Sm:)e

chapter 1

I pushed in the final bobby pin in my still-damp hair, turning to the side to make sure everything was looking alright. Deciding it'd have to do, I grabbed my phone from the counter and jogged through my flat, nearly tripping on a stockpile of shoes by the door. Being late was something that was normal for me, but that didn't mean I never tried. Making people wait on me is a pressuring and panicky experience.

"Shit shit shit shit," I muttered, hoping I locked the door properly behind me. After managing to reach the car waiting outside in under two minutes, I swung myself in the passenger side door, panting. "I am so sorry, I swear I don't even remember my alarm going off. I must be getting used to the sound or something. Anyways, sorry."

Mel looked over at me with amusement. "You're fine, hon. I told you to be out fifteen minutes before you needed to be."

I let out a weak 'oh' and opened the mirror to apply much needed makeup. It's difficult for me to go anywhere without anything on, or with my hair natural, even if I am going to a eight year old's little league game.

"Harper is so excited for you to see her game, Harry. She's missed you a lot since last year." I looked over to Mel, who was looking into the rearview mirror to make eye contact with the surprise in the back. I twisted to see a rather hunchy guy with a head of curls pause his thumbs from over his phone to meet his bright green eyes with Mel's.

"Yeah its been awhile." he tucked his chin back again to continue his tapping.

I didn't know how to ask who that was (and how i didn't notice him sitting behind me) but hoped that he hadn't been looking at me putting on makeup. Theres something incredibly embarrassing about someone seeing you put on makeup, like they see through anything that could've made you attractive in their eyes.

My swipes became more rushed and I finished off with chap stick when i saw the tall lights growing nearer. They were easily recognizable since I would look for them all the time when I was younger and still played. Ballparks are always located in the strangest places, so its easy to get lost among the country roads. Even after riding these roads probably thousands of times they all still look the same.

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Gathering my things into my favorite green bag, I stepped out of the car, stumbling a bit and dropping my keys. Looking up after bending down to pick up the keychain, I saw the silent Harry was already walking to the fields. Raising my eyebrows, I jogged a bit to catch up and match his speed.

"Hey, Harry is it?" The only response was a look from the corner of his eyes and a nod. "Well I'm Cam, Harper's my niece." Another nod, but this time he pressed his lips together, looking up at the lights.

Alright. I stopped myself from getting too annoyed, remembering the more I smiled the better the response. When I was fourteen, I didn't talk much but didn't want my school ball coaches thinking that I was rude so I smiled instead. A lot. They ended up calling me Smiley, something I'd never have thought would be a nickname for me. Over that summer I'd come to the conclusion that even if I was lying to myself about being happy, it was better than being pissed about everything. What's that quote, 'fake it till you make it'? Maybe this guy was the same way.

If I were in his position I'd rather someone talk to me instead of being silent, I'd think they hated me or something.

"Have you ever played baseball or softball before?" watching the game was hardly enjoyable if you didn't play it, in my opinion.

He turned his head to look at the field to our right, field one, "Not really." he looked back down to the mayfly covered ground. I sighed as quietly as I could at his short response, gnawing on my lip and thinking that perhaps he has a speech impediment, his voice sounded a bit strange.

"Have you?"

I looked to my right in surprise to see Harry finally turning his head to look at me fully. Smiling, I responded, "A bit." Taking the brief moment to examine what emotion his face had. And what a face it was. Harry had not only an attractive face, but intriguing. Tanned skin made his light green eyes stand out wonderfully, and those eyes were moving around me at a quick pace, taking me in like I was him. Now it felt like the scales had tipped and he was now at the control of the conversation, and I trying to impress him.

We came to a pause at the front of the complex, Harry leaning to see field numbers. I tentatively tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the left where field 5 was located. The third base line dugout was occupied by Harper's team, Chaos. The bleachers were also heavily occupied by Chaos' loud parents. Upstairs in the umpire tower, umpires actually try to pay each other off to call the 8 & under games solely because of the parents. Why they get so intense for these kids when only half of them will keep playing through 12 & under I will never know.

"The seats look a bit full." Harry commented from next to me. British?

"We can sit over here." I walked towards the short grey brick walls surrounding picnic tables and covered by a large blue tent.

After settling in in our brick seats he asked, "Which team is Harper on?" British.

"Chaos, the ones in the lime green and purple. By the way, don't mention the uniforms to her, she absolutely hates them. Thinks she doesn't look intimidating enough."

"She sounds almost as intense as the parents," he'd quirked his lips when I looked up, glancing at me before averting his gaze to the stands. "Do you live around here?"

I blinked and took in his hunched over figure before responding, "Yeah, you guys picked me up remember?" my lips raised in amusement, making me realize they had been frowned for some time.

He chuckled, the sound giving me chills and said, "Woops." My smile widened, and I bit my tongue.

"And where are you from?"

"Holmes Chapel, Cheshire."

"Cheshire?"

"Northern England."

"And you know Harper....?"

"I dated her mom. Your sister, I suppose."

let me know if anyone has suggestions or anything, this is my first fanfiction soo