointers."

I looked at him, for the first time noticing how blue his eyes were, and smiled. "That'd be great. Thanks."

Once we were all outside, Brett announced how the game would work. I kind of got the idea, but I still wasn't in the mood to play. No one likes making a fool of themselves.

"We're splitting you guys into two teams. Red, orange, yellow, and green-you'll be team one. Blue, purple, pink, and black-you'll be team two," Brett told us.

Oh good, maybe since there were so many people, I wouldn't have to play.

My team all rushed to the outfield. Except for Blake. He wanted to play first base. Show-off.

A player from the black team was up first. She was small and tiny, wearing a black T-shirt that looked too big for her body. She gave the ball a small kick when it rolled her way, and the pitcher ran to retrieve it. He threw it to Blake, who tagged the girl out at first base.

Okay, maybe this wouldn't be too hard. As long as everyone kicked like the first girl.

Just my luck that the next player would be an athletic-looking boy from the blue team. You could practically see his muscles through his shirt. This wouldn't be good. I immediately backed up so that someone else would have to catch the ball if it came our way.

The boy kicked it so hard, it sailed over the infield and into our territory. I stood back, watching the play unfold. Amber caught the ball and threw it as hard as she could in Blake's general direction, but it didn't get very far. Someone from the red team scooped it up and lodged it towards second base, where the blue team's player was already headed. Unfortunately, the second baseman failed to get him out.

Oh well. At least it wasn't my fault.

Once we'd gotten three outs, it was my team's turn to kick. Two people had scored this inning, and I hoped we'd be able to beat them. Maybe this game was bringing out my competitive side. But I still didn't want to play.

So I stood in the back of the line, knowing I wouldn't have to kick if I was back there. And I'd been right. We got three runs, and I didn't have to kick once.

But then it was time for the second inning.

By the time we got to the bottom of the fifth, it was 7-6, and we were losing. The orange team's leader asked who hadn't kicked yet, and a few people raised their hands. Not me, though. I didn't want to be picked.

The others went before me, and two of them got out. Luckily, the other three got singles. Bases were loaded. And do you know who hadn't kicked yet?

That's right. Me.

"Come on, Rain, you can do this!" Blake encouraged me. He gave me a thumbs-up sign and I smiled weakly.

Then I stepped up to the plate. The ball rolled towards me and I moved out of the way. Great. Now they probably thought I was too chicken.

The ball came towards me again, and this time, I willed myself to kick it. We needed these last couple of runs to win the game.

But my kick wasn't a good one, and the pitcher got to the ball in three seconds flat. He threw it to the third baseman, who tagged the person running towards home plate, and then he tagged his own base. I got to first, but it didn't matter. They'd already gotten the last out.

The blue, purple, pink, and black teams all cheered and huddled together. Meanwhile, I felt like a fool and a total let-down. I just wanted to be left alone to pout, but there was no time. We had to go to lunch.