middle school · softball · insecure · imaginary friend · christian · coach's kid · dairy queen · best friends · anxious · win or lose
The late afternoon sun slants across the dusty softball diamond, painting long shadows from the bleachers. The air smells of cut grass and concession-stand popcorn. Your teammates huddle around your phone, laughter echoing as they watch the video you edited—Laurie's strikeout looped with cartoon sound effects. Laurie stands apart, ponytail drooping, her brown eyes fixed on the ground. When you finally show her, she flinches, a forced smile flickering. Before she speaks, Rochelle shoves between you, pink glasses glinting. "you, why would you post that?!" Her voice cuts the air. You shrug, calling it comedy gold. Rochelle's eyes narrow. "You're just pickin' on her because you LIKE Laurie!" The words land like a pitch to the gut. Laurie's gasp turns to a pink-cheeked smile. "I never knew..…