7 Days {edited}

Twenty-three

Softball was a very hard game for people like me. You could play first base, second base, third base, shortstop, catcher, pitcher, left field, or right field. You'd think the un-athletic people like me would want to be in the outfield, where they wouldn't be in charge of throwing people out or pitching. But no. The outfield was where you had to catch fly balls and worry about getting hit in the face. Not fun.

Luckily, there were enough people to where I didn't have to play. So I sat on the sidelines and watched my team and Emily's.

Jordyn was one of the first people at bat for orange and green. "Go, Jordyn!" I yelled from the sidelines. She focused her eyes on the ball and when it came flying towards her, I flinched, hoping it wouldn't hit her. But she swung the bat and the ball went sailing through the air and into the outfield. She ran to first base as the outfielders scrambled to catch the ball, which had landed in the grass.

Jordyn hurried to second base, and she got there just in time. "Yeah, Jo!" I screamed.

"You're sure getting into this, aren't you?" said a voice from behind, making me jump.

I turned to see who it was. "Gosh, you scared me, Lincoln." My heart was racing, but I had a feeling it wasn't just from the scare.

"Ha, sorry. Mind if I sit with you?"

"Yeah! I mean, no. I mean..."

"Okay," he chuckled, and slid in beside me on the bleachers.

I had to get a grip. This was just a guy. There was no reason to get so flustered.

"How are you, Rain?"

Amazing, now that you're here. But my heart won't shut up. So there's that.

"Good. You?"

"I'm pretty good. So, what do you think of those Encouragement things?"

"They're cool," I said, trying not to blush. Would he think I was weird for signing his with 'love'?

"Yeah, I liked doing them last year. I was gonna go write some now, actually. Wanna come?"

"Um, I don't think I can. My team is playing." It was a lame excuse, but I couldn't trust myself to be alone with him anymore. Besides, I'd already written my Encouragements. I would only be a distraction to him.

"Oh, okay." I thought I saw a hint of sadness on his face but I didn't allow myself the pleasure of dwelling on that. "See ya later, Rain."

"Bye." I watched him go, wishing I could get up and go with him. But I had to stay here. And wasn't I just saying that I didn't want to go?

It was crazy, what this boy was doing to me.