It's a brand new day

The sun is shinning

It's a brand new day

For the first time

In such a long long time

I know

I'll be ok

She didn't hear the soft knock on her door, the music playing too loudly for that. Playing too loudly to think as well. But that had been the plan.  She moved around the room, pulling items from boxes and moving from one end of the apartment to the other putting the items in homes that she will eventually move again.

It was when the person knocked for a third time that she heard it. Hands reaching for the remote to the outdated CD player, she pressed pause. She pulled her hair into a ponytail as she fought her way through the mess on the small apartment to the door.

She brushed a stray hair from her face before opening the door.

"I think this belongs to you." He smiled and held his hand out to her.

She looked down. In his hands were envelopes addressed to her. "Thanks." She reached out and took them from him. "I wonder how much longer this is going to keep happening before the mailman gets it right."

He grinned and shrugged. "Probably never. I've been here a year and I still have people dropping off my mail."

She laughed. "Well, thanks."

"Uh," He stepped closer when it appeared she was going to close the door. "I'm Justin by the way."

She cocked her head to the side.

Suddenly he felt very stupid. Standing here in the hallway, introducing himself to this girl. But he felt it was time. He saw her every day, in passing and on every Sunday afternoon for the last month. They both found themselves in the laundry room downstairs each weekend around the same time. They would always exchange pleasantries but never actually had a conversation. It had been ongoing for a month and this was the first time he ever told her his name.

"Hailey." She smiled at him. "But I'm sure you knew that already."

His eyebrows came together in confusion. "Huh?"

She lifted the envelopes. "You keep getting my mail."

"Oh, yea." He gave her a sheepish grin.  "Sorry."

She shrugged, slightly amused by him. True, this was the first time she had actually had a conversation with him but it was not the first time she had felt this way around him. At ease and comfortable. He had this sort of aura about him that calmed her. She didn't even know who he was but the brief seconds she saw him each day made being in a new town, completely alone, a little more bearable.

"Ok, well, I know this is kind of weird but um...a few of my friends are meeting up later for a little pickup game of softball and then we usually go out for pizza and beers afterwards." He scratched the back of his head. "I don't know if you have plans but you're more than welcome to join us."

"Oh." She was dumbfounded. This wasn't what she expected. Not to say that she wasn't a little pleased. It's hard being in a new place, completely different from anything else she's ever known. Without a single person to talk to. To confide in.

Not that she wanted to confide anything to anyone.

"I'm really sorry." He stammered out quickly, noticing her change in demeanor. "I didn't mean to freak out you or anything. I just thought since you're new to the area and I haven't seen you with anyone else. Not that I watch you or anything. I'm not a stalker or something," he stopped, face flushed.

She let out a giggle that she had been unable to hold back. Instantly she saw his shoulders relax.

"Yea, I think I can manage that." She smiled up at him. "Just grab me before you head out?"

"Alright, cool." He returned the smile. "So I'll pick you up in like an hour?"

"Sounds like a plan."

He took a step back and looked down the hallway. "So....I'll see you later."

She nodded. "Bye."

He brought his hand up and gave her a short wave before turning and heading towards the staircase and up to his apartment.

She closed the door at his retreating form, smiling slightly to herself. She needed this. A fresh start. That's why she moved across the country.  Hailey was determined to get her new start, beginning today.

When there was a knock on the door a little over an hour later, Hailey's stomach was fluttering with nerves. She was suddenly wondering what she was getting herself into. She didn't know this guy or his friends. She cringes when she thinks about a time when that wouldn't have mattered to her.

She shakes her head, as if to clear her thoughts before pulling the door open.  She smiles when she sees Justin standing there in black t-shirt and gray track pants, baseball cap atop his head.

"You ready?" He smiles at her, lifting the baseball bat. He notices, for the first time, how deeply brown her eyes are and the light splattering of freckles across her nose. Her hair waving over her shoulders, no longer in the ponytail she had earlier, only accentuating her deep brown eyes.

She nods, stepping into the hallway and closing the door behind her. "So, this is like a serious thing huh?" She points to the bat and glove he's holding.

They make their way down the staircase and he grins. "It kinda is for me." He reached out and opens the door for her, the cold air causing her to shiver. She still wasn't used to the Washington weather. Even thought it was September the weather was cold compared to the warmth of Georgia.

"I play shortstop for the Tacoma Rainiers." He said as they walk down the sidewalk. "It's the triple-A team for the Mariners."

She stopped walking and turned to him. "Are you serious right now?"

He ducked his head, slightly embarrassed. "Yea."

"Oh my God. That's amazing!" She smiled brightly at him.

He looked up at her and couldn't stop the smiled that pulled at his mouth. He knew his friends and his parents were proud of him but to see that same look he got from them, on the face of a stranger made him feel something he hadn't felt in a long time. It was different that the way little kids at the field looked at him. It was like she was proud of him.

"Really Justin. That's awesome." Her face held the smile as they continued to walk along. "I mean, it's the Mariners so I'm not sure if we can be friends after this but you're one amazing play from the big leagues."

He was a little surprised to hear that. "You're into baseball?" They turned the corner and she could see the park just up the block.

"Oh yea, my dad's from Boston so it's in my blood." Her whole face lit up as she answered him.  Her couldn't help but think of all the fun she had with her dad at baseball games growing up. They would spend the entire day together. Eating lunch before going to the ballpark and being there as soon as the gates open to make sure they didn't miss batting practice.  They'd spend the rest of the night enjoying the game. She loved it because it was such a huge part of him and he loved it that much more because she took an effort in learning it.

"Is that where you're from?" He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Her hair blowing in the wind before she reached to pull it into a ponytail.

"No." She looked down at her feet.

He watched her for a second, again sensing a change in her. The quick one word answer was all he got and he knew that she probably won't say anything more if he asked.

That was sometimes a problem of his. He was pretty much an open book, always saying too much or asking too much if he felt he wasn't getting the truth or enough information from someone. It took people a long time to get used to the way he was and in return it took him a long time to realize when he was at the stage of a relationship where he could ask certain questions.

She tried to think of something to say to him as they walked along, the park getting closer with every step. She could see there were already several people there, mostly men but there were a few women as well.

"Dude! You brought a chick!?" A voice from the crowd yelled out. The group of people turned and looked in their direction. A few waved before turning around and that was when Hailey noticed that only the guy who yelled and a pretty redhead were looking at them.

She looked over at Justin in time to see him shaking his head, an amused smile on his face. "And that would be Trace." He looked at her. "My best friend since before I could walk."

She smiled at the mention of the length of the friendship. She didn't know what that was like, to have a relationship of any type last that long.

"He seems like a great guy." She giggled.

"For the most part." He laughed.

She laughed with him as they walked onto the field. Her eyes moved over the group of people in front of her.

"Guys, this is Hailey." Justin handed the bat over to Trace. "Hailey, this is the guys."

"We have names asshole." Trace rolled his eyes before looking at her. "I'm Trace. Single. Taurus. Account manager at a graphic design firm."

Hailey openly laughed at him and couldn't help but notice a look of annoyance on the pretty redheads' face. She watched her for a second before the girl looked at her. Embarrassed she had been caught staring, she looked away quickly.

"I thought you were going to bail." The girl gave a small smile to Justin as he walked past her and towards home plate.

"Nah." He grinned before throwing his arm over her shoulders. "I wouldn't miss a chance to destroy Trace."

Hailey watched as the girl looked up at him with adoring eyes. It was clear to her that this girl had something going on with Justin. She could understand why he would be attracted to her. The girl was stunning. Beautiful red hair, gorgeous face, her legs covered in tight black pants, showing her curves. The type of girl Hailey had always been intimidated by but secretly envied.

"Alright new girl, let's show Superstar how this is done." Trace grinned at her, handing her the bat. "Ladies first."

Hailey couldn't contain the grin as she reached for the bat.

~~

"I think I'm going to marry you." Trace leaned back in his chair and smiled at Hailey.

Everyone at the table laughed and Hailey blushed under the stares from the group. She wasn't used to any kind of attention on her. Not anymore at least. She had a hard time remember why she liked it all that time ago.

"It's not every day someone shows up our own Mr. October." He brought his beer to his lips.

"Yea, she's a regular Mr. Baseball." The pretty redhead, Ella, muttered.

Hailey chewed on her bottom lip, not meeting Ella's gaze. It was weird to hear her say things like this. They didn't know each other. They haven't even spoken in the last few hours they had spent together. But there was some friction coming from Ella. And Hailey couldn't figure it out.

"That last catch was pretty fucking amazing." Josh, another friend of Justin's grinned. "She robbed you man." He pointed his beer bottle at Justin.

"Yea, yea, yea. She got lucky." Justin shot a smile at her. "I'll get it next time."

Hailey returned the smile. "Not if you keep hitting weak like that."

A chorus of ‘ohhh's came from around the table and again Ella rolled her eyes.

"I'm going to be making pot roast tomorrow night." Hailey saw Ella say to Justin, her voice lowered. "I thought maybe you'd come by."

"Yea, I can do that." Justin gave her a soft smile. "I'll come by when I leave the gym."

"Good." Ella's face light up. Hailey saw her reach a hand out and place it on Justin's arm. He didn't shake it off.

Trace saw Hailey looking at the two of them. "Hailey, we're doing a BBQ this weekend at my place." She turned to look at him. "Don't let Justin forget to pick you up on his way. I need you to be there."

She blushed and dropped her head slightly in embarrassment. "I don't know."

"Bullshit! You have to be there. How am I supposed to get you to fall in love with me if we don't spend time together?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Again, the table erupted in laughter.

"Dude, she's never gonna go for a guy like you." Justin shook his head, leaning back in his chair. Hailey saw Ella pursed her lips.

"And how the hell do you know what kinda guy she wants?" Trace playfully snapped at him. "I may be the one."

Hailey threw her head back and laughed again. It was right then that she realized this was the most fun she'd had in a long, long time. As happy as she was, it saddened her to think something as simple as beer and pizza could make her this happy.

"Alright boys and girls," Justin stood. "Some of us need to be up early in the morning, so I'm outta here."

"You sure?" Ella looked up at him, her eyes pleading with him to stay a little longer.

"Yea, one more beer." Josh slid his beer down the table to Justin.

"I really gotta go. Got a meeting with my agent in the morning and then some stuff at the clubhouse." He shrugged.

"I think I'm going to head out too." Hailey stood and giggled when Trace groaned.

Justin walked around the table and stood waiting for her, Ella's eyes never leaving him. "Later guys."

Hailey gave a wave to the group and turned to follow behind Justin.

"Hey!" Trace called out and they both turned around. "You never said if you were coming next weekend."

"Oh, um, yea, maybe." She gave him half a smile.

"That's a yes." He puffed his chest out and Ella rolled her eyes.

"Good night Trace." Justin laughed as they walked out the door.

The two of them walked silently down the sidewalk, neither feeling the need to say anything. She pulled her jacket tighter around her, crossing her arms across her chest. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes and smiled when he noticed she had a smudge of red dirt from the baseball field on her cheek.

"You should come next weekend." He said, breaking the silence.

She shrugged. "Maybe."

"Don't mind Trace. He's just messing with you."

"No, he's fine. Funny."

He nodded as they turned the corner onto the street where their apartment building is. "They all seemed to like you."

She shrugged again thinking of Ella's treatment towards her. "I guess."

For some reason, she couldn't understand why she cared so much what Ella thought of her. And if she was honest with herself that was what was holding her back from saying yes to the BBQ next weekend. She liked Justin's friends, especially Trace. He made her laugh all afternoon and it was a nice change to what she was used to.

"Think about and let me know." Justin reached out and pulled the door open for her.  "You know where I live."

She smiled and walked up the stairs to her door. "I promise."

"Good." They stopped outside her apartment. "I'm glad you came. And you're more than welcome to join us any time."

Her eyes darted down briefly. "Yea, I had a good time. Thanks."

"No problem." He shrugged and started walking backwards toward the stairs leading up to his apartment. "I could always use someone to keep my on my toes when we're playing."

"Anything I can do to help out." She laughed. "The last thing we need is for you to start acting like Manny or something."

She heard him laughing as she opened her door and then closed it behind her.

It was then, in the dark with boxes lining the floor, that she realized she was alone.