only you// benny rodriguez

chapter one.

I always saw him at the sandlot with his friends, playing baseball. He was always holding a glove or a bat. The way he played the game was mesmerizing.

Before my dad died he taught me how to play the amazing game of baseball. He died in a car accident on the way to a game. I was 16. Now I'm 17 and new to Chino Hills. I moved there towards the end of summer '62 after the boys got in the biggest pickle of their lives.
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k e l s e y
Sunday, August 17th. 10:12 a.m.

I walked to the drugstore to pick up some stuff for my mom. I opened the doors, looked at the counter and walked to the first aisle. I grabbed soap, deodorant, a Coke, gum, and a baseball. I paid then made my way out.

As I was walking out, I bumped into someone. I looked up to see a boy. He was wearing a L.A baseball cap, jeans, all black Converse, and a plain t-shirt. He had beautiful brown eyes, a sharp ass jaw, and blackish brown hair with sweat covering his forehead.

"I'm so sorry," I spoke.

"It was my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going," he said as his eyes burned into mine.

"There's no more baseballs!" a kid with glasses yelled.

"Seriously?" the boy in front of me asked.

"I bought the last one. I'm sorry," I said, smiling shyly.

"Really?"

"You guys can have it." I handed the ball to the boy in front of me. He looked at me for a moment before taking the ball.

"Thank you," he said.

"No problem," I said, smiling.

"Bitchin'," the boy with glasses said.

"You play ball?" A chubby kid with red curly hair asked me.

"Yeah, all the time. My dad was a baseball player," I told them.

"But, you're a girl." They all looked at me weird. I rolled my eyes, shooting them the nastiest look I could come up with.

"Who could beat your ass," I snapped.

"No way," the red haired kid said.

"Whatever," I said and began to walk away. I got past the local burger joint before I felt a hand wrap around my wrist. I turned and saw the boy I bumped into.

"I'm sorry about my friends," he said.

"I'm use to it." I smiled. I was pissed, but couldn't help but smile when he was around.

"You new here?"

"Yeah. I moved here on July 28th," I told him as I pushed my hair out of my face.

"Benny man!" a group of boy were yelling and growing more impatient by the minute.

"You should go L.A," I said, a smile playing on my lips. He smirked at me and licked his lips.

"See ya New Girl," he said, stroking my cheek and walked down the sidewalk to his friends.

b e n n y
I watched her walk away as the boys called for me. I rolled my eyes, licked my lips, and walked with the rest of guys. I couldn't focus on anything, but her. I don't know why because baseball is my life, not some stupid girls.

She's just some girl. I don't even know her name, but she's driving me crazy. I need and wanted to know her name. I have to see her again. I walked with the boys, soon realizing they were all complaining about the heat.

"Benny lets go to the pool!"

"Yeah-Yeah!"

"Come on Benny man it's too hot
to play ball!"

"Sure, let's go," I said.

We made our way to the pool and the boys were trying to play chicken with cars. We arrived at the pool and that's when I saw her. She was wearing a bathing suit, a whistle, and was also putting sunscreen on. I couldn't help but stare at her. She was so....

"Benny!" I snapped my head towards the boys who were all looking at me weird.

"What?"

"Let's swim," they said, running to the pool. I changed then walked to the pool. The new girl was sitting by the pool with her feet in.

My plan was to jump in, pass the boys, and swim over to where she was sitting. Before I could, the kid I hate most, Philips, swam in front of her. I stood there in the shallow end, staring off into space.

"Benny!" I looked up to see her waving me over. I smiled and swam over to her. Philips looked at me in disgust, kissed her cheek, and swam away.

"Hey L.A. ," she said, smiling. I fucking love that nickname.

"Hey New Girl," I said.

"I was hoping I'd see you here." She kept smiling.

"Here I am. I didn't know you were a lifeguard here,"

"I needed a job for personal reasons, but I'm glad to see you L.A. ," she told me.

"We don't even know each other and you already have a nickname for me," I said, letting out a short laugh.

"L.A. is one of my favorite baseball teams. You also wear one of their caps, so the nickname came natural," she spoke as I smiled.

"Their one of my favorites too,"

She smiled at me then blushed.

"Will you meet at the drugstore on Friday?" I asked.

"Of course." She smiled.

a/n: my new book!! i love the Sandlot and Benny, so here we are lol. hope you enjoy. stay strong, beautiful, and fierce babes. i love ya 🖤
-kg