My Protector

Idiot

POV: Catie

Kate's hospital visit was quick. She had an infection like we thought so she had to take some antibiotics and within a few days she was back to normal.

My strength is pretty much completely back, so here I am at softball tryouts to please my coach. He needs a catcher, and that's where I come in.

I've got about ten schools begging me to play for them. Most of them are full scholarships too, but I'm not going anywhere Kate can't. I've literally told all of the coaches that have contacted me that. Some have even offered to pay her tuition in full as well if I play for them.

"Hey Flag!" My coach snapped me put of my thoughts and I looked up to a fly ball that was coming my way. I bolted to the ball as it got closer and closer to the ground. My cleats dug into the grass as I locked onto where the ball was gonna fall.

I took my last full step before diving with my glove out to catch the yellow leather ball. The ball fell right into my glove as soon as I hit the ground.

Even though I'm the catcher I still have to do everything else at tryouts to make it look like I'm not already on the team. I could bomb tryouts and still be on the team.

"That's my girl! Bring it in Flag!" My coach praised and I trotted to his side at home plate.

I'm sure you are wondering why he calls me Flag. Well, you see, in freshman year I was put in the outfield since the senior catcher wanted to catch which is fine, whatever. A fly ball shot straight to the fence, so I bolted across the grass and put a cleat in between the fence chains and robbed the hitter of a home run, but I ended up going over the fence and hitting the flag pole on the way down which lead to me getting a concussion. Coach thought it was the funniest thing he had ever seen, so that's why I still get called Flag even after years of other funny mistakes.

"When do you stop showing off?" The girl behind me scoffed as she was about to start running to the outfield where I just was.

"I'm not showing off. I'm doing my job." I shrugged. I get that a lot. The show off bullshit.

"If you plan on keeping that attitude, get off my field." My coach snapped at her and a panicked look came across her face.

"S-sorry coach. It won't h-happen again." She stuttered out before bolting to the outfield.

"Remind me to keep doing that to her. It scares the shit out of her." My coach chuckled before hitting another ball into the outfield.

"Will do." I laughed along with him.

The girls would throw the balls in for me to catch them (that is if they could actually make it that far) so I could toss them to the coach, but only six of the girls were making accurate throws which makes my life a living hell since there are thirty of them out here.

Kate and I went to the locker room after tryouts, because I'm covered in sweat. I knew I shouldn't have offered to take outfield again. Coach was purposely trying to hit them near the foul pole.

"You did good today." Kate stood on the tips of her toes to kiss me on the cheek which made me chuckle. "What?" She asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"You're so short that it's adorable." I grinned at her, knowing that calling her short would piss her off, but calling her adorable will make her blush. The two combined is just hot.

"I am not short." Kate smacked my arm as she tried to hide her blush from me by looking away. "Just get changed so we can go home. You stink and need a shower." She giggled slightly and I nodded before kissing her forehead.

Her eyes were locked onto me as I changed. "You're a pervert." I chuckled and she shrugged.

"Am I not allowed to look at what's mine?" She smirked at me.

I could feel my cheeks flush slightly which caused her to giggle.

"That's what I thought." Her smirk was still on her face.

I slid on my Red Sox jersey before packing up the rest of my stuff and putting whatever I wouldn't need in my locker.

My head snapped around from my locker when I heard someone walk into the locker room. No one else is here. They all left, including coach.

"Hello hello Kate." A taller guy, about 6' 2", taunted as he walked around the corner. He seemed to be a little older than me, like 19 or 20.

Fear was written on Kate's face, so I pushed her behind me.

"So this is the girlfriend you have been telling me about." He chuckled.

"Who are you?" I snapped at him through gritted teeth.

"Kate's boyfriend." He shrugged.

"Kate is mine." I growled.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that." He smirked. "My name is Derrick by the way." He added before leaning against the wall with his foot supporting him.

I started to charge at him, but a small hand grasped my wrist. I slightly turned to Kate to see that she has tears in her eyes. "Let go Kate." I warned her and she only shook her head no.

"She won't, because if she does you'll run at me and I'll shoot you. Kate will be coming with me now." Derrick flashed me a smile before holding out his hand for her to take as he stood confidently on the other side of the room.

"What is he talking about Kate?" I mumbled.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. She kissed my cheek and pulled me into a long hug before slipping out of my grasp to walk over to him.

"Kate! What are you doing?!" I yelled. My voice bounced off of every wall.

"She's coming with me, because she loves me, not you." He chuckled. "I mean really, who could love someone like you?" His sickening laughter filled my ears as tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. Not one tear will slip.

"Don't go with him Kate." I warned, but anyone could realize that it was more of a beg than a warning.

"I have to..." She whispered as a tear fell down her cheek. "I love him." I could see her slightly wince at those words. At least I think. I'm probably imagining things.

He bent down and kissed the tear off of her cheek and I saw her flinch at his touch. "Why?" My voice cracked.

"Because I have to." Not once did she look at me. Her face started to showcase a colder expression.

"Tell me damn it!" I yelled and she flinched.

I watched as her head tilted up and her eyes locked onto mine. Her face screamed fear and sorrow.

"She doesn't love you anymore is why." Derrick laughed.

"I didn't ask you dickwad!" He flinched at my words.

"I have to go Catie." Kate whispered before taking his hand and walking out of the locker room with him.

My heart dropped to my stomach as I heard the door close.

I lost her.