Double Play (T.Jones)

Chapter 6: Williamsport Bound

The stadium, modeled after Williamsport's famous Volunteer stadium housed my brothers team, and our future. 

I watched as Tanner came up to the plate, in our last game at Regionals. 

Time froze in its tracks. 

I watched as the pitcher pummeled a rocket towards him, he hacked at it, it hit it. I heard that distinct sound.

The sound that makes you feel something inside, like nothing else matters. A ding. It can mean a lot of things, but today it meant we made it. We made it to our dream. 

The ball took flight and landed just where I needed it , outside.

Tanner Jones, with a clutch homerun. Tanner went yard.

I heard screams, cheers, and cries of joy fill my brain. But the only thing I could think about was what was gonna happen. As I saw him round 3rd base, pumping fist, he pointed at me.

This was for us. My heart melted and I knew, this was going to be the most amazing summer.

-

"TANNER I SWEAR IF YOU THROW THAT AT ME!" I screamed as he had a spider in his hand while we were waiting for our plane.

"Hm , fine." He smirked and let it down, letting it attack a little kid across from us.

The airport was huge. I havent ever been in one with my friends before, which made it so much better. We were all pretty excited since the parents were on a different plane so we could fool around without getting yelled at. 

Stores lined the many walkways of the airport. Each one seemed more interesting, and the delicious scents of food crawled into my nose, making my stomach growl.

"Who's up for some food?" I asked. Everyone agreed and we all went to get Dunkin Donuts. 

After we ordered like 20 donuts and Iced Teas, it was about time to board the plane. 

Gathering my stuff, which was  A LOT, I followed behind Tanner onto the plane.

It was honestly so cool.

I took a window seat, Tanner beside me, and Easton on the end. After listening to the pilot say 702392 things of useless directions, because if the plane was crashing I think I'd die of panic before I could follow procedures. 

"Jolly Rancher?" Tanner offered, holding a cherry, my favorite out in his palm.

I nodded and popped it into my mouth. 

A couple minutes went by and I started to get so tired. I cautiously lay my head against Tanner's shoulder. I was tense at first but he put his arm around me, and pulled me closer, so I relaxed.

The sun started to set outside the window of the plane. I watched the stars appear one by one as time flew by, literally.

Everything just seemed to float away when I was with Tanner. It was almost like nothing else in the world  mattered when I saw him. Sometimes I could just get lost in his eyes. They were so blue, like an ocean. If you looked closer it was like a sea of feelings. They way he looked at me was like the kind of look when you know someones in love. His eyes glaze over and its like the only thing he can see is me.

Its good to know someone loves you like that.

 -

"Wake up!" Tanner shouted as the boys were all cheering. 
Turned out I slept through the whole flight and we arrived at the Philadelphia International Airport. 

I rolled my eyes, still half asleep, "Pleaseeeee dont embarrass me guys. Just act your age for once. We might get kicked out of Pennsylvania before we get to Williamsport."

Everyone grabbed their belongings, and we met our parents at the other gate. They asked us how our flights were and parent things like that. They also went over the basics, how we'd be taking a team bus to Williamsport and then the siblings would go to their hotels and the boys to their dorms. Then after we are all settled wed meet up again. Everyone was good with it so we headed out of the airport and onto the bus.

Naturally, I sat next to Tanner. It was me in the middle, Zach at the window and Tanner at the end. 

"So like what should we do?" My brother asked.

"Shut up Ryan I'm tired." Easton replied.

"Didn't you sleep the whole 1 hour plane ride?" Ryan peeked out of his seat.

The only answer from Easton was some snores. 

"How about we jam?" I suggested. The bus driver was covered by a curtain so she could still hear our songs but she was gonna have to deal with it. 

Tanner smiled, "Yeah." He said sort of memorized. 

"Great" I looked at him smiling back. 

Zach pulled us out of our trance, "Alright, lovebirds. Let's just put on some toons and GET THIS PARTY STARTED!" He yelled.

Before I knew it Chill Bill, Summer Forever, and Go Go Goodletsville was playing. 

It hit me then.

We were going to the Little League World Freaking Series.

Nos Vemos Tennessee.