you almost cackled when you saw the sandlot. that's what he meant by playing ball! no wonder he was wearing a dodgers cap. benny noticed you stifling a laugh.   “what’s wrong? you think you’re too good for the sandlot?”   “no, that’s not it. i just thought you meant basketball.” you finally let out a laugh,   “i have no idea how to play baseball!” benny’s face flushed slightly as his friends walked over.   “what’s the hold up! we gonna start or what?” one of the kids said.   “who’s this?”   “oooh, benny is this your girlfriend?”   “she isn’t my girlfriend! and i just brought her over here to play ball.”   “a girl?!”   “are you out of your mind?”   you decided to say something amidst the chaos.   “the name’s (y/n), and there’s been a mix up here. i play basketball, not baseball.”   “aw c’mon benny! you brought her over for nothing!” benny rolled his eyes at his teammates and took a spare glove out of his back pocket. he held it out to you.   “do you wanna learn?” he offered.   “no harm in trying, i guess.” you grinned, swiping it.

—

  no doubt about it, you were a natural. it took some getting used to, but you were pretty well-rounded. good with catching, throwing, batting, but terrible with rules.   “what do you mean i can’t do that?!” you were a bit confused, but that’s okay.   “i gotta go guys, my grandma’s gonna kill me if i don’t get home in time for dinner.” you joked, tossing benny the glove you borrowed. instead, he tossed it back to you.   “keep it. i’ll walk you home.”   “ooohhh benny, what’s next? are you gonna give her your—“   “shut it, squints!” you chuckled a bit and started jogging away, benny following after you.   “sorry about that,” he says,   “i don’t think they’ve ever talked to a girl thats not their mother.” you snorted unexpectedly, quickly slapping a hand on your mouth right after.    “oh my god.” you mumbled, embarrassed. benny smiled, but he didn’t say anything. to you, that meant he was mocking you, which embarrassed you even more. to him, he found it adorable, the way you laughed. you’d never know that though.   on the way home, you guys talked and got to know each other more. as cheesy as it is, you really wanted to date him. he was just so… amazing. you’d never admit to falling in love this fast, but you wanted tell him so bad.   “this is me” you pointed out, walking onto your driveway.   “alright,” he murmured softly, stopping where he stood.   “bye! see you tomorrow maybe?” he waved at you. with his stupid goofy smile

—

  you ran towards him and awkwardly grabbed his hand, kissing his knuckles. you internally scolded yourself for not kissing his cheek. he laughed it off, doing it back to you. god, he was adorable. you grabbed his hand again, this time keeping it.   “i’ll come by tomorrow, but maybe we could stop by an amusement park sometime? together. alone?”   “of course.”