April Roberts

Chapter 9

The bell rings and I walk to my locker and put my textbooks and binders away. I grab my book bag and my baseball bag and then I lock my locker. I go to the girls locker rooms and change into our team uniform. Neon green T-shirt that has the words, Bradford Bulldogs, with a picture of the bulldog on it. We have black pants and white shoes. I redo my ponytail and walk out to my motorcycle. The game is at Summit Stem.

I strap my helmet on and just before I pull out I see Theo waving his hand.

"Hey, can you give me a ride?" He asks. I nod my head and hand him the extra helmet and he climbs on as he straps it to his head.

We drive in silence. When we're almost there I decide to have some fun so I crank up the engine. We go so fast my hair whips Theo's face. Theo is yelling from the burst of speed. I can't help it so I laugh as I drive along the road.

When I park Theo jumps off and hands me the extra helmet after I take mine off. "Thanks for the ride." He says.

"No problem. Did you have fun?" I smirk. He shakes his head.

"April Roberts you are trouble. I thought you were going to get us killed when you went that fast."

"You don't have faith in me? Does that mean you don't want a ride home after the game?" I put my hand on my hip with eyebrows raised. Theo sighs.

"Yes I'll need a ride after the game but don't get us killed for goodness sake!" He says as we walk to the field.

"Oh Theo James you really need to have some faith in your friend April Roberts." I say.

"Oh really?" He asks. He slings me over his shoulder and runs the rest of the way to the field. "Ahh... Put me down! Theo James you put me down this instant!" I yell. He ignores my comments as we near the field. Uhh great. I guess he's not going to put me down. I rest my head on my elbow which is propped up on his back. I sigh.

When we reach the bench Theo puts me down. "Theo James you are going to pay for that." I say jokingly pointing a finger at him.

"Oh am I." He wriggles his eyebrows. I roll my eyes and sit down with my water bottle. Hunter comes and sits next to me. "What was that for?" He asks pointing at Theo.

"Oh it was nothing. I gave him a ride here. He slung me over his shoulder and ran from the parking lot to here." I shrug my shoulders and take a sip from my water bottle.

"Ok." Hunter says and stares out at the field. I can tell something's bothering him but I won't push him. If he wants to tell me, he'll tell me.

Coach Chester comes over and we huddle. "Alright bulldogs, we got this game in the bag. Now just remember to do your best. If we lose, so what? If we win, great. Now get out there and play your best."

We're playing field first. I've always thought that as a good thing because then once the opposing team has gotten a few points. You know how hard to work to get past their number of points. Coach Chester tells me I'm pitcher so I'm handed a baseball and then I head out.

I look at first batter. A boy. Strong in the arms but not in the legs. So he'll probably hit good but then I'm sure we'll get him out before he can reach the bases. I get into a stance and then I pitch the ball before anyone knows what I'm doing.

The ball zips towards the batter and he misses. Not surprised. Everyone misses my surprise throw. I get into stance again with the ball. Then I pitch it. He hits it this time and it soars above my head. John runs to catch the ball and he... catches it!

I jump in the air with my fist. Sorry, I can't help myself. That's one out, two more to go. I get into stance as I look over the batter. Total opposite of the first one. He's fast in the legs but looks a tad weaker in the arms. I throw the ball and he hits it. It comes right at me and I catch it easily.

The third batter comes up. He looks strong in the arms and the legs. This doesn't look good. I pitch the ball and he hits it... and... and he hits a homerun! Oh my goodness!

I watch him run all three bases and back to home. We only need one more out. The next player steps out. He looks a bit wobbly but who's me to judge. I pitch the ball and he misses. I get into stance and throw again. He misses again. I sigh. I might as well do my surprise throw so we can bat.

I get into stance for a third time and throw before anyone starts to pay attention. He misses and we switch. We've always agreed on us. I pitch first, I bat second. Theo bats first. I like to bat second so I see how Theo does.

The pitcher throws the ball and Theo hits it towards center field. He starts to run. I silently willed him to make it. He did! I smile as I take the bat. Ok April breathe in, breathe out. Hit the bat on the ground three times as a habit of luck. It's never turned me down. Focus in on the ball. I bring the bat over my shoulder opposite from the field. The pitcher smiles as he throws. I know why. He's copying my surprise throw. He can't trick me.

The ball comes towards me so fast. I bring down the bat and hit it as hard as I can. I don't wait to see where it goes. I drop the bat and run. I run as fast as I can. As fast as my legs can carry me. I see Theo run as well. He makes it to home. Maybe I can to.

Almost there. I'm at third base but I stop as I see the pitcher with the ball. Aw man. I was almost there with a single throw.

Will steps up to bat. Come on Will! You can do it! The ball flies toward him and he hits a homerun. He starts running and I sprint to home. I made it! Whoop! Whoop! Theo pats me on the back.

I look out at the crowd and see Uncle Matt with my parents and Asher. Uncle Matt's yelling really loud. I wave at him and he waves back. I smile and go to the bench to get some water. This is going to be a good game.