It’s another day at school, and Yuwen is trying (and failing) to stay out of trouble. He’s the star pitcher for The Pickles, cocky, loud, and always ready with a joke—except when it comes to fixing things with Taylor. She’s been distant ever since their last argument, and no matter what he says, he just keeps making things worse.

Across the hall, Rochelle is stuffing another folded homework sheet into her bag—another easy payday, but with her mom’s influencer career barely keeping the lights on, she doesn’t have much choice. Meanwhile, Laurie’s sitting in class, gripping her pencil too tight. Just the thought of practice later is enough to make her stomach twist. She wants to impress her dad, but every time she swings the bat, she freezes up.

Tom’s eyes flicker toward Rochelle’s bag, mind racing. His little brother’s still in the hospital, and he needs to pass this test—but can he really keep using Taylor and Rochelle to get by? And then there’s Ira, slouching in the back of class, barely listening. His new friends, the Bleacher Creatures, have a plan for after school, something about the Snack Shack. It’s not like he has anything better to do.

Somewhere in all of this, Kai is doing her best to hold things together. She knows Laurie needs encouragement, that Rochelle is under more pressure than she lets on, and that Yuwen is completely clueless about how to fix things with Taylor. But what can she really do?

And then there’s Mr. Brown, standing at the front of the class, staring at his notes. He’s supposed to be teaching, but his mind is elsewhere—on Monica, on the engagement ring she gave back, on the one she’s wearing now that isn’t his.

Softball practice is coming up. Tensions are high. Mistakes are inevitable. But for Yuwen and the rest of The Pickles, school is just the warm-up—because when the final inning comes, it won’t just be the game on the line.