91 Game One: Villa Park end (1/2)

After gathering my stuff and packing up, I left the dugout in search of the bathroom with my bag.

”Jake! Where are you going?” Noah's voice came from behind me. I turned in time to see him running towards me while zipping up his bag.

I waited until he caught up then started to walk some more.

”Hey? What's up? You just left the team hanging like that. You didn't even congratulate Kyle! That was so amazing! I didn't think our first high school game would be to witness and be a part of a perfect game. Just wow! Mom and Dad must be super happy.”

I didn't know how to answer Noah. It'd be weird to tell him that I just didn't feel like it. During the game I was excited for Kyle, but now I just felt kind of empty. I decided to just keep up the hunt for a bathroom.

Noah prattled on and on about the game and how he was scared of not being able to make that last play. ”Man, I was so scared when that ball got past Kyle. I felt like everything was in slow motion. And then I was having an inner panic attack that I didn't throw the ball high enough for you. And your throw! On point!”

Maybe that's why I don't feel so good. I could be having a panic attack. Like a delayed one. Like looking back on that last play is making me sick. I hurriedly looked for the bathroom. Left. Right. A full 360 degree circle. I spotted one in a building between the stands of different fields. I rushed to it

”Hey Jake?! Do you have to go to the bathroom that bad?” Noah spoke to himself, as I was speed walking to the bathroom.

I dodged through the crowd to get to where I needed to be. Somewhere along the way, I lost Noah, but I didn't care. He'd be okay. I wasn't. I immediately entered the bathroom, went straight to a stall, fell to my knees, and threw up.

I emptied out my whole stomach. Everything I had for breakfast, plus the snacks on the way here.

”Jake? Is that you?” Noah sounded to be right out my stall. I gagged in response. ”I'm gonna text Dad for help. Hold on.”

Like I had a choice.

By the time Mr. Atkins walked in, I had nothing left to throw up. I would just occasionally dry heave.

He spoke with Noah about what happened and Noah said he didn't know. He knocked on the stall door. ”Jake? Can you let me in?”

I stayed on my knees, but turned around and unlocked the stall. Then I went back to staring at the toilet water.

”Did you feel sick all morning or was it sudden?” He picked my hat off the ground and put it on my head, backwards. I held up two fingers to indicate the second guess. ”Does it have anything to do with the end of the game?”