Home Run

1. Baseball Tryouts

   "Alright Liam, today is the day. You can do this, you can't chicken out this year. Just play like you always do. Don't let them scare you." I'm pacing in front of my mirror trying to hype myself up, but it's not working that well. "You are going to fail. You won't make it on to the team. You will never be as good as those other guys." I let out a sigh of disappointment in myself. "No, no, no. Don't think that way. You WILL do this! You CAN do this! ""Liam, Hurry up! I don't want to be late to school!" I throw on my lucky socks, put on my shoes, grab my things, and run down stairs to the kitchen.

   "Yeah, yeah. I'm ready now." We wave goodbye to our dad and head out to my sister's car. She is a junior this year and I'm a sophomore. Although I am only one year younger, she treats me like I'm still five. She is actually the devil. You mess with her, be prepared for your life to be a living hell. The only reason she is driving me to school is because our dad made her, but to be honest, I actually wouldn't mind riding the bus. All she does the whole ride is play this empty music and gossip with her friend about the other "friends." But hey, I ride to school is a ride to school, even if it is from Satan herself.

   As soon as she pulls the car into her parking space, I practically jumped out of the car. I was in no hesitation to get out of that hell machine with her and her demon friend. As I'm walking to the locker room to drop my baseball equipment off, I get stopped by Brandon Creek.

   "Liam, I was just looking for you." He smiles at me and starts reaching his hand out.

   "Brandon! It is always lovely to see you, but I've got places to be, so let's make this quick." I reach in my pocket and grab my money and place it into his hand.

   "Thank you. It is always a pleasure doing business with you." As he walks away I let out a huge sigh. "Well there goes your lunch." He is such a jerk, but school wouldn't be the same without him. We have been stuck in the same classes since kindergarten, yet he hasn't changed one bit. Even thought he is an actual asshole, I would probably hate it even more if he was nice to me. If there is one thing I can actually count on in this world, it would be Brandon Creek making my life more miserable than it already is. It is actually a comforting thought to know I have some stability in my life. Just imagine, Brandon being nice! The universe would fall apart. I don't want to think about that horrifying thought anymore.

   As I enter the locker room, I'm hit with the smell of dirty socks and cologne. At least this mixture of smells isn't that bad. There has been way worse, but we all agreed to never speak of that day ever again.

   As I turn the corner to go to my locker, I find that I'm not the only one in here. Before me stands Dakota McColgan, the captain of the baseball team. He is about 6'3", strong, and very shirtless. He has a six-pack, strong jaw line, and soft muscles on his arms and legs. He has short, curly blond hair and glossy hazel eyes. He is the epitome of everything I want to be. But that won't happen anytime soon because I am this scrawny little kid that is only 5'5" with short, wavy brown hair and green eyes. He is literally the most perfect person at our school, not to mention the scariest (to me at least). He's only a junior, but is by far the best player on the team. I won't make the team if I can't meet his standards. Even the coach does what he says. I try to walk past without him noticing me but was spotted.

   He stands on the middle of the walk way, leaning one hand on the lockers. "So, you are trying out for the baseball team?" He waits calmly for me answer the question. I give him a nervous nod, hoping that I wouldn't get laughed at right then and there. He gives me a good look up and down. "What is your name?" He sounded very firm but at the same time, curious.

   "Uh... Uh....my name is Liam Ziebach." He smiles a little and laughs a little. I was kind of confused and now very nervous.

   "Sorry, you just sound very nervous. Based on your height and lack of social skills, I'm guessing you are a freshmen." I laugh a little at that, although I was a little offended, I can definitely see where he is coming from.