The Hitting Zone

"Last night was fun!" Alisha greeted us cheerfully Wednesday morning. "It's too bad we can't play tomorrow."

Thursday evening was Zeke's graduation after all.

"There'll be plenty of games these next few weeks." Noah responded with a smile. "Plus, we can practice any time you want."

"In the afternoon." I added.

Noah nodded. "Right. In the afternoon."

Alisha raised an eyebrow. "Why in the afternoon? You guys plan sleeping in all summer?"

Noah chuckled. "I wish. Nah, we're going to take a Spanish class over the summer. Zeke is taking online classes too."

Alisha blinked in surprise. "Wow. I didn't know you liked school so much."

"I don't mind it." Noah shrugged. He looked to me. "Right, Jake?"

I nodded. It could be worse.

Noah grinned up at Alisha. "Do you want to join? It starts Monday."

Alisha hesitated, looking indecisive. In the end, she said, "No thanks. I like hanging out with you guys, but I'm not going to force myself to take summer classes."

Noah laughed. "Didn't think you would. It's not fun hanging out in class anyways. We can just hangout together afterwards. Weren't you and Kaylee talking about lazing around together? Invite me and Jake too!"

"Sure thing!" Alisha grinned, happy once again.

...somehow...I felt like...extra luggage...

The teacher came in and class started. Since we already took our finals for English, she gave us free time to study for our other finals today. Noah and I had to take Biology and Health. One more difficult than the other. Biology just had a lot of information and memorization. Health was just some multiple choice questions off some reading. Easy.

The final school bell rung and kids started to spill in the hallways, rushing for their cars, the bus, or however they get home. School is out.

"Summer vacation!" Noah grinned as we joined the twins near the car.

"Freedom!!" Dave cheered. "Man, I don't even know what I'm going to do with all this free time now."

"Train." Kyle said.

Dave shoved him lightly. "I know that. I just mean in our free time."

"Go to a few A's games..?" I offered, remembering Jeremy's offer.

Dave pointed at me. "Yes! Jake has the right idea!"

Noah grinned, throwing an arm around me. "We'll be sure to send you pictures of us having fun."

Dave lost his smile. "What?! You guys would go without us??"

"Yea, we'll go without you." Noah grinned, ruthless.

"We can try and do some when you guys are back." Zeke offered, showing up in time to stop a would-be fight between Noah and Dave.

I nodded in agreement. "Jeremy said whenever is convenient. So if there's a home game and you guys are here, we can tell him."

"Thanks Jake!" Dave pulled me out of Noah's grasp. "I knew I liked you more than Noah since day one."

"That's because he doesn't call you out on your shit." Noah scoffed.

"Are you guys getting in or not?" Zeke asked, rolling down the windows.

With his prompting, we all got in. Kyle took the front passenger seat, while Noah sat in the middle seat between me and Dave. Zeke put the car in drive and started to navigate through the school parking lot.

"Are you feeling sad yet, Zeke?" Dave asked, leaning forward.

"No." Zeke answered. "It's just another step."

"You're not going to miss this at all?" Dave pestered. "This will be the last time you drive us home together. How are you not sad?"

"Because I've been driving you guys since day one of getting a permit to drive." Zeke cracked a smile. "Plus, I doubt I'll stop anytime soon. It's just the destination that has changed."

"Speaking of destination..." Kyle looked out the window. "Why aren't we going home?"

Zeke kept his eyes on the road. "I thought I would treat my little brothers to some ice cream for our last day of school together."

"YES!!" Noah pumped his fists.

"Awe, so you are going to miss us." Dave poked Zeke repeatedly.

"Where are we going?" Kyle asked.

"Yogurtland." Zeke told him while swatting Dave's fingers away from him.

"Why not Baskins-Robbins??" Noah asked. "Yogurtland isn't real ice cream."

"It's cheaper. Somewhat healthier. And it's closer." Zeke replied.

"You can pick all the toppings you want." Dave nudged Noah. "Stop being so picky."

"I'm going to get the biggest cup!" Noah declared.

Zeke flashed a small smile. "Whatever you guys want. It's a celebration."

Yogurtland was in a small shopping center where Mrs. Atkins usually went for groceries. We all piled out of the car and went into the building. It was packed with students our age and younger, plus some parents here and there. The twins knew the most, talking with them and trading pleasantries.

Noah didn't pay any mind to those around us. He just got in line and started to explain to me how we have to fill up our own cups with frozen yogurt and then toppings.

Noah didn't hold back at all, grabbing the biggest cup available and filling it up to a giant tower of sugar. He mixed the flavored yogurt and grabbed a little of every candy available, turning his nose up at the fruit options. "This is a treat, Jake! Don't waste it on the healthy stuff that Mom buys normally. C'mon. When will Zeke let us eat so much junk food again?"

He had a point. I went with chocolate, adding in some chocolate candy on top. Dave did the same, but almost twice as much. Kyle was more organized, picking a little of each. Zeke was boring, picking plain vanilla with strawberries on top. He paid for all five cups and then led us outside to eat.

Dave and Noah challenged each other on who would finish first, while Kyle was talking to Zeke about the plan for tomorrow's graduation. It was comforting to see them all like this. These boys wouldn't change just because Zeke was going elsewhere. There's no doubt in my mind that they would still act like this next year.

"Hey, hey, who do you think will be captain next year, Zeke?" Dave asked, interrupting them.

Kyle snorted. "Me, of course."

"Why you?" Noah asked, making a face. "You would be the worst with all those mood swings you have. I think I could do a better job."

"It's up to Coach." Zeke said.

"He'll probably pick Garret." Noah said. Dave nodded in agreement. Even Kyle wasn't upset about the choice.

"Who knows?" Zeke replied. "Garret already has a lot on his shoulders between batting and pitching. It's not about picking the best player as captain. What you need is someone who is mentally tough."

"You're out." Noah laughed at Kyle.

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Whatever. My goal is to be the best pitcher. Not a captain."

"I actually don't think any pitcher should be a captain." Dave said, shrugging. "We're selfish by nature. Plus if we do poorly on the mound, who's going to calm us down?"

"Me!" Noah claimed. "I don't mind telling you guys how bad you're doing."

"Brat!" Dave threw a wadded up napkin at him.

"Coach will probably decide in the fall after seeing who takes charge." Zeke said. "There are a lot of qualities to look for in a captain. And, every captain is different. It's a matter of what fits the team at the moment." He flashed a smirk. "I was a perfect fit because only I could handle you kids and keep you in line."

"Bully!" Noah pointed at Zeke and laughed.

"What will we do next year without you, then..?" I asked.

The boys got quiet.

Zeke smiled. "You grow up."