The Hitting Zone
chapter-80-30041322

I started to panic with all the other players starting to show up for check-in. Sixteen teams, with a max of twenty-three players a team, equals three hundred sixty-eight players. Plus coaches, parents, families, friends, and random spectators. Easily over five hundred people all crowding around, waiting for the opening ceremony.

"You have a nice look of distress written all over your face." Julian patted my cheeks, pinched them, and moved them around. "There. That's better. Now it's a sheer look of fear." He laughed to himself, drawing the team's attention to us.

Noah pushed him away from me. "Don't invade his personal bubble."

"Why? Does it scare him?" Chris sneered.

"He's like a little deer." Garret joined in. "He gets frightened at the sound of anything and looks like he'll bolt if you get too close."

I pouted and looked at Noah for help.

Noah tilted his head at me. "Ya know, he definitely does give off the 'Bambi' vibe." I didn't know what that meant, but the guys laughed and even angry Chris cracked a smile.

I stepped away from Noah, frowning.

He reached for me, but I dodged. "I'm just kidding Jake. Come back!"

I moved closer to Zeke, who was busy talking with the coaches. Zeke noticed our foolishness right away. "Quit it. It's almost time for the ceremony." He looked around at his teammates. "Remove your jackets and reveal your jerseys. We'll lineup by jersey number."

I cringed. "High to low?" I whispered.

The coaches stared at me with shock.

Zeke's lips twitched. "That wouldn't make sense. Low to high! Let's go!"

Noah immediately got behind me and put his hands on my shoulders, massaging them. "Come on Jake! Take off the sweatshirt! It's almost time."

I started to shake. I really didn't want to. Not at all. If I took off my sweatshirt, they would see what number Zeke gave me this morning. Noah laughed right away when he saw me put it on. The rest of the team will probably follow suit.

"C'mon Bambi." Dave snuck up on me, making me jump. He reached out and started to tug on my sweatshirt. "Why is lining up making you so nervous?"

I wrapped my arms around my body, trying to keep the sweatshirt on.

"Zeke was actually funny this morning." Noah stated. "You should have heard him when he gave Jake this jersey."

Kyle joined in and tried to pull my arms up. "I've got his hands! Dave, pull up the sweatshirt!"

This scene felt oddly familiar, especially when I thought about their tickle torture, the first time I met them almost two weeks ago. Kyle held me at my wrists and lift me in the air so it was harder for me to struggle. Dave lifted the bottom of my sweatshirt and pulled to my head, making it get caught on my hat, and making it get stuck, blocking my vision.

Unfortunately it couldn't block my hearing. All of the guys were laughing. Kyle released my wrists and set me back on my feet. I struggled to get my sweatshirt back on properly and food my baseball cap caught in my hood. I fixed it and pulled my cap lower to try and hide my embarrassment.

"I didn't even know you could wear that in a game!" Dave choked on his laughter and started coughing. He leaned against Noah. "Tell me, what did Zeke say when he handed it over."

Noah grinned. "'Zero the hero.'" That phrase sent the whole team into another round of laughter. Even the coaches were smiling.

Ugh. I tugged my hood over my cap and squatted down, trying to diminish my presence.

Noah patted the top of my head. "It's only funny since it's not something Zeke would normally say." I didn't budge.

"Want to know what comes next?" Kyle asked. I peeked up at him, seeing that Noah froze. "It goes zero the hero, first the worst, second the best. Guess who is number one?" He turned Noah around and showed me his number one jersey.

I let out a smile. Noah brushed Kyle off and squatted in front of me. "Don't mind them. Let's go. We'll lead these losers to a nice trophy finish. I'll be right behind you in line so you don't have to be afraid."

I loosened up. I'm not afraid. Just embarrassed. And a little shy. I took off my sweatshirt and stuffed it in my bag. The rest of the team looked to be ready to go as they were in some semblance of a line.

Zeke walked to the front of the line and stood in front of me. "The captains lead the teams. There really was no reason for you to worry."

Noah laughed. "It's just fun seeing Jake be more alive with the team." He patted my shoulders again. "Follow Zeke closely and you can practically hide behind him if someone was looking at us dead on."

I stepped closer to Zeke. Voluntarily.

He sighed and shook his head. "Noah. Stop messing around. It's time." He turned around and started to walk. I hurried to stay close, and the rest of the team followed.

As we walked by other teams and adults, I started to hear some unpleasant comments.

"Look at that little boy! He's standing right behind Watsonville's captain."

"Maybe he's the team mascot or something?"

"Stupid. Only official players can be apart of the opening ceremony. Even coaches are separate."

"I heard the Watsonville captain is the number one player in the county. And could easily be placed in the top ten in the state."

"The shorty must be his youngest brother. I heard Watsonville's varsity team has all the Atkins on it now even though the youngest is a freshman."

"Nepotism."

I looked back and forth, worriedly. I was attracting too much attention.

"Just let them talk." Noah whispered from behind me. "We'll shut them up in game one." He didn't sound as easygoing as before. I think the nepotism comment got to him. Noah liked emphasizing that he made the team thanks to his own hard work, but it's hard to prove when we haven't even played yet. Hopefully these guys will see Noah's talent separate from his brothers.