370 Zeke’s Friend: Rhys 1 (1/2)

With everyone going back to smaller groups, and Zeke going with Mr. Cameron for an interview, Noah and I moved to the backyard to get some space. Oddly, we weren't the only ones with that idea. A tall young man was standing on the back patio, staring at the twin's pitching training equipment. I recognized him as the friend of Zeke. The one he wanted in the video that stood opposite of Noah and I.

”Hey Rhys!” Noah greeted, closing the sliding door behind us. It was cool outside, but it was definitely getting warmer with summer around the corner.

The young man turned and gave us a smile. ”Hey, Noah. How are you?”

”Not bad! Can't complain.” Noah sized him up, looking him up and down like he was a mannequin. ”How about you? You look like you're staying in shape.”

A corner of his mouth lifted to form a half-smile. ”I do what I can.” He looked at me. ”You must be Jake? I've heard a lot about you.” He held out his right hand.

I glanced at Noah, but could only see a smile on his face. He wasn't wary against him so neither should I. I slowly stuck out my right hand and gave his a quick shake. He didn't grasp my hand tightly or force the handshake. It was like he was letting me be in control in deciding what kind of handshake I wanted. It was brief and light, before I took my hand back.

”This is Rhys.” Noah introduced. ”He's been friends with Zeke since I was born.”

I looked at Rhys, surprised. That meant he and Zeke were friends since they were toddlers?

Rhys laughed. ”Almost.” He smiled at me, looking friendly like Noah. ”Zeke and I played T-ball together. Our first year of baseball was spent together, and then we just happened to share quite a few teams as we grew up, playing little league.”

Wow. Real childhood friends. ”Do you go to our school?” I asked, curious as to why I haven't seen him before.

”Oh, no.” He answered, looking slightly surprised that I would speak. ”I live a couple hours away. North of the Bay Area. Just before high school, my parents and I moved so I don't get to see Zeke and the Atkins as much as I used to.” He rubbed Noah's head, messing up the already messy hair. ”Look how tall you're getting! Crazy how much you grew in the last few months.”

Noah pushed his hand away, and scoffed. ”Yea, right. I'm nowhere near Zeke's height when he was a freshman. I don't know if I'll ever get as tall as him and the twins.”

”Well, height doesn't always matter in baseball.” Rhys tried to console him.

”But it would help!” Noah sighed.

Rhys just laughed and gave Noah another pat on the head. ”Why are you in such a hurry? There's time. You'll grow, get stronger, faster, and even better at baseball. Just one step at a time.”

Noah glanced up at Rhys. ”You sound better.” I didn't understand. That's a weird thing to say out of nowhere.

”I feel better.” Rhys answered, understanding right away what Noah was saying.

Noah nodded more to himself than to Rhys.

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I was confused as to what they were talking about but it seemed serious, and not something that I could just ask about.

”Hey hey! What's with this solemn atmosphere?!” Kyle had opened the back door and took a step outside. Dave, Zeke, and Mr. Cameron were just behind him.

”It's not solemn.” Noah refuted. ”Peaceful. It's a peaceful atmosphere!”

”I could tell.” Dave snorted. ”Rhys isn't a wild child anymore. He's been so calm and quiet today.”

Rhys laughed at the jab. ”It's Zeke's day. You know I wouldn't steal the show from him on a day like this.”