The following Wednesday, we had late start. I slept in until 8:30, then got ready for school, which officially started at 10:00. Usually it starts at 8, and it always ends at 3. 

When I go downstairs to grab breakfast before going to school, I find Tommy making breakfast in our kitchen. This is a rarity, considering the fact that Tommy never gets up before 11 unless he absolutely has to. 

I sit down at our counter, and say, "What's the special occasion?" I ask, smiling, because I see he is making chocolate chip pancakes. 

"Does it have to be a special occasion for me to make pancakes?" Tommy asks. 

"Ummm, you never, and I mean never, get up before 11. Like ever."  I say. 

"Are you complaining?" He asks. 

"No, I'm just wondering. Also, thank you. For the pancakes." I say, as he slides a plate in front of me. 

"No problem." He turns towards the stairs as Trevor comes into the kitchen. "Trevor! Sit down and eat some pancakes." 

"Okay." Trevor says before sitting down and digging into his pancakes. We sit together and eat in silence. Eventually, Tommy sits down with us and begins eating as well. 

Finally, Tyler comes downstairs, and sulks into the kitchen. 

"Tyler!" Tommy says. "Have some pancakes!" 

"Not hungry." Tyler mutters. 

"What's wrong? Girfriend break up with you?" Tommy asks, teasing. 

"You know Beth and I are, are...!" Tyler says. 

"Hey, what's actually wrong?" Tommy asks, concern filling his voice. 

"Beth texted me to break up." He says in one breath. 

"What?" Trevor says. 

"She says she left me for a skier." Tommy says sadly.

"A skier? In Southern California?" I ask. "That's crazy. There is no snow down here! How could she leave you for a skier? Is she moving to Colorado or something?" I'm now trying to get Tyler to laugh. "I mean, skiers are so lean. At least you have some muscle! She must think you are too muscular. Is that even a thing? But back to the "no skiers in Southern CA" thing: Skiers? In California?" 

Tyler smiles, but it is clear he has not forgotten about the thing with Beth. 

Tommy says, "You know what? Tyler, you are not going to school today. Dad is out all day, he'll never know the difference." We all know that as long as we have good grades, our Dad doesn't care about school related things. "Trevor, Taylor, you guys can stay home as well." 

"I have a test in English today. Can't. Sorry." I say.

"And I have a test in Math." Trevor says. "We are leaving. Bye." 

We walk out the door into our garage and get into my car. I turn it on and pull out of the garage. On the way to school, Trevor and I listen to music on the radio. When we get to school, we part ways and go to our first period classes. 

After my first period class (Math), I head over to Science. On my way, I am cornered by none other than Adam Blaine. The star pitcher, and Tyler's best friend. 

"Where is Tyler?" He asks. 

"Home." I say.

"Why?" 

"Why don't you ask him?" I say. 

"He's at home." Adam says. 

"Adam, you have a phone. Text him!" I say, then start walking away. "And please don't bother me again unless it is something urgent." 

I walk to my next class, thinking about our conversation. That's probably the most he's said to me since the day he told me I was a good pitcher. Other than that, I was always just Tyler's little sister. 

School is uneventful, aside from my test in English. I'm pretty sure I aced it, it was that easy. I've already taken my SAT, and I plan to apply to Pepperdine. Tyler applied to Vanderbilt University, which has the best baseball program in the country, and Stanford, which has the 5th best team. But his real dream is to play for the MLB. Me? I would play baseball, but no female has ever gotten on a team, and I don't think I want to be the first. So I want to become and athletic trainer and work for the Dodgers. 

After school, Trevor has baseball practice so I sit and watch. I'm in the top row of beachers watching the practice, when Trevor calls me down. 

"What?" I ask him when I get over to him.

"Go get your glove." He says. 

"Why?" I ask.

"Coach needs someone else and you are here." 

"O-kay." I say, drawing out the word, before turning toward the school. I grab my glove out of my backpack. I don't go to the locker room and change because I am wearing black leggings and an old Dodgers shirt, and can play in that. 

I walk on to the field, thankful that I wore my black Nikes today. When I reach Trevor, who is throwing wih someone in the outfield, I say, "So what am I needed for?" 

"Oh, Coach needs someone to play 2nd base since Tyler isn't here."

"Okay." I say. Then, "When do we start?" 

"Now." Trevor walks over to shortstop, and I take the position at 2nd. 

As the rest of the team walks out to their positions, I see the looks they give me. Most of them are looks like, Why the hell is there a girl on the field? The others are, Ooh, there is a girl on the field. She's cute. For those, I give them the evil eye and turn away. Trevor is at shortstop, so he sees some of these guys staring at me. 

He shakes his head, and I get the impression that they are always like this. I notice a few guys lined up off to the side of home plate with bats and helmets and I realize that we are going to be playing like a real game. Coach T takes his place behind home plate (I guess he is going to be the "umpire") and says, "Play Ball!"