The Fear of Striking out

Chapter 1

Alex Alex Alex...

I wake abruptly rubbing my hands down my face.

Its been three months and I keep having the same dream; someone calling my name.

After I finally wake completely I look at my phone to see its only 7:30am I groan and get out of bed shuffling my feet as I head to the bathroom. Once I get out of the shower and get dressed I head downstairs to say good morning to my mother before I go to the library.

When I get there I go in the back corner and sit down with the pile of books I picked and start reading.

Reading is my escape from people. Its not that I am bullied or not liked I just don't prefer to be around them. As I am lost in my reading I am taken out of my trance by someone rudely shaking me.

"Hello anyone in there!!!" I look and smile when I see its just my best friend Eric

"What have I said about disturbing me when reading?"

"Ummm....." Eric looks around acting if he doesn't know what I am talking about.

I punch him lightly in the shoulder to get his attention. "What do you want?" I ask as I roll my eyes.

"I wanted to see if you were gonna come to the baseball game tonight?"

I groan as I stretch and collect my books. "No No No No. I have told you all week I am not going"

Its not that I don't like baseball I just don't want to be around people. "Yeah I know but come on your favorite person is gonna be there." Eric says as he wiggles his oddly perfect shaped eyebrows.

I blush softly as I start to think about the All-Star Player Vincent Jacobs.

"He doesn't even remember me ever since he left and then came back it's like he is a totally different person" I state as I start walking about the library putting back all the books I collected.

"Yeah but maybe after this you could go to the after party and maybe remind him" Eric smirks.

"Fine I'll go" I reply unamused. As we walk to my car, which is a black matte Corvette i pretend to be listening to Eric ramble on and on about how he is so excited for tonight. Once we are both inside I start the car and head to the baseball feild.

                                                                                     *****

It's the ninth inning of the first game of the season and we are winning with the score at 5-2. Its all thanks to Vincent and his amazing pitches. The only reason the other team has two points is because the coach doesn't want his star player to get to hurt.

"I cannot see how guys can be straight. I mean look at the players booties. Yum!!" Eric whispers in my ear. I can't help but giggle because its true. Baseball players have greats butts.

The other team pitches the ball to the player at bat. And with one fluid swing its out of here and we have one our first game of the season. Me and Eric get up rushing out of the bleachers to beat traffic. Once we leave we head back to my place to get changed for the party tonight.

****

Yelling and laughing is all I hear as I walk through the front door of Vincent's house, well more like mansion. Of course the party had to be at his house. I roll my eyes as I look at everyone that is beyond wasted. They are gonna have a shit morning tomorrow. Guess its a good thing its the weekend tomorrow. I look around trying to find Eric and smile when I see him talking to Ryland. Ryland happens to be Vincent's best friend. He is also the person that Eric has had a crush on since he came out in the beginning of freshman year. After walking around and being greeted by alcohol covered breath as everyone said hi I decided to go out back. As I sit by the pool lost in my thought I am startled by someone sitting next to me. I look up and gasp quietly under my breath. What is Vincent doing sitting by me I think to myself.

"H-Hi" I stutter and slap myself mentally. Stupid brain. "Hey." Vincent says as he smiles happily at me. "what are you doing here?" I ask quietly as I'm pretty sure that the smile took my breath away. "Um...well this is my house so I would think I would be here" He responded with a soft laugh following. I blush as I respond back "No I meant what are you doing here?" Motioning with my hand at myself and the pool. "I had to get out of there, to much noise and fresh air was just calling my name." As I am about to say something I am interrupted by my phone ringing. As I look down at my phone I realize it is a text from Eric saying "GET SOME" as I look around I see him looking out the window laughing. I get up and start walking back inside when Vincent grabs my hand.

 "It was nice seeing you again." he said with a small smile.

When I walk inside to meet up with Eric I slap him upside the head. "Thanks mister. I'll make sure to ruin you moment with Ryland, the next time I see you guys talking." I smirk as I walk out to the car with Eric right behind me. Once we are both in the car I start heading to my house knowing there is no point of heading to Eric's because he is just going to be at my house.

Once I get home I park the car in the garage and head inside straight up to my bedroom. All I want to do is sleep. Eric ends up on the couch in my room and am in my bed. I lay awake for hours replying the night over and over in my head. The last thing I remember before finally falling asleep is having Vincent's smile printed into my brain. This is the first night in three months where I don't hear my name being repeated over and over.