First Crush (Sandlot)

Part 12

Benny

Benny was already up and sitting in the makeshift dugout in the sandlot with his hands balled together supporting his head. He wasn't wearing his hat and he knew the boys would see him differently just because of it.

"Benny you got some more balls for today?" Smalls said as he lead the rest of the boys over into the lot and Maya was with them. She always was.

"Nah, my old man wouldn't squeeze. But that's okay. I gotta talk to you." Benny said scratching the back of his neck nervously but finding comfort in watching Maya play with his hat made him less nervous.

"Come on, we don't want to here your stories! We just need a ball. The bucket is emptyyyyyy" Ham rolled his eyes and flipped over the empty bucket where they keep their baseballs.

"You would rather gossip like girl than play?" Squints said and gagged.

"Go on Benny, what do you have to say?" Smalls said trying to calm the boys down.

Benny paused and tried to figure out how to get his point across.

"Guys, I'm growing up you know? And..." Benny paused.

He took Maya's hand and pulled her in close to him. He stared into her eyes and their faces were inches away from each other.

"Eww"

"My eyes!"

"P-D-A! PDA!"

The boys screamed and covered their eyes and Maya backed away shyly.

"Ugh, this is exactly what I mean." Benny groaned. He would never get to kiss her with these guys around.

"I can't grow up and have a girlfriend when you guys are always around. It's like she is dating all of you guys. All I want is privacy. Don't take this the wrong way. But the only way Maya and I can hang out is at the sandlot. It's all we got." Benny explained.

"It's all any of us got. Benny what are you trying to say? You can't kick us out of the sandlot." Squints said astonished.

"Yeah! We were here first. If things change then let them change. But you aren't going to disrupt this holy land." Yeah, yeah said.

"Guys," Benny sighed.

'Benny?" Maya said taking his hand.

"This is what we get for not having any more balls left? We get the boot?" Ham said angrily.

"No, it's just that. I guess what I am trying to say is I might separate myself from the group to do more mature things." Benny said.

"We only do baseball. Are you saying you want to date over playing baseball?" Smalls said confused.

"What about Maya she just got here. You are okay with taking her friends away too?" Ham added.

Maya looked at her shoes shocked by this conversation. She was starting to blame herself.

"Your throwing away your life." Ham screamed.

"That's a little over bearing, I'm growing up and people change." Benny added.

"Yea and people may surprise you." Maya said and stormed off.

"Maya!" Benny said and started to run after her.

Maya

Maya wasn't sure what exactly was happening but she figured everyone was on the fritz because so many balls have been lodged over the other side of the fence to stay there forever.

She was going to go get them.

"Maya! Wait a second." Benny huffed stopping Maya.

"What, seriously what. What is going on." Maya sighed.

Benny stared at her for a while and just as Maya got fed up with no answer and went to release his grasp he tugged tighter and pulled her in for their first kiss.

Maya felt his soft lips on hers and got butterflies in her stomach again. Benny was actually kissing her. It was finally happening. He moved his lips and the kiss lasted for about thirty seconds before he pulled away.

"What did you feel?" Benny breathed after the kiss.

"It felt amazing." Maya said not sure of his question.

"Then we can't stay with the sandlot. We won't have this again if we spend everyday there." Benny said.

"Benny." Maya said seeing how irrational this might sound.

"When we get older we will have all the time in the world. So don't tear the world apart before we get there." She added.

"I just want too many things." Benny said.

"Think about what your friends want." She said.

"Of course I have done that. I do that everyday and I won't stop you know that. They can't be my friends if they won't let me have you though." He explained.

"We will make time."

"NO. I have already thought of that. We spend every minute together as it is. Someone is going to get hurt." Benny sighed.

"It's better it's me then. I am just one person who you haven't known all of your life. Stop acting stupid Benny. They are your friends and I have never seen better ones. Why can't we just try to date around them? It can't be that horrible." Maya said.

"If we don't last , then don't be surprised." Benny rolled his eyes then walked away from Maya. He chose her over the group and she turned against him. He was frustrated at everything.

Maya just shook it off and went to find the 'beast' and get the balls back.