Let Me Be The One // Benny Rodriguez // COMPLETED

Chapter #2 // The Carnival

Opal's POV

The first day of school is in a few weeks. I honestly don't know if I'm excited or scared. Only one more grade and I'm in high school. Oh boy...

It's around 3 in the afternoon and I hear a knock on my window. It's Benny.

"Hey," I smile as I open the window letting him in.

"Hey, the carnival is tonight. I was wondering if you'd want to go with me."

"Oh really? Sure!" I smile. He smiles back with makes me smile more. We smile for a long time.

"I'll be across the street if you need me." He says. I nod as I close the window when he leaves. I wave, too.

Wow, I'm an awkward kid.

I look at where he was sitting. There's a note.

Note: Wear a dress or skirt at your own risk ;)

I blush like crazy. What does he mean?

I don't like the idea of wearing a dress or skirt somewhere I'm not used to. I mean, I don't know what could happen. I don't know everybody in town.

I throw on some leggings, some heeled boots, and a long shirt that covers (or should cover) my butt.

She's wearing that ^^^

I walk downstairs.

"Going somewhere special?" Dad asks me.

"Just to the carnival," I smile as I take a sip of his hot chocolate.

"Don't make out with any boys now, missy."

"I'm too awkward to even look at a boy." I joked. I got a laugh out of him with that.

"Have fun, sweetheart." Dad smiles as he kisses my cheek.

"I will." I smile back, heading out the door.

"Ohhhh you lookin' fine, girl!" I hear someone shout. I look over to see Scotty, or Smalls.

I smile as he walks up.

"Hey shorty." I smile.

I'm almost as tall as Benny, maybe an inch or two shorter, while Smalls is just short.

"Trying to impress anyone?" He teases me, smiling.

"Not anyone specific." I say as I ruffle his hair. "Why ya askin'?" I ask.

"Usually I see you in jeans and a T-Shirt." He smiles at me.

I like Smalls. He's a good friend to have.

We walk to the Sandlot to find the guys playing. Everyone's there except Benny.

"Where's Benny?" I ask as I sit in the dugout beside Jolie. Rebel isn't there either but she texted me that she's at home getting ready.

"I think he's at YeahYeah's house. His Mom washed his clothes for him since their washing machine broke." Squints says.

I'm too lazy to have them all be introduced. So there's:
1. Benny
2. Alan "YeahYeah"
3. Micheal "Squints"
4. Bertram
5. Kenny "DeNunez"
6. Hamilton "Ham"
7. Timmy
8. Tommy "Repeat"
9. Scotty "Smalls"
10. Phillips (He used to be their enemy but they're good now)

Also, this story isn't set back then, it's in the time of today.

"Well that's my business, don't ya think?" Benny says as he walks up. He looks at me and smiles. Obviously, I smile back.

"What? She asked where her boyfriend was." Squints says.

"I don't have time for girls, Squints. Baseball is my life, I don't want a girlfriend." Benny says.

I think my heart just shattered. But honestly, seeing how focused he is when they play, I should've noticed that by now.

"You look nice, Opal." Benny smiles at me.

"Thanks," I say as I force a smile back. I CAN NOT let him know I like him. I'd be SO embarrassed.

Later...

I wait on Benny's porch for him to get ready.

I smile at him when he walks out. He put on a white T-Shirt and is wearing a button up (thats unbuttoned) over it and some jeans and his converse. He smiles back at me.

He's wearing that ^^^ But with white converse

"Ready?" He asks.

Benny's POV

"Ready," She smiles at me. I smile back.

As we head off, I can't help but to notice her looking at me. Do I have something on my face? I look at her but she looks away.

"I saw you looking at me, Opal." I smile at her.

"I was not, Rodriguez." She smiles up at me.

"Sureeeee you weren't," I smile.

We continue a casual conversation until we get to the carnival.

I pay for us to get in while she's distracted because on the way here, she demanded she pay. I was determined to pay, though. It's the gentleman thing to do.

She smacks my arm playfully when she notices, and I laugh lightly.

"Come on, Mom wanted me home by 10:30." I smile at her. She smiles back with a nod.

The first thing we do is ride a bunch of roller coasters. Glad we didn't eat before hand or we'd both be barfing.

The next thing we got on was this boat like ride thing that took us on a "trip" around the world. There was the Eiffel Tower from Paris, France, there was the Great Wall Of China, and a LOT more.

The last thing we get on is the Ferris Wheel. Once we get on, it stops in the air and we're at the very top.

"OHHHH MY GAH!" Opal screams as she looks over the edge.

"What's wrong?" I ask her.

"I-it's a long way d-down." She stutters.

I sit back against the seat and pull her head to my chest with my arm around her.

"Just don't look." I say as I stroke her hair. I feel her relax a little.

I don't like her... I keep telling myself. My life is about baseball, not girls.