Who Says Girls and Baseball Don't Mix?

Chapter One: Step Up To The Plate... In A Strange New Town

Chapter One

River's POV

Bam! My brother's head slams against the car window for the fourth time since we've been driving. I roll my eyes and rest my head against my window. My baby brother screams in between us and my mother is yelling at my brother to relax. I cross my arms across my chest, gritting my teeth.

"I don't want to go!" my brother yells for the hundredth time. "I liked our house in the city! Why do we have to move?"

My mother, her voice hoarse from yelling, tells him, "Because your father got a good job in this small town teaching math and becoming the football coach." She rubs her stomach over her very swollen stomach. She is seven months pregnant.

I frown at her excuses and stare out the window. We, right then, pass a sign that says, "Welcome to Twin Lakes, Idaho. Population: 2040." Well, I think. I guess two thousand forty seven and half now... This is dumb. We had a perfectly good life in New York City. I was head cheerleader, captain of the volleyball and softball team, and was-am-dating the hottest guy at Newville High. I look down at my phone as it buzzes in my hand and smile when I see it's from Tony.

Hey babe ;) How's the ride?

I smile at his text and my older brother in the backseat looks over my shoulder. He laughs when he sees my face. "Oh my lord, River. Are you still dating that baboon?!"

"Shut up, Bay! Before I make you." I shake my fist at him threateningly. He laughs again but falls back into his seat behind me. He gets into a heated discussion with my six year old baby brother, who swears to him that baseball is a cooler sport than football. I smile at my baby brother's belligerence toward his older brother. I look back down at my phone.

It sucks >P I text back. Bay and Glade keep fighting, Rayne is screaming, and Cascade keeps slamming his head against the window and saying, "I don't want to go."

I send the message and look back outside. Pine trees and mountains rush by in a slow blur. I rest my chin on my fists and stare at all the green. My father has gotten a job in a small town in Idaho. Twin Lakes, I think is what it's called. Moving from New York City, this is going to be a big disappointment. I have heard it is one of the smallest towns in this state. My phone buzzes and I look down at it.

I'm going to be like Cascade and keep saying, "Why did River have to go?"

I smile. Aww! You're so sweet! I send the message really quickly right as my father pulls into the driveway of our new house. I got to go. We just got here. I'll text you after I unpack.

It takes him only a few seconds to reply. I'll be waiting. Love you!

I smile at his text but don't respond. I still don't know if I feel the same way about him. When I told him my family was moving to Idaho, that moment was the first time ever he had told me that he loved me. We had only been going out for eight months. I still had no idea if I felt the same way about him. He understands that and doesn't put any pressure on me to say it back. He's such a good guy.

I get out of the car and look at the large house in front of us. It is a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be. It is two stories and painted a pale blue. There is a tower like structure on the side of it with a jutted out balcony portion on the side, overlooking the street and driveway, and my mother, who was carefully helped out of the car by Bay and my father, smiles at me.

"That's going to be your room, Princess," she says. "It's the only room that is connected to all the other rooms by stairs. That way you'll have your privacy."