Falling for the Bad Boy

Chapter 10- Curveball

I walked into school, nervous but ecstatic. The first thing I saw was James and Nicole were holding hands. I smiled that I had helped out my friends and then walked toward the school Bulletin Board. The school Bulletin Board where all the latest news was found. This consisted of any club meetings, practice's, dances, and tryout rosters. I had tried out for the softball team earlier that week and wanted to see the results. I knew I was good enough to make JV but doubted that I would make Varsity. The way the roster was shown was the what the coach's thought the best player was to the least. As I approached the board, there were many girls swarming, trying to see if they had made the team. There was lots of "YAY!!" and "AW!" coming from the group of girls. I waited patiently and nervously. Finally I got to the front of the board and ran my finger down the JV roster. My name wasn't on there. I checked again. My name wasn't on there. I sighed in frustration and was about to walk away when I turned back and looked at the Varsity roster. I shrugged and ran my finger down the names, and there mine was 

4. Paige Stockford

I blinked my eyes in disbelief and then checked again and sure enough, the coach;s thought I was the 4th best player and team player that tried out. I smiled and walked away toward my friends who were sitting waiting for me. When I got there they all jumped up and yelled "CONGRATS!!" I smiled and laughed then hugged them. Today was the best day ever, but little did I know soon day would turn into week. 

3 days had past and we had a game against our rivals, the Bears. We were home so we started in the field. I was starting in my primary position, second base. Next to me at short was one of my club teammates. Ilana Weis was an amazing softball player and basketball player. The first batter came up to the plate. She hit a like drive to center where, Grace caught the ball with ease and through it in. The next girl hit a grounder to Harper, the third basemen who fielded it cleanly and made a perfect throw to the first base men, Bella. The third hitter hit a hard ground ball up the middle, getting on for a single. The clean up hitter was up but our pitcher Riley was not scared, she struck her out on a riseball. The game went back and forth but it was still tied. It was the bottom of the 6th. The 6 hole hitter hit a line drive right over the left field wall, scoring a solo homerun. I called for time and went to the mound. "Hey, its ok. You are doing great, just keep hitting your spots and let your defense do the rest she got lucky." I said to Riley, patted her on the shoulder and then jogged back to second base. Riley struck the next girl out. One down. Then the next girl hit a line down the first base line for a single. A speedy slapper was up when the girl hit a hot ground ball to Ilana. She fielded it cleanly and made a perfect toss to me at second. I caught it, touched the bag, bouncing back and throwing it to first. Bella made an amazing stretch, getting us the out. Me, Bella and Ilana all exchanged high fives along with the rest of the team. Emily hit a grounder to the short giving us one out and then Bailey popped out. We were all losing hope when Taylor hit a hard liner up the first base line for a single. Then Sachi hit a gapper for a double, moving Taylor to third. I was now up to bat. There was 2 outs and we were down by one and the winning run was on second. I took a deep breathe, looking into the stands. I saw a huge support section. AJ, Kate, Nicole, Kanna, James, Blake and Ash. I looked and smiled but then caught someone else's eye. Zen was smiling at me. He nodded and mouthed Go get them tiger. I smiled just as the ump said batter up. I got into my stance and let a low ball go. Then the pitcher threw a screw for a strike. Then I swung at a rise ball missing it by a mile. I had two strikes on me. I started to breathe heavily, my nerves started to get to me but then I heard a voice. I looked up and saw Zen yelling "Breathe you go this!" Then he started chanting Paige, Paige, Paige.. Everyone started to join one by one, I smiled, getting into the batter's box. The pitcher had confidence in her eyes. She had an evil smirk on her face. She started her wind up and I loaded my swing and swung as hard as I could. I heard the sound of my bat and looked up, the ball was sailing into right center. I rounded first and stood on second, just as Sachi crossing home plate. I smiled as my teammates ran toward me and hugged me. We cheered and then shook hands with the other team.

After the game I ran to my friends and hugged them. They all congratulated me. "Where is Zen?" I asked. They all smiled and then Ash said "Right behind you." I spun around and saw Zen holding up a sign and the ball I had just hit to win the game. The sign said I might Strike Out , but I am going to take a swing because I finally got the balls sooo.. "Sooo what?" I asked confused. He then handed me the ball I had just hit to win the game and it said Will you go to homecoming with me?  I looked up at him and smiled. "Zen, yes I will go to homecoming with you." He smiled and then said "You got me kinda nervous and I am never nervous." I laughed and he went to hug me but I stopped him. "You sure you want to hug this ugly mess? I am all stinky.." I said laughing a little. He smiled "You mean hot mess?" he said grabbing me pulling me into a hug. I hugged him back and he pulled back. He looked down into my eyes and then cupped my face. He looked down at my lips and then kissed them softly. I closed my eyes and kissed him back, taking in the moment. When we pulled away softly he wrapped his arm around my neck and we turned to see our friends smiling and jumping up and down. I smiled and looked around me. This really had been the best week of my life.