Stop the Presses! by Rachel Wise Page A

shouting my name.
    â€œHey, Sam!” Danny Stratham said, trotting over to the bleachers. “I see you’re sitting in the winner’s section. Smart girl.”
    I couldn’t help but laugh. He wasn’t as cute as Michael, but there was something about hisbreezy, flirty mannerisms that made him incredibly easy to talk to. Of course, it seemed like every other girl in West Hills and Cherry Valley felt that way. I could practically feel some of the eye daggers the West Hills girls were throwing my way.
    â€œWhat’s up, Danny?” I called back. “I’m just sitting here as an impartial observer.”
    â€œWell, you won’t be impartial for long,” Danny replied. “Once you see me play, you won’t want anyone else to win.”
    â€œI don’t know about that,” I teased. “I have the head of an unbiased reporter, but my heart is with Cherry Valley.”
    â€œHearts can change,” Danny called as he ran back into his position on the field.
    I looked over and saw that both Hailey and Michael were staring at me. Ugh! Hopefully Michael knew that it was all in good fun. But looking at the scrunched-up expression on his face, I had a feeling he didn’t.
    It turned out that Mr. Trigg and I did seem to be sitting on the winning side, as West Hills got off a quick lead. Michael was pitching, but hedefinitely seemed off his game. I wondered if his arm still hadn’t recovered from the extra-inning shutout he had pitched last week.
    In the first inning there were West Hills players on second and third with one out when Danny Stratham approached the plate. I cringed when he turned and pointed his bat at me. I wanted to melt into my seat when he hit the first pitch over the fence. West Hills 3, Cherry Valley 0.
    â€œThat was quite an impressive shot your friend hit,” Mr. Trigg observed.
    â€œHe’s not really my friend,” I corrected him. “Just an acquaintance. But I agree; it was impressive.”
    The next three innings didn’t go much better. Michael really struggled on the mound, and it seemed like he couldn’t find the strike zone, as much as he tried. Danny continued to show off, making an incredible catch of a hard-hit line drive to end the third inning. I was worried he was going to toss the ball to me, but luckily he saved me from that embarrassment.
    â€œI think I’m ready for a snack now,” I said toMr. Trigg. “Would you like anything?”
    â€œThank you, Samantha, but I had a rather filling breakfast, so I’ll pass on the refreshments for the time being,” replied Mr. Trigg.
    â€œI had a big breakfast, too, but I think it just made me hungrier.” I laughed.
    I headed to the refreshment stand to grab a hot pretzel and a sports drink. I felt a little uncomfortable because all of the kids and parents on the Cherry Valley side were looking at me like I was a traitor, especially the girls from Hailey’s soccer team. I wish I could have been wearing a badge that said, “Impartial reporter, just trying to gather information about the other side.” I even thought about whispering it to one person and telling them to pass it around. I figured if things kept going the way they were going for Cherry Valley, Mr. Trigg and I were going to have to find new seats soon.
    I got my snacks—plural, because I couldn’t resist grabbing a pack of red licorice—and started to climb back up the bleachers when I heard Danny Stratham calling my name again.This time, he was on the field. Actually, he was up at bat again, and he stopped the game to call my name. I tried to ignore him and continued climbing, but he just kept shouting my name even louder.
    â€œSam! Watch this!” Danny called while every Cherry Valley fan glared at me.
    I turned around, hoping he would stop, and watched as he hit the ball right past the pitcher. Michael nearly caught it as it grazed right past his glove, but he