Finally after class, we got to head down to the fields . Since we took a golf cart up to the office in the morning, I didn't realize it was a bit of a walk back to the car . We ran into the twins and Zeke by the car, and Noah grabbed his bag .
"We change in the clubhouse behind the dugout . " Noah said as we followed his brothers down to the field area . "It's nothing fancy, a very simplistic locker room . " Simplistic was an adequate description . The large singular room only had open lockers in a U-shape, with a bench before it all around .
Noah dragged me to the far corner . "My locker is over here . " We passed by fellow students who had already started changing . We got a few curious glances, but surprisingly no one said anything . "Here ya go . " Noah started to pull out some baseball clothes and placed it on the bench . Then he started to take off his shirt .
I suddenly realized I would have to change in front of him . And the team . Everyone would see my scars . I held the edges of my shirt down, refusing to take it off . My scars were long, jagged, and were still an ugly shade of red . The doctor said they would start to fade in a couple of years and eventually be unnoticeable . But that was forever away .
AdvertisementAfter Noah changed his shirt, he saw that I had not . "What's up?"
I wrapped my arms around my stomach .
"Bathroom? It's just around the corner . " He squinted . "Are you getting nervous?"
I picked up a pair of pants and a shirt from his pile, then quickly ran off to the bathroom . I went into a stall and safely changed, alone . I returned to Noah at his locker .
He rolled his eyes at me . "Such a kid; afraid of changing in front of others . "
I stuck out my tongue . For good reason . I get enough pity already, being known as the foster kid . I don't want them to wonder why my mom almost killed me . It's too hard to think about, let alone talk about it .
Noah passed me a worn out pair of cleats . "These will have to do for now . They might be slightly bigger since I'm taller . We really have to convince dad to take us to the sports store asap . "
I put them on, laced them up, and walked a step forward and a step back . They weren't too big . Doable . I gave Noah a thumbs up .
He laughed at me . "Dork . You'll be getting new ones soon, so they don't have to be a great fit for you . " He stuffed our school clothes at the bottom of his bag . "Most of the team is already in the dugout . Lets go . " I followed him out of the locker room and he led me to the dugout . He placed his bag on the ground and pulled out our equipment: bats, gloves, his helmet and batting gloves, a few water bottles .
"So you're Jake?" A voice from behind made me jump . The man was as tall as Zeke, but more filled out . He looked to be near the same age as Mr . Miller, but unlike him he gave off a more friendly demeanor .
I nodded, but still took a step closer to Noah .
Noah threw an arm around my shoulders . "Hey Coach! Meet Jake, my foster brother, and your new second baseman . " Noah's easygoing attitude helped me relax .
The coach smiled at us . "Oh? Already picking out a position? How cocky . "
I tended up . Noah gave me a pat . "It's called confidence, Coach . Jake is more amazing than me . "
"That's not saying much . " Dave laughed as he joined us .
Noah's eyes narrowed . "Remind me again, who made varsity as a freshman? Was that you and your crappy pitching? Oh no . Wait . It was me and my superior fielding . "
Dave glared . "Pitching requires more effort . A kid like you wouldn't understand . "
"Boys . " Coach cut in . "Let's focus on the tryout first before we get lost in this endless discussion . "
Chapter end
Report
|
Donate
Oh o, this user has not set a donation button.
|