Chapter 460 - CIF Quarterfinal Northwood HS (1) (1/2)
Because the game was at a neutral location between two schools, who weren't too close to one another, we only had to stay at school for a half day. We packed up the bus and left at lunch time with instructions to eat on the bus...there would be plenty of time. It was a two hour drive to the neutral site.
With it being a CIF game, only the varsity team would get to travel, so we had the bus to ourselves. We each got our own row to spread out and get comfortable for a long drive.
”Will your parents still come to the game?” I asked Noah as I looked over the homemade meal Mrs. Atkins had packed for me.
”Yep! Of course! It's the playoffs!” Noah started eating from his own seat across the aisle.
”Don't say it like that.” Julian leaned over his seat in front of Noah's. He reached over to flick him on the ear, making Noah flinch away. ”Not everyone's parents can make the trip regardless what kind of game it is.”
”You know my parents..they don't miss a game, especially if it's playoffs.” Noah rubbed his ear, looking defensive. ”I didn't mean to imply anything else.”
”Just because you didn't mean it, doesn't mean it didn't hurt any less.” Julian lectured.
”Is-is your parents not coming..?” I asked, scared her might get mad at me.
”No, too long of a drive.” Julian replied. ”They said if we make it to the finals, they would take a day off from work.”
”Wow.” Noah said. ”They must really believe in us.”
Julian cracked a smile. ”Kind of. In their eyes, we've only lost once so what's the chances of us losing again?”
Noah's face twitched. ”Oh.”
Julian laughed. ”Don't look so sorry for me. They let me play and that's good enough. If they can make it for my last game, that would be special enough.”
”Are you playing college ball?” Noah asked. ”What schools have you gotten into again? Have you committed?”
Julian grinned. ”I'm not going anywhere just yet. Local community college for two years first.”
”What? Why!” Noah looked surprised.
”Money.” Julian shrugged. ”It's cheaper to go to a community college for the first two years. I don't want to drown in loans.”
”What about getting a baseball scholarship?”
Julian shook his head. ”Not everyone is like Zeke, earning a full ride to wherever he wants. Even if I earned a 50% ride, I would still have to take out loans, plus room and board, it adds up.”
”Don't listen to him.” Mahki called out, a few seats in front of us. ”Julian is just a baby and doesn't want to take chances.”
Julian glanced at him, not feeling shy under all the looks coming his way. ”There's nothing wrong with a community college.”
”A big school would be cool to go to though!” Bryce chimed in. ”I want to go to a SEC [1] school!”
”You'd have to be a star just to make the cut.” James snorted. ”Those big schools don't care about your future. They only use you to make a profit.”
”Well, can't we use them instead?” Brian asked. ”Like get a small piece of baseball scholarship, a partial academic scholarship and then some private scholarships to cover the rest. Then use their state of the art facilities to train and become a better player to have a chance at the pros.”
”You can lose your scholarship if you don't listen and follow their demands though.” Troy spoke up. ”Better to be a big fish in a small pond, than a small fish lost in the ocean.”
”Would Zeke be considered a shark in a puddle then?” Garret joked, making the guys laugh. ”No, seriously. Zeke could have gone to a top ten school and picked a somewhat local big school instead.”
Some of the guys turned their heads to the front of the bus where Zeke sat. He glanced back, then actually joined in the conversation. ”I picked what was best for me. Where I can see myself succeeding. My dad told me this before, don't make a life decision based off of money. Good or bad. Education or jobwise. There's plenty of time in the future to make sacrifices; do what you want now.”