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Stars Are Part of Heaven Too, You Know
Romance
 Created on 4-7-08
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 Story Rating G
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The two frames of the scoreboard on the left-field fence showed two for the home team and two for the visitors. It was the bottom of the ninth for the Falcons, two down, and their star player was at bat. James Lewis stepped out of the batter’s box for a practice swing. Anyone who knew baseball would have seen the level swing and snapping of the wrists at the last second; sure signs of a good hitter. James stepped back into the box. The count was 3-1 and the Wildcat’s pitcher was determined to sit James down. He wound up and delivered a fastball. James let it go for a count of 3-2. This time James didn’t step out. He was ready. The pitcher pulled the ball back, paused, and snapped forward. James saw the curveball coming early and was ready. It was right where he wanted it. With a beautiful swing, James hit the ball hard on the bat’s sweet spot. It flew low and fast into the gap between left and center field. He dropped the bat and ran, concentrating on only the base ahead. He saw the assistant coach waving him on to second and rounded first. He knew he had to get to third. Digging as hard as he could, he flew toward the Falcon’s head coach Bill Wyane who was yelling, “Hit the dirt! Hit the dirt Lewis!” James launched headfirst into third. His fingers hit the base just as he felt the baseman’s glove hit his shoulder. James didn’t dare look to see if he was safe. After what felt like eternity, the crowd erupted into cheers and whistles. Knowing he was safe, he stood and brushed himself off. “Way to go Lewis. You got us set up to win now,” Coach Wyane said as he clapped a hand on James’s shoulder. ******** In the stands, a tall brown-haired girl cheered loudly and jumped up and down. She was Anna Matthews, the girlfriend of Richard Kelley, the first baseman for the Falcons. Richard was up next to win the game. Anna had no doubt he would hit the ball hard enough to send James home. Though Richard wasn’t the star player James was, people liked him and cheered, but not quite as loudly as they did for James. Anna watched as Richard took the first two pitches for a count of 1-1. She thought desperately, Please let him hit it better than James! Anna had feelings toward James that were confusing. She saw him as a challenge because not only did they both love to pick on one another but there had been a time when she had liked him. She solved the conflict by dating the only competition James had in sports and praying Richard would do better at anything and everything. She knew it was childish, but the junior at Cedar High had been able to think of no other way. She’d been dating Richard since 9th grade and ever since then had made sure to keep James as only competition in gym class. Richard stared hard at the pitcher and when the slider came he swung. “Strike!” the umpire yelled loudly. The home crowd groaned. Anna watched as the pitcher refused sign after sign from the catcher with the slightest of nods. He finally got what he wanted and threw the ball. Richard was fooled by the fake fastball. Sure, his form showed a fastball but it was a changeup. Richard took a swing way ahead and was called out. The home team groaned and complained loudly. ******** Ten minutes later, Anna met Richard at the dugout. His head was bowed and he looked utterly defeated. “Aw, Richard, it’s okay. It wasn’t the championship or something like that,” she said. He only sighed and looked at her. “James was in position and I made us lose. It’s all my fault and I know everyone on the team is mad at me,” he said. “Okay, stop sounding so 6th grade, Richard. Yeah, they’re gonna be mad for a while, but not too long. You’re the best player we’ve got,” Anna scolded gently. Richard wrapped his arm around her and said, “Yeah, you’re right. It’s stupid. I’ll get over it.” They walked together to his shiny red car and got in. “Oh, hold up. I left my glove in the dugout. Be right back,” Richard said and slid out of the driver’s seat. Anna said nothing but got out of the hot car to wait. That’s when James walked by. He was alone, as usual. James wasn’t the cutest person and naturally, he didn’t have but a few close friends, none of whom seemed to be around now. He stopped and looked at her. “Tell Richard I said he did great today. We can’t win every game,” he said. “Whatever you say, Germ,” Anna replied icily. “Germ” was her nickname for James given to him one day when they had had a germ spreading prevention class one gym period. Anna had later asked him what to do if your classmate was a slimy germ. And the nickname had stuck since. James smirked and said, “Excellent. See ya round Loser.” Anna’s nickname changed daily and today it appeared to be referring to yesterday’s embarrassing incident during basketball drills in advanced PE. He walked off, leaving Anna to glare after him. Richard arrived just then and said, “Great, let me guess. He wanted to tell me I suck.” “Actually, no. He said good job and that it wasn’t the end of the world,” Anna said. He looked at her doubtfully but said nothing. He opened her door for her and they both slid into the car. As they turned onto the highway, Anna glanced in the rearview mirror. James was in the dark blue car behind them smirking the way she had always melted to in middle school. She twisted in the seat and mouthed, “I hate you!” James’s grin widened and she felt a long-buried flutter in her stomach. She whipped back around and took a deep breath. No. There is no way I’m gonna let this happen again, she thought with force. Richard glanced at her. “You okay?” he asked her, worried. “Yeah. I’m okay.” He seemed content with her answer and slid his arm around her shoulders. As he did so, she suddenly felt…well, nothing. Absolutely nothing. She couldn’t believe it. She felt like Richard was just nobody. It’s happening again isn’t it? she asked herself. It seemed that one brick had been knocked down and finally crumbled her entire wall around her heart. It was impossible. How could this have happened? All they had done was say a few words to one anther. This could not be happening. Anna said nothing the whole way home. She had no idea when James turned off. Richard made no attempt to start a conversation, still wallowing in his guilt. He dropped her off at her house and kissed her gently on the cheek. She ducked her head. Nothing. “See ya tomorrow, Baby. Love you,” he said. She just nodded and got out of the car. She stood on her porch and watched Richard pull out onto the road. She waved until his car had disappeared. Then she turned to go inside.
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