Chlorine Kisses

Marcus stood at the edge of the pool, clutching his vitamin gummies like they were some kind of magic charm. The sophomore class splash party raged around him — bodies cannonballing, bass thumping, someone's older brother ignoring the no-beer rule. But Marcus only had eyes for Riley, the junior varsity shortstop who'd somehow managed to make his chest feel like it was imploding every time she looked his way.

"You coming in or what?" Riley called from the shallow end, wet hair plastered to her forehead like a mermaid who'd just rolled out of bed. Marcus froze. He'd spent weeks researching how to talk to girls. Apparently confidence was key. Apparently baseball trivia was supposedly a safe topic. Riley played second base. He'd memorized stats from last season just in case.

"Yeah!" Marcus choked out. "Just, uh, hydrating."

He shoved three vitamin gummies in his mouth at once. Because that was normal behavior. Totally casual.

The problem was, he'd also eaten that massive spinach and artichoke dip at the pre-party hangout, the one his sister said would change his life. Now his mouth felt like a garden, and he was pretty sure something green was stuck between his front teeth.

Riley swam over, treading water near the edge. "You play?" she asked, nodding toward the makeshift baseball game forming on the lawn beyond the pool fence. Some guys were hitting tennis balls with a bat, drunk on summer and possibly actual alcohol.

"Me? No. I mean, I could. If I wanted." Marcus summoned what he hoped passed for a lazy smile. "Just not really my thing."

"Liar." Riley splashed water at him. "I've seen you at the batting cages after school."

Marcus's brain short-circuited. She'd noticed him? At the batting cages where he secretly practiced because he thought maybe he'd try out next year? The batting cages where he'd once whiffed so hard he'd spun around and fallen into the fence?

"I..." Marcus started.

"Your turn!" someone shouted from the lawn. They needed a fourth for the baseball game. Riley hauled herself out of the pool, water cascading down her shoulders like she was in some music video, and extended a hand toward him.

"Come on. Show me what you got."

Marcus took her hand. He could still taste the spinach. He could still feel the vitamin gummies dissolving in his stomach. He was about to embarrass himself in front of the entire sophomore class and possibly the girl he'd been crushing on since March.

But as Riley pulled him toward the makeshift baseball diamond in the grass, he decided some things were worth making a fool of yourself for.

"Watch this," Marcus said, and even though he'd probably strike out, at least he'd strike out with style.