536 V2 ch8 (1/2)

Tuesday morning, Noah was filled with energy again. All he could talk about was how Julian and his brother was going to join our softball team. Zeke drove us to school and parked closer to the building. We no longer had baseball practice, so he no longer parked by the fields.

”I kind of miss Mr. Miller giving us rides.” I told Noah as we walked to the main building.

”It's only until school ends.” Noah told me. ”In the fall, we'll still have practices after school, so we'll go back to parking down there.” He shivered. ”The twins will be driving us.”

I let out a small laugh.

”Jake! Noah!” A female called out. We turned and saw Alisha jogging up to us. We shared some classes with her and I remember her being there to help Noah take a bunch of pictures last week. She reached us in a few seconds, then bent over trying to catch her breath.

”Hey...you didn't have to run.” Noah's lips twitched, trying not to laugh at her pathetic state.

She stood up straight and grinned. ”I had to. I'm in a hurry!” She pulled out two envelopes and handed us one each.

I blinked in surprise. The pink envelope had my name written out in cursive.

”I'm having an end of the year pool party in a couple of weeks. Just for our grade. Hope you guys can make it.” She smiled.

Noah grinned. ”This isn't a trick to get us to come to your birthday party is it?”

She laughed. ”It just so happened to be the same week as my birthday. You don't have to bring gifts though. I just thought it would be fun to have a huge party to celebrate the end of freshman year.”

”Are you inviting all the freshmen?” I asked, eyes wide. This school wasn't huge, but it definitely had a few hundred kids at each grade level.

Alisha laughed. ”I'll invite all that I know. Everyone else will just have to decide if they want to come or not.”

”That's nice of you.” Noah nodded. ”We'll come.”

”Great!” She grinned and waved as she walked away. ”Don't forget your swimming trunks.” She found someone else she knew and started to look through her bag of envelopes.

I looked down at the envelope again. A pool party. I looked up at Noah. ”I don't actually have to go in the pool do I?”

Noah understood my worries. ”Nah. It'll probably be full anyways. We'll just wear trunks and shirts to fit the theme. But then just relax wherever the food may be.”

I sighed with relief. I couldn't imagine being in a bathing suit in front of my classmates. All their stares. Their gossip. I shivered. I wouldn't be able to show my face at school ever again.

”C'mon, let's go.” Noah nudged me. ”You don't have to stress so soon. It's just a party. You've been to a party before.”

That's true. I have been.

We put our invitations away and went to class. Throughout the day, we saw Alisha pass out the invites in our shared classes. She really was inviting everyone she knew, even the quiet kids in our classes.

At lunch time, Noah was eager to head to where the seniors hung out by the trees.

I held back. ”I need to stop by the library real quick. You go on ahead.”

Noah gave me a funny look. ”For what? We-”

”Math. It's for math.” I told him. ”Just need to print a worksheet before class.”

”Oh.” He blinked. ”I can wait for you.”

”It's okay. I can go alone.” I shot him a look. ”You don't have to baby me all the time.”

Noah laughed, looking a little guilty. ”Sorry.” He raises the release forms he brought. ”I'll go give these to Julian. Meet you back at our table?”

”Yea.” I nodded.