Chapter 109

Kadeem

The following evening, Kadeem was watching anxiously while their teams played the match. Layla had secured the permission of the softball association to turn on the field lights. As the night deepened, moths around the lights swirled like a galaxy of stars.

Ardal struck out when it was her time at bat, but the rest of Kadeem's team left no stone unturned and hit ball after ball. They were neck-in-neck with Hart's team by the ninth inning and Kadeem placed Ardal in her usual spot in right field. To everyone's dismay, she fumbled two catches putting them at an almost sure risk of losing.

Hart's players had now loaded the bases. Downfield, Ethan, who was almost as weak a player as Ardal, yelled something derogatory over at her, which incited her fury.

She threw down her glove and prepared to storm off the field, but Kadeem called time and jogged up to meet her.

"Hey," he said firmly, taking hold of Ardal's shoulder.

She stared back at him red-faced with sweat glistening on her forehead. "I'm done," she muttered resignedly, "You'd be better off without me."

"No," Kadeem said sternly, "Don't listen to him; listen to me instead. We need you back on that field now – you're doing much better than I've ever seen during practice."

"Yeah, well," Ardal began sadly, "I'm trying, but -"

"But nothing," Kadeem interjected, "You're a Were, you know - in case you forgot. You're athletic. You're crazy fast in track and you beat me at least half the time we play PIG-"

"Basketball's different. So is track -"

"Not really," he says. "It's the same skills in general - speed, stamina, hand-eye-coordination..."

"It's a lot harder to catch a softball, and I'm so clumsy with that stupid glove."

"Look," he said, tapping her head softly, his voice reassuring. "It's all mental. I promise you, you can do it."

"Come on, Amari," Hart yelled, glaring at Kadeem. "We don't have all night!"

Kadeem answered by flipping him off and pushing Ardal out onto the diamond. "If we lose," he said, "Then, we lose. Do your best - you'll be just fine."

Ardal took a deep breath before sprinting across the illuminated grass towards her position in right field. Layla wound up and threw a perfect curveball as Kadeem cursed under his breath. The batter connected with a crack of her bat and sent what looked to be a sure home run into the sky above them.

Ethan tripped in an effort to chase after it and Kadeem groaned in resignation before spotting something incredible out of the corner of his eye - Ardal had sprung into motion as soon as the ball was hit, launching herself across the grass at lightning speed. With her arm outstretched, she was practically flying through the air over Ethan's sprawling body, snatching the ball midair.

Kadeem brought his hand to his mouth in shock before screaming, "HOLY SHIT, Ardal!"

Layla shrieked with joy and the rest of the team burst into wild cheers and shocked laughter.

Hart turned to Kadeem, groaning, "Pulled that win out of your ass, didn't you?"

Kadeem let out a breathy laugh. "Call it what you want, but I'm still savoring this sweet victory," he drawled, giving Hart a smug wink.

He hurried out onto the field and quickly congratulated each player, giving Layla a playfully too-hard punch on the shoulder. Ardal was surrounded by the team, rosy-cheeked and laughing joyously.

"That was some Jedi-level shit," Kadeem said, pushing through the circle of players to hug her.

She shook her head. "I just listened to your advice. I never thought about softball like track until you drew the comparison. I just turned up the speed."

"AND made an amazing catch."

"No idea how that part happened," she giggled.

"Deem!"

They turned to see Naomi, jogging toward them, her silky, ebony tresses shimmering underneath the swath of light. "Great game you guys," she said, beaming at the team. "Particularly you," she said to Ardal.

Naomi intertwined her fingers in Kadeem's and Ardal gave her a tepid smile.

They gathered their things and got ready to leave. Kadeem hooked his arm around Naomi's waist as they started their walk back and snuck a kiss when he thought no one was looking.

Maybe a minute after, Layla fell back to seize Naomi's arm and drag her ahead for a chat, leaving Kadeem to trail behind alone.

The sound of footsteps caught his attention. He turned around to see Ardal, ball cap tucked beneath her arm, balancing her bat and glove with the other hand.

"How'd you wind up back here," he asked, embarrassed she probably saw the kiss. He slowed his pace to match hers.

"I left my bat and had to run back to get it," she said, offering an awkward smile as they walked side-by-side.

They were silent for a few minutes. The only sound was the crunch of the pavement and the voices of the team up ahead in the darkness. The headlights from an oncoming car lit up the shadows around them. Instinctively, he held his arm out protectively in front of her as they paused to let it pass by.

Then he smiled down at her, taking her bat to free up her hands. "We'll fight off the zombies and vampires with this," he joked.

"Deem?"

"Hmm?"

"I feel like you owe me a Slurpee."

He laughed before replying in a teasing tone, "You would think that, wouldn't you?"

"I don't think, I know."

He grinned. "Care for a Slurpee, my lady?" He offered her his arm and, with a giggle, she wrapped hers around it.

He felt the inexorable pull of fate, dragging him and her closer as they wandered away from the group, rounding the corner towards the convenience store. His heart fluttered when she leaned against him. He felt his face grow hot and coughed nervously, suddenly very aware of the closeness of their embrace.

"Maybe we should... spread out a bit," he mumbled, peeling away from her.

She stopped walking and lifted her gaze up to meet him, a questioning glint in her eyes.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets, searching for the right words. "Ah, it's just -" he began, before freezing in place. "Oh, screw it." Taking a brave step forward, he leaned in and captured her lips with his own, astonishment washing over him when she eagerly returned the embrace.

He broke away, abruptly, as the doubt and regret quickly seeped in.

"Is this weird," he asked softly. "You're my friend." Before she could answer, he spoke again. "And are you alright with, um, an older man?" He wiggled an eyebrow, but there was true concern behind his joking façade.

He broke away, abruptly, as the doubt quickly seeped in.

"Is this weird," he asked softly. "You're my friend." Before she could answer, he spoke again. "And are you alright with, um, an older man?" He wiggled an eyebrow, but there was true concern behind his joking façade.

"I'm okay with it," she said, smiling shyly. "My dad on the other hand..."

Kadeem grimaced facetiously. "Yeah, I was thinking as much. Plus, the friend thing," he added.

"It's not weird, though," Ardal said quickly.

"No?" Kadeem brushed back his dark mop of hair. "Well, I'm not actually afraid of your dad - or anybody," he added.

"And you like me," Ardal asked.

"Well, yeah," Kadeem chuckled. "I don't go around kissing just anybody, do I?"

Ardal frowned and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, Naomi," he said. He waved his hand. "That's different." But then Kadeem imagined breaking up with her and word getting out he was dating Ardal. "Okay, yeah," he said. "This isn't going to work. I'm applying the brakes. For now, at least."

"Because of Naomi?" Ardal's face was lined with hurt.

"More for my... reputation," he choked out.

Ardal furrowed her brow. "Good to know I'm such an embarrassment."

"It's just... you're still in junior high, Ardal. Maybe in a couple years -"

"No," she spat out, turning away from him. "I made a mistake, liking you. I feel really dumb about it now, and you can forget about dating in a couple of years. I'm already over it."

She marched off towards the brightly lit 7-11 ahead. Kadeem watched her retreating form, feeling tormented by a mixture of confusion and regret. "Wait up," yelled after her, sprinting to catch up. "I'll get you the biggest Slurpee in there," he began, desperate to appease her.

She gave a harrumph and only walked faster.

"If you'll only stay my friend," he continued, pleading. "I more than like you," he said, putting his hand out to stop her. It landed against her chest, just beneath her collarbone, and he could feel her heart thumping wildly. "I like you," he said. "If that makes any sense. I don't want to lose you as a friend."

She stared at him. "Maybe," she said finally, then started walking again, crossing into the parking lot.

"I'll take a 'maybe,'" he said, brightening.

With enough persistence, surely he could warm a "maybe" to a "yes."