Fighting Words

“Are you going to fight him?” asked Jason. “He’s telling everyone that you two are going to fight after school.”

Matt didn’t say anything. Ever since Craig had moved to their school, he had taunted and teased Matt. Matt didn’t know what he had ever done to provoke Craig, but he wished he could change it.

Both boys were on the same Little League team, and they were on the same all-star team. They both competed for the position of pitcher, and the position was given to Matt. Matt wondered if that was just too much for Craig, because since then, Craig had tried to fight him.

At 11 years old, Matt had never encountered anyone who wanted to fight him. He occasionally got into a scuffle with his brothers, but that was to be expected. Fighting a total stranger? What did that mean?

Matt closed his locker and headed off to class. His stomach was churning with anxiety. From out of nowhere, Matt felt a punch to his stomach. He lurched and let out a gasp. He looked up in time to see Craig pushing him against the lockers.

“Craig,” he whispered.

“Yeah, what?” asked Craig. “I heard you’ve been telling people that you play better baseball than me. Is that true?”

“No,” groaned Matt, “But I have been telling people that I better start practicing pitching so I can stay as pitcher.”

“Really?” asked Craig.

“Oh, yeah,” said Matt. “With a punch like that, you’re sure to take my spot.”