Chapter 458 - Gossip (1/2)

'Focus on something else.'

Yea, okay, easier said than done Dr. Moore. I cursed him internally as I walked to my seat in class.

After the small hearing in court, Mrs. Atkins really made me go to school. They signed me in, excusing my tardiness, then made me go to my class. It was the middle of Biology so as soon as I walked through the doors, all eyes were on me. And when they realized who I was, the whispers started.

”Settle down, class is still in session.” Our teacher said, taking my tardy note. ”Take a seat, Jake. Noah had already turned in your homework for you. Right now we've started chapter 24.”

I nodded and scurried to my seat, keeping my head down. Ignore, ignore, ignore.

”Hey, how'd it go?” Noah asked.

I gave him a thumbs up, causing him to grin.

We didn't say anything more about it as the teacher restarted the lesson.

After class I wanted to share the good news with Noah about playing baseball together and being able to stay in his parents house, but oddly, our classmates started to crowd us after the bell.

”Jake! Is Jeremy Patterson really your brother?”

”Is that why you're so good at baseball?”

”Have you heard from him yet?”

”No way, I heard he doesn't want anything to do with Jake. That's why it's all in the news to begin with.”

”Do you think you can get us an autograph at least?”

”HEY!” Noah screamed. Everyone quieted down. ”Leave Jake alone you guys. He's staying with me and my family. I'm his brother. Kyle, Dave, and Zeke are his brothers.” He grinned. ”I can sign autographs if you want! You'll have to hold onto them for a few years though.”

”Psh. Show off.” Someone rebutted. A lot of the students around us started to laugh.

More students filled up the classroom, trying to get to their seats for the next lesson. Noah grabbed me by my backpack and started to push me through the crowd, hurrying to our next class. A similar commotion happened once we arrived. They saw me and started to whisper.

”If I can have your attention please!” Noah hollered after we got to our seats. He stood up on his chair. ”Listen up. Yes, Jake is here. No, he won't be answering your questions.”

”Why not?” Someone called out.

”Because he almost died!” Noah said dramatically. Yet...it worked. The class got quiet and some even averted their gazes from me. ”Have some respect and give him space, alright?” Some mumbled and whispered to one another, but at least they weren't hounding me anymore.

”Nicely said, Mr. Atkins.” The Spanish teacher clapped his hands at the front of the room. ”Now if you don't mind, please show some respect to the class belongings and step off the chair. I know your parents will be extremely upset if the school sends them a bill for a broken chair.”

Noah jumped off it and sat properly. ”Sorry, Mr. Juell. I was just making a class announcement.”