Swing That Way

Chapter 4

The school day was finally over, there was no baseball practice( Ikeda lost the keys to the club room again), and everyone was ready to head to the rival school.

At least everyone except for Hinata, who looked like he didn't know what sleep was. Aaron tried to perk him up throughout the day with funny stories and candy from his pocket (Which had been there since his flight from America), but there was really nothing to be done.

They had boarded the bus, and when Hinata mentioned his lack of breakfast, Tanaka cracked open a box of Pocky. Aaron chuckled at the thought of the pocky game.

"Hey Hinata. I'll give you something to eat."

The back of the bus, in hindsight, probably wasn't the smartest idea. Hinata wasn't looking so hot and Aaron felt his clammy forehead with the back of his hand.

"The window..can I open the window?"

Oh god, he should have seen this coming. Aaron leaped from his seat and tried to make it to the front to stop the bus in time, but he knew it was too late when he heard Tanaka scream.

The driver swerved and Takeda-sensei turned in his seat asked what the commotion was about. Aaron looked stressed, probably feeling it too.

"Hinata's gotten car sick..."

Turning his neck, he could see a disgusted Tanaka trying to peel off his pants next to a slumped over Hinata.

"We're almost there, do you think he can make it?"

He was filled with disbelief. This is a bus full of teenagers and someone had just vomited on someone else, who will soon be half naked. Do you think we can make it? That thought didn't leave his tongue, it sat there bitterly and his head bowed half way to meet his hands. The bus would continue...reluctantly.

"Fine. Do you have any plastic bags?"

A sigh erupted from his chest as he moved down the unsteady aisle between seats.  The barf pants were on the floor in a bunch Tanaka was squirming in his seat, his feet in the air, trying to wiggle into a pair of shorts. Aaron bunched up the dirty clothing in the bag and sat between his friends.

"Hey, we'll be there soon, you doing alright?"

It was a dumb question. A groan was emitted from the slouching form and Aaron just rubbed circles into his back with a grimace.

When the bus doors finally opened it seemed like ages, and he nearly thanked the grey gloomy sky.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry Tanaka-san."

They had all been unloaded along with the barf pants and were appreciating the fresh air like they had lived in a couch cushion.

Hinata was bowing in probably unimaginable embaressment.

"Like I said, don't worry about it. Nevermind me, are you all right?"

Aaron couldn't help it, he fawned jokingly.

"Tanaka-senpai, your soft side is showing."

He was shoved playfully and Hinata chuckled.

"Yes, I rested a little on the way here. I feel better now that I'm off the bus."

"All right, then. We're counting on you for today's match."

The ginger looked terrified again. A groan escaped from Aaron's lips and his head fell back in defeat as Tanaka patted emphasis into Hinata's spine.

"Do it just like the three-on-three, let me spike freely like that."

Suga looked distraught hanging out of the bus door.