sunshines-and-rain

[sunshines-and-rain]

Meet Leo

I remember, I just got to my shift at the clinic when I got the email. After spending the majority of the semester by myself in my own dorm with no annoying roommate, perks of being a Resident Assistant, I’m finally getting a roommate. It’s bullshit! I told the kid I tend to share this shift with that I gotta go deal with some shit. Thank goodness that kid just stays in their textbooks.

I also got an email that Valdez is no longer the catcher, some transfer student from some rich private Catholic college is catching and Valdez is playing shortstop. The reason why Valdez and I work so well is because he’s the only one who bothers to learn about me. I need to go talk to coach and then I need to talk to the people doing the dorms because it’s bullshit that you won’t just tell this fucker to wait for next semester. And they’re the same motherfucker!!! I swear if this guy is annoying I’ll shove a-

I crashed into a short chubby girl. I heard something spill. I fell right on my ass. When I looked up to tell her off, I couldn’t help myself. She had wavy hair pulled back into a ponytail, she had a yellow sweater and a flowy black skirt. Luckily I was able to look down before she caught me staring at her. The second I saw her warm brown eyes, I knew I was done for. Her warm brown eyes reflected everything so well. Then I noticed instead of her focusing on picking up all the nuts and chocolate off the ground, she was checking up on me. She wanted to see if I was okay. Her sweet voice felt like she was singing her question to me. What am I doing? Why am I running again?

I saw a guy standing close to this girl with a letterman’s jacket for a different school’s colors. I guess he must’ve transferred. I wonder if this is the guy who’s kind of screwing up my life right now.

I saw this girl reach a hand over and I panicked and moved it away. Our hands touched and I could’ve sworn I felt a spark. It was a fleeting spark and it’s probably just the adrenaline from the high emotions.

I see the guy come over to try and stop me by saying I needed to apologize to her. I would’ve apologized if it weren’t for the EVERYTHING going on right now. Judging by how protective he seems to be of her, he’s probably trying to date her. But then why would they be in a clinic? Did I just say they were on a date together out loud? Why would I do that? I don’t want to come off a jealous or something. Wait, why isn’t he denying it? Is she already in a relationship with this guy?

Now I’m being slung against the wall by someone shorter than me. Is there really anything else that can go wrong today?

While this guy is going off on me, I take a good look at his jacket. He’s definitely the guy from the email. “Solomon Brown.” Definitely the name I saw on both emails. THIS is the guy they decide to put as my catcher over Valdez? Besides being able to hold me up, which catchers cannot do in baseball, he better be good. Oh, he paused. How should I respond? Think what was the last thing you heard come out of his mouth?

“…then I will let you go.”

Wait, does Brown really think he can just intimidate me? Let’s go ahead and see if we can rile him up and take him out. I’m glad the lovely lady is safe off to the side. Looks like she was picking up the chocolate and nuts off the floor. I’ll figure out how to get her some more. Maybe if she’s still distracted, I can get Romeo to throw some punches and get out of the school? But then, would I be able to run into her more?

“And if I refuse?” I heard the words come out of my mouth. No turning back now. Let’s see what Romeo’s really got.

Immediately, I felt my body slam against the wall again. Enough to knock the air out of me. Not enough to actually do some damage. I can see that he’s about to lose his cool. Maybe one or two more smart remarks like that and he’ll go apeshit on me. Then it’s bye bye Romeo.

The girl got in between us and started to untangle his fingers from my shirt. Even though she clearly wasn’t happy about the whole situation, she was still being gentle with my shirt and his fingers. Not that it doesn’t seem like she wouldn’t have been gentle regardless, she doesn’t seem like she would ever hurt a fly.

Now she’s turning and looking at me. She’s saying words, but all I hear is a beautiful symphony. Seeing her stand in front of me completely, I was able to get a really good look at her. Her wavy hair is a lot longer than I first thought. She’s very short, shorter than Romeo, but she seems like she can hold her own. She definitely would look better with a flower or something in her hair. Maybe I can grab one from my little garden that I need to start moving. She’s chunky, but she definitely found looks that match her bubbly personality. She truly is like reading a book just with her entire energy.

Oh no, she said something. I hate when this happens. Think. Think. Think. It’s hard to think when she’s looking at me with those big eyes. I would love to stay and chat, but I really really have to go.

“Hi! I’m Marina, by the way! This is Sol. And you are…?”

So, she already has a nickname for Romeo. Great. I can’t talk anyway, I have to get Romeo out of my dorm at least. Being able to see her more would be a plus, but seeing him all over her would be a massive negative.

“Not up for this.” I got up and brushed past the lovely couple.

Sorry, Marina. I’d love to get to know you more, but I can’t deal with Romeo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once I got to the locker room and I found Coach, I immediately wanted to talk to her.

“We’re so close to the start of the season. I’ve been working with Valdez as my catcher for all of conditioning. Why do I have to change plays a week before preseason?”

Coach sighed as she slowly stood up from her seat, “Look, we found someone who is a really great catcher. He’s played for just about as long as you have and he adapts quickly. I heard he has an ego that rivals yours-“

“Oh he wishes he had half the talent and three quarters of the ambition I have,” I interjected.

“But that means we have to have you two balance each other out. Valdez will still be there supporting you! Just not from behind the plate anymore. What if I set you and Brown up to come and meet in my office instead of in the dorm you two share?” Coach adjusted her sweatband that sits around her forehead.

“He and I already met. By the way, having a catcher who pushes the pitcher up against the wall TWICE is NOT ideal,” I cross my arms.

Coach sat on the edge of her desk and sighed. “Take it easy on him, he’s at a new school that he officially started today before he even moved in. He’ll be lucky if he even finds someone to talk to and show the ropes a bit. Might even be better with his roommate slash teammate being friendly towards him,” Coach said in a sing-songy way.

“We’re not five, you can’t force us to be friends,” I rolled my eyes and huffed as I sat back in the seat. “It’s bad enough I have to see him on the field for the majority of the game, you also had to give him my space as well?”

“Now, no one is forcing you to be friends. I said to be friendLY. However you and he decide to navigate through the season and next year is entirely up to you all. I just think that he needs a familiar friendly face to help him through!”

I got up thinking of Marina and how close they seemed to have gotten. “When I saw him, it seemed like he had no problems on finding friendly faces on his own.” I rub my temples with a hand then I get up. “I’m going to see if there are any other places he can stay. I can deal with the teammate, I need to have my space.” I start towards the door and I stopped to turn around. “Thanks Coach.”

[sunshines-and-rain]

When Sol and Avery Met

[At the student clinic]

Avery: *Just settling in with their book. They know that this student clinic is just a glorified nurse’s office. Might as well use this time to study and get even farther ahead in their classes*

Marina: *runs over and pulls Sol with her* ¡¡Oyé!! Avery!! We need assistance!! We require knowledge from you!!

Avery: *facepalms and then points to the sign that reads “Please keep quiet” with a sticky note that says “Marina, that means EMERGENCIES ONLY.”* Marina, you’re going to get me in trouble again if this isn’t an emergency! Who’s the shorty?

Sol: *in his head* 5’6 is a decent height for guys. But she’s super cute. Maybe she doesn’t know what she’s missing out on. *turns around to “stretch” and flex his muscles for Avery with “D1 Catcher” clearly showing on his letterman’s jacket*

Avery: *clearly unimpressed and they’re kind of on the edge with this show off now. The only other person they know on the baseball team is the person they share shifts with occasionally, but even that person is annoyed with the rest of the team. Judging by Short Stack here, it might be time to deflate egos. Especially if Short Stack is hanging around Marina* Does Short Stack need a brain transplant? Because I’m gonna tell you right now, science hasn’t advanced enough for that.

Sol: *deflates immediately. In his head* I’m definitely feeling that one. Now I’m faced with a challenge: either I can continue to try and win this girl over or I can back off and show how much of a coward I really am. Maybe she’s not really all that worth it? *looks back at her sitting behind the desk.* Even though her voice says she’s a girl, her short haircut, the blues in her hair, her septum piercing, and her figure all say she’s a girl. Looking at her clothes a muscle shirt with nothing underneath and I could’ve sworn I saw cargo pants. Well, whoever she is, she’s definitely nothing like what I grew up with. She’s definitely worth the shot. *out loud while leaning down on the counter* Then I guess I’ll have to go with a heart transplant since a beautiful girl stole mine.

Marina: *before Avery could respond with well-deserved slap to her new Chocolate Labrador Retriever friend, moves Sol back and puts her hands in front of her face* ¡Espérame! Actually I think he might have dyslexia!

Avery: *ever used to Marina putting herself in between and stopped* You know we can’t diagnose him here, right?

Marina: I know! Which is why I sought out the smartest person I know to come up with a plan for him! Who better than my non-binary best friend who goes by they/them pronouns and is definitely not a girl, y si tienes un cerebro puedes mirarle *with each word, the grip on Sol’s wrist got tighter and tighter*

Sol: *wincing from the pain but still trying to prove he can handle it* N-nice to meet you Ah-Avery. Won’t d-d-do it again.

Avery: *relaxed and smiled* As long as she claims you as her friend, you won’t be able to. *went to the computer and typed things out* I’m looking up clinics around the area where they can actually see you. Do you have a primary care physician that you could schedule an appointment with first?

{A/N: I won’t go on with the nitty gritty details of how to get a diagnosis, but this is the start of the MAS trio. Marina, Avery, and Sol. These three became friends and because Avery and Sol are friends with Marina, Sol and Avery hopefully become friends soon. I am learning how to navigate with so many different characters, but it’s nice to know this format is more friendly for my head and I can go with it. I probably should have physical descriptions of them, but yes Sol is a short king who grew up in Catholic school which is why he should come off as ignorant.}

[sunshines-and-rain]

When Marina and Sol became Friends Forever Pt. 2

[At the Student Clinic on Campus]

Sol: *leg is bouncing up and down because he hasn’t been having the best luck with getting help from “credible” adults*

Marina: *sees this and puts a hand on his knee to silently reassure him that she’s here with him and smiles* My friend took a shift here today. We’ll ask them what to do! They know just about everything! *stands up with purse* Do you want anything from the vending machine? I know my crackers and candy won’t exactly fit that strict diet you’re on, but maybe a snack from the vending machine will do!!

Sol: *scans the vending machine to see there’s nothing in there that’ll fit his diet, but he smiles when he sees Marina’s outstretched hand and comforting smile* You know what? I’ll take you up on that offer, but only because I didn’t bring my purse.

[Together they stand up and walk to the vending machine. Sol elected to get a water bottle while Marina got trail mix for them both to share. Unfortunately for Marina, a tall figure ran past her and knocked her and the trail mix down. Marina fell on her hands and knees as she tried to check up on the mysterious person. Sol tried to help Marina up, but Marina focused on the mysterious figure.]

Marina: *reaching over to the mystery person* Hey, are you okay? Sorry I guess I di-

Mystery Person: Ughhh, whatever! I just need to go! *pushes Marina’s hand away and abruptly gets up*

Sol: Look, man. You’ve got to apologize. You bumped into her and spilled all the trail mix she just bought for us.

Mystery Person: Didn’t mean to ruin date night for you. Now if you excuse m-

Sol: No. *pushes the mystery person up the wall* Let me tell you what’s going to happen. You’re going to apologize to Marina, you’ll give her money for new trail mix, you’ll apologize, and then I will let you go.

Mystery Person: *huff* And if I refuse?

Sol: *slams Mystery Person’s back to the wall again* Then I guess I’ll run through it again.

Marina: *separating Sol’s hand from the Mystery Person’s shirt* Sol!! Let hi-this person go!! *turns to the mystery person* I’m so sorry. Clearly you have other things to do! He’s new and he just transferred, guess they do things differently there! *Marina noticed the Mystery Person did not emote at all, just continued to stare. Not at Marina, but like through Marina. Deciding this is awkward enough, Marina put her hand out and decided now’s as good a time as any for introductions* Hi! I’m Marina, by the way! This is Sol. And you are…?

Mystery Person: *looked back and forth between Sol and Marina* Not up for this. *pushes past them to continue walking down the hallway*

Sol: If I ever have to see that guy again, it’ll be too soon.

Marina: Sol, I appreciate that you didn’t want anyone to disrespect me, but you need to understand that we can’t just shove people up against a wall and threaten them. *Sol looked to the ground with remorse akin to a labrador retriever who knows they did wrong. She pinched the bridge of her nose underneath her glasses and took a big sigh* Ay Dios, let’s go see if my friend is taking their shift. *suddenly stops and turns to Sol with a bright smile* Thank you by the way! I appreciate you standing up for me!

Sol: *taken aback because wasn’t she JUST reprimanding him? How can she just smile so brightly after that? And thank HIM?* Y-you’re welcome? Thank you for being willing to share your trail mix with me.

Marina: Of course!! That’s what friends do!!

Sol: *visibly taken aback by this statement. Surely they’re not truly friends. She hasn’t even seen him on the field yet! She doesn’t know what he’s like at his absolute best. If anything, she’s only gotten to see him be shy and clueless and stupid. But she’s not looking at him like he’s shy or clueless or stupid. Hell, even when he struggled reading she didn’t look at him like he was stupid. Without her, he wouldn’t be at the clinic right now trying to…get some help? He’s not entirely sure what he’s trying to do here, but she seems so confident that he can’t help but follow her lead. She doesn’t seem like she has some ulterior motive.* I’m glad to have my first friend here. *pulls her in for a hug that Marina quickly returns*

Marina: *turns and sees who she’s been looking for* ¡¡Oyé!!

[sunshines-and-rain]

When Marina and Sol became Friends Forever Pt. 1

[During a study session with Sol]

Marina: Okay, Sol. My section was basically about how Mesopotamia eventually led to an effective irrigation system. I’ll let you copy the diagram I made. What was your section about?

Sol: Mari, I’m still reading it.

Marina: Still??? Your section is way shorter than mine!

Sol: There’s a lot of words in my section that must’ve been in a different language or something. And I used to take Latin classes.

Marina: *grabs Sol’s book* …Sol, have you ever looked into seeing someone about why books have always been harder for you than other people?

Sol: *tilts head like a confused puppy*

Marina: Grab your coat, we’re going to the student health clinic and we’re going to see what it takes for you to see a doctor about this.

[sunshines-and-rain]

At Dickinson University in Virginia, here are some important characters.

Marina “Mari” (or Margarita when she’s having fun) Sanchez-Rivera is sun incarnate. She’s the mom friend who always has snacks. She’s pan, 21, she/her, and her favorite color is purple. Even though she has a favorite color, everyone associates her with orange. She has a bubbly personality, just wants to do right by her friends, and she’s struggling to balance school, theatre, her job, and her friends and family. Even though she and Avery have been best friends forever, Marina has to work hard to do well in school. Sometimes, Marina wonders what Avery sees in her to stay friends since middle school. Even though she’s following her dream with working at the bakery, she’s struggling to keep up with all the essays that come with being a business major (not by choice). It’s not all bad at least! Being a business major might help her set up the family business and really help them out. Although, she feels in her heart that psychology would be the way. But where will she get the money from to stay in school long enough to get her masters?

Avery Pham is a walking encyclopedia. They’re the single braincell of the group. They’re demisexual, 20, they/them, and their favorite color is blue. They are very protective of their time and who they spend it with. Marina crawled in their heart and made a spot in there for her and they’ve never been able to dig her out. They don’t mind though, Marina is one of the few people they can handle being around. Avery was valedictorian in high school, strived to be the best, and now in college they don’t really know what to do with themselves. The doctor path doesn’t seem to be working for them. Besides the existential crisis they’re usually going through, they also don’t seem to be attracted to strangers as quickly as Marina. Something that Marina doesn’t quite understand as she keeps trying to get Avery to meet new people. It’s not entirely her fault, Marina just doesn’t fully understand the circumstances.

Solomon “Sol” Brown is an absolute show off. He’s clearly in school for a D1 baseball scholarship. “Clearly” only because he walks around with a custom letterman’s jacket that says “D1 catcher” on the back of it. For as arrogant as he is on the field, he’s a very chill guy. Most people believe “Sol” is his legal name, but his legal name is Solomon. After years and years of having people think his name doesn’t fit him because he “sucks” at school, he started to go by “Sol” instead of the name he shares with the wisest king in the Bible. Once Sol transferred to this university, he found his people with Marina and Avery. Marina was his first friend who noticed he struggled with assignments in some introductory classes and offered to help him. Thank goodness she decided to help him, because without her he wouldn’t have sought out help and gotten a dyslexia diagnosis. Once he started hanging around Marina more, Avery came into play. Even though he and Avery fight like cats and dogs, he’s always had a soft spot for Avery. He’s just not sure if they feel similarly based on the way they joke around. Sol is 22 and LOVES baseball, but those are the only things he knows for sure. He doesn’t even know entirely if he’s a straight man anymore, but he knows he loves his friends and he loves baseball.

Leonard “Leo” Montgomery is still a wild card. He’s the newest in the group and he’s the quietest. No one really knows why they’re here besides they play baseball with Sol and they’re roommates with Sol. Are they friends with Sol? No. Not even one bit. Is it because they spend too much time together? Maybe. Is it because they’re mean to each other? That’s just how they’ve learned to communicate. Is it because Leo still holds bitterness for how Sol was able to transfer into the team and Leo had to go through a lot of conditioning to be the starting pitcher? Marina thinks so. Is it because Leo sees too much of himself in Sol and Sol is still early on in his journey? Avery thinks so. Whatever the reason, Leo and Sol have almost a Bert and Ernie routine with their love-hate dynamic. Despite this dynamic, Sol and Leo are the best team when they’re working together, hence the reason they’re typically the starting pitcher and catcher (notably neither of them are captain for a very good and very long winded reason). Leo is like the dark side of the moon, they try to keep themself a mystery. Sadly for Leo, Marina “I Read People Like Books” Sanchez-Rivera has made it her mission to learn more about them. Joyfully for Leo, Marina easily became his favorite human being after his first meeting with her. Ever since then, he’s held a torch that burned only for her. Of course, he can’t let her know that and if he’s suddenly really sweet on her then she’ll figure it out! So he sends a lot of mixed messages, which has certainly sent Marina for a loop. Leo is bisexual, 22, he/they, and is always associated with green. No one knows if it is their favorite color, but that’s on Marina’s mental bulletin board of information about Leo she wants to figure out.