496 A Surprise (1/2)

After school, we switched our backpacks for our baseball bags and met with the others by the baseball field. Everyone was rather quiet, with most of the team listening to music with their headphones on. Coach didn't rush us to load up the bus until the school parking lot was mostly empty.

Just as we got on, I saw Mrs. Atkins car pulled right up next to the bus. She brought bags and bags of food onto the bus, which helped to liven up the atmosphere.

Noah grinned proudly as he ate a bowl of fruit. We were finally heading to the stadium, crawling along with the freeway traffic. ”This was a good idea. I probably would have been dead of starvation if you hadn't said anything.”

I gave a small nod, munching on my leftover lunch. After Mr. Petrus small talk, I felt less jittery and more relaxed. The food helped too. It helped the whole team, who were now chatting with one another merrily. It started to feel like any other normal game. Up until we arrived at Stanford.

The bus pulled into the parking lot just by the stadium.

Coach stood up. ”Well boys, we're here.” He looked around the bus. ”We have half an hour to kill before they open the clubhouses. Even though West Valley is the home team, they requested the first base dugout, so we'll be using Stanford's home dugout along third base. Be respectful.”

”Especially since it's Zeke's future home!” Noah hollered and some of the guys chuckled.

Coach narrowed his eyes at Noah. ”Alright, go burn your silliness away before warmups. If you guys want to walk around, go ahead, me and some of the coaches will be here to watch the gear. If any of you want to rest for the next thirty minutes, that's okay too.”

The team started to divide, with about half leaving the bus, including me and Noah.

”Ugh, I would not want to spend another minute trapped in that bus.” Noah said as he stretched. I nodded in agreement.

”You never could sit still.” A familiar voice said a few feet away.

Noah whipped his head around and raced to the guy. ”Rhys!!” He jumped up at him.

Rhys caught him with ease and laughed. ”Aren't you ashamed to act like a kid still? You're 14 now. Come on, grow up.”

Noah pouted as Rhys set him back down on his own feet. ”You're sounding more and more like Zeke.”

”That's not so bad.” Rhys flicked Noah's hat off his head.

Noah bent down and picked it up, putting it back on his head after dusting it off. ”Hey man, be careful. This is about to be a hat of a California state champion.”

Rhys laughed. Then he noticed me joining them. ”Hey, kid, how's it going?”

I looked away, feeling shy. The last time I saw Rhys, I was jealous about how much his parents cared for him. It's embarrassing, looking back. I'm even more childish than Noah.

”You remember Rhys, right Jake?” Noah asked.