I.. Is It My Fault?

Chapter 16

(Clay's pov)

Eli had lead us out to the bleachers and we all sat. It looked like most of the school was out here. I listened to the different conversations that were going on around me.
"Did you hear? Maddy got suspended..."
"I can't wait to get this going. It'll be a slaughter..."
"Yeah, I'm totally coming over tonight.."
"Nah, I heard that she made a move for Mr. Vench. Stupid bitch did it infront of half the class aparantly..."
While listening to what was going on around me, I completely ignored what Eli was saying right next to me.

"What?" I asked turning to her.
"I said that Rash offered us a lift home at the end of this earlier... Were you not listening?"
"S-sorry.." I said quietly. "I got distracted."
She grinned and clicked her tongue. We didn't have to wait long for the players to get out onto the field. I didn't know who the other school was, I.. I didn't pay a great deal of attention... I'm so bad.
We all cheered as our team stepped up to bat first after the captains had a short conversion.
I didn't know who was first up, but he wasn't as tall as the others on the team. He got into position and took his footing.

The game commenced and the ball was launched with impressive speeds. It went straight passed the batter without him even reacting.
The second time though, the bat smashed against the ball and he was off before the bat hit the ground. The ball didn't go far, but he was already at third base before anyone got to it. He must be the fastest on the team. At least one of them.
He got to home base and everyone cheered. The next few players each managed to get to get to a base each. That's when it was Rash's turn to bat. He stepped up and took his position. He moved a strand of silver hair out the way as he did.
The ball was sent flying towards him at high speeds, I didn't think he'd be able to hit it.

But he did. There was a deafening crack as the bat and ball connected. Rash dropped the bat and sprinted. Everyone on the field made it back to home base.
I was impressed, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. But I didn't know a lot about baseball, I think I've mentioned it before but, hell I was impressed.
As the game went on it was starting to look like we had an untouchable score.
The other team tried. They actually got pretty close. The game went on for some time and in the end they were wiped out. Rash had a giant smile on his face when the game ended. I felt happy knowing that his stress was for nothing. We told him he'd do great, and he did.

We watched as both team captains shook hands and parted ways.
"That was awesome!" Dave said with excitement.
The stands cleared so I followed Eli and Dave from the stands. We headed for the front of the school. We waited by Rash's car for him. I leaned against it while I watched Eli and our brother joked around with each other. They had me laughing.
A few minutes passed and Rash was still a no show. We waited for a bit more but he still hadn't turned up.
"Where is he?" Eli asked, probably to herself but she was irritated.

"I.. I could go look for him.." I said quietly.
"He's probably still getting changed." David reassured us.
"He's usually done by now. You know he can't stand to be in the showers for too long." Eli countered.
"Fine, Clay go see were he's at?" It came out more of a statement than a question.
But I didn't mind. I was the one who suggested it in the first place. I moved away from the car and headed back into the school. It was empty, but I didn't expect anything less. I went to the changing rooms, but I hesitated before stepping inside.
I didn't want to intrude if people were still getting changed. But I entered amd found that it was abandoned. Not a soul was in sight.

"Hm.." I murmured in thought.
I didn't mean to have it leave my lips, but it did. There wasn't anyone to hear so I don't know why I was concerned about being overheard. I decided to leave the changing rooms and head back out to the car. But I bumped into the coach on my way out.
"Can I help you kid?" He asked.
"Oh, sorry.. I.. I was looking for someone." I said, apologising again.
"Yeah, there's no one around. All the lads left without clearing their shit."
That's when I noticed that he had a bat in his hand.
"You mind helping out? There's a few more bits but it would go quicker with two people."

"Y-yeah, sure." I said with a nod.
He smiled his thanks and we went back into the changing rooms to gather the remaining equipment. There was more than I thought, but between us we managed just fine. The supply shed was out round the back of the school.
We carried the equipment out but when we approached the shed, I thought I saw someone at the side of it. It was probably just my imagination. I didn't spend too much time pondering it.
The coach opened the shed and we placed the equipment inside. It didn't look like there was much of a system in there. Everything was pretty much just thrown wherever.

"Thanks again." Coach said.
"I.. It's no problem." I said, giving him a small smile.
"This place could certainly do with cleaning up a bit." He said while we left the shed.
"Y-yeah.."
I followed him out of the shed and he locked it behind us. A thought popped into my head and I decided to give it a shot.
"H-hey.. I could give it a.. a once over after school one night.." I tried suggesting.
"Nah, I couldn't let you do that. I'll get round to it at some point."
"I don't mind. And it shouldn't take too long."
"You sure?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I.. I could do it on Monday. I.. if it's alright."

"Hell yeah it's alright. Just as long as you don't mind."
I nodded, telling him I wasn't.
"Great, just pop by Monday after school and I'll give you the keys. Just, make sure I get them back." He had a grin when he said it.
I left him at the changing rooms to head back to head back to the car. Eli and Eli and Dave were still mucking about and Rash was nowhere in sight. I approached them and they stopped.
"Find him?" David asked.
"No."
We were there another few minutes before Rash walked out of the school.
"I'm sorry," He said as he neared us. "I was in the toilets then I wanted somthing from the vending machine."
He held up a can of soda and a chocolate bar.
Eli roller her eyes. Rash's face was a little red. He unlocked the car and we all got in.

Rash drove us home once we were all clipped in. It didn't take long before we were pulling up outside the house.
"You coming in?" Eli asked.
"Nah, I'd better get off home. Mom will have dinner ready soon." Rash said. "I'll be over tomorrow though."
Eli smiler at that. We said bye to Rash and headed inside.
"We're back!" Eli called.
"Welcome home!" Eva shouted.
It sounded like it came from the kitchen.
"I'm in the kitchen! Dinner won't be long! "
How did I know? I chuckle internally and I head upstairs