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nI guess I made my decision. It won't hurt to try again, especially since I'll get a chance to go in the righty's box. I gave Noah the go-ahead nod.

nHe looked back at the guys.

"We're in. Double or nothing. Whoever gets most hits win. Jake gets to bat right-handed. As winners, we choose to still go second.

" He raised an eyebrow.

"Unless you've got a problem and need the kid to go first?

"

nThe baldy sneered.

"Yea, right. In case you missed it, Tyler had more hits. Your friend couldn't do nothing but foul. You're in over your head, brat.

" He looked at Tyler.

"Show them how it's done. Just getting the same amount of hits again will do it.

"

nTyler put his helmet back on and got back in the cage, swaggering with a bigger attitude than a loser should have. He slid his token in and got ready.

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"Foul. Foul. Hit. Hit. Hit. Hit. Hit. Foul. Hit. Hit. Hit. Hit.

" Baldy called out the result of every pitch. Every time he called out hit, I felt my heart grow heavier. He went from seven hits to nine. No misses. I feel slightly hustled. This guy is obviously a star on whatever team he's on. Why do they feel the need to challenge us? Just because of Noah's smack talk? Weird.

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"Nine out of twelve isn't bad.

" Noah commented as Tyler walked out of the cage.

"Too bad, Jake can do better.

" He handed me a token.

"Here. You ran out right? You can easily hit more than him.

"

nI started to sweat. Where does Noah get this sky high confidence from? He's not even the one going in the cage.

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"Stop stalling.

" Baldy glared at us.

nI swallowed down my anxiety and forced my legs to move. This is definitely the most nervous I've felt in a batting cage ever.

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"Worst case scenario isn't the end of the world Jake. Stop looking like you're going to your own funeral.

" Noah said.

nNoah is right. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, releasing my tension. Worst case scenario is just going home. I can always tell Noah that I don't want the bat so Mrs. Atkins doesn't have to buy it. There's a lot of ways to save up money to buy it myself.

nI put in the token Noah gave me and got into the righty's box. I should just use this opportunity to see what I can do now that I can adjust my swing and try for hits.

nThe first pitch arrived in the time it took to blink. I swung my bat, keeping a good grip. Foul. Okay, not bad. I got set again for the next pitch. I just need to lower my shoulder to get the appropriate angle to hit the ball. The pitch came and I sent it back the way it came. Hit. Good. What a relief. I tried to keep the same stance and motions. Hit. Hit. Hit. Hit. Hit. Hit. After the eight hit on the ninth pitch, I heard an unusual sound. It was hard to describe. It sounded like someone punching a wall? Like when the plaster gives.

nI was swinging at the next pitch when I finally figured it out. It was my bat. Crack! Pieces of my bat flew with the ball, and the rest split apart in my hands. I quickly stepped out of the batters box and let the rest of the pitches go by, before picking up what pieces I could. Then I slowly left the cage and immediately looked at Noah with disbelief all over his face. I'm sure I mirrored what he was feeling. I never broke a bat before. I've never even seen a broken bat before. Oh crap.

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