The Unknown

The Unknown, chapter 2

  "Well," I started. So how was I going to explain this? I tripped on my heel and fell into a stranger's strong and comforting arms? And then pushed him away? Sounds like I fell into the looney bin. Or maybe I tripped over my heels and fell in. I found my words and prepared a small white lie. Only to save me from delivering the embarrassing story. Melanie was so poised, elegant, and all lady-like while I, her sister, was clumsy and boy-ish. Maybe that's why she's had lots of boyfriends and getting married.

   "He's, uh, a friend from school. New recruit for the baseball team." I blurted out but I couldn't hold her gaze as I lied to her. "I hadn't seen him since baseball ended so I hugged him." God, that was a bad lie. I don't hug- not even Melanie usually. It always felt awkward for me, ever since that guy felt compelled to hurt me. But something was different the stranger, something I hadn't even felt with Brody. I actually felt comforted and safe. It made me shutter.

   "Mhmm? I see." she said suspiciously, while raising her eyebrow, which just resulted in us laughing hysterically. Jason ran through the door, followed by Brody. Brody waved at us as he puffed by in pursuit of Jason. Brody was a family friend who usually hung out with(more like babysat) my younger and energetic brother, Jason. He was always over here, he absolutely hated the bright apartment across town that his parents bought him a couple months ago. He had a soft face with light freckles and light blonde hair. His clear blue eyes are always shining with humor and curiosity, trying to light my dark blue eyes, that are just filled with mystery and confusion. He's had a thing for me for a while, but I don't really know if I like him like that. I just don't want to ruin our friendship. Yeah, I know that sounds cheesy and what everybody says, but it's true. I love him, as a friend. We spend our days together usually with Jason, playing football or practicing batting and pitching for baseball season at the batting cages a couple blocks away. Brody and I organized a community baseball team and supported an area league about 10 years ago, when I was 13 and he was 14. Every Saturday during baseball season, the league has tournaments and play our favorite sport all day. Whole families will come because there's always something to do. Whether it's BBQ-ing, chatting, or betting on the world series, you're guaranteed that it will never be boring. I still remember the one year our team, the Mason Punchers, won the championship, because it's edged perfectly in my mind.

  The last batter for the Baytown Dusters stepped up to the plate and hit his bat roughly on homebase. He pulled the Babe Ruth move, pointing his bat out past outfield, towards the pastures filled with home run balls. He spat out to the side and eyed our pitcher, Wade, grinned and shook his head. Wade glanced at his glove, and then looked anxiously to everybody on the field. With the bases loaded with us up by one, and the championship on the line;  Long story short, he had a lot to worry about. I threw him a thumbs-up from first base and he received air high five from Brody in the outfield. The stands were filled for this game- the two favorites of the county were playing head-on. The sun was setting late in the west, and a dark dusk had settled over the dimly lit field. Wade placed his eyes back on the batter and winded up for his pitch. Suddenly, a crack sound came from the batter's bat and a cheer from the crowd erupted. The batter came barreling towards me as I watched the ball fly towards Brody behind me in right field. He caught my eye, gave me the sign, and I took off dashing for home plate. An "Oh!" rose from the crowd as Brody dove for the ball and landed on his arm. I came to a quick stop when I heard him scream quietly and I suddenly felt his pain in my arm. He rose painfully and motioned me to keep running as he lobbed the ball to home. I jumped and grabbed the high ball at the top of my glove, landing roughly halfway on the plate, halfway on the catcher. As I landed the player running from third slid into my side. We looked anxiously as the umpire began to move his hands: thankfully to mention that he was out. We had won the championship! I jumped up and cheered in the huddle of my teammates when I suddenly remembered Brody collapsed in the field. I ran to him and picked him up like a baby(even though he was heavy at 16) and ran back to the huddle. Mayor Brisback handed us the trophy and extended his hand for a shake from the team captains, Brody and I. I shook his hand twice, once for me and once from Brody. The crowd exploded with cheers and high fives as cameras and phones flew out of pockets and purses. I hugged everybody feeling nothing but happiness, but when I squeezed Brody, I actually felt something- I just didn't know what.

 Melanie rose, sensing I was far off in my thoughts, saying she was going to rest before Ashley got home. I sat back, reminiscing. When he came here to hang out with me, and not Jason, although he did come for me sometimes. Jason ran through the hallway and into the kitchen, while Brody followed, exasperated. He hunched over, his hand gripping the couch tightly, breathing hard. He flopped over the back of the couch and onto his back next to me, while yelling "I give up!" to Jason. I poked him in the stomach and he crinkled in laughter- he was extremely ticklish, just like me. He poked me back and I squirmed on the cushion. He ran his pale hands through his messy hair as I looked down on him.

  "Annie- how red am I?" he chuckled as he flopped his head over the edge of the couch, only making it redder. I joined him, upside down and halfway off the couch and said "Pretty red, Brody-bear!" in a funny voice. We both laughed as I said his nickname that we had come up with when we were 5. His was Brody-bear and mine was just Annie(he was not a very creative kid I have to say). He chuckled and got right side up and flipped on the TV. Our favorite show, Wipeout was just finishing but we watched the highlights and we laughed until tears were slipping out of our blue eyes and onto our cheeks. It switched to something we didn't know and we got to deciding to go down to the cabin at the lake with Jason after the wedding. Well after the honeymoon which the whole wedding party was invited to. We talked about the wedding and I started to get a little tired. I leaned my head back onto Brody's shoulder. He turned his shoulder and placed his soft hand on my freckled check. He tucked the long strand of hair behind my ear and leaned in as if he was going to kiss me. I didn't know if I should just let it be and enjoy it or push him away to risk things being more awkward after he would kiss me. I touched my hand to his chest and was going to push him away, this friendship was too valuable. But instead, he headed faster to my lips as I slowly leaned my head back. I turned my head at a glimpse of the running figure of Jason as he race by. Brody kissed my cheek and leaned out quickly, clearly embarrassed. Jason jumped into our laps, lounging on us like we were part of the couch. I glanced at Brody from the corner of my eye and saw him smile softly. I know he was a little embarrassed and I hoped he wasn't mad that I had turned my head, but it wasn't my fault. I silently thanked Jason for saving us from awkward silences that would have followed me pushing away. I focused y min way from the standing silence between us and to the wedding the next day.

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sorry for this chapter being SOOOOOOOO long!! I got caught up, and when I went back through it, I couldn't find a place to stop. I hope y'all liked it and as usual, comment, like, and fan! Thanks! Love you guys!