Beauty and the Baseball • Benny Rodriguez [REWRITING]

chapter one | a haven called the sandlot

THE SOUND OF A BASEBALL GETTING HIT WAS HEAVEN to teenage Danielle Rebecca Lopez.
Most teenagers loved the latest song from the radio, or the theme to their favorite show, but anything revolving baseball was her paradise. She had been playing the game since she was five years when her father kept listening to it on the radio and decided to let her have a shot at it. Of course she had another reason to love it....

But she wouldn't admit aloud to people who it was.

When the bell ending the school day rang throughout the halls, Danielle ran as fast as her legs could take her, pushing past every other student to get into the school yard. She was already as late as it is to the baseball field where her friends were playing against some kids from her class.

As soon as her sneaker passed the line of the outfield, a figure ran over toward her, she could feel a grip around her waist and placed her over their shoulder. Before she could see who it was, they ran quickly near home base right next to the bench where all of the other kids sat and watched the game.

Dani could only yelp at the sudden burst of contact, she peeked down to notice the attire of the guy, a tan buttoned up dress shirt with a white t shirt under. When the clothes matched a certain someone she knew, Danielle smiled as it was her best friend, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez. But to everyone including her, he was known simply as "Benny" or "The Jet".

"Benny!" Dani screamed as she tried to kick and wiggle her way out of the young man's grip but he was stronger and only tightened the grasp.

Benny finally placed her down and grinned his bright smile that Dani adored so much, giving her a slight blush on her fair cheeks.

"What's your damage?" She asks with a raised eyebrow.

"You're late." Benny explained and crossed his arms in faux annoyance. But he never could get annoyed with Dani, never. "We scheduled the game at 11."

This was their relationship, Benny was obsessed with everything baseball and Dani loved him for it, while also being his best friend and his rival in the game. She loved to tease him by showing up late or forgetting her bat or a ball so Benny would just lose it. It was no secret though that Danielle was like every other girl, she had a crush on her best friend.

Yeah it was a major cliche but the poor girl couldn't help it. He was always the sweetest and kindest guy she had ever met, when he wasn't trying to push her buttons for his amusement. To her though, best friends was all they were ever going to be. Benny deserved better, according to her, why would he go for his tomboyish best friend when he could have someone else?

Dani placed her hands up in defense, "Jeez Benny, it's only 11:04, this is a record for me."

Benny shook his head irregardless, "And that's four minutes wasted."

His philosophy was to play baseball until you were numb or felt like you were dying and that's just what he did. He eats, breathes, and sleeps baseball.