Apologize

Shook

Ash's PoV

I stood in the rain, frozen for a minute. What just happened? Heat rose from my neck up to my ears. I glanced over at Kayla's house and smiled to myself before turning on my heels and walking back to my car.

I opened the driver's door and sat down. I the windshield wipers again and clicked my seat belt in silently, still too shook to even think. I have always been the one to kiss first, the girls always kissing back, yet here Kayla comes along, breaking up how things have always been. This girl has me on the edge of my seat with her every sentence, always knowing more than what she lets on and it drives me crazy.

I ran a hand through my hair, waiting for my heart to slow down and for the butterflies flying in my stomach to disappear. The light turned green and I stepped on the gas again. I never thought Kayla would ever be serious with me, I always thought that she'd be the one girl to turn me down, to break my heart for once instead of vice versa, but I guess I was wrong. And for once I'm actually glad that I was wrong.My mind raced as I drove home through the pouring rain, warm air filling the car.

When I finally pulled into the driveway, the rain was even worse. I sighed, got out of the car, and used my backpack as a makeshift umbrella. I walked to the front door, rain splattering my back and sending shivers up my spine. I trudged to my front door, hoping to be greeted with warmth and a hug from Ali.

"Ash!" Ali squealed as I opened the door and quickly shut it behind me. I crouched down and wrapped my arms around her tiny body, laughing at her silly greeting. My mother sat on the couch, looking as if she'd been expecting me for a while. I stood up quietly, placing my damp backpack next to the door, and took the seat next to her.

"So I heard you got another girlfriend," my mother said with a smile. She has been hoping for a while that I would start dating someone like Cartney or Jewl. I sighed and nodded slowly.

"Yeah, Kayla is a great girlfriend," I reply. Her face dropped from extremely enthusiastic to slightly disappointed in a matter of seconds. "What? Why should it matter to you if I have a girlfriend who's popular and well known or not?"

"Because I want you to be successful," she said quietly. I rolled my eyes.

"Mother, I'm not going to be any less successful with or without a certain girl. It is extremely selfish of you to try to force a relationship on me with somebody I don't even like," I said in an vexated tone.

"As your mother, I have the right to at least talk about you being in a relationship with someone of a more respectable status," she countered. I groaned in annoyance and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Okay, but this is not the ancient times, I have every right to go out with someone of my choice. Maybe I don't want to follow the same  exact path as you and father did, maybe I want to make my own choices," I pointed out as calmly as possible. This was a stupid fight and nothing for me to get frustrated over. It's not like I haven't had this same argument with her several times before.

"Mummy, Ash, stop fighting!" Ali pleaded, pouncing into my arms and sniffling. I let out a breath of relief, glad that I won't have to argue anymore with Ali here to witness it. Stroking her silky brunette hair, I looked back over to my mother, who was rubbing her temples.

"Fine, but don't go crying to me when she either breaks your heart or keeps you from having any sort of success," she finally said, putting her hands up in defeat. I nod once in a proud manner and start braid Ali's hair in boredom.

"You have to be at the batting cages in an hour," Ali reminded me from over her shoulder. She's the one who always remembers dates, appointments, stuff like that. I chuckle and pat her head, undoing the sloppy braid I gave her.

•••

Kayla's PoV

I squatted to the ground and picked up the ball on the floor. I was at the batting cages, helping Ash by playing pitcher. Dad was in the next cage over, playing pitcher for another teammate. Ash positioned himself at the base, and gave me a nod. I wound up, paused, and released the ball. It flew over Ash's head. Again.

"No, no, no, you aren't throwing it right," Ash sighed and dropped his bat to the ground, walking over to me. I groaned and threw my head back. Why can't pitching be as easy as it looks?

"Well then how am I supposed to throw it?" I asked, obviously annoyed with my terrible performance. He copied my stance behind me, but put one hand on my back and the other on my throwing hand. Butterflies took over my stomach when I felt his hand against my back, but I fought them off.

"See? It's like this," he said, moving my arm to imitate the movements of a pitcher. I nodded and tried it on my own. It still flew over the imaginary batter's head. I huffed and crossed my arms.

"I seriously do not get how you can do this!" He rolled his eyes at my annoyance and motioned for me to go take place as the batter.

"It's easy, you're just incapable of it, Sunshine," he teased as I took my stance nervously. I gave him a nod and waited for him to pitch. It whizzed right past me, right through my strike zone. This is why I don't play baseball.

"Pfft, don't anger the pitcher, they can accidentally aim the ball where the sun don't shine," I threatened with an innocent voice. Ash shook his head with a smile.

"You couldn't hit the batter if he was standing a foot in front of you." I scoffed, though he was probably right.

"Whatever. Are you going to continue batting practice or what?"