The Runner-ups

Chapter 2

The silence that followed the strike was best described as excruciating. I turn to look at the megaphone guy who looked amused, as if he hadn't ever prepared for a scenario where a girl won their stupid little game. Couldn't say this surprised me.

Curiously, I looked for Parker on the field but he was nowhere to be seen. I thought about the look on his face earlier and I'm almost certain he's going to be giving me an earful later.

Nervously I looked up to the stands wishing for someone to make some noise to make things less awkward. I watched in horror as my wish came true when OJ stood up on her seat and screamed off the top of her lungs. "Atta girl Hallie!"

My jaw dropped horrified. I felt the flush rush up my neck and I was beyond embarrassed, but I was pleasantly surprised as I watched every student joined in and cheer for me instead of the players. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it.

Finally I decided to sneak a glance at Alex. He was still staring at the ball in the back catcher's glove. I could tell by the way the back of his neck turned red that he was embarrassed. After a few seconds of not moving he removed the batting helmet. His hair was sticking up in several directions but he either didn't notice or didn't care because he made no effort to fix it. He gently pulled his lip between his teeth and I watched as he scrunched his eyebrows together. I would almost consider him adorable. The back catcher who had erupted in laughter patted him on the back and Alex's face went even more red. Suddenly, he looked up and his eyes met mine. Alex clenched his jaw and tossed the bat to the side as he marched his way towards me. He stopped when he was a foot away from me, his height towering over me. I watched as he inhaled deeply and ran a hand over his face looking incredibly frustrated with me.

"What was that?" He asked calmly but I could tell from the look on his face that he was less than impressed.

"Well, I think most people refer to that as a curveball. It's one of my specialties." I grinned at him.

"That's not what I meant Sullivan." He spoke, getting increasingly annoyed.

"Well what were you expecting?" I asked.

"I-I don't know." He started to get flustered again and pushed his hair away from his face. "Not that."

The megaphone guy snickered and Alex noticed the prying eyes of the people around us and for the second time today, he grabbed my arm and started dragging me away.

We started to make our way to the dugout where we had some shelter from the eyes of the entire student body. As we passed a few of the players I unfortunately heard some of the insults thrown his way. I didn't understand why getting striked out by a girl was so amusing to them.

I looked over my shoulder and noticed that the crowd had loss interest in me and were focusing on the next girl who stood up to the plate. The megaphone guy introduced her just as he had me only a few minute ago. I looked back to Alex and I couldn't help but let the smallest laugh out.

He snapped his head to look at me. "Seriously, you too?" He said bitterly.

"I don't understand why you're so pissed at me."I stated smirking at him, proud that's I was irritating to him.

"I'm not pissed at you." He said. He signed and he looked at me longer than I wanted. It looked like he was having some sort of internal debate with himself.

"Your attitude is telling me something else." I said. "Don't I at least get a congratulations?"

"It's just...if you were going to try you could have at least given me a heads up first." He pushed both of his hands into his pockets.

"Why? It wouldn't have made a difference." I said.

"That's what you think." He muttered.

I took a step towards him to try and be more intimidating, but the fact that I had to look up at him towering over me kind of ruined the effect.