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"You need to leave right now. Aron doesn't want to see you." The coach spat.

"He is my son and I have the right to see him!" Aron's dad yelled back.

"Not anymore. He is allowed to be on his own and has the choice whether to see you or not."

"Well I want to see him."

"Leave! If I ever see you back here I'm calling the police!" The coach yelled and Aron's dad, thankfully, had slowly left with anger in his eyes. Something says that won't be the last time he will see him.

Aron was still in the dugout when Ted had noticed him. He sat next to Aron.

"What's up?" He asked him.

"My dads here." I replied. Ted's face changed to anger. He looked back at me and saw how stressed I was.

"Coach'll take care of 'em. He'll be gone and never come back." Ted said. "Hey, wanna hang out tonight? Can go to a bar, that lets both races in, and just talk and have fun."

"Ok. Sounds good." I relied. He patted me on the shoulder.

"See ya at apartment." He added and walked away. Coach was waiting outside the dugout and once Ted left, he approached me.

"Aron, he will be back. And when he is, I won't let him get you." He began. He had more to say, but I interrupted him.

"He did it." I said. The coach looked confused.

"Did what?" He asked.

"He was the resident who complained about our team. He is trying to shut us down so I will come back to him." I added, "He told me."

The coach looked like he was in deep thought. "Doesn't matter. We're gonna win. This year seems different."

Many teammates were still in the dugout, talking to each other.

"Okay. See you tomorrow." I said. The coach gave a warm smile in return.

Tonight was a cold night but that didn't matter. We were inside anyway partying. The bar was packed tonight and you could barely see the dance floor encase there was so many people. Ted and I were standing next to a small table with drinks in our hands.

"Now this is what I'm talking about." Ted smiled. A girl who looked like in her early twenties walked up to our table.

"Hey boys." She flirted. "Why don't you come with me." She said to Ted. Ted smiled at me and followed her into the crowded dance floor.

I finished my drink after half an hour and went to look for Ted. Pushing and shoving my way through people, I hadn't even seen a glimpse of him.

When I was certain I had searched the whole place, I decided to step outside for some fresh air. When I was outside, I saw Ted sitting on the steps.

"Ted I searched everywhere for you." I said.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Let's go." He said, not looking up.

"Uh oh what happened?" I asked.

"Aron, why do ya wanna know? All you're gonna do is say encouraging stuff."

"Okay. Fine, you're right. But I just wanna see if you're okay."

"She brought me to her boyfriend so he could beat me up."

"Are you hurt?"

"No. Just a busted lip."

We walked to the apartment in awkward silence, unsure of what to say.

The next day was our last game of this week. We had developed a large crowd, large enough that people lined the fence to watch because the bleachers were full.

"Aron, get out there." Coach said and I began to walk to the plate with my bat.

Halfway there, I stopped. Coach looked at me, confused as to why I stood there. I began to feel dizzy, my eyes unfocused. I walked back into the dugout.

"Coach, I can't play today. I don't feel good." I said truthfully.

"Ok." He looked me up and down. "Go home and get some rest." I nodded my head and walked back to the apartment.

When I opened the door, I froze. Dropping my duffel, I stared into the room. The couch was torn apart along with Ted's bed; stuffing falling out of them. The television screen was smashed leaving glass scattered along the rug. Holes lined the drywall and the curtains were ripped off of their hooks.

I explored the apartment for any other tracks of the people who did this, but there were none.

I went back into the kitchen when I spotted something on the counter. I picked up the note and read it: come back or it gets worse.

Dad. It was him. How did he know where I lived? I knew I had no choice but to go back to his house. If I didn't, Ted might get hurt.

"Hey, what up? Finishin' the game now." Ted said over the phone.

I decided to call him rather than face him.

"Ted, I gotta leave. It's not you, but I chat stay with you anymore." I began in a rush.

"What? Why? Did I do somethin'?" He asked.

"No, not at all. I'll be at practices and games, but I can't stay here. When you come to the apartment, don't call the cops. They won't do anything. Besides, they are racists anyway. They wouldn't care."

"Wait, slow down."

"Ted! Listen to me! Don't call the police. I'm fine, and I'll see you at practice. I gotta go." I hung up the phone quickly but knew Ted was still asking questions.

------------------------------

"Coach." I began but he was too busy celebrating over our win.

"Coach!" I said louder. He turned around.

"What's up Ted?" He asked.

"Will ya come with me to my apartment? Aron's there and somethin' ain't right."

"Ted, I'm sure Aron is fine."

"Coach." He looked at me and saw how serious I was.

"Okay."

Together, we walked to the complex.

The door opened with a creak and both of our mouths dropped. I closed the door behind us and locked it, making sure no one in the hallway would see. We searched the apartment and, sure enough, all of Aron's stuff was gone.

A note was on the floor, mixed with small pieces of glass. The coach picked it up and scanned it. He handed it to me.

Meet me at ballpark tomorrow. 11 pm.
-A

"Should I come with you?" The coach asked.

"No." I replied. If he did, it would make things weird between our relationship. He would be seen as more than a coach. I get that he might be looking out for his players, but this is personal. It would make everything awkward.

"It wasn't an option." Coach said.

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