The Hitting Zone

"Maybe Jake can say something to Jeremy about it?" Noah suggested. "Jeremy is close to Jack so maybe that'll help make the process faster."

Mr. Atkins noticed my discomfort. "No, there's no need. As of right now, nothing can really make the process 'faster'. We still have to follow the steps and their protocols. For everything else, it would just make it easier." He patted the top of my head. "This just makes it official. Just know, you're already a part of this family."

I smiled.

Everyone started to go back to their seats and began to open up the food. The atmosphere turned for the best as everyone seemed to be happy. Almost everything was going well. The twins had their summer planned out. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins notes that their big project was going well. Zeke's graduation was next week. My adoption papers are in the system.

"Do you boys want to do a birthday dinner out of the house this weekend?" Mrs. Atkins asked the twins.

"Most definitely!" Dave said.

"Steak!!!" Kyle cheered.

Mrs. Atkins laughed. "Okay, I'll make some reservations." She turned to me and Noah. "I spoke with someone from the school district. They have a summer school program in place. It's mostly for those who didn't pass the course originally, but they said it can also replaced future classes. The only thing is, because it fits a whole lot of school work in a span of a month, the classes are longer. So one class. Still want Spanish II so you don't have to take it your sophomore year?"

"Yep!" Noah answered easily. "A month in exchange for a year of no foreign languages? I'm in! Jake?"

I nodded in agreement. High school only required two years of a foreign language. That means that we'll be done sooner rather than later. "What do you think we will take next year then?"

"Probably an elective course." Dave interjected. "That's what our classmates did instead of taking their second language."

Kyle laughed. "It's good that you guys are getting the hard stuff out of the way now. I know so many guys having to take a language in their last two years of high school because they picked the easy stuff first."

"We took cooking last semester." Dave pointed out. "That was pretty cool. We would get to cook something almost every other day and then get to eat it."

Noah looked to me, excited.

I laughed. I can already see us taking cooking in the fall just to satisfy Noah's sweet tooth.

"You have time to look it over and make a decision in August on registration day." Zeke spoke up. "Don't forget you still have to take an art at some point."

"Take digital art with me!" Dave said.

"No, we're doing Art I for beginners." Kyle corrected.

Dave scrunched up his face. "No thanks. I don't want to play with paints and crayons. I rather do it on the computer."

"But this would be more fun." Kyle said.

"If by more fun, then you mean more work." Dave corrected. "I heard digital arts is way more easygoing. Plus, real life skills."

"That's enough." Mr. Atkins cut into the argument. "You guys don't always have to take the same classes. It's okay to pick what you actually want to do." He glanced towards me and Noah. "You guys as well. Pick your own interests."

"Cooking." Noah declared.

I looked at him and nodded. I was okay with cooking.

Mr. Atkins sighed, but didn't say anymore on the subject.

The conversation drifted to how Kyle was going to try to fix his hair tonight. Apparently he also bought a color corrector that should help him, but we'll see.

After dinner, everyone helped with cleaning up before we all split up again. Noah and I went to our room to prepare for showers after making sure all our homework was done. Zeke went on a run. And the twins were going to fix Kyle's hair. Even their parents had work to do before getting ready for bed.

I pulled out my phone and sent Jeremy a text, stating that I watched his game with Noah and Zeke. He did well. Congrats on the win.

I paused. I wanted to tell him about my adoption, but...it was a little awkward to bring up. Especially over text. Especially when Minnesota was three hours ahead so he should already be asleep. I sighed, shook my head to clear my thoughts, and pressed send on what I had originally planned to say.

As expected, I didn't get an immediate reply. I put my phone on the charger and left it alone.

"Did you just text Jeremy?" Noah asked, pulling his pajamas out.

I nodded. "Yea."

"What'd you say?"

I shrugged. "Nothing special. Just 'good job' on the game." I looked at Noah. "I wanted to tell him about the adoption, but..." I shrugged again. "I think it can wait."

"Yea." Noah agreed. "It's not really his business anyways. Plus, he should already know. He called Zeke your brother."

Right. That made me feel better. "I'll just tell him the next time I see him in person."

Noah nodded and went to take his shower. After twenty minutes he came back, and I went to take my own. I came back to the room with my pajamas on and found the twins inside, showing off Kyle's hair. It was...

"It's still pink!" Noah laughed with glee, pointing at the pale pink hair on Kyle's head.

Kyle ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "I'm going to get you back Noah. Somehow, some way."

Dave laughed along with Noah. "Just accept it Kyle. Like me! We can pull off pink hair. And at least it's a pale pink now. Much more cool, and less weird. A few more washes and it'll come out for good."

Kyle groaned.

I put my dirty clothes in the hamper and sat up on my bed. "I think it's okay."

Noah laughed. "It has Jake's stamp of approval. Just live with it. It'll definitely be gone by the time you guys leave for your first camp."

"If it isn't, I'll have to shave it off." Kyle declared. "I don't want coaches noticing me for pink hair and not for my pure skill."

"I think it can work in our favor." Dave shrugged, easygoing. "I wouldn't mind keeping it."

Kyle rolled his eyes and stormed out of the room. "Psycho!"

Dave laughed and followed him out.