Chapter 22

Sportacus covered Stephanie's eyes as the two walked toward the town square. Stephanie kept trying to pry his fingers from her face.

"Sportacus what is going on?" She laughed.

"If I tell you it won't be a surprise." Sportacus laughed too. The two joked around until they reached their destination. Sportacus pulled his fingers away from Stephanie's eyes and she gazed upon the town square. It had been decorated with festive graduation items. A big banner said "Congratulations Graduates!" Just then Stingy brought Trixie over and the two girls hugged.

"We figured since you both graduated in the same year we'd through you guys a big party." Mayor Meanswell said as he came over to his niece.

"Well that explains why you weren't around this morning." Stephanie smiled as she hugged her Uncle.

"What are we waiting for? Lets get this party started!" Amanda came up from behind them and shouted. Soon the music started and people were talking, laughing, and playing games.

Soon lunch was served and things quieted down a little. But as soon as the meal was over people got right back to partying. Stephanie, Trixie, Pixel, Stingy, Ziggy, Amanda, and Sportacus were playing a great game of basketball when the Mayor silenced the group.

"Attention everyone! I believe its time for the graduates to open their presents." Stephanie and Trixie were handed cards, boxes, and bags. About half an hour later after thanking everyone both girls decided to make an announcement.

"Trixie and I would like to thank everyone again for the party and the presents. Right now we would like to offer a challenge to all the parents and relatives out there. We kids would like to take on the adults in a game of baseball. What do you say?" A cry went up from the crowd. Someone in the back shouted, "You're on!"

"So let the games begin!" Trixie shouted. The kids gathered around. Sportacus was allowed to play on the kids' team as long as they played with only seven players. The adults had no problem getting nine players together and were ready to go.

The game was close and by the ninth inning the game was all tied up at six runs apiece. The adults started the lineup with Mayor Meanswell. Stephanie was pitching and she tried to give her Uncle some easy pitches without making it look that way. He had struck out all the other times he was up so Stephanie decided to give him a watermelon.

The Mayor saw the pitch coming in and swung. The bat actually connected with the ball and it went flying. Amanda, who was playing first base, watched the ball as the Mayor made his toward her. Stingy backed up as the ball soared to him. "ITS MIIIINE!" He shouted as the ball dropped to his left. Quickly picking it up, Stingy launched it towards Amanda. But the Mayor had already rounded first by the time Amanda got it. The Mayor stayed at second base as the next batter came up.

Two batters later, the Mayor was still on second base. Stephanie had managed to strikeout the last two batters and it had come down to Bessie. The infielders slowly moved in as Bessie came to the plate. Stephanie's first pitch whizzed by Bessie and the umpire called, "STRIKE ONE!" The next pitch sailed by her again. "STRIKE TWO!" One more strike and Stephanie's team only had to score one run to win the game. Pixel signaled for a curveball and she nodded. Though her curveball wasn't one of her best pitches, Stephanie figured that Bessie couldn't hit it anyway. That's when she heard the sickening sound of the bat hitting the ball.

Somehow Bessie had actually hit the ball. Amanda saw it coming toward her and steadied herself. Aiming her glove at about chest level, she felt the ball hit her glove. Quickly tagging first base, the side was retired and the kids were up to bat.

"That was close." Amanda said, winking at Stephanie.

"Yeah. But we can win now if we only get a run. Who's up to bat?" Stephanie turned a little red.

"I am." Ziggy said excitedly. Quickly, Ziggy was up at home plate. About just as quick, he was sitting back down on the bench.

"Sorry guys." He said.

"Its alright, Ziggy. Don't worry we've got two more batters to go." Sportacus tried to make him feel better. It was Stephanie's turn to hit and she managed to get to first base. Pixel had a sacrificed fly, which advanced her to second base. Now with two outs and at the bottom of the ninth inning, Amanda stepped to the plate.

Amanda surveyed the situation. Stephanie was a good runner and the pitcher had been favoring his fastball lately so she was pretty confident. That's when she decided to freak people out.

Standing in the batter's box, Amanda signaled her shot. She stood there pointing to the fence as if to say, 'I'm going to hit a home run.' The pitcher smirked and the first ball shot past Amanda. Un-phased she once again signaled her shot. The next pitch went wide. For a third time, the shot was signaled and the pitch came in. But instead of aiming for the fences, Amanda bunted. This caught everyone off guard, as Amanda ran as fast as she could for first base. Stephanie took off like a rocket for third base. She rounded third base as the catcher threw the ball to first.

Amanda slid for the base and caught a face full of it. Stephanie slid into home and the kids ran out onto the field. The game was over! Sportacus wrapped his arms around Stephanie and lifted her up. Everyone was cheering.

Later, while everyone was eating dessert, Amanda went up to the deejay and requested a song. Sportacus and Stephanie were sitting with each other and eating their desserts. Stephanie had some cake while Sportacus was enjoying an apple.

Is this a dream? If it is please don't wake me from this high

Stephanie grabbed Sportacus' hand.

I've become comfortably numb until you opened up my eyes to what it's like when everything's right

He gave her a strange look as she pulled him away from the table and the crowd.

I can't believe you found me when no one else was lookin' how did you know just where I would be?

"Sportacus, I have a question to ask you."

Yeah, you broke through all of my confusion the ups and the downs and you still didn't leave I guess that you saw what nobody could see

"Will you…

You found me You found me

……

So, here we are that's pretty far when you think of where we've been no going back I'm fading out all that has faded me within you're by my side now everything's fine I can't believe

…marry me?"

The End?

Well, ladies and gentlemen. I warned you. Crazy stuff happening in LazyTown. You wanna know what Sportacus' answer will be? Then read the next story coming to a webpage near you! (I'll let you know what the title will be as soon as I figure it out).

I hope you enjoyed the story!

18lzytwner