1980's / mattia polibio

.22

"I just don't feel like it today mom" I try to explain to the woman sitting across from me at the dining table.
"You never miss a day at the Sandlot" she replies.
"I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed i guess" I finish with no intention of continuing this boring conversation.

Opening up my eyes this morning felt different. It felt annoying. I didn't want to do it. The daily morning light shining in my room, meeting my eyes was further frustrating me. I pushed my self to quickly get up and shut the blinds, only to return back to my bed in semi darkness. I laid back on my soft pillow thinking about what could happen today once I got up. Would the boys still act weird around me for no apparent reason? Would polly pocket be there today with her minions? I let out an audible sigh not wanting to see her face at all today. It would totally ruin my mood. A thought soon popped up into my head preventing me from doing such a thing. Why not just skip a day of going to the Sandlot. I pondered on the sudden idea.

Hopping out of bed I peeked out of the curtains to see the boys still waiting for me as they did every morning. My expression softened seeing Mattia waiting for me but they soon tensed back up when I remembered last nights occurrence.
"You're not acting yourself."
My ass. This is the best of me. The me who isn't afraid to back down. I pulled open my blinds and began to crack open the window.
"Not going today sorry. Be on your way" I smiled at the boys slightly yelling so they could hear me properly.
The peered up to the second story window with confused expressions.
"You're missing the game today?" Mattia questioned visibly confused or worried but I couldn't care to figure out which one it was.
"Yep I'm uh.. feeling under to weather. Have fun" I shouted closing my window before they could say anything else.

I shut my curtains leaving a small crack pinned back only to see them walking away. I turned back to my room with a sigh of relief and began choosing an outfit. It consisted of blue denim shorts and a cute, tight red top. I curled my hair and applied some lip gloss. I then reviewed my overly dressed self with an approving look. I wanted to feel good today so, to start off I should look good.

My parents were asleep at this time but should be waking up soon. With this in mind I decided to make them ,along with myself, some breakfast. I put a cd into the small disk player that sat upon the counter. Turning the volume up enough for me to sing along, I began cooking. I placed pancake batter on the black pan as I flipped them occasionally, using the spatula as a microphone here and there. Dancing along with the 80s music, I also cooked up some scrambled eggs. While finishing up the eggs, I see my parents walking down the stairs tiredly. They peek up to see my singing and cooking with a concerned look.
"Morning" I say to them with enthusiasm.
"good morning" they both say but it comes out sounding more like a question.
"Made some breakfast go ahead" I point to the table, "sit down."
They walk past me slowly while keeping an eye on what I was doing.

I slid them the plates with the aroma of beautifully cooked breakfast in the air. I sat down across from both of them smiling while I slipped a piece of pancake into my mouth.

"Do you feel sick?" my dad asked me continuing the conversation, confused as to why I would ever miss a day of playing the game I have come to love.
"No just wanted to take a break from that game that I literally play everyday, may I remind you."
They nod slowly in response to me.
"Anyways thanks for the breakfast sweety" my mother speaks up while my father nods as if to be saying the same thing.
I smile back at them implying a your welcome.

I washed the dishes once breakfast was finished and my parents strolled past me into their bedroom still eyeing me suspiciously. The next few hours I spent cleaning. That's when I knew something was up with me. Maybe I just didn't know what to do because I never skipped a day of going to the Sandlot unless we all planned to.

After hours of cleaning I decided to stop and go upstairs to draw or something. I didn't really know what to do. I got bored quickly from drawing because I clearly sucked at it, so I tried to do a few other things like color coordinate my closet, and tidy up my desk. Multiple random activities took up some time as well. It was soon 5 o'clock and I was laying in my bed when I heard chit chat coming from outside. I peaked out the window to see the boys. I peeked down at the time and knew they came back usually around 7 o'clock which means they finished the game early. I placed my ear against the widow that was still a bit crack from this morning, only to hear them seemingly arguing about who should knock on my door first. I rolled my eyes and made my ways downstairs. I opened the door to see them staring at me. I pursued my lips and widened my eyes slightly, looking at them. Closing my door I speak up.
"Yes?"
None of them talk or move really so I made my way over to them.
"How was the game?" I try to spark up a conversation.
"Good" they all say in unison.
I stared at them expecting someone to say something. They didn't and once again stashed quite so I began to walk back to the house.
"I'm just gonna..." I began stepping back and pointing to my house with a tight lipped look on my face.
"Wait Natalia we need to talk to you" Kairi spit out looking at Mattia.
"okayyy" I carried the 'y' in a high tone as I walked back to him.
"Actually" Mattia began. "Can we talk somewhere else."
I looked at them with knitted eyebrows because they were once again acting weird. Mattia gave the boys a small nod and I followed Mattia while the rest of the group walked back to their houses.
"I want to take you somewhere" he started as soon as we were alone.
"Okay" I replied a bit too defensive still a bit offended about what he said or implied last night.
"Make sure to tell your parents you'll be back later tonight and meet me out here in 10 minutes" he added ignoring the tone of my voice, before walking away.
I turned on my heel and walked back to the house with confusion soon talking over my expression.
"Mom, Dad I'll be back soon Love you" I raised my voice standing outside of their door to be sure they heard me.
"Be safe sweety" they both reply.
I stumbled to my room and grabbed a 5 dollar bill, which was stacked in my savings, just in case I needed it and shoved it down my pocket.

I walked outside seeing Mattia waiting for me. Once I reached him I asked where exactly we would be going.
"You'll see" he said.
My response was a subtle hmm.

We began walking, me alongside him, following where ever he was going. I peeked glances at him here and there. We were stepping into an opening in the woods that peered around the small city. They weren't forests but there were quite a bit of trees.
"Are you going to murder me out here" I joked wondering what we were doing in such an odd place.
He giggled in response. Not saying anything else he took my hand and we began walking into the woods. We were only trotting a few steps when we made our way up a slight hill. The top came into view suddenly and my mouth slightly fell ajar.

There was a small picnic blanket laid out with a few lanterns around the area lighting up the soon to be dark place. A basket was centered on the blanket which I assume held foods of some sort. The small area overlooked a portion of the city and it was truly beautiful. I looked to Mattia my eyes in complete awe.
"You did this for me?" I questioned.
"The boys helped a bit" he responded with a grin creeping up on his face.
I took him into a big hug feeling his chest press up against me. The warmth he provided was one I missed dearly. I pulled away after a few moments keeping my arms around his neck and him keeping his arms wrapped carefully around my waist. I smiled at him while my cheeks threatened to turn a bright shade of pink. I pulled him closer moving my lips to his cheek, kissing it softly. I allowed one of my arms to fall down, the other curling around his hand as he brought me to sit down on the carefully placed blanket.

Authors note: I love Smalls attitude in this chapter and the way she's suddenly funny😭
But why do you think Matilda is acting weird😳

Next chapter will be cute but interesting :) hope you enjoyed make sure to comment and vote<3