First Crush (Sandlot)

Part 16

Benny

It was after the second play off baseball game and Benny played great. His boys were going to grab some beers and head down to their hangout at Chubby's but Benny decided he had to talk to someone after all.

"Hey, come here." Benny said nicely locking Abigail in with his hazel green eyes.

"Hi." She said kissing his jawline and Benny stood firm keeping a straight face. He couldn't lie to himself, there was some attachment but it was forced from the start and he couldn't get on board with that.

"Listen, I am not one for meaningless relationships and I think it's time we realize where we stand. Trust me I will always be here for you because that's just who I am and what I will always be willing to do for you. But we should be mature enough to realize this isn't exactly what's best for us. Our relationship I mean." he said slowly making sure she realized he was ending it with her. Benny tried hard not to bite his own tongue because he didn't realize he was going to do this so soon.

"Well, what did I do?" She said shocked and Benny grabbed her waist because she looked like she was shaking. He wanted to calm her.

"I'm sorry. Really I am." Benny said hugging her and she looked upset but she just nodded and rested in his arms.

"Thank you for making this easier." He said out loud.

That's when she started crying and Benny felt even worse. He had spent two pretty good years with her and he hated making her cry.

"I should go, you will be fine have fun or something. Go to Chubby's with the guys." Benny said trying to ease the situation but then she just rolled her eyes and prodded off with her other friends which happened to be the cheerleading squad.

Benny made sure she was okay with them before taking a walk to clear his mind. How could he have just done that? It's not like she was some petty chick, they were actually good friends. Of course it took a while but it happened.

Benny prayed he wouldn't miss her.

He ended up home and finally got to change out of his baseball uniform and cleats.

"Great game pal." My dad said patting my shoulder as he grabbed another can of beer from the fridge.

"Thanks, DeNunez pitches a great fastball. And no one is a better outfielder than Smalls." Benny smiled.

"You okay son?" His dad asked him.

Benny paused and started to frown, "No." he admitted.

"Yea anyone could tell that. Stop taking the credit away from yourself! You're too humble boy. That win was all you." His father said and slapped his back a little too hard.

Benny just grunted and took a bottle of pop into his room.

"Benny? Was it something I said?" He called out from the kitchen.

He walked over and turned on his radio and listened to the Yankees play. He looked over at the signed ball over on his desk and smiled.

He couldn't believe he had all of their autographs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maya

"Will you tell me why Benny Rodriguez looked at you as if he saw a ghost? And I was the one that killed the body?" Wyatt asked Maya when they were walking home from the local pizza place.

"No reason." Maya said picking up he walking pace.

"Are you sure? I mean he is the coolest guy in school. He doesn't just say that stuff to people." Wyatt said adjusting his glasses.

"Drop it." She growled.

"You know what? What was that comment supposed to mean? Were you trying to say I'm not good enough for Benny? Really? That's low, Benny isn't good enough for the evil step-sisters in Cinderella." Maya spoke again. She couldn't drop the subject despite what she said.

"That's not what I meant. I think you are good enough for anyone. No one I know deserves you. I was just saying that we aren't exactly in Benny's inner circle." He said.

Maya looked at him with her piercing blue eyes and cooled down a bit.

"Yea. Thanks. I'm going to walk the rest of the way by myself. See you tomorrow in school."

Wyatt was used to her leaving and going her own way at this part of the trip. Maya never told him it was because her neighborhood was rough and she was embarrassed. He just thought she didn't want to him to walk to far out of the way from his house.

7am

Maya was in her car wearing the same blue hat not in the mood for school today. People saw Benny talk to her yesterday and people would stare at her trying to read the answer as to why off of her body.

She shut her car off and found Wyatt.

"Everyone is talking about Benny today. Do you know why?" He said spilling the hot school gossip.

"Why?" Maya said trying to sound not interested.

"He dumped Abigail." Wyatt said.

"What." I said honestly surprised. It has been so long I didn't even think I'd see single Benny again.

For some reason I looked over at the front doors of the school and saw Benny staring at me. His gaze shifted once he saw me look over like he got caught. Why was he even looking at me? It's bad enough I bumped into him yesterday, now he was just staring at me walking into school with Wyatt?

He needs to stop this sudden interest in me.

Benny

Benny walked over to my friends at the lockers and Abigail wasn't here today. She was with her other friends.

"Benny you alright man? Big blow losing that fine lady." Ham said as he noticed Benny looking at Abigail.

"What? No. I'm fine." He said to Ham.

"You know I don't care that you ended it. It's cool. Maybe we will get the old Benny back" DeNunez said patting Benny's shoulder. Benny shot him a quizzical look.

"Old me? I don't get it. I thought- nevermind." Benny said confused.

"You are the same you. To the T actually, but you haven't been as animated and fun is all." DeNunez corrected.

"That's okay, your single now! Congrats! Now you can be free and fun again." Squints cheered.

"Yea, it's great. I've gotta go to chemistry. Is it still in that other classroom?" Benny asked pushing past them.

"Yep." Smalls said and jogged up to walk with me to class.