The Hitting Zone

Monday night ended pretty normally compared to the way it started. Noah sent out the text to everyone on our softball team and got replies that everyone was free. It would be our first team meeting.

Besides that though, we followed the pattern of getting our homework done and taking showers before bed. Tuesday morning, the twins had slightly less pink hair, but still quite bright for Kyle. Dave wasn't interested in using a box of dye to correct his hair. He said he didn't mind waiting it out.

"Dave secretly loves it." Noah whispered to me as we got in the car, prepared for school.

I smiled and gave a small nod. I could tell. For one, he wasn't wearing his hat today like Kyle was. Two, he kept checking his reflection. Everywhere. When we arrived at school and got out of the car, I caught him looking at his reflection in the window, slowly smiling.

I stifled another laugh.

As we walked up to the school from our new, closer parking spot, a lot of seniors stopped Zeke and asked him about the draft.

Noah and I kept walking, parting ways with him and the twins. We already knew what Zeke's response was. So did the MLB. Mr. Cameron had edited his interview and sent a snippet to the major news stations. It was a hit. A top first round pick, choosing college over going to the majors? Everyone wanted to talk about it.

"When do you think this will die down..?" I asked Noah as we headed to class.

Noah shrugged. "As early as tomorrow or it could go on for years until he enters the draft for real. Sometimes a big story will last a week, die down, and then come back up later."

"Do you think that's what will happen with Zeke?"

He nodded. "Of course. Every time he plays in a college game, it'll be mentioned that he was a first round pick." He stopped. Then corrected himself. "He IS a first round pick."

We sat down in our seats in the classroom, and a few classmates came up to Noah to ask him about Zeke. Noah was patient with them and explained that there was no changing Zeke's mind. He was set on Stanford.

"It's funny that some people see that as a bad thing." Alisha pointed out. She was leaning against one of the nearby desks. "Most people emphasize college and education over money. Yet, when it comes to sports, they tell you to take the money."

"Well, if he doesn't take the money now, he can get injured during his college season." Some guy said. "Then how will he get paid?"

"He'll get a job like the rest of us." Another girl spoke up.

"That's so lame. I definitely wouldn't pass up on the chance to play in the MLB. Very few players make it that far. Why the heck would he turn it down?" The guy said.

"Zeke isn't you." Noah spoke up. "He does things his own way and it's been shown that it works. If he says he can still be a first round pick in two years, then that just goes to show that he always had the skill. As for getting injured?" Noah smirked. "I guess I'll just have to provide for him with my own MLB paycheck." He flexed his arm, showing off.

A few of the guys laughed, while others rolled their eyes. Noah was always talking big, even proclaiming that he could support Zeke after going pro. I didn't laugh or roll my eyes at him though. I knew how determined he was. It's what he wanted. And somehow, Noah always got what he wanted.

Throughout the day we heard talk of Zeke and how he was the first player from our school to get drafted. Ever. It was big news.

During class, my phone buzzed with a text message and I checked it at lunch.

Jeremy: Hey! How did the twins pranks go? I heard about Zeke getting drafted. Tell him congrats. Tell him not to let the media get to him. I'm actually in Minnesota now so it's been surreal to hear his name.

I showed Noah as we pulled out our lunches at the table.

Noah laughed. "That's pretty cool. Tell him about the twins!" He mused. "Man...if Zeke had chose to go pro right away, he could be playing your brother in a year or two. Which one would you cheer for?"

"Zeke." I didn't hesitate.

Noah blinked. "It was a rhetorical question. You didn't have to answer."

I shrugged. "I would cheer for Zeke. He's more like a big brother to me than Jeremy is."

Noah grinned. "Yea. It'd still be a cool scene though."

I replied to Jeremy's text explaining all the pranks we pulled on the twins.

Jeremy: Man, I'm glad my birthday has already passed. Happy that you're happy. Watch the game tonight if you can.

Me: I'll watch. Noah too.

"Of course we'll watch." Noah snorted. "That's all we can do these days sadly. Man, I miss baseball."

I nodded. I missed it too. Maybe not as much as Noah, but it still made me sad to think that I won't play with the seniors anymore.

Noah finished his lunch first like always, then talked the whole time as I ate mine. He stopped midway, and started to wave his hand. "Hey! Coach! Over here!"

I turned and saw Coach Wilcox walking across campus. He stopped at Noah's call and changed directions to come to us. Coach stopped at the end and looked down at us. "Hey, how are you two doing?"

Noah smiled. "Good. Very good. Are you looking for Zeke? To congratulate him on getting drafted?"

Coach shook his head. "No. I spoke on the phone with him last night. That kid will go far. Going to college is just a stepping stone for him."

"Yea, he's too good to not get drafted again." Noah agreed. "Coach, has any colleges reached out to you for me and Jake? Mr. Cameron said that they could start sending brochures, but how will they even get my address?"

Coach chuckled. "So eager to leave me and the high school scene?"

Noah laughed. "I'm just thinking about my future! I want to know if anyone's interested."

Coach looked between us. "Well, if you really want to know, I've fielded a lot of calls for Jake." I blinked in surprise. Noah nodded. "But of course, I can't give his address or contact information without the state's consent."

"But, what about me?" Noah asked.

Coach reached out and gave Noah's shoulder a pat. "Your skill set is much more subtle than Jake's batting."

Noah looked a little sad. "So no one...?"

"Not yet. Wait for the college baseball season to end and I'm sure some interest will start to show." Coach tried to reassure him. "You can't let this get you down, son. Just think, you have a step on Zeke. He didn't make the varsity level until his sophomore year. His first brochure came after that season. Just give it some time."

Noah nodded, a little deflated. "Okay, you're right."

Coach gave him a final pat before backing up. "I have to get to the office. You boys be good. Don't slack off this summer."

"We won't!" Noah declared in all seriousness.