The Ninth Inning Zombie

The baseball stadium roared like some massive beast, and I felt small. Too small. My dad's faded team hat pulled low over my eyes, trying to disappear into the plastic seat.

"Chloe, put your iphone away and actually watch the game," my mom said, sliding her phone into her designer purse like it was some kind of weapon.

I sighed but didn't argue. What was the point? My parents had dragged me to this thing—some kind of "bonding experience" that was actually just them showing off their perfect family to their work friends. I was basically a zombie at this point, going through the motions, existing but not really living.

The baseball players on the field looked like ants from our nosebleed seats. I'd been to exactly two games in my life, and both times I'd spent nine innings wondering why everyone else acted like this was the most important thing in the universe.

"Oh! That's a strike!" my dad yelled, high-fiving his buddy Rick like they'd just won the lottery.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Probably Maya or Jordan texting about the party tonight—the one my parents didn't know about, obviously. I slipped it under my hat brim just enough to see.

*u coming??? emmett's gonna be there no cap*

My stomach did that stupid flip thing. Emmett. The guy I'd been lowkey crushing on since September. The one who'd actually noticed my new sneakers last week and said they were "kind of sick, honestly."

But then I remembered: my parents expected me home by eleven. They'd planned this whole "family dinner after the game" thing. They'd literally kill me if I bailed.

Suddenly, the hat on my head felt different. Not like a hiding spot anymore, but like... armor. Like I could actually be someone under here. Someone who made choices.

"I need to use the bathroom," I announced, standing up.

"Hurry back, sweetie! It's the seventh-inning stretch!"

I walked away, iphone burning in my pocket, baseball game fading behind me. The zombie feeling fell away with every step toward the exit.

*omw,* I texted back.

First time all day I felt real.