chapter 11

Ronin sat behind the cheap metal fencing, a bat clenched between his hands.

Ignoring the principal's ban from earlier,

Hey," a friendly voice said from behind him.

Turning quickly he was met with Percy's innocent smile, Ronin fought the urge to smile back

What are you doing here?" Ronin asked curiously.

Oh! Percy exclaimed starting to get excited I'm the bat boy"

He could tell Percy thought it was cool.

Ronin sighed looking back ahead just in time as his coach called him over.

Ronin was up for batting practice; his grip tight on the bat, he lay it above his shoulder, tensing for the oncoming ball; he whipped the bat in front of him, smacking it towards the pitcher, who then caught it.

Ronin, disappointed, heads for the bench; hey, wait, Ronin!" His coach's raspy voice called after him.

Are you lefty or righty? His coach asked.

Why the fuck would I know? Ronin snarls. I don't pay attention to that.

His coach, unimpressed, orders Ronin to swing it on his other shoulder.

As the ball approached, Ronin braced before shooting high above the players and right over the gate.

Just then, a wide smile spread across his face. It was a strange feeling, as he tended to overuse his annoyed expression.

There you go!" His coach raved, widening the smile on his face again.

It had gotten cold; as the night dragged on, eventually coming to an end,

A couple of the boys complemented Ronin's hit. He craved the attention, a desire he never knew he had wanted.

And that reality became clear as the team had split separate ways; it was just him and Percy.

Although Percy's excitement for him lingered. He couldn't accept an actual appreciation from his supposed position.

Percy and Ronin stayed after practice.

He did his best to pitch to Ronin; it had shown as many of Ronin's balls hadn't made it past the outfield.

What the fuck Percy pitch it straight!" Ronin demanded frustrated.

Nervous Percy attempted to do as he was told, a couple of throws had failed before Ronin was able to hit it hard.

It flew over Percy's head and beyond the gate again; Percy ran towards Ronin, his hand straight up, urging a high-five. Ronin returned his request pushing Percy playfully as he watched the path of the ball.

That was awesome!" Percy exclaimed

Hell yeah! Ronin said, grinning.

Ok, now do it again he said, pointing at the plate for Percy.

His pitching form wasn't perfect; in fact, it wasn't near, but he had managed to pitch it to Ronin. When his grip was tight, the ball bounced off of the bat, its strong force and eminence speed had Ronin's attention.

Suddenly, Percy fell to the ground, and a loud, high-pitched scream followed him down.

Ronin had stood staring, hoping for Percy to return to his feet, in which he was unsuccessful.

Shit!" Ronin said, sprinting over. He looked down at Percy, his hands on his face.

And his glasses were on the floor next to him. The lens was missing and cracked on the other side.

C'mon, Percy, get up." Ronin's voice was timid; he was horrified by the thought of actually hurting a soul like, Percy.

Ronin bent down pulling him up by his thick sweater. Moaning Percy let go of his face.

Whipping the tears across his red face, Ronin sat with him, waiting for Percy's assuring voice.

I'm ok," Percy sobbed, whipping his face one last time. He turned to Ronin, a recovering smile on his face, Ronin's eyes widened as a dark red liquid trickled from Percy's ear.

Wh- uh p-Percy, you're bleeding." Ronin began to stutter; he didn't know what to do.

His mind raced, and he quickly ran to the bench, grabbing a rag.

Uh- here, Ronin exclaimed, beginning to panic.

Percy took the rag his hand was shaking,

Ronin bent down and examined the wound.

It was just a slight skim of the skin following in the line of his glasses.

Percy began to get up, the rag against the side of his head.

R-ronin, I can't see," Percy said timidly.

Ronin's eyes widened, w- h-how many fingers am I holding up he stammered,

No Ronin I don't have my glasses"

O-oh yeah, I knew that panicking. He looked across the ground, grabbing Percy's oval glasses.

Their slow walk home was the opposite of silent as Percy kept repeating his apology, and assurance of his safety.

Oh shut up"

Ronin said, hoping to end his rambling; just focus on your steps. Ronin stood next to Percy, a hand behind him gently gripping his sweater.

The big white home came into view through the thick darkness of the night; Ronin had grown nervous as he approached the green door. He didn't know what to expect as he helped Percy up the steps. He knocked on the door harshly he was glad Percy couldn't see his shaking fist.

The door opened quickly as the instantly recognizable curly hair reassured him he had the right house, instantly invited in by Percy's assumed mother; her frantic voice was panicked, and she took Percy, helping him to a seat.

It wasn't long before Percy's parents started to question what happened; Ronin had provided his honest answer, which he was proud of himself for. Adding to Percy's plea for Ronin's side of the story, "

Why don't we call your parents?" Percy's father added softly.

I'll be fine," Ronin said, trying not to come off as snotty as he wanted to.

It's already quite dark outside, he said, reaching for the phone and looking at Ronin.

"

Go ahead and call my dad," he said, giving up on getting out by himself. He racked his brain, barely spitting out his father's phone number.

Ronin had joined Percy in his room, not surprised by the simple and clean aspect that surrounded them.

Percy had sat on his bed. His eyes were bare away from his glasses as he sat on his plush bed as Ronin wandered around the room. " Ronin," Percy said, breaking the silence; he swiftly leaned on the bed next to Percy.

"If you don't mind me asking is it just you and your dad?"

He had Ronin's attention, and Percy could feel Ronin's tension with the subject.

Yeah," he replied blankly, avoiding eye contact.

Percy had started to speak again before Ronin cut him off.

"Mind your own fucking business," Ronin snarled quietly before standing up quickly. He left the room, slamming the door behind him; he wasn't sure why he cared if Percys' parents heard him.

Flying down the stairs, he was met with his father's staggering stature, standing in the living room next to Percy's parents; Ronin had glanced before leaving the house without hesitation.