The Catcher (Baseball Au Chapter 2)
A/N: Ok so I made this longer than the first chapter because I have a feeling that this story is going to be long af and to save everyone the pain of clicking on 20+ chapters, I will try to make each chapter pretty long so it’s easier to read. Anyways, let’s continue the story. Y E E T (sorry for the shitty ending to this chapter)
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You follow Alana through the lunch line and grab a tray. As you waited for other kids to punch in their numbers in the computer, you looked around at the lunchroom. The room wasn’t too big. In fact, it was small. A lot smaller than your other school. A room like this would’ve been used for storage space.
“Dude, that’s (Y/N) (Y/L/N)?”
A sophomore named Josh, who was on the team, sat next to Evan. Josh was looking right at you and couldn’t believe you were actually at his school. Jared scoffed.
“Hey, Brooks, close your mouth. You’re getting drool all over the table.”
You followed Alana and sat down at her table. Her table, coincidentally, was the same table that the three boys from earlier sat at. You set your tray down next to her. You were at the edge of the table and you felt numerous eyes watching you. You glanced up and noticed the boys around you look away, quickly.
You grabbed your fork and dug into your salad. Connor sat down with his tray. He was sat across from you and next to Jared. He smiled at you.
“Hi. Nice to see you again.”
You smile back and turn your attention back to your food. You hear Alana clear her throat,
Connor had his mouth full of lettuce. He swallowed thickly and moved his hands as he spoke,
“She had to stay back to finish a test.”
You listened in on the conversation even though you didn’t look up to acknowledge them. You weren’t trying to be moody or distant, you just felt so out of place. You weren’t used to small schools or small towns. Everyone in this town knew everyone. Including you. Everyone knew you. They would stare as soon as they saw you.
You snapped out of your thoughts when you noticed Alana staring at you.
“I asked how you were liking school so far.”
You shrugged and picked at a tomato. Alana was waiting for a verbal answer.
“I mean, it’s the first day. You know how that is?”
Alana hesitated for a bit before perking up.
You looked at her in confusion. Connor smiled and chuckled to himself. You looked at him. He gestured towards Alana with his fork.
“Alana is a workaholic. There’s not a day that passes by where she isn’t always doing something.”
“Oh. Well, it’s more like, I’m just trying to adjust to everything. I’m not used to such a small school.”
“Well congratulations, you’ve made it to the smallest town in Indiana and it’s a complete dump. Have fun while you can and try to get out as fast as possible.”
Evan scolded Jared by lightly hitting him on the arm.
“Jared, don’t say that. We’re supposed to make her feel welcome.”
“Oh come on, it’s not like what I said isn’t true. And believe me, I’m sure that’s the best welcome she’s got so far. None of ‘You’ll love it here’ bullshit. Anyone who assures you that they’ll have a great time is going through a midlife crisis and they don’t know how to get out of it.”
Alana and Evan glared at Jared, but immediately turned their attention to you. You were giggling. Everyone at your table gave you confusing looks.
“What? That was funny. And you’re right, that was the best welcome I got so far.”
You stood up to throw your trash away. Jared just smirked to himself and turned to his friends,
“Would you look at that, (Y/N), of all people, thinks I, Jared Kleinman, am funny. How do you feel about that, Josh?”
“Dude, show me your ways.”
“Sorry bro, my genius cannot be shared with others-”
This time, Connor slapped Jared upside the head. Jared glared at him and rubbed his head to soothe the slight pain.
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The weekend and the first part of the week had blown by. You were already well-adjusted with the school and your classes. You met some new people who you enjoyed talking to, but you probably wouldn’t hang out with them outside of school. Most of the people at the school were rednecks who just talked about football, fishing, and hunting.
Some of the girls you met were either really quiet or really annoying. You had a hard time trying to fit into a circle so you opted to stick with Alana. She had a good group of friends that you could tolerate.
You sit your tray down and sit in your usual spot next to Alana. Connor and Jared share a look and turn their attention to you. Connor speaks first,
You take a sip of your water. Connor continues,
“Every year before the season starts, we have a little get together thing at one of the seniors’ house. But we don’t have any seniors on the team this year, so we’re having it at Jared’s. Friday night.”
Connor and Jared look at each other again. Jared clears his throat.
“Well, we just wanted to know if… if you would be there.”
You glance at the three boys’ pleading faces. You sighed and rubbed the back of your neck. You quickly try to find an escape route. It’s not that you didn’t want to join, you just weren’t sure. You know what would happen if you joined. You were really starting to like those boys too. You just needed more time to figure out what you wanted to do.
“Uh, you know what, I just remembered. I have to go to Miss Smith’s class early for a project. I’ll see you guys later.”
The three boys watched you walk out of the lunchroom. They all sigh in unison. Evan rests his head on his hand, Jared folds his arms on the table and buries his face, and Connor ruffled his hair. Evan turns to his friends,
Jared lifted his head up momentarily,
“We didn’t screw up, we fucked up. Major difference. Our one shot at being great and it just walked out the door.”
Connor clapped Jared on his back.
“C’mon, we can’t give up yet. Maybe she’s thinking it over. I mean, it’s only been a week. Maybe she’ll change her mind.”
Jared raises his head again,
“If she changes her mind, that’ll be a miracle.”
“The ball is in her court now, all we can hope for is that she shows up Friday.”
Alana noticed the boys’ sad faces. She hates to see them so upset. She gets up from the table and follows you into the hallway. She finds you sitting on a bench in the commons. She walks over to you.
She sits down next to you. She stares at you intensely.
“(Y/N), listen. I know you’re still getting used to things around here and I know you probably feel like everyone’s always looking at you and talking about you-”
“Well aren’t they? I seem to be all that this town talks about.”
“I understand. But everyone in our town is happy that you’re here. We want a winning team this year and you’re the only one who can make us better. Everyone in the school has been talking like crazy about it.”
“Yeah, I know. I can hear the whispers.”
“At least try out for the team. I know we aren’t anywhere near as good as your last team, but with your help, you could really turn us into something great. And I’m sure your dad would be proud.”
“I’m not worried about our record. I’m worried about everyone else.”
“Last year, my team did horrible things to other teams before we played them. I never took part in it. But they love to wrack up the nerves of our competition. And the parents are obnoxious. They get into fights all the time with the opponent’s. Where I come from, they’re the big dogs, you know. They’re the best and they know it. They hate my dad for making us move for his own good. Because of that, they hate me. And say we do end up playing them in a tournament, there’s no telling what they’ll do. I don’t wanna put that kinda pressure on everyone.”
You look down at the floor. Alana puts a hand on your shoulder.
“I know you haven’t been here for very long, but this town takes care of itself. We’re small, but everyone looks out for everyone. Connor, Jared, Evan, and everyone else. We’ll be by your side till the very end. We don’t give up easily. In fact, we’re ready for anything they throw at us. (Y/N), if you join the team, you’re doing this town a big favor. We need you. So please, just think it over. I know you’re a smart girl and I hope you choose the right decision.”
Alana smiles at you and walks to her next class. You sigh and run your fingers through your hair. You slouch in the bench and close your eyes, waiting for the bell to ring.
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You walk into the kitchen and sit on one of the stools. You lean your elbows on the counter and grab an apple from the bowl that was sitting in the middle. You take a bite out of it and your dad turns to you.
“Hey, kiddo, how was school?”
“Fine. I’m doing a really lame project over Beowulf in my English class.”
“I remember that book. Didn’t understand a word of it.”
“Did you have to read it in old English?”
“You know it. Kleinmans having a party?”
“Kinda. It’s for the baseball team.”
“Why aren’t you over there?”
“I’m feeling kinda sick right now. How was work?”
“Good news. We are building new dugouts and a new press box. Just finalized the paperwork today.”
Your dad stopped scrubbing the dishes.
“That doesn’t sound like a happy ‘great’. What’s the matter?”
You sit your apple down and look at your hands.
“I don’t want to join the team.”
“Because we aren’t gonna be any good. Why would I set myself up for ridicule come tournament time?”
“(Y/N), you have never been one to give up so easily.”
“You know they’re gonna make fun of us. They’re gonna spit in our faces and treat us like shit. You know that!”
“And why do you care? Yesterday, you told me you liked the people on the team, so why does it matter what anyone else thinks?”
“They’re gonna hate me if my old team does something, Dad!”
“Well, wouldn’t you hate the new kid that brings trouble to your small town?”
“Easy for you to say, your daughter is the new kid.”
“(Y/N), I’ve already met some great people here. This town is tight-knit. A couple of assholes aren’t gonna tear this place apart. Well, not emotionally anyways.”
“If we’re gonna live here, I’d rather not be the outcast that ruined this town.”
“And you’re not gonna be. Don’t give up before you’ve even tried. And wouldn’t it be great if you guys won? Just shove it in Nick and Derek’s faces? I never liked those snot-nosed brats anyways. Come on (Y/N), you might even enjoy yourself.”
You dad turned the water off and walked upstairs. You thought it over and before you knew it, you were making your way over to Jared’s house. You wore a simple floral dress with a denim jacket over it. Your dad always told you to “dress to impress”.
You knocked on the door and waited for someone to open it. You nervously played with your hair. You smoothed out your dress and made sure your jacket was on tight enough. Just then, Jared, who was holding a beer, opened the door. He nearly dropped it at the sight of you waiting outside his front door.
“(Y/N)? Holy shit, you’re here.”
“Yeah… Can I come in? It’s kinda chilly.”
“OH! Y-Yeah, come on in.”
Hearing Jared stutter made you chuckle. He’s usually so cocky and confident, but now he was a sputtering mess. You walked inside and looked around his living room. It was nice and spacious.
“Um, what are you doing here?”
“I figured you weren’t gonna be on the team. I mean, you did kinda flake on us when we asked you about it.”
“I know. Let’s just be glad I’m here, okay? I’d rather not get into it.”
“In the basement. Oh wait, would you like something to drink?”
You glanced at the bottle in his hand.
“You sure? My parents aren’t home and no one down there is gonna tell your dad if you drink.”
“No thanks. I’m not… I don’t drink.”
“Okay. Give me a second.”
You walk over to a shelf that had many baby pictures of Jared. You smiled at the picture of him and his parents. You looked at the next framed picture of him when he was 7. It was a classic little league picture where he had a bat and he was holding like he was going to swing. He had the cheesiest smile you’ve ever seen.
“Pretty embarrassing right?”
“Umm, I was just… looking. You were a cute kid. I don’t know what happened.”
“Damn (Y/N). You come into my house and disrespect me like that?”
“Sorry, I naturally insult people when I don’t know what to say.”
He chuckles as he hands you a cup of water. You take a sip. You both awkwardly stand there in the middle of his living room.
You follow him into his basement. A lot of yelling and noise can be heard as soon as you open the door to walk down the stairs. Jared makes his presence known,
Josh and Connor were playing MLB ‘17 on Jared’s widescreen. His basement, much like his living room, was huge. It had beanbag chairs, a huge leather couch, leather recliner, and a load of gaming consoles and games. You were amazed to say the least.
Everyone’s eyes were on the tv, Josh spoke with his back to Jared,
“Why don’t you see for yourself?”
Everyone, but Josh turned around. Josh wasn’t the brightest kid on the block. Everyone turned around and saw you. Josh, not knowing you were there, spoke again,
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Connor paused the game for Josh,
Josh looked behind him and almost fell out of his chair when he saw you. Evan began stuttering,
“Joining the team? Yeah, I am.”
Connor looked at his friends with a smile.
“Well, we’re more than happy to have you. Really.”
The night was filled with many laughs and video games. You got to know everyone and even met Connor’s sister, Zoe, for the first time. Everyone went around the room and shared stories of their worst injuries, best plays, and even the worst umpires. You had a really good feeling about this team. You weren’t entirely sure what the future had in store for you, but you wanted to enjoy these nice moments you would be spending with the team. Your team.
But even so, you couldn’t help the small voice in the back of your mind that made you anxious about the other teams. But you would have to deal with what was coming when it came.
To be honest, you were terrified.
But as you looked around at the guys, you could sense the sinking feeling wash away. They all were funny, goofy kids who loved the game of baseball and if you could make the season a little bit easier on them, that’s what you were going to do.
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