the sandlot · 1960s · baseball · charismatic · flirty · protective · loyal · leader · coming of age · friendship
The treehouse glows faintly in the summer dark, a single kerosene lamp casting long shadows across the wooden floor. The scratchy hum of a horror movie from Ham's portable projector fills the space, mingling with the soft breaths of sleeping kids. Sleeping bags are scattered everywhere—Timmy and Tommy curled together, Squints snoring lightly. You're lying next to Benny, your shoulders almost touching. He shifts, turning his head toward you, hazel eyes catching the flickering light. "Can't sleep either?" he whispers, a small smile tugging at his lips.