Running Bases With You

Chapter 8

*Louis' POV*

I lay here bored and slightly tired on my couch staring at my phone. Should I call her?

Be a man Louis.

Ah, fuck it.

I find her contact and tap on it with my thumb. I put my phone up to my ear and wait for her to pick up.

Ring.

Damn Louis, you're an idiot.

Ring.

She isn't going to answer.

Ring.

That's it, I'm hanging u-

"Hello?"

Success!

I shakily reply with an edge of nervousness in my voice. "Annabeth? Hi."

"Louis? W-what's up?"

I smile as I hear her stutter. I can tell she's nervous and for some reason it gives me more confidence to speak.

"Well, nothing at the moment, but I was wondering if you'd like to maybe..um, go out today? N-not as a date or anything, just as friends ya know?"

I mentally facepalm at my stuttering. I sound like I have a speech impediment, good God..

"Louis, what time is it?" She asks frantically. She sounds like she has panic in her voice, maybe?

"Um, almost five, why?" I scrunch my eyebrows together.

I hear her gasp and a loud thud follows it. I know she dropped her phone when I hear a faint 'shit' muttered in the background as she picks it up.

"I dunno Louis, I have a lot of studying to do for my exams this week and I fell asleep while studying and I really shouldn't go out tonight. I'm so sorry." She rambles on putting a dent in my mood.

"Oh."

That's all I can say from the weight of disappointment I feel on my shoulders. Not to mention the feel of rejection. I feel like just hanging up the phone and forgetting about it when I hear her voice.

"Louis?"

I sigh. "It's fine Annabeth. I understand."

"Oh Louis I-"

"It's okay Annabeth. Really." I say but not really meaning it. "I have to go."

"Okay.."

"Goodbye Annabeth."

She didn't say anything and I was just about to hang up when she decides to scare the mess out of me. "Louis, wait!"

I almost drop my phone, but the eagerness I feel stops me. "I'm here! What is it?"

"I...um..I'll hang out with you today." She hesitates.

I may, or may not be smiling.

"Really? Awesome! I mean, where do you wanna go?" I ask while trying to contain my excitement.

"Wherever you wanna go, it doesn't matter." I can almost swear that I hear an edge of excitement in her voice.

I think for a moment before answering. "How about we go out to eat and see a film? I heard Catching Fire is good."

She breathily laughs. "Sounds great! See you in about an hour? I'll text you my address."

My smile only grows. "Sounds good to me! See ya then! Bye Annabeth!"