THIRD PERSON'S POV

It's been four years since Benny Rodriguez and Scott Smalls met. Lots of things have changed but some things haven't.

The boys still play ball at the sandlot whenever they can. They can't as much as they used to, considering they're all in high school now. Some of the boys have moved away, Tommy and Timmy moved last summer and Bertram did a few months after that. It was upsetting to lose them but the boys keep the game going like they're still there.

Squints is of course still going after Wendy Peffercorn and some of the other boys have crushes of their own.

Benny and Scotty don't seem to have crushes, though. The other guys play it off like they are too busy with other things to care about that type of stuff. Benny does winter track and Scotty does many extra curriculars. They're wrong. They do have crushes, they're just good at hiding them. Until now.

• • •

The sun becomes a deep orange and gives the sandlot a golden tinge as it sets. After hours of playing, the boys have finally finished their game. They all give their goodbyes and see you tomorrows. They all start making their way back to their respected houses—expect for Benny and Scotty.

Benny and Scotty always leave last as they walk home and talk. They used it to be only about the game they just had or baseball in general or school.

Overtime, though, these talks became more personal. They started talking about problems in their life or random meaningful topics.

Benny and Scotty started to connect on things that wasn't just baseball. That's partially why Benny has fallen for the blonde so hard.

Benny feels free whenever they talk. He can talk about anything and Scotty will always be there to listen. Scotty never judges him, even if he doesn't agree. Despite that, Benny is absolutely terrified for how Scotty's going to react about what he tells him tonight.

All he did last night was lay in his bed and stare at his ceiling as he thought about the many, many ways today could go horribly wrong.

"What if he doesn't like me back? What if he ends our friendship because I have feelings for him? What if he runs off in disgust?" These what if's crowded the dark haired teen's mind all night.

Unfortunately, Benny knows if doesn't swallow his pride and tell Scotty his feelings tonight, he never will.

• • •

"You ready to go?" Benny questions Scotty as he grabs his mitt from the ground. The other boy nods in response and they start to walk at a slow pace. They always walk slowly as it gives them more time to talk.

Benny swallows thickly. "Scotty, I need to tell you something," Scotty looks over at Benny and smiles softly, completely oblivious. Benny stops walking and Scotty follows suit. Sure, Benny, what is it?" Scotty responds.

Benny's hands start to shake. His stomach is in knots. He feels himself start to sweat. He's never been more nervous in his life.

He can't even look into the blonde's eyes since it'll just make him more nervous. So, he just looks anywhere but Scotty's face. "I l-l-l-like you. As m-m-more than a f-f-f-friend . I have for a w-w-while..as in for t-t-two years," Benny stutters out. Benny looks up and scans Scotty's face for a reaction.

Scotty just starts laughing. At first he thinks he's kidding. That quickly fades as he notices how Benny is looking at him. He's definitely not laughing. He looks scared out of mind.

Scotty finally process what Benny said. "Wait, you feel the same way about me?" Scotty questions. Scotty sees Benny's face relax. He can't comprehend it. Someone like Benny has feelings for someone like him?

"But-but there's so many girls out there who would die to date you and you like me? Your geek of his best friend? Come on Benny you can do-" The blonde gets cut off by Benny kissing him softly on the lips. Scotty instantly melts into the kiss like he's been waiting for it for years.

After a minute, the boys lips part. Their foreheads touch and they both smile softly at each other. Benny looks up at the smaller male. "To Hell with all those other girls. They can't compare to you. I'm also gay as hell so...," Scotty chuckles at that last part.

The blonde grabs Benny's hand and squeezes it tightly. Benny looks down at there intertwined hands and blushes. He looks back up at Scotty, who's smiling softly at him.

The two boys walk hand in hand all of the way home. Scotty talks about this new robotics project he's doing and Benny listens the whole time.

Once they get to Scotty's house, they let go of each other's hands. They just share a moment of silence before the blonde gives Benny a soft kiss on his cheek.

The boys part ways and Benny stays until Scotty gets inside. The whole walk home, the dark haired teen is just smiling to himself. "Tonight couldn't have gone any better." Benny thinks to himself.

• • •

Hello everyone!

I hoped you all enjoyed the first one shot in this book!

Of course I had to start with my bbies Benny and Smalls sksk

Thanks for reading and don't forget to vote, leave a comment or add this book to your reading list/library if you enjoyed! ♥️