The Laws of Emotion

Chapter Eleven

I was buzzing. It was the first regional softball game of the year, and I couldn't wait to wipe the field with this team. I just hoped that Coach Kidman would let me play. She hadn't said anything about me sitting on the bench, so maybe I was playing tonight.

"Hudson!" Coach shouted. I didn't know why she shouted; we were in the dugout. Still, I stood up and walked over to her. 

"Yes, ma'am?" I said politely. 

"You'll be on the bench for the first few innings."

I bet steam came out of my ears. Anger rushed through me in waves, and I had to control myself from flipping out on her. "Are you sure?" I asked, my voice shaking with anger. "We're going against one of the better teams."

"I'm sure."

"But you need me out there!" I pleaded. "I'm one of the best on the team. You can't do this to me."

She smirked at me. "I can, and I will. Now, if you keep arguing with me, you'll be on the bench the whole game. Is that what you want?"

I stared at her. Why did she hate me so much? I did nothing to her. Finally, I said, "No. I don't want that."

"That's what I thought."

She turned on her heel and sauntered away from me. In her wake was my teammates. They all were staring at me with confused looks on their faces. All of them besides Harper. She smiled sweetly at me, but I knew she was faking. 

"Why won't she let you play for the first few innings?" Layla asked, with Kiley right behind her nodding. 

"I have no idea," I replied, balling my hands into fists. My nails dug into my palms, but I didn't care. I welcomed the pain. "I only missed weights once. That was it. I did nothing to her to make her treat me like this."

"No one likes her," Kiley whispered, leaning toward me so I could hear her. 

"Yeah, I can tell," I muttered, sitting down on the bench. The umpire yelled something, and most of my teammates ran out to the field. "You guys better go out. It looks like she's going to explode."

"Don't worry," Layla said, walking away from me. "We'll try our best."

"That's all you can do."

I was left alone in the dugout. I couldn't believe I was in here while everyone else was out there. Standing up, I peered into the stands. Both my parents were sitting next to Harvey and Chris and Ethan. Beckett sat on the opposite side of Mom and Dad. They all looked very confused as they searched the field. Harvey, though, found my eyes with a grim look. He knew exactly what was happening. And he didn't look happy.

He suddenly stood up, and I cheered. I hoped he would go talk to Coach Kidman, convince her to let me out of here. Unless she got mad that he was doing that and kept me off of the field for the whole game. Then, I wouldn't want him to do that. 

My girls were holding their own against the other team. Two girls were on the bases, but I think I heard that there were two outs. However, it showed that the other team had already scored one point. 

"Did you really have to send your boyfriend over to talk to me, Hudson?" Coach Kidman said, stepping into the dugout with me. A permanent scowl was on her face. "That's pathetic."

I stood up as well and glared at her. "First of all, he's not my boyfriend. Second of all, it's not pathetic. He knows how good I am. I deserve to be out there."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Why do you deserve to be out there? Why not Layla? Or Harper? You're always out on the field, and they don't have a chance to play. Don't they deserve to play too?" I stared at her yet again, at a loss for words. Unfortunately, she had a point. But I really wanted to play. I didn't have to think of anything to say because she continued. "Softball is all some of these girls have. They don't have what you have. Some aren't smart. Some aren't pretty. Some don't have money to go to college and they need a scholarship. This is their only hope. Why should I take it away from them for you?"

I shrugged and swallowed. My mouth was suddenly dry as she stared at me. I thought she was expecting an answer, but she walked away, proving me wrong. 

"Did she give you her little speech?" I turned to the left to see Harvey strolling toward me. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets. "I assume she gave you her speech."

I nodded. "Yeah. She did." I rubbed my forehead before asking, "How'd you get in here?"

"I snuck around," he replied. "I wanted to check on you."

"I'm fine." I forced a smile at him. "Really."

"You sure?" he asked. 

"Yeah."

"Well, I didn't think you were okay so I told Chris to come . . . right about . . ." He checked his watch. "Now."

And just like that, Chris ambled into the dugout, bringing nachos with him. He offered some to me, but I shook my head. 

"Why're you on the bench?" Chris asked.

"No reason," I replied. "Why don't you two go back to the bleachers? I don't want to get into trouble because of you guys."

"I'd never get into trouble," Harvey joked. "I'm an angel."

"Sure." I stood up and pushed both of them out the back. "I'll talk to you guys later."

Harvey hovered next to me for a second and brushed a lock of my hair behind my ear. "I'm sure you'll get out there soon. Don't worry."

"Yeah, I know."

And he was gone in an instant. I walked back and sat down just as the girls rushed back into the dugout. I guessed that they finally got an out for the other team. Coach Kidman wouldn't even look at me. I sighed, knowing I wouldn't play in this softball game.

"Hudson!"

I faced Coach Kidman, frowning. "Yes?"

"You're batting first."

"Seriously?" I asked hopefully. 

"Yes. It seems like Layla doesn't feel good enough to play the rest of the game."

I looked at Layla who winked at me. I wanted to throw my arms around her and thank her, but Coach Kidman threw my bat at me. Catching it, I ran out to home plate. Our side of the bleachers erupted into cheers when they saw me. I knew Harvey started it. It was like I could hear his voice over everyone else's. 

I remembered what Harvey told about batting, and I used that when I hit the ball. It soared across the blue sky. However, I didn't focus on that. My feet raced across the ground, and I ran straight to first base. I could vaguely hear my teammates screaming for me to go to second base, so I did. I had to stay there, though. 

It felt really good to play softball. I was glad Layla lied to Coach Kidman. I told myself to talk to her after the game.

I ran toward third base after Kiley hit the ball. Glancing toward outfield, I took the opportunity from the girl fumbling the ball to run to home plate. Someone yelled something, so I dropped down to a slide. My foot slammed into the plate, and the umpire yelled, "Safe!"

My team cheered and so did the cheerleaders. I grinned, running to the dugout. Layla sat on the bench, and I pulled her into a hug. 

"Thanks for lying to Coach," I whispered to her.

"You're welcome."

I couldn't stop smiling. Softball had that affect on me. That, and my friends and family. That was the only things I needed to be happy.