Fox in the Outfield

The bleachers behind the high school baseball field were my sanctuary. That's where Luna found me, sprawled out, hiding from life like the coward I was.

"Yo Fox," she said, dropping beside me. "You've been MIA all week. What's the deal?"

I shrugged. My dad always called me Fox because I was slippery, always avoiding confrontation. But honestly? I was just scared.

"It's Harper," I muttered. "I can't ask her to prom. I literally can't."

Luna sighed dramatically. "You're kidding, right? You've been lowkey obsessed with her since freshman year. Just grow a pair and ask her already."

Easy for her to say. Luna was confident, gorgeous, and had her life together. Meanwhile, my palms were sweating just thinking about talking to Harper.

That's when Buster, my Australian shepherd, came trotting over from the dugout. He'd escaped again. Typical. His tongue lolled out, looking ridiculously pleased with himself.

"Speak of the devil," I said, scratching behind his ears. "At least someone here has some game."

The baseball team was warming up on the field. Harper was in the dugout, the team's manager, laughing at something someone said. Her laugh hit me right in the chest.

"I'm gonna do it," I said suddenly. "Right now."

"Finally!" Luna pumped her fist. "Go get 'em, Foxy!"

I stood up, heart hammering against my ribs. Buster trotted beside me like a emotional support animal. My hands were shaking so bad I shoved them in my pockets.

But then—no joke—an actual fox darted across the baseball diamond. Everyone froze. Even Harper turned to watch.

The fox paused at the pitcher's mound, looking around like it owned the place. Then it bolted toward the palm trees beyond the outfield fence.

"Did you see that?" Harper called out, spotting me. "A literal fox!"

I laughed. "Yeah. Pretty wild, right?"

"Wild," she agreed. "Hey, are you coming to the game Friday?"

"Wouldn't miss it," I heard myself say.

"Good." She smiled. "Save me a seat?"

My palms stopped sweating. "Bet."

Luna was losing her mind behind us. I didn't care. Sometimes the universe sends signs in the weirdest ways.

And sometimes, you don't even have to ask. They just... meet you halfway.