outfield Alex Verdugo

15

Claudia
It's been almost a week since the funeral. I still haven't gone to school , well i go back today. I've missed two weeks of school and baseball. At this point I'm just numb. I do cry , i haven't really cried these past two days. Having her necklace and rings makes me feel much more connected to her and makes me feel somewhat better? Everyone went back to their normal lives. Alex ? He's always calling. He stayed with me two days then i made him go to the games. It's days from october meaning the season is almost over. Meaning the world series is literally around the corner. Today is monday and I'm not excited at all.

"Clau? Do you need me to take you?" My mom asks. Everyone and i mean EVERYONE has been worried about me. I mean i would be worried too , I've been in my room for 3 weeks , only person I've talked to is Alex. Those two days i was eating. I haven't since. I keep myself hydrated. Weight def has been lost and its very visible "I'm fine" i say. I grab and orange juice and go out to my car. I'm havibg anxiety just leaving my house. I turn my car on and pull out the driveway. Taking sips of the juice once and a while. Since i haven't ate anything i feel like my stomach shrunk. Idk. Anyways today , I'm going to practice which I'm not to fond about. I get to school and i park. I grab my backpack and get off. I have my hood on. I decided to just leave my beanie.

Walking into school feeling everyone's eyes on me. I let out a small breath as i walk inside the building. I go into the office and vero looks at me. I take out the paper from my pocket putting it on the counter and she gets it. "Are you okay? I'm sorry for your loss" she says. I shrug my shoulders responding to her question. She finishes the paper then walks over to me and hugs me. "I'm here for you" she says. "Thank you" i say in a shaky voice. She pulls away and gives me the paper. I then walk out. I feel a hand on my shoulder  i look and its manu , abby , nicole and natalie. Manu hugs me then the girls do. Manu and i then walk to our homeroom. No conversation was made.

We're now at lunch. I got many projects i need to do in order for my grades to go up. At the moment I'm failing all classes. I get out my lunch , a sandwhich and some chips and cookies. I grab the cookies and eat. "Are you going today?" Kim asks me and i nod. I only ate three cookies then i put everything away , the guys and girls just look at me. I look up and see vic leaning on the wall with his "gangster" friends. I get up and walk towards him. "Whatsup?" He asks. His "tough" "gangster" look soften as he makes eye contact with me. As i stated earlier everyone has been worried about me among them vic is one , its bad when vic is worried. "Here" i say giving him the bag. "You didn't even eat" he says. "I don't want it" i say and he shakes his head grabbing the bag.

-

So last week it was officially announce that our team is sponsored by the dodgers. Meaning I've gained "following". Anyways i just got to the stadium. I didn't know we had a game today. After school i went back home and look at our schedule. I then grabbed my bag and started walking downstairs but was stopped by my parents. I told them where i was going then they insisted on coming along. My dad drove us here. We go and get checked. Alex and the guys are here. "Oh god" i say and feel my dad squeeze my shoulder. We get to the field and everyone is there. "Watch them please" i tell my dad giving him the rings and he nods. He then pecks my forhead and hugs me.

"Clau" abby says getting everyones attention and they all look at me. "Clau! We're so glad you came" coach says. I get a hug from each one of them then of the guys. "Do you want to play?" Coach asks. "Yes" i say. "Okay" he says. "Girls get ready for warm ups" he says. As I'm about to go get ready i get pulled to the side by alex. "Are you sure?" He asks. "I'm sure" i say. "Are you in a right state of mind? Babe i want you to be okay" he says. "I'm not truthfully I'm not but i need to do this" i say. "Don't put stress on yourself" he says hugging me. "You're going to do great" he says. We pull away and i go get ready for the warm ups. I had asked coach earlier if i can change my song and he said yes.

"Here's your starting line up. Playing 1st base , Kim Jenson , playing 2nd base , Karla Hernandez , playing 3rd base Victoria Yuri , shortstop Abigail Garcia , left field Natalie Lopez , right field Nicole Taylor , center field Claudia Tihan , catcher Alyssa Rodgers and pitcher Judith Gomez" the p.a says. I grab my glove and tuck in my necklace. I'm really not okay for this right now. "Come on girls" coach says. "You got this" he adds. The team has lost 7 of the last 8 games. "Taking the field your romans" the p.a says and all girls go to the field. Abby pats my shouler. I take a deep breath and look up at the sky. I gotta do this for her. I get on the field and go to center field.

I look at the stands and there's alot of people. More than i expected of course. I mean its alot. Also i was told the games will be livestreamed. All the cameras here are on right now. This is legit. "Number 21 , Miley James" the p.a says and she gets ready. First pitch , ball ,second pitch ball , third pitch ball , fourth pitch right field homerun. Bullshit. Second girl comes and she gets walked. 4 balls no strike. Wtf????? Third girl hit to left field. Corner bases are occupied. Fourth girl , first ball strike , second ball strike , third ball strike. Wow. Fifth girl , first ball , second ball , third ball , fourth strike , fourth ball. Bases loaded. Wtf. I rub my temple and look up at the screen.

I look at my card and she hits mostly to center field. First ball ,second strike , third ball , fourth strike , fifth ball , sixth stike. Bases still loaded. Next girl comes and she's out i 123 pitches. I'm batting second today. "#14 victoria yuri" the p.a says and plays her song. First ball , second strike , third ball ,fourth ball ,fifth ball. Geez. I don't think i can do this. "Number #27 , Claudia Tihan" the p.a says and Another One Bites The Dust plays. My nana LOVED this song. She loved all type of music , with her i listened to rock and hispanic music. Claps and cheers are heard. I take a deep breath in and i feel my breath hitch.

I move around and she throws her first pitch. Ball. "Strike" the ump says. Wtf? Second pitch strike. Last time i was here , she was standing behind home plate cheering me on. She always made sure i knew she was there. I step off the plate and move around. I look at the seat behind homeplate but she isn't there. I feel my eyes get watery af. I rub my forehead with my forearm and chew on my gum. Ump looks at me with a sincere soft look. I again take a deep shaky breath and step on the plate again. "Come on clau" i hear. That's not her though. I see the ball coming towards me. Can really see it clear because my eyes are SO watery. Yup that was a strike.

Alex
"I can't believe shes playing" cody says and i nod. "She doesn't look okay if we're being honest" kike says. "She really doesn't. She looks slimmer" corey says. "She does. But also she isn't 100% in the game" i say. Top of the first inning 1-0. Victoria comes to plate and gets walked. "Number #27 Claudia Tihan" the p.a says and Another One Bites The Dust plays we all cheer for her. You got this baby girl. First pitch is a ball. "What"  i say when the pitch gets call a strike. She gets off the plate and moves around and looks at the seats behind homeplate. Her body language drastically changes. 2 strikes. I see her rub her face and my heart drops. "Is she crying?" Chris asks. "I don't know" i say. She gets back on plate and gets a strike. She walks back and ump signals at the coach that she was crying.