Chapter 458 - Gossip (2/2)

”If you can say it again, but in Spanish this time, I won't hand out punishment.” He raised an eyebrow.

Noah blinked. Blinked again. His cheeks got some color in them as he scratched his nose. ”Well...I've already forgotten what I've said. Sorry?”

Our teacher shook his head. ”I hope you put more effort in learning the language, Noah.” His eyes shifted around the room. ”As for the rest of you, this is class time now. If I hear something unrelated to what I'm teaching, then I'll start handing out detention slips. Save the gossip for your lunch break. Now, let's begin.”

Between the teacher and Noah, the class almost felt normal. I felt the occasional side glances, but like Dr. Moore said, ignore it. Treat it like a game. They're just watching my performance.

For lunch, Noah decided it'd be best to hide out in the library and avoid the other students. We didn't even sit out in the open where the computers were or at an empty table. He took me down a row of books, stopped in the middle of the aisle, and sat down on the carpet. I crossed my legs and sat opposite of him.

”So what happened?” Noah asked. ”Give me a run down.” He started to poke around his bag, opening up his lunch and pulling out the bag of cookies.

I frowned. ”Are we allowed to eat in here?”

He shrugged. ”Probably not. I don't think anyone will check though.” He took a bite of the cookie and swallowed it in seconds. ”Sooo? I reckon it's good news since you came to school and everything. I was a bit nervous.”

I leaned back against the bookshelf. ”It wasn't so bad. Mr. Pickens did most of the talking. I'm allowed to stay with you all, and he's getting me a note to show others, saying I can play ball.”

”That's great!” He exclaimed.

I looked around to make sure his yelling wouldn't attract attention. ”I don't think you should be so loud in the library.”

”So are you going to practice today?” Noah asked, ignoring my quiet comment.

I nodded. ”I'll go, but your mom said not to play.” I held out my injured arm. ”It's getting itchy so it must be healing. I'll tell Drew and Coach, then play in the game tomorrow.”

”That's a relief.” Noah sighed. ”This game is a do or die, ya know. Just like those tournaments in the beginning of the season. If we lose, we're out.”

I gulped.

”C'mon Jake, backbone remember?” He laughed, eating his second cookie.

”It's kind of hard after Mr. Cameron said that we're facing a team that hasn't lost.” I muttered.

”We only have one.” He shrugged.

”Two.” I corrected.

”Tournaments don't count.” Noah countered. ”As long as Dave pitches well, we'll be on even ground.”

”If you say so.” I pulled out the baby carrot sticks out of my own lunch bag and started to eat.