First Crush (Sandlot)

Part 28

Benny

Benny was in free period hanging around since his homework was done at his house because of all the free time he has been having. Being grounded definitely wasn't fun and he had been meaning to ask the group how the pool was yesterday but he hadn't found the time.

"Hi, it's Abigail's birthday this weekend and she told me to invite all her friends... well I didn't know what list I should put you in. Anyway you are invited, I think she would want you there." Her cheerleader friend handed him the invitation and he took it quite shocked he even got one in the first place.

"That's nice but I'm sorta grounded. Tell her happy birthday for me though." Benny said somewhat genuinely but at the same time he was sort of glad he was grounded so he wouldn't have to attend.

"Well, just try your best to come. Either way I think she would want you there because you guys were so close." She urged some more.

"Wait one question, is the rest of the group invited? Like DeNunez and everyone?" He itched from curiosity. Abigail happened to be fond of her cousin's friends for the time too.

"Of course, everyone who is anyone is going to be there. Too bad you said you were grounded." She said and pouted before walking away and her cheerleader skirt twirled behind her.

Benny sighed and rubbed his hands with his face trying to relief some of his stress.

Maya

"Wait let me get this straight? You all got invited to Abigail's party but me." Maya said to the boys in her art class as they were fooling around relishing their invitations to the biggest party of the year.

"Yea I wonder if Benny got one I haven't seen him all day." Bertram said rereading his invite.

"Maya I am sure no one would notice if you came with us." Smalls said trying to not make me feel bad.

"I don't care if I am not invited, I'm sure Benny wasn't either. I can spend the night in with him anyway." Maya said hoping he wasn't planning on going.

"Yea he's grounded! He can't go even if he wanted too. You will be fine." Yeah, yeah chuckled.

"But everyone is going to be at this party." Maya mumbled thinking she might regret not going to the party. This could epitomize her High School experience, one that has been severely lacking so far.

"I could pick you up if you want? If you really want to go." Smalls said scratching the back of his neck.

"Really? Like you would let me go with you?" Maya said surprised.

"Yeah, sure. You seem like you really want to go." Smalls shrugged.

"Thanks! That's so nice of you!" Maya said smiling in victory. Smalls looked at her proudly and the bell rang signaling them to all split up and continue their day.

  Maya went to her locker and watched yet another awkward encounter with Wyatt. Maya was just in such a happy mood she decided to talk to him for the first time.

"Hi." Maya said and she waited as Wyatt opened his locker and a pink envelope fell out of it. It looked just like the invitation her friends got.

"Hi." he said in response not making eye contact with Maya, he just examined the envelope slowly before opening it reading his invitation.

"Soooo is that for Abigail's party? Are you going?" Maya quizzed all hyper and such.

"Yea, so what?" He said monotone.

"You should go. I wasn't lucky enough to get an invite but I feel it will be soo fun." Maya rambled.

"Yea I might, but I have to go. This conversation is pointless." He rolled his eyes not having his patience for Maya at the moment. He just wanted to forget about her.

Maya couldn't help but frown at their frayed relationship, she couldn't help but keep trying to fix it or at least wanting to try. She hoped one day she would move on but for now the guilt remained.

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Maya was home now getting ready for the party. She felt a little off because she only saw Benny for a quick second  and couldn't catch him up on everything. She only knew now that Benny couldn't make it tonight because his dad is being so unreasonable. She couldn't get to tell him how she wasn't invited but Smalls volunteered to take her or about Squints and Wendy from the pool. She hoped to see the new couple tonight too. She had so much to tell him.

"Maya someone is at the door." Her father called to her as she was still in her room squishing her feet into her dirty sneakers and fixing her plaid shirt and French braids.

"Okay, tell them to wait outside." Maya said biting her lip dealing with her anxiety about having people over her house.

"Oh, I will go wait outside then." Smalls said flustered from the doorway to her bedroom.

"AHh!" Maya shrieked surprised he came in. She grabbed her keys and ushered them both outside after waving bye to her dad.

Smalls went back into his car and Maya took  her seat in the passenger side.

"I forgot to mention you look really nice." Smalls smiled at Maya taking a deep breath from being ushered out of her home so fast.

"Thanks, you do too." Maya said.

"I have been thinking and I have been meaning to ask, do you think I am overthinking this party? Like over prioritizing it? It's just a party why do I want to go? It's Abigail. Benny isn't even here." Maya rambled again really beginning to doubt herself.

"It will be fun. You need some fun and some partying." Smalls chuckled pulling up to Abigail's house.

"Thanks Smalls." Maya grinned happy for the reassurance that she was doing the right thing.

"Scotty." Smalls said taking Maya's hand and leading her into the party.

"Huh? No one calls you that." Maya said like he was joking wanting her to call him his real name.

"Well, I don't know. Maybe things can change." He said and smirked innocently still holding her hand as Maya was unaware of the connection because it felt so natural.