T H I R D
pov
Thalia sat at her kitchen counter, dipping her tortilla chips into the bowl of guacamole as she stared at the black cat that sat on the stool in front of her.
"Oh 4th of July. The great celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence" She sighed, resting her head into her hand.
"And here we are. Alone. How great is that?" She continued, cracking a sarcastic laugh as she threw her head back.
Her laughter soon stopped and her smile slowly faded, staring at the cat that stared back at her.
"God I know right?" She breathed, letting out a laugh as she nodded her head. As if she actually understood what the cat said.
She groaned, resting her elbows onto the table and throwing her head down into her hands.
"Oh god. I'm talking to my cat. That's it. This is it, I think I've finally gone insane"
Slowly her head lifted up, running a hand through her damp hair with a sigh before plopping another chip into her mouth.
Suddenly the sound of the doorbell went off, making her pause and quickly look towards the cat in confusion.
"Uh-oh. And here, is where I get murdered" she huffed, hopping off the chair.
She pushed herself off the chair, making her way out into the living room and towards the front door. She slowly creaked the door open, letting out a huff once seeing the familiar group of kids in front of her.
Quickly she opened the front door wider, unlocking the screen door and pushing it open.
"What the hell are you dorks doing here?"
Once opening the screen door it left a clearer view of her, making the boy who stood in front and about to speak instantly pause in his tracks.
He examined her, feeling his mind jumble up immediately. Her hair was damp and slightly ruffled. Clearly showing she had just showered. And her bare, clear makeup free face with the familiar glasses that he actually adored resting on top her nose, only made his heart quicken and thump in his chest.
"Uh.. hello?" Thalia slowly questioned, waving her hand around to get the boys attention.
He blinked a few times, snapping out of it and clearing his throat. "Uh.. we're going to have a night game. You want to come?"
Her lips curled down into a frown, looking towards the other kids with a huff. "What! But- but I just showered?"
Devora, who stood with the rest of the group let out a scoff. "Bitch- get your ass out here right now" she scolded.
Thalia let out a huff, throwing her head back with a groan. "My god- fine, fine geez"
And with that she turned around and stomped back into the house, leaving Benny who was still a bit star struck to watch her before slowly looking back towards the kids that had smirks plastered on their faces.
"Shut up. Just shut up" he ordered, knowing exactly what they were just going to tease about.
"Ooo.. you were swooning over—
Yeah-Yeah was cut off by Thalia who made her way over, quickly slipping on her shoes before stepping out of the house and closing the door behind her.
"Alright, losers. Hurry up" she huffed, walking past the boy who stood in front of her and down the porch steps.
They all quickly made their way out of the driveway and down the sidewalk towards the crowds of people on the street that were holding a neighborhood barbecue.
Thalia slowly stopped her pace, rolling her eyes once seeing Ham who stopped to snatch a few hotdogs. "Hamilton. Get your damn sausages and get over here" she scolded.
Ham looked over, rolling his eyes with a hotdog in his mouth as he quickly ran over and followed behind her. "Coming mommy!" He mocked.
They all made their way down the street and towards the familiar sandlot, quickly making their way onto the field and towards their positions.
Thalia ran over towards her usual base, slipping on her glove with a huff as she awaited for the game to start.
And just as Kenny pitched the ball to Benny who hit the ball back out into the field, there was a loud boom before the first firework broke out.
Thalia's gaze followed the ball before ultimately focusing up on the sky, eyes lighting up as she watched the colorful fireworks that now brightened the field.
And just like Thalia everyone else did the same, completely forgetting all about the game and staring up at the now lit up sky.
Well all except for Benny of course. Everyone knew baseball was an extreme passion of his and while everyone stared up at the sky he ran the bases. To him, baseball was much more than a game and ultimately was his life.
But maybe, Thalia Bolivar was even more than baseball. Because once he caught sight of her, even for a split second it instantly made him pause in his tracks. Now himself even, completely forgetting about the game.
He watched as she continued to stare up at the sky in awe, leading him back to the same star struck feeling he just felt a few moments ago.
And without even fully thinking about it, impulsively, he slowly pushed himself forward.
It hadn't even swept his mind that he had a girlfriend, or even what Thalia herself would say to what he was thinking about doing.
But in the end he was stopped once getting his arm grabbed and pulled back to reveal Emily who held a smile on her face.
"Oh happy fourth baby!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands up with a smile.
And before he could even blink she took the side of his face and pulled him in, pressing her lips against his.
He slowly pulled his away, letting out a stunned breathe. If Benny a few months ago knew he'd someday kiss Emily Smith he'd be jumping for joy.
Except, the Benny now wasn't. Slowly he looked over, feeling his heart drop once seeing Phillips who was now standing with Thalia.
✧
T H A L I A
I stared up at the now lit up sky, raising my eyebrows in surprise at the colorful swirls of bright lights.
Slowly I looked back down once feeling a tap on my arm, looking over to meet Jordan who now stood next to me.
"Oh.. hey Goldie" I breathed, cracking a smile.
"Pretty isn't it? It's so.. bright!" I added, excitedly looking back towards the sky.
He cracked a small laugh, nodding his head in agreement. "Yeah.. it is"
I slowly nodded, looking back down and knitting my eyebrows together in confusion once noticing his gaze on me.
"What?" I questioned.
"I.. do you forgive me?" He questioned, staring at me intently as he awaited for my response.
I thought for a moment, carefully thinking it over before slowly nodding my head with a smile. "Well.. yeah, I'd suppose I do"
He slowly nodded, cracking a smile as he looked down towards the ground. "Then.. can I ask you something?"
"Mhm.. yeah go—
I paused, feeling my heart instantly drop at the sight of the two that stood in the distance, lips pressed against each other.
My chest rose as I took in a deep breathe, clearing my throat I forced myself to look away.
"Yeah.. go ahead" I softly continued.
My gaze shot up from the ground, feeling my heart stop once seeing he stood staring down at me. Slowly growing confused and nervous at what he was going to say.
"Thalia.. ok I'm going to just say it. I- I like you ok?" He finally blurted.
My eyebrows rose in surprise, staring at him for a moment before letting out a soft laugh.
"I think I kind of already knew that" I replied, laughing lightly.
His face fell, knitting his eyebrows together in confusion. "You did?"
I nodded, letting out a soft laugh. "Well somewhat. It was kind of obvious when you suddenly started playing nice with me"
He slowly nodded, cracking a small hesitant laugh as he scratched his head. "Oh. So.. look, I'm sorry for just dropping this on you right now. But, I really like you I do. I think.. I kind of already did even when I was being a dick to you."
"And.. if you don't feel the same way back that's ok but, I just really have to get it out" he added, looking down as he lightly kicked at the ground.
I bit onto my lip, unsure of what to say. I mean, I thought he was cute yes, and now that I got to know him more I did in fact like the person behind what he put up. Would I want to ever be in a relationship with him? That, is where I was confused.
"I.. I don't really know what to say. I like you, I do but, a relationship?" I slowly replied, letting out a soft unsure laugh.
"I.. ok, we don't have too.. make things official yet if you don't want. But, we could still do like.. coupley stuff. Start from there?" He suggested, a hopeful smile on his face.
"So like, dating but.. not exactly together. Still going on dates and.. well something like that?" I slowly questioned, tilting my head curiously.
He nodded, cracking a smile.
"Something like that"
I stared at him, slowly nodding my head as a smile spread onto my face. "Okay" I softly replied.
An instant smile spread onto his face, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "Wait, really? Oh.. wow I didn't expect that"
I slightly nodded, a soft laugh escaping past my lips. Slowly my laughter came to a stop as my heart quickened once we both began staring at one another.
I wasn't too sure if this is the part where we kiss.. or if we even should?
He must have noticed my hesitance because he let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "We don't have too kiss or anything.. not if you don't want to"
I slowly nodded, letting out a light breathe.
"Ok.. yeah ok thanks"
He slightly nodded understandingly, cracking a small smile as he continued to stare down at me. And suddenly he leaned down, placing a soft kiss onto my cheek instead.
Though it was just kiss a on the cheek it did in fact leave my cheek tingling for a bit, cracking a small smile I looked up at him.
"Wow.. you're a brave one Goldie" I breathed, shaking my head at him with a laugh.
He slowly nodded, a proud smile spreading onto his face. "I am, aren't I?"
I shook my head, laughing lightly as I rolled my eyes. "Yeah well, my hair is still damp and I'm getting quite the chills now from all this so, kindly move" I smiled sarcastically, waving him away.
——
Yes, yes I did in fact plan this chapter to be on the fourth. Happy 4th of July guys!! I hope you're guys's fourth is as good as the one in the sandlot. Ugh, I've always wished I could be there it looked so fun. ♡