The Project

Chapter 6

Benny's Point of View

Kate and I have known each other since both of our moms got pregnant at the same time. Well, technically we've only known each other since we were born.

I don't remember much about being very young with Kate, but I do remember the moment I realized that I felt different about her.

The moment I fell in love I guess.

*Flashback*

We were in the 7th grade. She had been friends with another boy who clearly liked her.

I acted like I didn't care but whenever I saw them in the hallway, walking to class together, I couldn't help but want to be the boy she was walking and laughing with.

Obviously I was a lot closer with Kate than any other boy could be. But still, she didn't even notice me walking past her.

The whole day I couldn't stop thinking about Kate. I couldn't focus in any of my classes and I wanted to be with her.

Even when I got home from school, I wanted to just see her. All I wanted was to see her face and know that everything was okay.

Shit, I was seriously in love with her.

I remember a few days later when she was in her bedroom crying and I snuck in through the window.

She was crying about the dumb boy and I comforted her. I made sure to be there for her, even though I was upset that she was so head over heels about a dumb 7th grade boy that she barely knew.

*End of Flashback*

I should've told her that I loved her back in 7th grade, instead of waiting so long and still carrying the secret to this day, now in 10th grade.

She would've thought I wasn't serious in 7th grade, but now that we're 10th graders, would she think I was crazy for holding on to that secret for so long?

Suddenly, a flying fastball comes out of nowhere, hitting me straight in the eye before I could catch it and also snapping me back to reality.

Coach blows the whistle, stopping the game.

"Benny! Are you asleep?" He yells, making his way across the diamond and over to me.

I straighten up, making eye contact with the middle aged man as he stops in front of me.

"No," I answer, trying not to look as nervous as I felt.

"Then pay attention to the damn game," he mumbles under his breath and after that, walks away.

My teammates are mumbling to each other and snickering at my scolding. I roll my eyes and sigh, now making sure to pay attention.

-

"Oh my God, what happened to your eye?" Kate asked me a little later that night, crawling in through my window.

I was usually the one crawling through her window, so to see her coming through mine was a nice change.

"Baseball," I respond simply, wincing as Kate stood in front of me and felt my swelling eye.