398 Payback (1/2)

It honestly felt like I had only blinked before having to wake up again.

Mrs. Atkins was calling out to us from the doorway. I cracked an eye open and saw her shaking her head. "You boys..." I followed her line of sight and saw the twins sharing Noah's comforter on the floor. They were, apparently, too scared to go back to their own beds after messing with Zeke. "If you all don't get moving, you're going to be late to school." She left.

With that ominous prediction, everyone stirred.

"You guys don't think..." Kyle trailed off.

Dave picked up right where he left off. "That Zeke would leave us? I wouldn't be surprised." He jumped up. "Let's move!" He ran out of the room with Kyle following right behind him.

Noah also jumped out of bed and started to pull clothes out of his dresser. "Jake! Come on! Hurry up!" He pulled out clothes for me too before running to the bathroom with his clothes.

Seeing the three of them worried, had me worried. Stressed, I got up and shut the door to get dressed privately. Then I hurried out with my backpack and joined the twins downstairs just in time to hear them complaining to their parents.

"Why not?"

"Are you really making us?"

Just as they spotted me, I was brought up.

"What about Jake?" Dave asked. "You're really going to make him walk?"

"Yea, Mom! Are you really going to be so cruel to Jake?" Kyle added.

I don't know what exactly was going on, but it didn't sound good. I looked to Mrs. Atkins, scared of what she might tell me to do.

Mrs. Atkins bit her lip, also showing some worry. She looked to her husband. "Wayne...maybe-"

"No, Mary. No special treatment." Mr. Atkins said from his spot at the table. He looked at me just awkwardly standing in the doorway. "Jake, hurry up and sit down. You need to eat breakfast before you have to walk to school."

I sat down obediently, not really understanding why I had to walk to school. But I didn't want to be late so I should eat while I can.

"What?! We're really walking?!" Noah shouted as he joined us at the table. "Did Zeke leave?"

Mr. Atkins lips twitched. "He left early this morning. Said he couldn't fall back asleep thanks to some pests." He eyed all four of us. "Then, for a birthday wish, he asked us to deny you boys a ride to school."

"That's not fair Dad!" Noah pouted.

Mr. Atkins chuckled. "I warn you boys all the time about pulling pranks...you have to be prepared to face the consequences."

Dave pulled out his cellphone. "Fine. If you guys aren't playing fair, then neither are we. I'll call for a ride." He dialed and put the phone on speaker so he could still eat.

"Hey.." Garret answered with an awkward tone.

"Garret, can you give me and Kyle, Noah, and Jake a ride to school today?" Dave asked.

"You know I usually would...but..." He paused. "Zeke sent out a mass text to the team this morning. No one is allowed to give you guys a ride."

"Are you serious?" Dave asked, eyes wide, staring at his phone.

"No one's willing to risk punishment when Zeke is so set on making you guys walk. It's only two or three miles right? No biggie."

"I'm calling Marie." Kyle declared, pulling out his own phone.

Dave picked up his phone and took Garret off speaker. "Garret, he's just mad because we celebrated his birthday a little bit." He stood up and headed to the living room. "I need you to do me a favor since you're not willing to help." He got out of earshot.

"Hey Marie..." Kyle started to talk on the phone, obviously reaching Marie. "I know it's early, but me and the boys are looking for a ride to school..?" A slight pause. "Well, Zeke left us. He's just mad about a small prank. I'll tell you about it when you get here." Another pause..just a bit longer. "We can fit. It's only for a few miles. Zeke took our baseball bags so it's just us and backpacks. We'll put them in the trunk."

This time there was a longer pause. "Jake might need the front seat, but me and the other two will be okay to squeeze in the back. And Kaylee will understand."

Hearing my name, I was put on high alert. I eyed Kyle until he finished his phone call.

He was smiling. "Good news, we have a ride."

"Yes!" Dave came back into the kitchen just in time to overhear him.