The Hitting Zone
chapter-786

Our house became the unofficial watch party of the A's playoff games. After practice, we showered and gathered in the living room, finding the game channel. Our friends and teammates showed up, bringing snacks and drinks along for everyone to share.

Dave had called Dad to let him and Mom know that we had people over again, but this time we wouldn't need food.

"I'm honestly surprised you guys aren't there right now." Bryce said between bites of popcorn. "This could be a one time thing."

"Don't jinx them." Noah threw a pillow at Bryce's head. "The A's will make it to the World Series for years to come."

"Plus, we're going to Friday and Saturday's games." Kyle grinned.

"In DC?" Bryce's jaw dropped. He wasn't the only one.

Kyle quickly explained how we would be skipping school on Friday and flying to the east coast to watch the games. "It's a birthday gift for Jake."

"Jake's birthday is coming up?" Garret turned to me. "Is it this weekend?"

I nodded. "Friday."

"We should do something to celebrate when you get back or something." Garret smiled. "We can do a party like you guys did for Noah."

"We can't just invite ourselves over to Alisha's for Jake's birthday party." Dave laughed. "That's a little presumptuous."

"Why not?" Noah asked, looking excited. "I think it's a great idea. I'm sure Alisha wouldn't mind either." He pulled out his phone. "I'm going to ask now."

I scrunched up my nose. "But we won't even be here for my birthday. It'll feel weird to celebrate after the fact."

"Pshh. That's normal." Garret said. "Not everyone can celebrate their birthday on the actual date. You do one with family. Friends. A different group of friends. And so on. I'd celebrate the whole month."

Noah looked up from his phone. "Alisha said she was already planning on holding a Halloween party on Thursday since we won't have school the next day. She said if you don't mind, we can also make it your birthday party."

I scratched my cheek. "I mean...I don't care."

"This party isn't just for you sophomores is it?" Garret asked.

"Let me ask." Noah worked on sending another text. In a short moment he had an answer. "She said anyone can come, but just know that her parents will be there." He looked at Garret. "If we're celebrating Jake's birthday too, our parents will also go."

Garret shrugged. "That's fine. I don't mind parent-supervised parties. It's pretty cool of her to hold a big gathering on Halloween. High school is such an awkward time. Too old to trick-or-treat, but too young to be passing out the candy." He glanced at the twins. "It'll also be nice to keep an eye on these two idiots. My parents made me clean up all the toilet paper last year by myself."

The twins snickered and looked to the tv, pretending they couldn't hear Garret.

I stared at him in confusion. "Toilet paper?"

"Yea, they 'tp-ed' my house last year." Garret rolled his eyes. "Basically just throwing toilet paper all over my front yard and got it in the trees. With the morning dew, it just got stuck everywhere."

Noah laughed.

Garret glanced at him. "I bet you had a hand in that too."

Noah focused on his phone. "Shhh. I'm trying to listen to the game and text at the same time."

I grinned. Definitely guilty.

We spent the evening watching the game and stuffing our faces. The Nationals really were on fire, not getting behind once in the game. They took the lead, then the A's would catch up. Small lead, then tied again. It was like that all the way to the ninth inning. The Nationals took the lead 5-4 in the ninth, but the A's came up empty-handed.

Noah groaned as the last A's batter struck out to end the game. "How unlucky! If only Jeremy or Maberry got a chance in the ninth."

"Yea, that was rough." Bryce shook his head. "To be so close the whole time, but never capitalizing on it. What a waste."

"Just goes to show that the A's can't rely on Patterson and Maberry to do all the work. The other players have to show up too." Garret sighed.

The guys went home while we cleaned up. After making sure our homework was done, all of us headed to bed.

I sent Jeremy a text telling him that he still played well and there would still be tomorrow's game. I saw his acknowledgment the next morning.

Noah mentioned Alisha's Halloween party to Kaylee and told her it was also going to be my birthday party too. Kaylee nodded and said she was planning on going either way.

In fourth period, I met up with Alisha and we walked to class together.

"Too bad about the A's." She sighed. "Hopefully they bounce back tonight."

I nodded. We walked in class early and took our seats.

"So what are you going to want for your birthday?" Alisha asked me.

"I don't need anything." I said, surprised.

She rolled her eyes. "I didn't ask what you need, but what do you want?"

I shrugged.

"Jake's birthday is coming up?" One of her friends asked, taking a seat nearby.

Alisha nodded, then quickly explained how she was going to have a party next week. "It's for Halloween and Jake's birthday. So still wear costumes, but also bring a birthday card?"

The girl nodded, understanding, then turned to me. "What would you like for your birthday?"

I blushed. "Nothing." I mumbled and looked away. It'd be weird to get a gift from someone I hardly knew.

Alisha let out a small laugh. "Jake isn't helpful at all. I'm thinking about buying him some coins to the batting cages. He goes there often with his brothers and I know it's something he would like." I perked up. "See?! Just look at him." She laughed again. "A baseball boy is happy to do anything with baseball."

The other girl laughed. "Yea, sounds good. Maybe you should tell everyone to bring some coins? That would be pretty cool. Affordable too. If everyone just brought a few, they would add up quick."

"Great idea!" Alisha nodded. "I'll send out a text to those interested in coming." She glanced at me. "I'll include the guys in the baseball program too."

"Are you inviting the whole baseball team?" The girl asked Alisha, sounding a little high-pitched.

Alisha nodded. "Now that it's also going to be a birthday party for Jake, a few of the upperclassmen will want to come too. But don't worry, my parents will still be there to supervise."

The girl didn't look worry at all. She looked excited. Maybe she likes someone on the team too. I fought back a smile as I remembered what Alisha got Noah for his birthday. Maybe receiving a few coins for the cages isn't so bad.

By the time I got to practice, everyone seemed to know that I had a birthday coming up and that Alisha was going to have a Halloween party to celebrate. A few of the guys I knew better all said that they were going to get me some coins for the batting cages, making me feel self-conscious.

"Don't worry about that." Noah laughed. "I think everyone just wants to make your first birthday special." He turned serious. "You...probably didn't get to celebrate when you were younger..."

I nodded slightly, not willing to share too many of my past experiences with him.