263 Collecting the Winnings 2 (1/2)

Collect our winnings? I didn't understand. And Noah wouldn't give me any hints after dropping that bomb. He just told me to be patient and wait for lunch time.

Throughout the day, between every class, Noah was diligent in making sure I tried one of my snacks. Mrs. Atkins was very thoughtful and made sure they were small in size and quick to eat, so I was able to finish one every time we switched classes. There was nothing that I was unsatisfied with. It's weird that they were concern that I might not like something, but I'm not a picky eater...I couldn't be picky growing up. I ate what I could.

My old elementary school had something called a 'share table' during lunch, where kids would put their unwanted food for someone else to have. That was the only way I could have lunch so I took whatever was available. Now I have someone catering to me. It was such a turnaround that I couldn't really accept it.

At lunch, I started to get nervous as we walked to our usual bench outside. Today was cold, yet the sun was out making it nice and bright. We sat down and started to open up our lunches. We didn't even start eating when his brothers showed up with part of the team.

”Math?” Dave asked, sitting next to me.

”At least let him eat first.” Kyle rolled his eyes, sitting next to Noah on the other side of the bench.

Zeke sat at the other table with the seniors, as more of the team started to show up.

As I pulled out my math homework and handed it over to the twins, I raised an eyebrow at Noah. This is the surprise? But what does this have to do with collecting winnings? Is he planning to blackmail the twins so soon?

Noah grinned. Then he lifted his head a little up, gesturing for me to look behind me. I slowly turned and a familiar group of girls were heading our way. I tensed up. The softball team. They didn't look as intimidating as when they were in their uniforms, but they still carried the same aura of arrogance as they marched over.

”Finally.” Kyle spoke extra loud as soon as they got close enough. ”I thought you girls were backing out.”

Marie glared at him. She walked straight up to our table and slammed down a plastic container in the center. I jumped, knocking a little into Dave.

Dave frowned at his math sheet that he was trying to copy. He erased his wayward writing and fixed it to make sure it was right. Then he looked up at Marie. ”Is there a reason to be so aggressive? You're frightening Jake.” I blinked in surprise. In yesterday's confrontation with Marie, Dave stayed silent the whole time as if he had nothing to do with her.

Marie flipped her hair over her shoulder. ”Not my problem. Here's the goods.” She looked back to her team and waved them over. Soon, all of them were placing plastic containers on all the available table space. ”That's enough right?”

”I don't know, let's ask the stars of yesterday's game.” Kyle looked to Dave and me. ”Satisfied?”

Dave opened the container Marie placed at the center. He reached in and pulled out a cookie. He waved it around. ”Smells good.” He acted as if he was going to take a bite and then handed it to Marie. ”You first.”

Marie rolled her eyes. ”What? You think I poisoned it?”

”I wouldn't put it pass you.” Dave laughed. ”But I'm more concerned about you adding laxatives or something else. At least this way, we'll both be sick together.”

A laxative? Can you add that to cookies? I gave the container a wary look.