| home run |

"WOO!" I exclaimed.

My hands clapped, aiding for the motivation to give my brother's team as they came out to the field.

Elliot noticed me behind the wired fence. He flashed me a small smile and wave before focusing back on the spot he covered in the field.

It was a nice, breezy afternoon. The sun was out for a change.. And it was blazing. It's been hiding all week and I couldn't think of a better day for it to come out than today. On my brother's big day... Championship Weekend.

I was exited for him. He's been training so hard. Every afternoon he'd go out with my dad to the field and practice. It's what he loved, and it's what my mom loved seeing him do. I remember her saying how much she dreamed of seeing my brother play in the major leagues. She said that he had the body of a baseball player and that always made him laugh... She always knew how to make us laugh.

"Did I miss anything?" I heard a voice call from behind me.

I turned around to see Dad walk up to me with his my brother's team baseball cap and T-shirt. The hotdogs and drinks he had gone out to get for us were in his hands.

"Nope. Game just started." I exclaimed.

I thanked him as he handed me my hotdog, his attention widely focused on the game.

We took a seat behind the gate in one of our portable beach chairs. It's a tradition, coming to see Elliot. Between my dad and I, you can say he has a hardcore fan base. We sit on our fold up beach chairs in the shade, front and center of the game. It's become our spot, and the other usual parents have grown to avoid the area because they know we'd be there, front and center in every game for Elliot.

I took a bite of my hotdog just as Dad began to pour ketchup on his. The sun was bright, and our usual shade spot wasn't cutting it out for us the way it usually does.

Both my dad and I had sunglasses on. I wore my hair in two loose braids for a change. And just like my Dad, I had Elliot's team red baseball cap on. I'm telling you, we went all out on our support.

We sat eating our food and watched as the game carried on. Dad was Elliot's biggest fan.

"C'mon!" Dad clapped his hands, shouting from the other side of the fence.

The weather was really getting hot now. Miami heat was real, and it wasn't playing around. My head looked down at the hotdog my dad brought me. The look of it suddenly became rather.. Disgusting.

Oh gosh, here we go again..

"Dad, did you bring anything to drink?" I asked, the taste of the hotdog in my mouth slowly becoming more disgusting.

My father looked down besides the bench he was now sitting on. His hands pulling up a large cup and handing it back to me.

I thanked him before taking a sip from the straw. With the first taste, I struggled to swallow it down.

"Ugh.. Is this root beer?" I asked him.

Dad nodded his head. "I thought you liked root beer?"

"Wrong kid." I shook my head. "That's Elliot's favorite."

"Oh.." He sat there thinking to himself for a bit. "Here, I'll go buy you something else."

"That's okay." I stood up with him, aiding for him to sit back down. "I'll go grab something, like that I can use the restroom on the way."

"Are you sure?" Dad asked. "I don't mind—"

"Dad, really.." I softly laughed. "It's okay." I grabbed onto his shoulder as I urged him to take his seat back. Smiling, I grabbed my bag and turned around towards the convention stands.

My stomach wasn't having it at all this week. As I walked down the grass I thought about going on a healthier diet. All this junk food I've been eating lately hasn't been helping my well being at all.

I was almost there. Already I noticed the woman behind the counter and we made eye contact as the customers she was attending walked away and she now saw me. She flashed me a smile and I smiled back, only I never got to her.

I was just a few steps away when suddenly, my stomach couldn't take it anymore. A look of worry suddenly grew on the woman's face as she noticed my hand reach for my mouth. Legs sprinted me over to the restroom building that was besides the convection stands.

I ran past another woman exciting with her daughter and turned into one of the open stalls. Once inside, my head hovered over the toilet bowl.

Gosh this was disgusting. I've never felt so sick in my whole life! This whole breakup with Sebastian has really pulled me to make some bad decisions lately. For instance, what I eat.

I was embarrassed by the footsteps I heard coming out of the bathroom. But that didn't stop me. I poured out everything in there. Maybe it was just what I needed, to let it all come out.

After catching my breath, I slowly started feeling better. I popped the lid down on the toilet and sat on it. My hand reach out in back of me and I pulled the handle for it to flush the waste down. I got a little dizzy but that was nothing I couldn't handle. I simply closed my eyes and started to breathe.

Once I felt ready to stand up, I did so coming out of the stall and towards the sink in front of it. I washed my hands, face, and even rinsed my mouth. It was then I took a look in the mirror before me. I looked drained...

Shaking my head, I finished off in the bathroom and walked back towards the convention stand I was originally making my way to.

The woman greeted me again, making a worrisome comment towards my wellbeing before taking my order. I only smiled and told her it was a bad hotdog from the business besides her and we laughed.

I was only going to order a water bottle when my eyes suddenly landed behind her and I took notice on the nacho stand. That looked really good right now.

Unable to contain myself, I ordered a batch of nachos with everything she had on them. And I'm talking about everything... Cheese, jalapeños, bacon, onions... I even ordered a second tray of fries to eat along with the nachos. And last but not least, a packet of sour watermelon candies and of course, a pack of mint gum for the end.

I'll start on my new diet tomorrow.

Thanking the lady once more, I started walking over to the gate again where I noticed my father still sitting while eating his hotdog.

I smiled at the sight before starting to move again.. That is, until a figure started walking towards me.

He was tall and that blocked a little bit of sun away from my eyes. At first I was confused, but then I noticed just who it was and wanted to die right then and there on the spot.

Sebastian...

"Hi there." He softly smiled.

"Sebastian?" I almost dropped my water bottle. I caught it though.

"Do you need some help?" He asked.

I was quick to deny his offer. "It's okay." I shook my head. "W-What are you doing here?"

"I figured you'd be here, I know Elliot is in Championships by now." He responded.

"Y-You still remember?" I wondered.

"Of course I do." He nodded. "I used to come with you guys to these things almost every afternoon back in high school." He chuckled.

He chuckled... I can't lie, it was nice to see him up and smiling again. The last image I had of him really wasn't one for the books. It hurt me seeing him after the death of his sister, Amelia.

"Right." I replicated the small smile.

I had no idea what to think or do. He still had a massive control over me. I was still very nervous around him. Oh no... Here comes the nausea again...

"Anyways.. You've been rejecting my calls.. And ignoring my texts." He pointed out.

Oh... I nervously looked away, sighing at his words. This was something I hoped he wouldn't bring up, but of course, it was the whole objective of the visit.

I however, was not going to be silent about this.

"It's not that easy talking to you after everything, Bash." I replied. "I just hope you at least understand that."

"I do.. I do." He nodded, looking down in shame with hands in both his front pockets. "Anyways, I just wanted thank you personally... For the other night." He looked up at me. "It was nice... And you didn't have to do that."

"Thea was worried." I replied. "I was too..." I admitted.

With my last words, Sebastian's eyes seemed to light up. He tried to cover it up though the moment he thought I might catch on. Too late.

"Well.." He got a little nervous again. "Um.. Thank you, again."

"You're welcome." I smiled.

There was a small moment where Bash just stared at me which made me urge to break the ice. But before I could speak, Bash had beat me to it. His smile was rather childish, almost like we were back in high school again.

His hand rubbed the temples of his forehead before he reached back up to me.

"Listen, I wanna make it up to you. For your troubles.." He spoke.

"Troubles?" I arched a brow.

"Yeah.. Well, you know.." He explained. "Having to deal with me after everything I've done to you." He looked at me in guilt before clearing his throat. "If you're willing to, I'd like to take you out to dinner... Just as a thank you." He was quick to include. "And I will totally understand if you said no."

I only looked at him after he finished his words and felt my heart race inside my chest.

I had no idea what to say. I wanted to, God did I ever want to. But falling back to my old habits wasn't going to do anyone good here. We ended in horrible terms.. Sebastian and I.. We both have careers we want to conquer and succeed in. And so what, it's just dinner.. But it's dinner between Bash and El.  We have history.. Lots of it... And that scared me.

"I don't know, Bash..." I shook my head.

"You don't have to give me an answer right now." He explained. "I know it's a lot to think about. But at least say you'll think about it?" He arched an eyebrow. Hands clapping out in front of him.

Thinking is good.

"Yeah." I nodded.

Feeling his happiness, it brought a smile to face.

"Perfect." He smiled.

His arms opened to give me a hug but being that both my hands were full and I had no possible way to hug him back, Bash just elaborated with what he had and flashed me a thumbs up.

"Are you sure you don't need any help with that?" He asked, looking down at my plates of food.

I shook my head. "My Dad is sitting right by my seat, and no offense Bash, but I don't think he'll be too happy to see you.." I tried to explain in the least mean way possible.

Bash took a moment to look over his shoulder. He spotted my Dad almost immediately before quickly turning his back towards him to face me. "Noted." He nodded.

Dad never really liked Sebastian. He tried for the years we went out and then he really hated him after he broke off our engagement. My dad is not one to hound me though. He never once said I Told You So... No matter how many times I saw it in his face that he wanted to.

"Well, I gotta get back to him." I explained.

"Right." He snapped out of his daze. "Well, um.. It was nice seeing you, Elena."

"You too, Bash." I nodded.

"Just... Call me when you have an answer, okay?" He spoke as he started to walk away.

I only nodded my head.

Waving out final goodbyes, Bash was soon out of my sight.

His request left me thinking all the way back to my chair. Even Dad noticed something was up. First he started asking what took so long for which I only replied with the excuse of... The line was really long.

Then he started asking about my food. This is something I normally would never eat. But I simply excused it with, It just looked good.

Dad wasn't going to complain much on that last one. He and I shared the food I brought and before we knew it, it was Elliot's turn.

He waved at us as he walked up to the batting base. Ignoring everything else I had in mind, I decided to focus on this very moment right here. The moment of my brother. This was everything he worked so hard on.

We cheered the whole way, up until the point he rose his bat over his shoulder. The pitcher made some hand signals, the umpire was ready. Elliot got in position and my father and I rose to our seats as the ball launched out to Elliot.

We stood nervously watching my brother watch the ball. He prepared, then took a swing at it. The ball flew across the field.

"GO ELLIOT!" My father and I shouted. We jumped and clapped as Elliot dropped his bat, racing for first base.

It was always a thrill watching my brother play. When he's out there, it's like we're all in a trance. To me, it's one of the best feelings in the world.

The crowd went wild, Elliot was now stepping in second base and before you knew it, he was almost to third. The other team had just retrieved the baseball and it was now making way towards Elliot.

"HOMERUN, SON! MAKE THE HOMERUN!" Dad yelled.

Elliot knew what he was doing, and it was just what my father was yelling from across the field.

The baseball was just a few people away now, and Elliot was halfway to the last base. The crowd went even crazier! They were having an equal game so far, if Elliot makes this, they win.

He was in his last moments. The ball was now thrown over towards the umpire's direction. Elliot saw the moment and before you knew it, he was gliding across the orange sand. Leg extended out to the base.

The umpire caught the ball, but he was too late.

Elliot's foot was touching base.

"SAFE!" The umpire yelled.

At that moment, the whole team came rushing out of the pit. Elliot's coaches and even teammates started rushing up to him in celebration.

My father and I even shared a celebratory hug in Elliot's honor. We clapped and watched him be celebrated by his team.

Nothing else seemed to matter. Family matters. They're all I have. No Sebastian, no trouble. I was finally happy.

These where the moments worth living.

* * *

After the game, dad and I waited for Elliot to come out of the field and to the other side of the gate. We smiled as he noticed us. He was holding a trophy, yet another one to add to his growing collection. He wore his baseball cap backwards, uniform filled with orange mess.

Dad and I clapped as he approached us. He looked tired, which I don't blame him for. But the night wasn't ending just yet.

"There's my Boy!" Dad smiled, grabbing Elliot under his arm and patting his chest.

"Good job out there, Stud." I joked, removing his baseball cap to mess with his hair.

"Easy, easy." He messed around with us. "Not the hair, okay?"

"Please, it's already a mess of sweat and sand." I laughed.

"Alright." Dad stepped in, smiling as he now moved with both of us under his arms. "What do you say we go out for burgers and milkshakes to celebrate. Your favorite place, of course." He looked down at Elliot.

"I could so go for one of Perry's Burgers right now." He laughed.

Both men now turned to me on the other side of Dad.

"What do you say El?" He asked.

I really couldn't be eating stuff like this, especially after the way I've been feeling. But a burger sounded so good. And it was Elliot's favorite place. It's tradition we go to Perry's after a win.

"Let's go!" I smiled.

Not a moment after responding, my phone started to ring. I pulled it out of my back pocket and looked at the caller ID. Smiling at the name, I excused myself from my brother and Dad.

"I'm gonna go pull up the car." Dad offered.

Not a moment after, Elliot was called over by a group of his other friends. I walked away in the brightly area. It was nightfall now and the mosquitos were wild.

I answered the call and placed it over my ear.

"Hey, you." I smiled at the greeting.

"Missing me already?" Ansel joked.

"Hm.. Not yet, Elgort." I laughed.

"Ouch." I heard his voice laugh on the other end. "El, I'm really sorry about today. You and your brother invited me to the game and I totally got held up. Olly got into some trouble, we're just leaving the hospital now."

"Oh my God, is everything okay?" I grew concerned.

"Just a broken tibia." He explained. "Olly here thought it would be cool to try skateboarding after 7 years. The old fart fell of the skateboard the second he went down on the ramp. His foot was in some weird position and well, it snapped as he fell."

"Hey, way to make me seem like a bad ass. Really Ansel, you're an Ass." Another voice sounded from behind.

"Is that him?" I asked, reassuring of the fact that was before my eyes.

"Yeah, sorry, I have you in the car's speaker, we're driving home from the hospital. Olly here was suppose to keep his mouth shut." I could already imagine Ansel's eyes pinning at his friend Oliver as he spoke.

"It's fine." I smiled against my phone. "How are you doing, Oliver?" I asked.

"Still a little sore but good. Thank you for asking." His voice responded. "Sorry I made Ansel miss the game. We were really looking forward to it."

"It's okay, there's still plenty more to come." I replied.

"Hey, how did he do?" Ansel jumped back in to ask me.

"Hit the winning home run." I smiled proudly.

"DUDE!" I heard them cheer in the background. "That's awesome!"

"Now I'm really sad I missed it." Ansel replied.

"Hey, it won't be the last." I smiled. "Besides, Oliver needed you more. It's fine, really."

"Well, I'll make it up to you, I promise." I heard him softly chuckle.

"Don't believe him, El, he'll forget." Oliver joked on the line.

A small laugh escaped my lips as I heard Ansel argue back with him, repeating for me to not listen to him.

"El!" I heard my brother call out. My father had just pulled up and brother was walking to it. He dumped his duffle bag in the trunk of his pickup truck.

"Hey, I have to go." I spoke on the phone.

"Yeah, no problem." I heard Ansel speak again. "Hey, thanks again for understanding. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Yeah." I responded with a smile. "Feel better Oliver!" I called out. "Make sure you leave a spot for me to sign your cast." I joked.

"You'll be the first one!" Oliver shouted into the car speaker.

"Goodnight." Ansel called.

"Goodnight."

And with that said, the phone call ended.

I don't know what I was thinking with Sebastian. Ansel is sweet guy. He's new, and I'm liking where things are heading with him.

Maybe dinner with Sebastian won't be as bad as I'm making it out to be. It'll be the perfect. It'll be an amazing opportunity to tell him I've moved on. And that I'm happy...