Secrets we keep in bottles

Watch your step

                             Parker
                            --------------

Crack

The ball flew through the air, smacking into Thomas's mit.

Clack clack

Gutter drops his bat and starts sprinting twords first base. Thomas chucks the ball to Huge who catches it and taps it against Gutter's ankle just seconds before he slid onto the plate.

"Fuck!" He exclimes, raising from his position on the ground. Thomas laughs as he walks twords the two.

"Better luck next time. Hey Parker, toss a few waters our way!" He calls and I wave in confirmation, setting my own bat against the fence. Scooping several water bottles out of the cooler I join the group and pass them out. Silence follows as we all crack them open and down the chilled liquid. The sun shines through it, casting rippled shadows agianst the dirt.

"So, that's five for you and three for us." I count aloud, running over the events of our small game. There are only four of us but we're able to make it work. Thomas and Hugh high five, gaining an eye-roll from Gutter.

I nudge him and grin. "We'll catch up. Your forgetting you have the best runner here on your team."

He nods pleased with my comment, lidding his water bottle and setting it by the fence. "I'll be right back, got to take a leak." Turning, he heads twords the public restrooms on the far side of the field. I lid my own bottle and toss it absentmindedly to the side. We've been playing here for years, how we managed to never gain any new players for our group was beyond me.

The wind today was particularly nippy but the adrenaline and exercise kept us plenty warm. I draw my arm behind my shoulders in a stretch. I'm up to bat next. I shake my head as Thomas sprays Hugh in the face with his water. Fucking goons is what they are. I can't help but smile anyways. These guys are my best friends, idiots or not.

                            -------------

I grip the handle of the bat tightly, planting my feet. "One swing, drop, run. One swing, drop, run." I recite to myself. Thomas winds up, throwing the ball. I swing hard, a satisfying crack rings out as the ball collides with the bats sweet spot. I discard the bat and sprint to first base. It wasn't untill i rounded for second before I saw just how far the ball was going. A glisten of silver and my gaze settles on two boys passing by. A small mental calculation, if the boys didnt stop the ball was bound to hit one if them.

"Hey!! Look out!" I shout. Neither of them look up, paying no mind to my warning. I groan and start across the field in their direction, shouting agian.

"Look out!!"

That grabbed their attention but far to late, the ball smacking dead center into the smaller boys head. He lets out a yelp, his steps faltering. Oh fuck, that had to have hurt. The taller boy steps to the side shocked. Concern and irritation fill his features as I run closer.

"Oh jesus!! I'm so sorry!"

The smaller boy pales, blinking rapidly as to clear his vision. I slow my pace upon reaching them, taking his arm and guiding him to sit against the curb. The other boy glares down at me as I crouch, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What even.." He mumbles to himself. "You oughta be more careful next time." He states worridly, a hint of hostility lacing his tone.

"I know, im really sorry. I just didnt expect the ball to fly so far out of the pit." I reply, beginning to feel uneasy under his gaze. I shift my hand to the boy's shoulder, watching him carefully. I wouldn't be suprised if he gained a concussion. After a few moments of silence he looks up at me. I squint and watch him, worried he might actually be concussed. He stares at me for a moment, a strange look crossing his face but he shakes it off just as quickly as it came.

"You alright?" I question, still unsure.

"Yeah, I- ouch. Yeah, I'm okay." He winced, giving me a pained smile. Heh cute. I can't help but smile back, raising and helping him to his feet. It isn't hard to notice his height agianst mine. He looks like he's barely pushing 5'4. His brown hair looks soft to the touch and part of me wants to reach out and run my fingers through it just once. Of course that would be weird so I dismiss the thought. I look behind me to see the other boy's found my ball. He gives me a heads up nod and tosses it to me.

"Thanks..." I trial off, realizing I still don't know his name. Thankfully he fills it in quickly.

"Bill." He smiles thoughtfully, looking between me and the boy beside me.

"Thanks Bill. Im Parker by the way." Extending my hand in a shake, Bill accepts. I relax seeing the negativity he previously held dissolve.

"And you are?" I look back at the other boy, smiling warmly. God hes so mousy.

His cheeks warm and he chuckles. "Oh, I'm Jacob." He reaches for the hem of his shirt, fiddling with it subconsciously.

"You guys live around here?" Please say yes.

"Nah." Bill pipes up.

Damn. My heart sinks a little, disappointment settling in.

"I live on Greens Burrow and Jacob lives on West Way."

Excitement replaces disappointment in an instant. "Oh that's not too far from where i live! My house is just off Plater Road. By the Post Office."

Conversation is cut short by Hugh, and I look back. He makes a wide gesture, a wordless "Are you coming?". I rub the back of my neck, debating. "No, I should get back." I decide.

"Shoot, I gotta go. Maybe I'll see you two around?" I ask hopefully.

"Most likely. It was nice meeting you. Your ball though not so much." Jacob answers, chuckling. I chuckle alongside him a moment then start back twords the feild, waving a goodbye to them as i walk. "Nice to meet you too." It definitly was.

I step back into the field and we resume our game, playing well into the evening. Thomas and Hugh beat us by five points but after my previous encounter earlier I didn't much mind anymore.