CRACK!

I watch Tyrell strike the ball pitched by his best friend Dylan, the pair getting in early practice for the baseball season in a couple months. The former glances over his shoulder at me after taking the swing, twirling the bat in his hand while waving with the other.

He runs a hand over his very short and curly black hair, likely trying to wipe some sweat away. His dark, athletic body, glistening in sweat despite the cold, must be working hard. He walked over to Dylan, patting him on the arm before they both began to walk over. As they got closer, I could see the slight difference in their heights; Dylan was of average height, while Tyrell was a little taller, but still a hair shorter than me.

My gaze turned to Dylan. His pale complexion was very apparent in the sun, while his shaggy, dyed neon blue hair stood out, easily spottable in a crowd. He was also a bit slimmer than Tyrell, but still rather fit. Once the pair reached me, he gave a big smile, the kind where his green eyes are even part of it.

"Hey J, what’s up?" Tyrell asks, leaning against a nearby fence.

"Not much, just wanted to see if anyone was practicing out here."

"Just me and Dylan, still sucks you got canned from the team, at least you didn’t have to waste time practicing though."

"Yeah, fucking Colden..." I feel myself seethe with anger and a deep heat welling up inside of me, but I manage to push it down.

"It’s alright, man. You’re welcome to join us if you want, unless you’ve got work at my mom’s shop today."

"Nah, I don’t work today, but I can’t hang around and play. I’ve got stuff to do. I could chat for a bit longer though."

"Alright, you hear that Dennison girl is throwing a party on Saturday. You thinking about coming?"

"I didn’t, but I’ll think about it." I took a deep breath... Dennison... oh that one girl who’s an apparent celebrity on social media or something, could be fun I guess.

"A ton of people are going. It could be fun if Mr. Anderfield lets us go." Dylan speaks up, having been silent so far.

"Of course dad’ll let us go; he’s cool with that stuff."

"Why would your da-" I stopped myself as I remembered that Dylan’s dad had kicked him out after learning he was gay a couple months back, and Mr. Anderfield had let him move into their guest room. "Nevermind."

"What’re your plans, Jason? Got a chick you're meeting with or something?" Dylan asks, a big smile across his face, as usual.

"I’m not sure I can say, maybe when you two are a little older?"

"C’mon man, we’re only like a year younger than you." Tyrell complains in an exaggerated tone, smirking afterwards.

"Yeah, but a year can matter in many situations. I gotta run though. I’ll see you two later."

I gave the pair a wave before turning and making my way out of the field and heading for my truck. Thea was gonna have a new friend drop her off at work while Jess would get picked up by Jazmine, so I’m free to leave on my own.

As I made it to the parking lot I felt a sudden shove from my right, slamming into the dumpster hard. I quickly scrambled to my feet and saw Colden there, smirking as he took a half-step back.

"Fuck do you want?" I growled out, lifting my fists to be ready to fight.

"Just showing you who’s boss around here. Keep away from my team, ya bastard."

"Fuck you, man. I don’t have time for this shit."

I tried to walk past him and towards my truck, but he shoved me again, slamming me into the dumpster once more, but I maintained my balance this time, staying on my feet. I began to walk again, get shoved again, rinse and repeat a few more times before he got bored and fucked off.

“Fucking pussy!” He calls out to me as he heads off to his car, flipping me the bird in the process.

I get up one last time and stroll over to my truck, stretching a bit to try and fight off the soreness from all the impacts against the dumpster. Once reaching my vehicle, I put my hand against the door, letting my anger out and watching as the metal slightly glowed from the heat my body was giving off before cooling down, figuratively and literally, and climbing into the truck.

I took a deep breath before proceeding to do what I had already planned to do today: go home and get my baseball bat. I need to blow off some steam.