"Gloria! You better get moving or you're going be late!" my mom's voice carried from the kitchen, disturbing my post-alarm clock nap.

I grabbed a pillow and covered my head to hopefully block her out and shield my eyes from the sunlight filtering in through my blinds. Even with today being my last day of junior year, I was reluctant to leave my bed and get moving.

"Gloria!" Mom yelled up the stairs louder. The pillow did little to muffle her shrill tone.

I groaned into my covers before pushing the pillow away, so I could stare up at the ceiling. "Mom!" I grumbled back loud enough for her to hear me.

"Gloria Carmen Cantrell, get up or else we're both going to be late. Remember, t's only half day today."

I yawned, stretching my arms and legs out wide to coax myself out of bed. Rolling over to my side so I could glance down over the edge of my bed, I caught sight of my German Shepard, Lenny, who was still sound asleep. My mom and I's shouting up and down the stairs rarely bothered him anymore. Flipping back over on my back, I resumed my staring at the ceiling for a little longer. Maybe if I just stayed here long enough she'll let me just stay home. Like she said, it's only a half day.

"If you don't get up, I'm taking your car keys and you're going to have to walk or take the bus," Mom threatened.

"Alright, alright," I called back, peeling myself off the bed to get ready to go. Grabbing the stack of clothes I had set out the day before, I shuffled into my bathroom and got to work changing into a pair of jeans and a pale yellow tank top.

Pulling my hair into a bun on top of my head, I brushed my teeth and put on a little makeup to look at least alive this morning. I had gone through the trouble of straightening my hair the day before, so I only had to run a brush through it a couple times when I untangled it from the hair tie.

Taking one last look in the mirror, I fixed the strap of my shirt and decided I was satisfied. I grabbed my backpack from the corner of my room and slid my feet into a pair of sandals. Lenny had taken the liberty of crawling on to my bed since it was now vacant and watched me with half-closed eyes as I got ready to leave.

"Don't get up or anything. I got it," I muttered to him sarcastically. He blew out a breath of air at me, not bothering to lift his head. "You're a piece of work." I gave him a scratch behind the ears as my final farewell and headed downstairs.

My mom was sitting at the counter reading the newspaper and drinking coffee when I finally made an appearance. Her red hair was swept in to a low bun, and she was wearing her favorite pearl necklace that my dad gave her. She never left without looking immaculate for her job as a prosecutor for the state.

"Grab something to eat and then we both need to get going. I'm due in court at 9:00 this morning," she said. She dumped the last of her coffee down the drain and found a place for her mug in the dishwasher. Sliding her laptop case strap over her shoulder, she made her way out the side door.

I grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl on the island and a bagel from the counter before following my mom outside. She was just beginning to back out of the driveway as I unlocked the doors to my own car. She gave me a wide smile and blew me a kiss, which I returned with a wave.

Juggling my backpack, keys, and my breakfast, I tossed my bag into the front seat and slid into the driver's side. I started the car and put on my seatbelt before reversing out of the driveway to get to school.

Switching on the radio, I turned the knob until I found Sports Radio Network. A voice crackled over the radio and started to talk about last night's baseball games. I ate the bagel and banana with one hand as I carefully steered the car through morning rush hour. The network's host started with the Phillies' game, who played St. Louis, then moved on to Detroit and Boston, and finally the Braves and the Nationals game. Being a diehard Nationals fan, I listened closely as the broadcaster reviewed the stat lines and gave a quick commentary of yesterday's game that I had to miss so I could finish up a final paper. I was happy to hear that the Nats had pulled out a close win against one of their divisional rivals.

School was coming up on my right as the station began to preview tonight's games. I turned in to the parking lot and made my way down the aisle to my parking space. Alyssa's light blue CRV was already parked in the spot next to mine, which was surprising for one of my closest friends. I put the car in park and glanced over to her passenger side window.

However, the only thing I could see inside the car was the back of a guy's head. I rolled my eyes and took my time grabbing my bag from the seat next to me and slinging it over my shoulder. Closing my door and locking the car, I stepped closer to Alyssa's vehicle and the two unsuspecting people inside. Without warning, I knocked loudly on the passenger side window and watched as both of them jumped, practically knocking heads in the process.

I took a step back so the door could swing open and an annoyed looking Nick could push himself out of the car. I held the door ajar for him as he straightened his lopsided shirt and ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

"Jesus, Gloria. Ever hear of a little privacy?" Nick, Alyssa's boyfriend of two years, complained getting out of the car.

"You're in a public area," I reminded him as I closed his door and gave him a bump with my shoulder teasingly.

"I wanted two more minutes, G," Alyssa yelled from inside the car. She crossed her thin arms over her chest and gave me a dirty look through the window.

"Not my problem. Lets go!" I said, banging my hand on the roof of the car to get her moving.

"I hate school," she moaned, sliding herself out of the driver's seat and tightening the perfect ponytail that was styled on top of her head.

"It's the last day of junior year, Alyssa. Come on."

"It's too hard." She dramatically let her head fall back to gaze at the sky as if the weight of the world was resting on her shoulders.

"That's what she said," I replied maturely. Nick laughed and gave me a fist bump for that one.

Alyssa only gave me a dry look at my boyish humor. There were perks to having Nick around. Alyssa didn't bother reprimanding me this early in the morning, so she instead grabbed her boyfriend's hand and dragged him towards the front entrance with me following a step behind.

Other students were flocking into school from all directions as well. Everyone seemed to be buzzing with the excitement of summer break being just around the corner. The last day of school was always a bit surreal for me. You realize another year is done, and you're one step closer to being done with high school. That thought caught me off guard as we walked through the doors of James Madison High School.

Next year was my last year before college, it was unbelievable the last three years slipped by so fast. This summer I was going to be filling out college applications and doing studying for the college entrance exams. It felt like yesterday I was a freshman, telling my mom I didn't need to worry about college yet. Now, it was just around the corner.

"Earth to Gloria," Alyssa said waving a hand in front of my face.

"Sorry. Just thinking," I said refocusing on the short brunette in front of me.

"What I was saying was that I think you, me, and Nick should go out to lunch after school today since it's a half day and we obviously need to celebrate the end of another school year. Make sure you ask Elle if she can come when you have first period together."

"Sounds great. I just have to be home around 1:30. My mom and I have to start driving up to Marist this afternoon."

At the age of four, my dad had signed me up for t-ball. Since that day, it seemed like a glove was on my hand almost every single day. With this new love of America's favorite pastime, my dad continued to sign me up for t-ball, then little league each year. As I got older and more parents and players curiously watched the little redheaded girl take the field with an all boys' team, my dad was constantly reminded that softball might be "a better fit for me." Being the guy he was, he asked me what I wanted to do, telling me that either way, he was excited for everything I was going to accomplish. Having watched a few games of professional women's baseball, I knew that I wanted to keep playing the sport I had first fell in love with. With that decision, my dad smiled and nodded when parents and other coaches told him that he needed to do right thing. At the same time, I continued to progress as a player with a fire in my stomach to prove them all wrong.

Although the path was never easy, I almost liked people constantly doubting me because I only worked harder in response. When I made my high school's varsity baseball team my freshmen year and made the cut for one of the state's best club teams, the naysayers seemed to quiet down.

This year Louisville Slugger, a national baseball company, was hosting a summer long intensive camp for high school players all over the country. With only 270 spots available, the camp was an invite only program. Since the announcement of the intensive last year, I had wanted nothing more to be invited. Luckily with the help of my club coaches, a few scouts from the camp agreed to come watch my team play last summer. I had one of my best games that day and with the assurance of my coaches that I was more than able to keep up with any boy, I received an invitation.

Because of the structure of the camp, six colleges from the state of New York were asked to host the players and coaches for the summer. Each school was housing three teams worth of players on their campus, so that a total of eighteen teams were scattered across the state of New York. I had been assigned to one of the teams at Marist. The first half of the summer was meant for practice and fostering of each player's skills before a tournament was played during the last half of the summer with all of the teams in the camp. I was thrilled to be apart of such an esteemed program and get the chance not only to play against the best, but to get some exposure to college coaches.

"That's today? But you'll be gone for literally the entire break," Alyssa whined.

"I know. That's the only bummer. Just think of all the fun memories we'll be making as seniors next year though."

"I guess," she mumbled as we began our trek down the hallway to the juniors' side of the building.

"We still have lunch after school too. I'll meet you at our cars after school, okay?" I called over my shoulder, as I walked to first period.

"See you then," she called back, waving the hand that wasn't held in Nick's.

I started walking to my first period, which happened to be chemistry. I'm not a huge science person, but I love my teacher, Mr. Dailer. He was in his 60s and was just about my height. A small pair of spectacles rested on the tip of his nose and a round little belly poked out against his shirt. His stories and appearance reminded people of their favorite grandpa rather than a chemistry teacher.

I arrived a couple minutes before class and took my usual seat near the window. I grabbed out my phone from my bag and began reviewing my to do list before I left for camp that I was nearly done with.

I had done most of my packing yesterday, but I still had a few last-minute items to shove into my overflowing bag. Plus, I also needed to swing by the grocery store to grab some tampons and pads. Spending three months at a baseball camp meant that feminine products were probably not in high supply and I doubted that any of my fellow campmates would have an extra tampon lying around for me to use.

Most people were already seated in class when I eventually glanced up from reading the notes I had made for myself. A few stragglers were stumbling through the door as the warning bell rang.

"Gloria!" a voice shouted.

I couldn't help but smile at the few baseball and football players, who sat with me during this class. Michael, Ryan, and Brendan were on the baseball team with me while Kipper and Blake were on the football team. They took their usual seats around me and started talking about the baseball games from last night. I half-listened to their comments about the bad timing of certain pitching changes and the awesome catch that someone made down the left field line.

I however was preoccupied with the chair next to me was left empty. I glanced down at my phone to check the time: less than thirty seconds until class starts. She was cutting it close today.

The bell begins to ring at the exact moment Ellie bursts in to the room. A cup of coffee is in either hand that was sloshing around from her shouldering her way through the door. Not exactly what you would call coming to class with a valid late pass, but this was Ellie we were talking about.

"I'm not late," she yells raising one coffee to gesture towards the clock on the wall.

"Go ahead, Ellie," Mr. Dailer says beginning to take roll. At this point in the year, he was unfazed by her ability to appear out of thin air right at the bell.

Ellie skips over to me with her blonde hair swinging and plops down in the chair next to me. A wide grin is plastered on to her face. She hands me the plastic cup of iced coffee that I gratefully take a sip from. A hazelnut almond milk latte from Theo's Café. She knows me too well.

"Glor! It's the last day," she says wiggling in her seat.

"And you barely made it," I teased her, taking another sip. Ellie Bullter has been my best friend since kindergarten when both of us still liked wearing our hair in pigtails. Through thick and thin, Ellie and I had been through it all and were still as attached by the hip as we were when we were small.

"I still made it," she retorted, giving a little wave to the boys as she settled into her seat.

"I'm glad you did since I didn't have to offer an invite to lunch with me, Alyssa, and Nick after school to someone else."

"I'm definitely glad you didn't give my spot away. I'm in. I don't have to be at the gym until 3," she said quickly checking her phone calendar. While I had focused my attention to baseball, Ellie had taken up gymnastics at about the same time. She was now a level nine gymnast and spent almost all of her free time at the gym, doing flips that don't look human and walking along an impossibly narrow balance beam. She understood my desire to be the best more than anyone because she dreamed of exactly the same thing.

I felt something hit my back and I turned around to find Blake looking at me sheepishly. He had some paper balled up on his desk, which he often busied himself with during this period. I cocked my head at him and waited for what he had to say.

"When do you leave for Marist?" he asks. All of the guys had been listening to me talk about this camp nonstop since I got the invitation back in October. They were just as excited about me going as I was.

"2:30."

"You excited?"

"Definitely, but I'm nervous too. Louisville only invited the best players to this camp and I want to do well of course. It's also been awhile since I've joined a new team so I haven't had to deal with guys being assholes to me recently."

"You have practice tolerating us, so I think you'll be just fine."

I laugh at that. Having spent most of my life on all boys' teams and being an outlier, I've developed a pretty tough skin and tolerance for dealing with other people. Not to mention that guy humor and their general antics don't faze me anymore.

"You have seen and heard it all from us," Brendan pipes up, most likely implying himself and the rest of the varsity team.

"You keep up with us just fine. You'll have no problems with the pricks you meet up there," Kipper adds.

"If one of them tries to get in your pants though, then just call one of us," Ryan says seriously.

The boys have become like the brothers I never had as an only child, and I knew they would drive to New York in a heartbeat.

"I'll gladly come and defend your honor as well," Ellie pitches in with a devious smile.

"You just want come because of all the guys that are going to be there," I say pointedly.

Ellie only winked at me knowingly.

I rolled my eyes but a smile pushed its way to my face.

"Alright everyone, can I have your attention?" Mr. Dailer says standing up from his desk. "Thank you for a great year this year. I enjoyed getting to know each of you and being your teacher. I wish you luck next year. We only have half an hour periods today, so you can do whatever you want for the rest of the period."

The rest of class I talked to Ellie, Blake, Kipper, Michael, Ryan, and Brendan. The bell rang for next period and I walked out of class with Ellie in tow. She had already finished her own coffee and was reaching for mine to take a sip. I handed it to her as I do with all food or drinks that I was slow to finish. She took a gulp and handed it back without a word. We worked like clockwork, knowing what the other wanted almost all the time.

"I have to go to English, but I'll see you after school," Ellie said starting to walk the other direction.

"Just meet me at my car," I called back.

"Got it!"

...

When the final bell rang, I followed the masses of the student body out to the parking lot. Ellie had been quick to get out and was already leaning on the hood of the car.

"Hey," Ellie said waving at me.

"You were quick getting out here," I observed unlocking the car so she could get inside.

"I hate all of the 'sign my yearbook' and 'have a good summer' crap, so I beelined it out of there as quick as possible."

I stifled a laugh. Ellie has never been one for the sentimental stuff and didn't bother with people who she doesn't normally associate with, so that did not surprise me whatsoever.

We got in my car and waited for Alyssa and Nick to show up. When they finally made an appearance after about ten minutes, I should not have been surprised it took them so long to leave school. While Ellie was more of an introvert, Alyssa is as extroverted as they come and she loves the goodbyes and yearbook signing at the end of the year. I had a feeling that Nick probably had to drag her out of there so she wasn't hanging around for the next hour. I honked my horn at them and sped off to North Corners Shopping Center where there were dozens of restaurants.

Ellie switched on the radio after a few moments of quiet and scoffed when a sports radio guy came on.

"Really?" Ellie asked softly punching me in the arm.

"One, don't ever hit a person when they are driving, and second, I wanted to find out if the Nationals won."

"Well, I'm switching the channel. I need some J. Cole or something."

"If I didn't know you as well as I do, I would never guess that you fan girl over J. Cole the way that you do. I would peg you as a Taylor Swift or Katy Perry super fan."

"Only in your teenage, wildest dreams," she mocked, quoting both singers' songs.

"That was the lamest thing I have ever heard."

"It was funnier than anything you could ever come up with," she fired back without hesitation.

I gave her a smack on the arm for that one.

"You said no hitting," she yelped.