One Less

[ flashback ]

It was May, 17. We were playing a softball game.

"Desiree, your turn to bat" said jaylani , team manager.

I pull my bubble gum in my mouth and thought real hard. If i hit this ball, i can show everyone what i really can do. I walked up home plate and focused.

"Not too high, Not too low, Right in the Middle, Where it flow!"

"24 is her number, Desiree is her name, She's one of the reason's, We're gonna win the game"

I heard my friends chant as the pitcher and i made solid Eye Contact. I felt that this particular moment would dictate everything to happen next. It would show my parents that i am 14 and need to be independent and explore. That i'm a growing into a young adult.

as the pitcher released the ball out from her finger tips, all the tension flowed through my veins into my arms and as the ball came into the strike zone, I hit it deep into left center-field.

"RUN DESIREE!!" my team yelled. Everyone was chanting my name. It was everything i wanted. Eventually i made it to third base. I was the game winning run. I just need to make it back to home plate.

The girls on my team we're standing on the bench cheering.

"Hey you! on Three, lemme see you wiggle! wiggle, wiggle, wiggle!"

As i wiggled, the ball was hit towards second base. I ran faster than i have ever ran . I swiftly ran onto home plate and my team ran out the dugout claiming the Win. Then, my boyfriend, Mario, ran from the bleachers, picked me up, and spun me around.

"MVP!MVP!MVP!"everyone chanted. I felt so strong and powerful. But, of course that wasn't good enough for my parents, as i heard them in the back talking about what i could've done better.

"Mom, Dad, i'm going out with Mario and my friends to eat. I'll be home around 8" i told my parents. But of course they were on my back.

"We will speak when you get home"

I never understand what i do wrong. But, i'm always doing something that requires a conversation. Which is a main cause of my depression. 

Throughout the car ride, i was holding Mario's hand. But, i just couldn't fight off how i was always doing something to upset my parents.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Mario asked.

 I was immediately cheered up when i saw his dimples. I moved closer to him and leaned on his shoulder not breaking our handhold. I had a lot on my mind, but right now, it was me and him. He's leaving to Texas in a few months so we need to spend as much time together as possible. So, i lied.

"I'm fine , babe"

As his fingers stroked in my hair, i fell asleep wanting to save this moment forever.