Not Just a Little Girl

Chapter 3

Sorry for keeping you guys waiting for over a month >_<, I had a lot of work to do for school (kms) Anyways here's my next chapter and I hope you guys enjoy it! -E

Alexa's next class was gym. They were finally starting their wiffleball unit. Wiffleball was basically her school's stupid take on baseball. They used softer, plastic balls instead, so no one could get "extremely injured".

Alexa was ecstatic about this. She loved softball. And she was good at it.

She arrived at the gym and went into the locker room, AKA the Perfume Factory. Almost everyone put perfume on in there, as it was banned from the hallways because some kids couldn't handle the smell. What's really preposterous though, is that cologne is perfectly allowed. What's the difference between perfume and cologne? Alexa could tell you for a fact at least a quarter of the girls in her grade couldn't stand the smell of some of the guys' colognes.

She opened her locker and got out her gym clothes. It's been four months and they're still ugly. Maroon and yellow. Possibly the worst color combination the district could ever choose. Stupid Portland Pirates, that aren't even maroon. Color choices aside though, Alexa's school was pretty decent, except for the fact that the board of education doesn't care about what happens during school hours. Throughout her time at the school, Alexa could recall at least three cases of bullying, one of which happened to her friend. And that's not even the worst of it.

Alexa put her hair up in a ponytail just as the second bell rang. Putting on her gym sneakers, she saw a girl named Jennifer walk over to her.

Jennifer was one of her softball teammates. She was nice and all, but her and Alexa never really clicked, as they both had their own groups.

"So, Alexa, are you ready to finally start softball?" she said.

"Well, technically it's wiffleball. But yeah, I've been waiting forever."

"That's funny." Jennifer said. "See you on the field, then."

"See you." Alexa watched as Jennifer walked away, to her own group of friends.

Alexa got up and left the locker room, walking to her squad on the floor. She caught a freshman boy staring at her and looked at him, forcing him to look away. Things like this happened almost daily in gym, as she chose to wear yoga pants that hugged her curves. She wasn't going to stop wearing them, however; she wasn't going to sacrifice her comfort for that. It's a small price to pay for being a girl.

"Attention, class," her teacher, Ms. Scalia said. "Today we will be starting our wiffleball unit..." Alexa tuned out as the rules were explained. She couldn't stop thinking about what happened with Nick in chemistry. Although he was in the wrong, Alexa couldn't help but feel bad about what she said. She got a little too dramatic (as usual), and she took it out on him. She'd apologize later, but for now, she had to dominate the gym floor.

"...If your last name is between A and L, you're on the field. Everyone else, you're batting."

Alexa stood up and walked to the center of the gym floor, near third base. She rolled her shoulders and tightened her ponytail. She was ready. 

***

The game had been going on for about half an hour when Alexa saw her chance. The ball, soaring right above her head, almost like it wanted Alexa to catch it, was coming toward her. She backed up, keeping her eyes on the ball, and caught it. Her whole team applauded, as they now had two outs. One more and she'd finally be able to bat.

"Nice catch, Alexa!" Jennifer said, high-fiving her teammate.

"Thanks!"

Alexa got a few more encouraging comments as the class prepared for the next batter to step up.

"Pfft, it was probably just luck." Someone said. "She couldn't have caught that ball again if she tried."

Who's the jerk today? Alexa wondered, rolling her eyes. She didn't bother responding to the remark. She focused back on the game.

***

A few pitches later, the teams switched, and Alexa was up to bat. She stepped up to home plate and looked at the two bats. Yes, two. There was a wooden black bat, the real one all the jocks use, and there was an orange one, wider than the former and made of plastic. Her school offered both options so that if you weren't the best at hitting, you could have a better chance.

Standing just outside the plate was Ryan, a cocky, openly sexist jock. Everyone knew it, but didn't do anything about it, as he was good at about six different sports, and was one of the most popular and influential people in Alexa's grade. He also made sure everyone knew it.  Anyway, Ryan was their team's catcher, however, he also helped out the people who didn't know what the heck they were doing.

Ryan reached down and, with a smirk, held out the orange bat to Alexa.

"Sorry," Alexa said, reaching next to him to grab the black bat.

"What do you think you're doing?" Ryan asked, a chuckle escaping his lips. I stopped and looked up at him.

"Taking my bat." I said, with an indifferent expression on my face.

"Very funny." Ryan handed me the orange bat again, still with a snarky expression. "Here, this one will be easier for you."

"Um, excuse me?" I stood up. "What did you say?"

"I didn't say anything, I just think you'll be comfortable using this one instead."

"Why?" I asked waiting for his response. "Enlighten me."

Ryan crossed his arms and laughed. "Come on, do you really think you can hit the ball with that bat? Don't be ridiculous. I'm just trying to help you out."

"Ha! Sure you are. And by the way, I can, and will hit the ball." Alexa stared at Ryan, narrowing her eyes.

Ryan stared back at Alexa, his glare equally as bone-chilling as hers, but she didn't back down.

Moments had passed, when, "Just kiss already!"

Finally, Alexa broke Ryan's gaze and rolled her eyes, picking up the black bat she was sure would work for her from the start.

She stepped up to home plate, and got herself ready to swing. Ms. Scalia blew her whistle and Jessica pitched the ball. Get ready, Alexa, she thought, In three...two...one... Alexa swung the bat, hitting the ball with a deafening crack. She dropped the bat, running past first, second, and third base, scoring a home run as the other team fumbled with the ball.

Alexa walked back to her cheering, energetic team, vaguely accepting words of encouragement, as she locked eyes with Ryan. A smug grin spread across her face as she watched Ryan grudgingly admit defeat. She looked back at the field, where one of her teammates made it to second base.

That'll show him not to mess with us girls. Alexa thought as she watched the game progress. She was so giddy that she barely heard her teacher blow her whistle, signaling the end of the period. Who knew feminism could feel this good?

Alexa walked back to the locker room, her smile never leaving her face.