534 V2 ch6 (1/2)

Our first hurdle came sooner than I thought.

Noah had sent Kaylee a text to meet up for lunch at school on Monday, but she didn't reply. I had a bad feeling, but Noah the optimist still suggested we try to find her at lunch.

So instead of eating at our table like normal, we started to wander the quad and looked for her. Noah asked someone he knew if they had seen her around today, and we were pointed in the right direction. A bench under a shady tree.

There, a group of girl's sat at a bench, talking and laughing. I recognized some from our classes, but not all. Kaylee was the only one I really knew.

”Kaylee!” Noah waved.

The girls went quiet and looked at us. Feeling shy, and just a little intimidated, I took a step behind Noah.

Kaylee frowned at the sight of us, making me uncomfortable. She stepped away from the group of girls and came over. ”What do you want?”

I shrunk back.

Noah blinked in surprise. ”Didn't you get my text? I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Kaylee folded her arms across her chest. ”I thought that you would get the hint when I didn't reply. I don't want to talk to you.”

”What? Why not?”

”Dude. Your brother dumped my sister. Without warning. Did you think we could still be cool?” She rolled her eyes.

”But he is him and I am me.” Noah argued. ”We can still be friends.”

Kaylee looked at us in disbelief. ”And have my sister be mad at me too? I don't think you realize what it means to be dumped. How it feels. My sister still cries every day.”

I tugged are Noah's shirt, trying to signal to him that we should leave.

Noah didn't budge. ”That's not my fault though. Kyle isn't exactly in our good books either. He's been weird for the last few weeks. A complete psycho. He's super adamant about going to some expensive pitchers camp in Texas.”

”Good for him.” She said sarcastically. She turned her back on us. ”Anyways, I have nothing to say to you. Get lost.” She went back to her group.

Noah clenched his fists and looked like he was going to follow her, but I grabbed his arm. He looked at me.

I shook my head. ”She doesn't want to talk to us. Come on.” I gave a tug. We headed to our table and sat down, pulling out our lunches.

”I can't believe she would just push us away like that.” Noah huffed, opening his bag of cookies first.

”I can.” I shrugged.

”What do you mean?” Noah said between bites.

I pulled out a sandwich. ”Well, your brother hurt her sister's feelings. Wouldn't you be mad at someone who hurt Kyle's feelings?”

”No.” Noah answered.

I gave him a look of disbelief.

”Okay, fine.” Noah conceded. ”I might be upset on his behalf too.” He sighed. ”Dang it. Stupid Kyle. Guess we'll skip to step two, asking the team.”

I nodded as I ate my sandwich.

***

Noah's frowned was prominent. And unwavering. ”Shut up.”

”Ohhh. He's in a really bad mood.” Kyle added, standing beside Dave. Only half the team was in the dugout so we were still waiting for the rest.

”All because of you.” Noah's frown turned into a glare at Kyle. He kept his eyes on his older brother who had unknowingly sabotaged our plans for getting a softball pitcher.

”What did I do?” Kyle asked, confused.

”You broke up with Marie.” Noah groaned.

Kyle stiffened up. ”What does that have to do with you? She's not giving you a hard time, is she?”

”No. I just want Kaylee to join my softball team, but now it's impossible. She won't even hear me out.” Noah sighed.