Max laughs softly from the other side of Vas, as I nod and valiantly try to hold on to a straight face. With another glance over at my friend to make sure he’s still standing, I give my attention to Coach Mackenzie.
Kayla
Heyyyyyy!
Nate
Hey yourself.
Kayla
How do you feel about baseball?? I’ve got an extra ticket and no date.
Nate
Baseball, Kay?
Snooze fest.
Kayla
Boooooo
Don’t be like that.
How about I throw in a hot dog.
Nate
Okay, I’m in.
I will never say no to free stadium food.
I can pick you up in an hour.
Kayla
No way, this is my date. I’ll pick you up, handsome. See you soon!
Crankingup a random country music top hits playlist, I strip down to my boxers and stand in front of my closet, hands on hips. Baseball really isn’t my thing, but at least it’s outside. I’m an outdoorsman at heart, but between classes and hockey I rarely get to spend time in the sun during the semester. Baseball might be boring as hell, but at least I’ll get a little fresh air and sunshine. Not to mention, spend a little time with a pretty girl. Win-win.
Throwing on a pair of jeans and an olive-green T-shirt my mom says brings out the color of my eyes, I reapply deodorant and run a comb through my hair. A cursory inspection in the mirror confirms that I’m decent enough for a date at a ballpark. Checking the time and noting that I’ve got some to spare, I flick off the music and walk over to my roommate’s door.
“Atlas,” I call, knocking a fist into the wood and then just walking in. He’s sitting on his floor, earbuds in and books spread out in a rainbow in front of him. He glares at me as I take a seat on his bed.
“Go away,” he says.
“Hello, sunshine,” I reply, which earns me a hefty sigh as he plucks the earbuds out.
“Don’t you have sports to do? It’s Friday.”
“I did my sports for the day, and now I’m off to watch other people sport. I got asked out on a date.”
Atlas has no reaction to this other than to shift around a few of his piles of notecards. After a few minutes of silence, he looks back up at me.
“You got any plans for the weekend?” I ask once he makes eye contact with me.
“Maybe hit up a party.” He shrugs. “I don’t know. You? Please don’t bring your date here. I need to get some sleep tonight without listening to the chorus of your sexual escapades.”
