I wake up the next morning in Bennys arms so I take the opportunity to get out of bed before he wakes up and I change my clothes. After I throw on my shirt I hear a tired groan and I turn around and see Benny laying there with his arms out and the blanket off of him. I roll my eyes and lay down as he flips the blanket over both of us wrapping his arms around me. We stay like this until I hear my mom yell my name so I get out of bed and walk downstairs to see all of the boys standing there impatiently.

Ham: tree house now!

You: ok ok we'll be there

They all run out the door and I run to my room seeing Benny laying there still.

You: Benny get up the boys are at the treehouse

Benny: I have no clothes

You: I'm pretty sure you've left half your wardrobe here.

He groans and gets out of bed before grabbing a pair of his jeans, a blue flannel, and a blue quarter length shirt. We both eat quick and run out of the house to the treehouse. Once we get there we all sit in the treehouse silently.

Smalls: hey I got it! Why don't we just go over and ask Mr.Mertle if he can go get it for us.

Squints: are you out of your mind! Mr. Mertles the meanest old man that ever lived. He's the one that made the beast eat that kid. That's not a option Smalls. Forget about it!

Smalls: oh, sorry, I will

Squints: let's just look out the window

Everyone moves over to the two windows and looks out into Mr.Mertles backyard. I look down to see missing toys and old rusting items scattered around the all dirt yard. I look near a large dog house and see dust rising from it and a ball get spit a couple feet in the air. Everyone rushes back to where they we're seated before and I stay at the window trying to see the dog. I continue staring until someone pulls me away. I look over and see Benny with a worried expression.

You: Benny it's just a dog

Benny: keep saying that

You: I will

He chuckles a bit before pulling me onto his lap.

Timmy: he's daring us!

Ham: we're on his territory now

Benny: anybody got any bright ideas

You: just grab it with a stick or something if your to scared to grab it your selfs.

They all agree and we walk down the ladder or the firemen's polls and walk to the fence. We take off one of the baseboards and grab a broom stick. We move the stick more and it moves the ball like an inch closer. Until there's a giant paw that grabs the stick and everyone starts screaming and we all try to pull the stick away from the fence. Then we hear a large snap and see the broomstick broken on half and everyone starts screaming more. Then we come up with the idea to attach a pot to a metal thing. We get in on top of the ball before the paw gets there again. We all pull away from it and the metal thing come soaring over the fence and lands right in the cement. We all walk over and stare down at the bent metal in shock.

Timmy: I think we've seriously underestimated the beast.

Squints: obviously we're dealing with a superior intelligence

We all agree.

You: Well I gotta get home I'll see you all tomorrow.

I leave the backyard and start walking when someone yells my name. I turn around and see Benny running towards me.

Benny: hey you ok?

You: ya I'm fine

Benny: i'll walk you home

He intertwines out fingers and we walk to my house hand in hand. Once we get to my door I give Benny a kiss.

You: love you

Benny: love you too babe

He kisses me again and I walk in my house. My moms probably at work so I just go to my room. I feel upset for some reason like the whole baseball thing is my fault. I could've grabbed some money from my moms change jar but then I'd feel bad for that too. I couldn't stopped him from grabbing that ball. I even knew he had that ball ugh I need to take my mind off this. I grab my baseball glove and I grab the money my mom left on the table and I run to go buy a ball from Vincent's. Once I get it I run to the Sandlot and start throwing it against the fence. When all of a sudden I get this urge or anger and I take it all out on the ball and I throw it with all my strength breaking the fence board.

"Woah"

I turn around and see Benny standing there. I shake my head lightly and grab the ball from all the small wood chunks.

Benny: Lils...

He says it sympathetically and gives me a concerned look. I drop the ball and glove and run into his arms engulfing him in a hug.

Benny: are you sure your ok Lilly

You: it's my fault Benny all of it

Benny: hey hey hey. What's your fault

You: I could've stopped him from grabbing that ball I even knew about that ball but I didn't do anything. It's my fault that we're in this pickle.

Benny: Lilly it's not your fault you didn't know he would grab that ball. It's not your fault babe ok.

He lifts up my chin and kisses me lightly.

Benny: ok?

I nod and rest my head on his chest again.

Benny: come on let's get you home.

He picks me up over his back and grabs my ball and mitt and he walks to my house with me on his back. Once we're almost at my house I start to speak.

You: Benny...

Benny: ya?

You: can we go to your house?

Benny: of course

He tightens his grip on my thighs and turns to his house before walking into his house with me. He walks to his room and lays me on his bed.

You: I have no clothes

Benny: you have 2 pairs of sweatpants in my closet

You: really?

I stand up and walk to it to find my acid washed sweats and grey ones.

You: I was looking for these.

I grab the acid washed ones and throw them on.

You: I'm borrowing a hoodie.

Benny: go for it.

I grab a random hoodie and throw it on before laying on his bed.

Benny: you look good it my hoodie

You: I know

Benny: your the hardest person to compliment

You: I know

He chuckles and grabs my waist and pulling me on top of him. I lay my head on his chest and put one leg across his waist.

Benny: love you

He plants a soft kiss on my forehead.

You: love you more

I kiss his neck softly and move my head back down to his chest. I feel his arm wrap around my neck lightly and I place my hand on his torso. Eventually I doze off into a deep sleep.