The Hitting Zone

Grampa's big dinner feast put us all in a food coma Sunday night. I didn't usually like eating so much meat, but Grampa made it taste great with the seasonings and then the sauce on the side. I think I could become a steak lover too if they all tasted like his.

After dinner, there was a round of fighting for shower time and an additional round of complaints about homework. Mostly from the twins on both ends. Without much homework to do, I was first in shower and first in bed. I scrolled through my phone finding a few unread texts. One from Jeremy, saying he made it back to Arizona. One from Kaylee, simply saying congratulations. And then from Alisha...I had received a bunch of pictures.

The team celebrating the final win. Us lining up to receive our medals and a team trophy. One of me, holding the MVP plaque, laughing at something Noah said beside me. I saved all the pictures and went to Instagram. I had only a few posts, with the last one being from Christmas. I added the pictures and tried to tag the guys I know.

"You're not asleep yet?" Dave peered over, trying to see what I was doing.

"I'm trying to post some pictures that Alisha sent me." I explained. "I don't know everyone's username though."

"I know some." Dave started to help out, mostly with the upperclassmen. He had to pull out his own phone to look up the underclassmen, but then it was done.

I was about to push the post button when Dave stopped me.

"You're not going to put a caption?" He gave it some thought. "Like we're unbeatable. Or we're the champions. Kicked some serious butt this weekend."

My lips twitched. "No..." I think the pictures are self-explanatory. I clicked post.

Within seconds there was a 'like' and a comment.

TWINKYLE: 6IP 9K 0BB 2H 1ER

Dave scoffed after reading over my shoulder. He whipped out his phone and hurried to reply to Kyle's comment, stating that Kyle couldn't even get a win. Kyle replied that Dave was just jealous that his stat line was better looking.

I looked around the room we shared and didn't even see Kyle. He must still be in the hallway bathroom for his shower.

It wasn't long before the post started to blow up with 'likes' and comments. I hurried to put my phone on silent. I didn't know so many of the guys would still be awake. I'm glad they liked the pictures though. I added a comment to tag Alisha for photo credits.

Noah finished his shower and joined Dave in his conquest to bring Kyle's ego down. I laughed a little before closing my eyes and getting comfy. It's been a long day.

***

Monday morning after a weekend of baseball felt like some kind of punishment. Wake up early to sit in a room with no windows. I yawned for the third time during breakfast.

"Did you boys stay up too late?" Mom squinted at me in particular.

Noah laughed. "Don't look at Jake like that, Mom. He was the first to fall asleep. Here. I'll show you." He opened his phone and pushed it over.

Mom let out a small laugh.

Curious, I leaned over when Noah got his phone back. It was a closeup picture of me drooling on the pillow. Noah had type above it: 'dreaming of another CIF win'.

I frowned. "You didn't put that up for everyone to see, did you?"

"No, I went with this one instead." Noah switched to a same picture but different caption: 'MVPs need their beauty sleep'.

I looked to Mom for help.

"It's cute, Jake." She smiled.

The twins laughed.

I resigned to my fate. This is what happens when you join a prankster type of family. I should have known.

We gathered up our bags and loaded up the car. The twins parked near the field and walked up while Noah and I waited for Mr. Miller.

"How's the back, Jake?" Mr. Miller asked as soon as he pulled up in golf cart.

I sat in the back. "It's fine." I tapped my scab on my chin. "This bothers me more. I just want to pick at it."

"You don't want your face bleeding throughout class, do you?" He asked.

"He just said he wanted to. No that he actually would." Noah got in the front and Mr. Miller started to drive us up to the school. "Jake has good self-control. He'll be fine. What's on the menu for practice today?"

"Recovery runs." Mr. Miller stated.

I felt my body tense up. "I think my back is a little tight today."

"Drew can help you out." Mr. Miller grinned.

I resisted the urge to make a face.

We got off the cart near the entrance and said our 'thanks' before heading for our locker. Just as we were switching out our books and homework, Kaylee showed up.

"Congrats again on the big win." Kaylee nodded casually. "Heard you guys had a couple of close ones before the finals."

"Yea, game one and three." Noah answered. "But it was no problem. We played teams that didn't fear facing Jake at all. It's more annoying seeing him get intentionally walked."

I nodded in agreement. The previous tournament, the Tulare Invitational was nothing but a bunch of walks. I was happy with how much action I saw this weekend.

"Yea, Marie gets that kind of treatment in closer games." Kaylee made a face.

"Zeke had quite a few intentional walks last year too." I added.

"The price to pay when you're just that good." Noah patted my shoulder sympathetically.

The first bell rung and the three of us started to walk to our chemistry class.

"You guys only have one game this week, right?" Kaylee asked randomly.

"Yea, Thursday is away. Why? Are you guys going too?" Noah looked at her.

"No we have two home games this week. Wednesday afternoon. Then Friday night." She shrugged. "Just wondering if you guys want to come and support?"

"Wednesday, we can come over after practice." Noah said confidently. Then he rubbed the back of his head. "Not sure about Friday. We were thinking about going to Stanford for the weekend to see Zeke play."

"Oh, okay, cool." Kaylee looked unbothered, but her tone sounded a little disappointed.

I opened my mouth. But then closed it. I wouldn't know what to say to make her feel better.

Luckily, Noah started to ask her about her team. "Besides Marie, the rest of your team is pretty good, right?"

"League champions practically in the bag." Kaylee bragged.

"You've just begun." Noah raised an eyebrow.

"Our team is just that good." She grinned. "We only have one competitive school in our league. We play them Friday. So we get by them, then we're basically coasting."

"Oh, that's why you want our support this week. You need some hype men." Noah started to bounce around. "Man, I wish we would start our league games at home. Instead we have to play Golden West and Servite away."

"When?" Kaylee asked.

"Next week." Noah told her. "Thursday and Saturday." He waved her off. "Don't think I'm asking you and your team to drive out. You guys are also in season." We entered the class and went to our lab station. "But I think we should show up on Friday for your game."

"What about your weekend with Zeke?" She asked, looking slightly hopeful.

"We wouldn't be there in time for his Friday night game anyways." Noah pulled out his phone. "Let me run it by Mom though. Hopefully she didn't book a hotel for Friday yet."

The bell rung again and our teacher showed up. Halfway through class, Noah confirmed that we would be there for the softball game Friday night. Kaylee grinned.

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