7 Noah (1/2)

I rolled my eyes. How can you be the best when you were the only brother not invited to that camp?

Noah narrowed his eyes, no doubt not liking my attitude towards his claim. ”You don't believe me?”

I stepped out the room and pointed at his brothers room.

He stepped out as well to see what I was pointing at. He looked back at me, ”You think my brothers are better than me?”

I nodded. Obviously.

He crossed his noodle arms over his chest. ”Okay, fine. So I'm not the best. But, I'll have you know, I'm the best freshman. Even my brothers didn't make the varsity team as freshmen. That's a fact.”

I looked at him curiously. Could he be better than me?

”What? Are you still doubting me?” He stood a little taller.

I shook my head, no. I'm sure he's better than average with this attitude. Noah looks to be a pretty straightforward kid.

He smiled at my submission and threw an arm around my shoulders, dragging me back to our room. ”You're a smart kid, Jake. I like you. Let's finish mom's cookies and then I'll show you around the neighborhood. There's a park down the street where we can throw the ball.”

He pulled the cookie plate off his bed and sat on the floor. He gestured for me to sit on the other side of the plate. ”You haven't tried them yet. Come on, grab one.”

I did what I was told and took a cookie. It looked to be chocolate chip. I don't think my mom ever set a foot in the kitchen, let alone baked homemade cookies. I ate the cookie slowly, savoring every bite. So good. It was soft and melted in my mouth.