The Hitting Zone
chapter-529

The banquet lasted long into the night, filled with laughter and pictures. Mrs. Atkins wanted senior shots with Zeke and the others. Then everyone together. The juniors together with the twins. Just me and Noah. It became like a photo shoot that only came to a halt because it was closing time.

When we got home, Mrs. Atkins took everyone's awards to the living room. Mine included. She started to reorganize the wall even though it was nearing midnight.

Eveyone started to go their own way, with my way being bed. I grabbed my pajamas and changed in the bathroom. I came back to the room and saw that Noah was already dressed in his pajamas.

"So..." Noah looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"So what?" I asked, frowning. I piled my dirty clothes in our basket and crawled into bed.

Noah picked up my new cellphone. "Are you going to text him?"

"Who-oh." I sat up. "I mean...I forgot to take a picture with it all..." It was too late to go downstairs and do it now. I didn't want to ruin Mrs. Atkins work or arranging the awards.

"I have some that you can send to him." Noah pulled out his phone and started to send some pictures that were taken. He proceeded to show me how to save all the pictures to my phone album so I could keep them too. Then he picked out one that had me holding all my awards, smiling, but looking slightly awkward. "This is a good one. You can clearly see what each award is for."

I followed his instructions on how to send the photo. After it sent, something came to mind. "What if he doesn't reply?"

"Then he's still a jerk." Noah said solemnly.

My phone buzzed with a notification.

"Looks like he's still trying not to be a jerk." Noah showed me his reply. "'Congratulations! I'm happy for you.'"

I smiled.

Noah handed me my phone and I put it on the charger near the bed. "Tonight was amazing."

"Yea..." I agreed. I felt like we've been riding high on the playoff wins for weeks now. All the way until championship. And now the awards.

"You know what this means for next season?" Noah asked. He got into his own bed after turning out the lights.

"No. What?"

"It means we'll be the returning champs. Not just league champions, but CIF champions. All the schools will want to beat us."

"Isn't it normal to want to beat any opponent?" I yawned.

"Just wait. You'll see. You'll feel the difference next year." Noah told me.

He wanted to talk more about baseball and what was to come, but I was too exhausted. I passed out within seconds of getting comfortable under my blanket.

***

Sunday morning, everyone gathered for brunch, woken up by the sweet smell of Mrs. Atkins' cooking. She knew we would all be sleeping in and had prepared a feast of breakfast and lunch items. If I hadn't known she was a real estate agent, I would have definitely presumed she was a chef. Her cooking was incomparable.

Mr. Atkins and Zeke were already at the table when Noah and I came down, still in our pajamas. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins were dressed nicely so they must have some work to do outside of the house. Zeke was only in workout clothes, hinting at what he might be doing today.

"Are you going to The Cages today?" Noah asked Zeke, piling food on his plate while standing up.

I sat down and grabbed what was closest to me, including the scrambled eggs and a bagel.

"I was planning on going for a jog and then lifting some weights." Zeke answered. "Why? Did you guys want to go there?"

Noah nodded. "We always want to go there." He finally sat down with a large plate of food. "We can wait until you're done with your workout, if you want us to."

"Alright. I'll take you guys this afternoon." Zeke nodded.

"Me too!" Dave made his entrance, snatching some bacon off Noah's plate on his way to his own seat.

"Hey!!" Noah objected. "You didn't have to take my food. You can grab your own."

"Yea, but you always grab the crispiest bacon." Dave smirked, munching on said bacon. He plopped down on his seat and started to fill his own plate.

"Dave." Mr. Atkins sighed. "There's plenty of food. You don't have to steal from Noah."

Dave nodded. "Yea, I know." He lowered his voice. "Kyle's on his way down with a planner. I hope you and Mom are ready for this."

Mr. Atkins was surprised. "A planner? Have you guys planned out your summer already? Should I get my card to start booking the flights and hotels?"

"Just wait and see." Dave lifted his brows. "Kyle put some serious effort into this."

"I'll go get your mom." Mr. Atkins got up from the table and went to the office. Mrs. Atkins must have went straight to work after cooking for us.

It made me feel kind of guilty and sad at the same time. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"You okay, Jake?" Dave asked from across the table.

I dabbed the corner of my eyes with a napkin. "Yea. Just a little tired still."

"There's no time to be tired!" Kyle said loudly, making me jump, as he walked into the dining room. He waved a book around. "Where's Mom and Dad?! I've got something to show them! Mommmm! Dadddd! Come out, come out, wherever you are!"

"Stop making such a racket." Zeke stared him down. "Mom and Dad are in the office. They'll be out soon enough."

"Oh." Kyle collapsed into his chair, losing some of his excitement. "I didn't think they would work today."

"It's practically summer." Noah said between bites. "They're going to start getting really busy soon." He glanced at me. "Everyone buys houses during the summertime. Makes it easier to move when the kids are out of school and whatnot."

I nodded, pretending I understood. I watched as Kyle tapped the book he was holding. He waited for his parents to show, not even reaching for some food.

"Dude." Dave spoke up. "Just relax and eat something. You're getting on my nerves."

"How can you eat at a time like this?" Kyle lifted the book and waved it at Dave. "This pertains to our future!"

Zeke glared at Kyle. "Stop waving it in my face. I'm trying to eat."

Noah laughed as Kyle had to put down his book. "You're so hyped. What are you going to do when Mom and Dad cut down your summer plans?"

"Cry until they give in!" Kyle said proudly.

Noah and Dave really laughed. Zeke even cracked a smile.

"You all are so lively this morning!" Mrs. Atkins greeted, walking in with her husband behind her.

"Mom! Finally!" Kyle jumped out of his seat. He guided her to her seat next to Noah; then grabbed his dad's seat from next to me, and dragged it all the way to the other end with his mom's seat. "Dad, come! Take a seat!"

Mr. Atkins raised an eyebrow. "I feel like I'm about to sit down for a presentation of sorts."

"You can think of it that way!" Kyle answered. "The presentation of my summer plans!"