529 V2 ch1 (1/2)
The banquet last long into the night, filled with laughter and pictures. Mrs. Atkins wanted senior shots with Zeke and the others. Then everyone together. The juniors together with the twins. Just me and Noah. It became like a photo shoot that only came to a halt because it was closing time.
When we got home, Mrs. Atkins took everyone's awards to the living room. Mine included. She started to reorganize the wall even though it was nearing midnight.
Eveyone started to go their own way, with my way being bed. I grabbed my pajamas and changed in the bathroom. I came back to the room and saw that Noah was already dressed in his pajamas.
”So...” Noah looked at me with raised eyebrows.
”So what?” I asked, frowning. I piled my dirty clothes in our basket and crawled into bed.
Noah picked up my new cellphone. ”Are you going to text him?”
”Who-oh.” I sat up. ”I mean...I forgot to take a picture with it all...” It was too late to go downstairs and do it now. I didn't want to ruin Mrs. Atkins work or arranging the awards.
”I have some that you can send to him.” Noah pulled out his phone and started to send some pictures that were taken. He proceeded to show me how to save all the pictures to my phone album so I could keep them too. Then he picked out one that had me holding all my awards, smiling, but looking slightly awkward. ”This is a good one. You can clearly see what each award is for.”
I followed his instructions on how to send the photo. After it sent, something came to mind. ”What if he doesn't reply?”
”Then he's still a jerk.” Noah said solemnly.
My phone buzzed with a notification.
”Looks like he's still trying not to be a jerk.” Noah showed me his reply. ”'Congratulations! I'm happy for you.'”
I smiled.
Noah handed me my phone and I put it on the charger near the bed. ”Tonight was amazing.”
”Yea...” I agreed. I felt like we've been riding high on the playoff wins for weeks now. All the way until championship. And now the awards.
”You know what this means for next season?” Noah asked. He got into his own bed after turning out the lights.
”No. What?”
”It means we'll be the returning champs. Not just league champions, but CIF champions. All the schools will want to beat us.”
”Isn't it normal to want to beat any opponent?” I yawned.
”Just wait. You'll see. You'll feel the difference next year.” Noah told me.
He wanted to talk more about baseball and what was to come, but I was too exhausted. I passed out within seconds of getting comfortable under my blanket.
***
Mr. Atkins and Zeke were already at the table when Noah and I came down, still in our pajamas. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins were dressed nicely so they must have some work to do outside of the house. Zeke was only in workout clothes, hinting at what he might be doing today.
”Are you going to The Cages today?” Noah asked Zeke, piling food on his plate while standing up.
I sat down and grabbed what was closest to me, including the scrambled eggs and a bagel.
”I was planning on going for a jog and then lifting some weights.” Zeke answered. ”Why? Did you guys want to go there?”
Noah nodded. ”We always want to go there.” He finally sat down with a large plate of food. ”We can't wait until your done with your workout, if you want us to.”