380 An Injury to a Star (1/2)

After the win at Redwood High School, we had two days of practice before our Saturday game with Porterville. Coach worked us into the ground, not letting us take it easy even though we had mercy-ruled this team before. He was a firm believer in not taking things for granted.

Friday night, after a grueling practice, warm shower, and a tasty dinner, everyone seemed to split up. Dave wanted to go on a walk to 'work off the dinner calories' so Mr. Atkins joined him. Zeke went upstairs to work on his homework in peace. Kyle and Noah both went to the living room to catch the end of the Oakland A's game. Mrs. Atkins said she would bake some cookies for us to have tonight and throughout the weekend.

As for me, I settled at the kitchen table to work on a history project. The dreaded family tree. I feel like this project happens every year in every grade. It's disappointing to see it again.

”What are you frowning over?” Mrs. Atkins came out of the kitchen to see me staring over the instructions paper. I showed her the paper. ”Oh. Is this for history?”

I nodded.

Her eyes narrowed. ”That means Noah should be doing it too.” She raised her voice and called for him. ”Noah James! Get in here!”

A loud thump was heard and then the sound of him running. He paused in the doorway. ”Yes, Mom?”

She picked up my instructions sheet. ”Where's yours? Why aren't you working on it as well?”

Noah made a face of disgust at the paper. ”It's the weekend. I'll just do it Sunday.” He turned away, intending to go back to the living room. ”If that's all, then I'm going back.”

”Freeze.” Mrs. Atkins commanded. Noah stopped. ”Turn around.” Noah slowly turned. ”You shouldn't procrastinate. Look at Jake...he's getting homework done so he can enjoy the weekend. Isn't Zeke doing the same? Do you really want to spend your Sunday on homework and projects?”

Noah sighed and his shoulders dropped. ”It's just a family tree. I have dozens I can copy. I'm sure I can find the one I used last year.”

I stood up. ”Yea, let's just do it Sunday.”

”Jake?” Mrs. Atkins looked at me.

I shrugged. ”I don't know what to write anyways.”

Mrs. Atkins sighed. ”I'll see if I can come up with an idea for you by Sunday then.”

”Does this mean I can go back to watching the game now?” Noah inched backwards to the doorway.

Mrs. Atkins rolled her eyes. ”Go.” She shot me a glance, but I was eager to escape as well.

I followed Noah out, leaving the project on the table. I might just take a zero on it. It wasn't a core part of the grade and...it'd be embarrassing to just turn a piece of paper that only had my name and my mom's. I knew nothing else. Dad? Brother? I didn't know their names. I barely had a picture in mind. Maybe I wouldn't be able to pick them out of a crowd.

”NOOO!” Kyle's yell made me jump.

”What happened?! Did they blow it?!” Noah sprinted into the living room. Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

Hearing him say that, I realized that Kyle was probably just yelling at the tv. I let out a sigh of relief.

”He's done for!” Kyle hollered loudly. I walked to the living room to see him on his knees before the tv. He looked heartbroken like someone had died.