Sweaty Palms & Stolen Bases

Marcus's palm was sweating so much his iPhone nearly slipped out of his hand. Again. Third time tonight.

"You good, bro?" Jamal asked from the bleacher beside him.

"Yeah. Just... nervous." Marcus swiped his thumb across the screen, checking Insta for the fifteenth time. No new notifications. Of course. Why would she reply?

Below them, the baseball game was tied 2-2. Bottom of the ninth. Spring was barely visible in the March wind, but Marcus felt like he was melting.

"You're missing it," Jamal pointed. "Tyler's up to bat."

Marcus watched. Tyler Chen, senior varsity captain, currently tapping his cleats and adjusting his grip. But Marcus's eyes drifted to the girl sitting three rows down. Maya. Navy hoodie. Hair in a messy bun. The girl he'd been DMing for three weeks but had never actually spoken to in person.

His palm buzzed.

Marcus nearly dropped his phone.

*Hey u coming to the party after? - Maya*

"Whoa," Jamal said. "You look like you just saw a ghost. Or finally got a reply from Maya."

Marcus's face burned. "How'd you—"

"Bro, it's obvious. You've been staring at her since we got here." Jamal grinned. "Go talk to her."

"I can't. What if I say something stupid? What if she realizes I'm not—"

"Not what? Cool? Funny? Worth talking to?" Jamal stood up. "You're overthinking it. Everyone's just trying to figure their shit out. Even Tyler."

Down on the field, Tyler hit a grounder to second base. Safe. The crowd roared.

Marcus's palm was sweating again. He stared at the text. Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.

*Unless ur too scared lol*

Marcus shoved his iPhone into his pocket.

"Where you going?" Jamal called.

Marcus didn't answer. He just walked down the bleachers, heart hammering against his ribs, palm slippery with sweat but for once, he didn't wipe it off.

"Hey Maya," he said when he reached her row.

She looked up, surprised. Then smiled. "Finally. I was wondering when you'd actually say hi instead of just liking my posts."

Marcus laughed, the tension in his chest loosening. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.

"So," Maya said. "That party after? You going?"

Marcus grinned. "Wouldn't miss it."

Down on the field, Tyler rounded home plate. The scoreboard lit up: 3-2. Game over. The crowd went wild.

But Marcus wasn't watching the game anymore. He was busy learning that sometimes, the scariest moments are the ones that change everything.