Whodunnit/School/Recess/Boys
You feel like moving your body today... kickball it is. Ah, it looks like they already starting to pick teams. You better get over there quickly.
After quickly jogging over to the boys, you ask one of them, "Hey, can I play too?"
Hearing your voice, one of the boys approaches you. "We are about to play kickball. Girls aren't allowed." He looks like he's one of the leaders of the group.
You thought this might happen, but you aren't ready to give up yet. "Why not? I bet I'm at least as good as you are."
He scowls at this, and begins arguing with you. The rest of the boys watch as the two of you shout back and forth. Finally, another boy comes forward. "Mike, let her play."
You look to see the owner of the voice. Ah, his name is Timmy. He was one of the few boys who came to talk to you while you were still in class. "We have an odd number of players anyway. This will balance out the teams."
Mike doesn't look happy, but at least he backs down. "Fine, but she's playing on your team." Timmy agrees, and the boys go back to picking sides until both teams are full. Mike's team will get first kicks, so you and the rest of Timmy's team head for the open field.
On your way there, you catch up to Timmy. "Thanks for letting me play with you." Timmy smiles at you, and replies, "No problem. Do you know the rules?" You nod back to him, and proudly boast, "I was always one of the first ones picked back at my old school."
Timmy grins, and says, "Good. Let's beat 'em, Angela." You grin back, and tell him, "Call me Angie." Then you ask him, "What position do you want me to play at?" Timmy thinks for a bit, and then decides, "If you are as good as you say you are, then go stand between first and second base."
You nod, and quickly head to your spot. Good, this is going better than you thought. Most new players get sent to the outfield until they make a name for themselves. Now you are already in position to make plays. You definitely won't let this chance slip by.
All players are ready, so the game begins. The first kicker sends it away from you, a line drive right past third base. He makes it to first base easily, and then Mike steps up to kick. He has a wicked grin on his face as he eyes your position. Just as you thought he might, he punts the ball up aiming for a spot just out of your reach.
Other kids might have let it bounce into the outfield, but not you. You move immediately towards the ball as it sails past, diving for it and pulling it down while still in the air. You land sprawled out, but victorious... he's out. Quickly jumping to your feet, you look for where the other player is. Good, he obviously didn't expect you to catch it because he's trying to skid to a stop and turn back to first base. Before he can recover, you easily toss the ball to your teammate at first, making two outs.
All your teammates look impressed, and they call out 'Nice save, Angie' and 'Nice double play.' You get a high-five from several boys before they head back to their positions. You look over to where Mike is. Apparently he's still in shock that his strategy just ended up back-firing on him. Eventually he moves out of the way, and play resumes. The third kicker punts it short, allowing Timmy to easily get the third out. The teams quickly trade places on the field.
Your first teammate kicks it short, but still manages to reach first base before the ball did. Timmy was the next kicker, and he punted it deep. It ended far enough away that he was able to make it to second base, with the other reaching third, before the ball came back. Then it was your turn. You ready your stance, a few steps back from home plate.
"Easy out!" Mike taunts you as he calls his team. "Everyone move up." He's still underestimating you. Well, you'll make him regret that. As the ball crosses home plate, your leg solidly connects with it, sending it far over everyone's heads. Since everyone had moved up, there was no one in the outfield to chase it down, and you easily jog around all four bases before they even catch up to it. Your teammates cheer you on and give you high-fives as you cross home plate. There's no longer any malice coming from the boys... you've just cemented your position as one of the 'good' players.
The game continues on, both sides scoring another run before it's over. However, you were no longer targeted, the boys usually aiming for a spot far away from you. Eventually, the school's chime sounded, signalling the time to head back in. The final score was four to one, your side had won easily thanks to your homerun.
"Losers put the ball back." Mike didn't look happy about it, but he knew what was expected of him. He grabs the ball and heads to the bin to put it away. As he passes, Timmy calls out, "Still think girls can't play?" Mike makes a face, and then grumbles, "Next time, she's on our team."
You are grinning from ear to ear as you get one more high-five from Timmy. Suddenly Timmy looks down at your legs, and says, "Hey, you're bleeding!" You follow his eyes downward to see a nasty scrape on your leg, running from your knee all the way up until it disappears under your skirt. "Ah, so I am..."
It must have happened when you made that catch at the start. It didn't hurt, so you hadn't even realized you were cut until now. Timmy grabs your hand and pulls you along. "This way. I'll take you to the nurse's office." You nod back, and follow him back to the school.