Monday, February 23

SAMMIE

I go to softball practice again on Friday. We do more partner drills, plus a side-to-side drill to work on lateral movement. We also practice walking while pumping our arms because Coach Wright says it improves your running speed.

We even run laps in the halls. I’ve never run inside before, and it’s fun. We thunder down the hallways, past open classroom doors. Mrs. Knell, still working in her room, waves at us as we run by. By the time practice is over, my face is flushed, my hair’s damp with sweat, and I feel loose and warm and good.

“You coming to the cages this weekend?” Zari asks me as I’m packing my stuff in the locker room.

I shake my head no. “Can’t,” I say, trying to think of a good reason why.

Luckily, she doesn’t ask. “See you Monday, then,” she says.

On Monday, I’m changed and standing next to Haley in the gym when Amanda Archer walks out of the locker room and strolls over to Savanna.

I watch her, wondering what the queen of the seventh grade could possibly be doing at a softball team practice. But apparently she’s doing the same thing I am, because when Valerie and Savanna start the warm-up, Amanda pairs up with Jelly Lee, and when we have to get into groups of four for catching drills, Amanda and Jelly join Zari and me.

“I thought I heard you were playing boys’ baseball,” Amanda says to me.

“I did,” I say. “I mean, I am. But I’m trying this out too.”

“Me too,” Amanda says. “I’m trying it out. I play field hockey in the fall, but I wanted a spring sport too.”

I never thought I had anything in common with Amanda Archer, but maybe I do.