Chapter 17: Home run

The sun dyed the city in its gentle evening hue as we ran through it. Trying our best to hide from a particular girl who strolled before us nonchalantly. Ray's brown hair flowed behind her while her bat jumped over her shoulder. A skip in her step as she headed to train, or so she said.

"The plan is working," Jishi whispered for the 17th time today. His voice hiding the incessant chuckles he's been restraining ever since we left school. I am genuinely surprised she hasn't called us out yet. Because I've seen her flash a glance at us once or twice now. Despite that, Jishi will bet that she hasn't. To that I say what I have told this 17-year-old child for the past 27 minutes.

"Idiot" I've conditioned my hands to flash this word every certain amount of idiocy. It has proven useful for triggering the loudest noise known to man.

"THAT'S NOT TRUE!!" A roar or rather, a war cry. Ran wildly through the narrow streets and alleyways every time I mocked him like this. Followed by Ray turning around quickly. Which prompts us to dash behind the nearest wall. I'm nervous as hell, but getting flustered like that is hilarious. So much so, it soothes me.

"Yo what the hell? Do you want her to notice?" His voice filled with genuine obliviousness towards the fact she has eluded my everything. As I ate his questions for the 18th time, I caught Ray with the corner of my eye. She was laughing at our definitely planned skit. This pattern continued for a while until Ray stopped walking.

She turned, entering this building. Jishi and I followed suit. As we entered through the glass door, I noticed the various baseball posters hung over the green walls. As I finished ogling the surroundings, I turn to the counter. There I saw Ray, raising her eyebrows as she looked at us.

"You know, you guys weren't sneaky at all," In her voice I felt her restraint a chuckle. At the very least, she wasn't angry.

"Tell me about it," Moving my hands, I poke on Jishi more. It did not calm my heart at all. In fact, it was beating at 77 miles per millisecond. But it was still funny to see Jishi get embarrassed.

"We were just worried, so we followed you, sorry," Jishi lowered his head as I did too.

"It's fine, now that we're all here, you guys want to give the bat a swing?" To her question, I realized, despite the obvious clues. This is a batting center. Both of us nodding as we moved towards the counter.

The attendant was this rough-looking man. His messy beard and shades paired with his leather jacket made him seem untrustworthy. I hid behind Jishi, choosing to avoid him. At this I heard Jishi sigh. Ray talked to the attendant joyously, as if she'd known him for a long time. After paying him, he insisted we stay for as long as we'd like. His lips putting up a wholehearted smile.

After arriving at the cage, Ray sprinted towards the batting cage. Preparing her bat for a swing, her eyes sparkled with joy. Her lips sitting in a bright smile as the first baseball fired at her. Her bat chased the ball with zeal, swinging in an elegant arc. The ball flew to the furthest corner of the cage. A home run. The image of Ray as she swung the bat, it was hypnotizing. Her brown hair flowing slowly behind the raging bat. Paired with her golden eyes glistening like stars above her smile. For a second I looked over my shoulder at Jishi. He too was at awe. Then the attendant let out a sore laugh behind us.

"Ha ha, she's been coming like this for about a month, without missing a day. She swings the bat for hours nonstop. I've been enjoying myself just watching her, she is good." The attendant's sore voice made it clear. This has been her training ever since her mom stopped her club practice. But I couldn't say anything. None of us did. My heart squeezed in my head as I did what I always did. Hide and watch.