Floating by

Chapter 10: Game On

Kayla woke up with a huge grin on her face, feeling as though she was on cloud nine.

Yesterday had been amazing, she managed to jump off the 10 meter platform with Zach by the time their two hours were up. They had planned to meet again tomorrow to work on their flips and tricks and she couldn't wait.

Of course you can't wait, you want to see Zach again

No I don't. I'm just excited about diving again.

Sure you are. Keep telling yourself that.

After debating with herself, she remembers that she has to get ready for her next major activity: softball. She washes up and changes into some washed out jeans and a black and white baseball tee. She puts a trucker cap on her head, backwards and some nike sneakers on. Looking in the mirror, she's satisfied and makes her way to the cafeteria to grab some breakfast.

Sitting down at a table with her breakfast burrito and some apple juice, she's suddenly joined by Morgan and Shay. They're both dressed in similar attire to her but they've both braided their hair and are wearing their caps forwards.

"Hey there pumpkin!"

"Hey Morgan, hey Shay. What's with the nickname?"

Morgan shrugs as she takes a bite of her hash brown.
"Just felt like it."

Kayla nods her head as she bites into her burrito.

"So we kinda need to know, are you any good at softball?" Shay asks

"I guess I am? Why do you need to know?"

"We're trying to form a team so we can win this thing!" Shay says enthusiastically.

"Yeah, and we need to know if you're good cause we don't want any dead weight on the team." Morgan says while eyeing Kayla up and down.

"I mean I played little league, actually that was-"

"Stop." Morgan says with her hand up.

"Sorry Kayla, but this isn't little league. We'll see you on the field." Shay says as she gets up with her sister.

"But-" Kayla tries to get out, but the twins have already walked away.

Oh well, I tried.

As soon as she's done with her food, Kayla gets rid of her trash and makes her way to the indoor field for roll call.
On her way she spots a familiar mop of hair and walks up to it.

"Hey Sam!"

Sam turns around and smiles at Kayla.

"Uh, hey Kayla. What's up?"

"Just heading over to the field. What about you? Are you coming to watch?"

Sam scratches the back of his head, slightly embarrassed.

"Uh, yeah. Trey and Zach are on their way too."

Kayla's heart stops for a second before it picks up rapidly.

Zach's going to watch her play?
Oh god no.

"Zach's coming?" Kayla tries to ask calmly

Sam just nods his head and then awkwardly looks at his feet.

"Oh that's cool. So, are you excited to see Shay play?"

Sam's head shoots up to look at Kayla, mouth open in shock.

"Oh come on, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that you like her."

"I-i-. Yeah. I just don't know what to do."

"Well I can tell you, you're on the right path." Kayla pats his shoulder and smiles at him warmly. He smiles back then looks past Kayla.

"Hey guys!"

Kayla spins and sees Zach and Trey walking towards them and waves as a greeting.

Once Zach and Trey are next to them, Zach surprises Kayla with a hug.

"Hey Kayla" He says softly

"Um, hey Zach. What's with the hug?"

"Just felt like it?" Zach shrugs as they pull away.

Trey and Sam just look at them confused.

"So, did the twins ask you about joining their team?"

"Uh-huh. But apparently I'm not what they were looking for." Kayla shrugs.

"Sorry dude. They can get a little competitive. Don't take it personally." Trey says with a sympathetic smile.

Zach looks at Kayla weirdly.

"Wait, weren't you...?"

"Yeap!" Kayla answers knowing where Zach was heading.

"Did you try...?"

"They heard 'little' and walked away."

"But you've.."

"They'll find out soon enough." Kayla smirks at Zach, which Zach returns with a chuckle.

"What's going on?" Sam asks and the two look over to see their confused faces.

"Nothing. I better get going. See you guys inside!"

With that, Kayla walks through the field doors and finds one of the teachers in charge.

Kayla doesn't really know anyone on her team, but they seem nice enough. They were batting first and they already had 1 out. With the bases loaded, Kayla was up.

She picks up a bat and swings it around to test its feel, then walks over to the plate and takes up her position.

"Hey Kayla! We like you, but we ain't gonna take it easy on you." Shay says from her catcher's position.

"Don't worry, I won't hold it against you." Kayla looks at her with a smile.

"Cool, let's play!"

They both refocus on Morgan as she prepares a pitch. Morgan winds up and throws the ball directly at Kayla, making her jump back.

"Hey!"

"Ball!" The empire shouts

"Sorry!" Morgan says sheepishly

Shay tosses it back to Morgan and again Morgan winds up and throws the ball. This time perfectly, but Kayla swings and misses.

"Strike!"

"Dang it!" Kayla says annoyed

"Told you we weren't going easy." Shay says

Kayla doesn't answer and focuses.
Morgan winds up again and throws her ball. Kayla focuses on the ball, a fast ball, she waits for it to be where she needs it and....

*WHACK*

The bat collides with the ball and is sent soaring into the air. Without much thought, Kayla drops her bat and jogs over to the first base. She takes her time as her teammates cross home plate one by one.

She looks out to the outfield and sees that her ball has landed behind what the empire called "home run line". She makes it home and stands there grinning at Morgan, who has a dumbfounded look on her face. Before walking off she blows a kiss to her and winks at Shay.

She walks back to the dugout where her teammates excitedly congratulate her and everyone seems to be in higher spirits.

This is going to be a great game.