My Best Friend's Girl 6

It was the bottom of the 9^th inning and I was beginning to struggle… The game had been a no hitter until the 7^th inning… When I went up to bat the pitcher for the other team had thrown a ball that clipped right shoulder which was my throwing shoulder. The pain was throbbing, but I knew some scouts were watching and I needed to finish out this game…

There was one out and Leo was up to bat and there was a senior I had recognized from last year on first base… I wound up and let go of the ball that could make or break my college career… the score was 2-0 but a good hit could cost us the game… “SSTTTRRRIIIKKKE!” the umpire said as I threw the first pitch. Two more and we would have two outs. With the senior threatening a steal, I wound up and threw the ball again… “STRIKE!” the umpire said again… I saw my mom cheering in the stands and my coach pacing the dug-out… One more and he will be out…. I leaned back on the pitcher’s mound and lifted my glove… I checked the runner at first and drew back to throw…

I knew as soon as I let go that the batter would connect…. I braced myself for the hit and when he did the ball headed right toward me… I put my glove it front of my chest and it sailed right to my glove… With the air more than a little knocked out of me I turned to throw to 1^st… the batter was headed back when I threw to Matt, the first baseman… “YOU’RE OUT!” the ump called.

Cheers came from everywhere and I sat down in the field… I couldn’t believe that we had won… We beat them and now we were the champs!!! I felt a cold splash when the other players dumped our Gatorade all over us. I saw my mom shaking hands with the scouts and then coming towards me… Tears streaming from her face… She hugged me Gatorade and all and we headed off the field… I had to meet up with the team in the locker room and I promised mom I would be right home for a celebration dinner…

I jogged to the locker room where everyone was already waiting… Smiles could be felt all through the room as the coach collected our jerseys to be framed. When he got to me he told me to come see him after I got changed… I had no idea what it could be, but I knew I had to make it quick… I took a quick shower to rinse off the Gatorade and I grabbed some shirts and a black tank top and headed to coach’s office… The scout from the game was already there and they told me to sit down…

“Son, we were so pleased with your performance today that we would like to offer you a full scholarship to UNC this summer… We hope you will talk this over with your mom and let us know before the school year ends!” He handed me a card and we all shook hands.

I couldn’t wait to tell my mom… My shoulder was starting to bruise and my coach had told me to ice it when I got home… When I got to my car, I noticed a paper with a number on it… I called the number on my way home hoping it was Leah…

“Hello!” I didn’t recognize the voice immediately… She sounded shy and maybe a little nervous… I racked my brain trying to guess but finally ended up saying “Hey this is Seth and I found this number on my car!”

“You don’t know who this is do you?” She sounded disappointed.

“No sorry, it’s been a long day… could you help me out here?” I didn’t want to hurt her feelings although I had been doing that a lot here lately.

“It’s Macy from Spanish! Hola!” she giggled… I remembered her immediately… She was kind of short with short brown hair and she sat two seats in front of me… “Well anyways I saw your game and it was awesome…”

“Thanks Mace, it sure was nice to have of you there for support!”

“I wanted to go to prom with you!” She blurted out the words and when I didn’t answer right away she hung up.

After I processed the info I called her back and she didn’t pick up. I left a message on her voicemail and said “Sorry you caught me off guard, but if you are still interested I would love to go to prom with you! Well call me back!”