547 V2 ch19 (1/2)

Once we got home, Mr. and Mrs. Atkins met us in the garage and hurried us inside, sending us straight to our rooms for bed. It was past midnight and we would have to wake up in a few hours for school.

”Mom, I have some pictures for you!” Noah handed his phone over, half asleep. We went upstairs together with his mom right behind us.

She swiped through the phone with a smile. ”Looks like you kids had a fun night.”

”Yea.” Noah yawned and climbed into bed.

Mrs. Atkins said. ”Oh? Jeremy even took some of these for you? How nice of him.” She glanced at me. ”Are you two doing okay? He's not picking on you or being rude?”

I almost laughed. Jeremy was worried I was being bullied by them. ”No. It's fine. He's fine.” I got into bed. ”Can he come over for dinner on Sunday night?”

”He doesn't have a game?” She frowned.

”It's a day game.” Noah explained. ”He said he can come over afterwards, but it might be a late dinner.”

She put Noah's phone on the charger. ”I'll speak with Dad about it.” She smiled at me. ”Go ahead and let him know in the morning that we would welcome him.” She headed for our bedroom door.

”Mom?” Noah sat up in bed, a little more awake.

”Yes?”

”Jake and I were talking...” I sat up too, knowing what was coming. I suddenly felt sick and scared. Noah shouldn't do this right now. What if I never get to sleep afterwards? ”After we officially adopt Jake, can he change his last name to ours?”

Mrs. Atkins froze then turned to me. ”Is that what you want Jake?”

I nodded stiffly.

”You don't have to if you don't want to.” She took a step back into the room. ”If Noah's suggestion isn't something you want to do-”

”I do!” I spoke up. Feeling shy, I gripped my comforter in both hands. ”I mean...if it's not too much trouble.”

Mrs. Atkins smiled. ”Okay. I see. I'll call George and let him know that we also want to submit a filing for name change. Jake Atkins. Sounds good.” She headed back for the door. ”Goodnight boys.”

”Night, Mom.” Noah said back, still sitting up. He then turned to me. ”Jake Atkins! You're going to be an Atkins boy too!” He was grinning.

I grinned back at him, relieved. ”Yea.” I laid back down and so did he. We should be asleep, but all I could think about was shedding the last name 'Hollander'. It was my mom's maiden name. I didn't have a problem with the way it sounded, but more with the memories it brought. It was almost as if, I could leave my mom behind if I got rid of this name. One less piece of her to tie me down.

Mrs. Atkins approval and support for my name change gave me a renewed sense of happiness. I even woke up happy with the few hours of sleep I got.

Noah was groggy with the lack of sleep, but once he saw my smile, he caught on. He grinned. ”Ready for school, Jake Atkins?”

”You two look so energetic this morning...” Dave noted, mumbling and looking like he was ready to go back to bed.

Noah grinned. ”It's the weekend! And...” He paused for dramatic effect, which only worked on the twins. He only continued after Dave threw a crumpled napkin at him. ”Mom said Jake can change his last name to be the same as ours.”

He waved a hand my way and I smiled proudly.

”Nice!” Dave seemed to wake up a little bit. He raised his hand. ”Five Atkins boys. That has a good ring to it.”

”It's not like four sounded bad.” Kyle pointed out, putting a damper on our excitement.

”What's your problem?” Noah got up from the table.

Kyle glanced up from his plate. ”Nothing. I'm just saying.” He shrugged and went back to eating.

Noah clenched his fists like he wanted to literally fight Kyle.

”Take a seat, Noah.” Mr. Atkins instructed. He then turned to Kyle. ”Kyle, I hope you can see how your words sounded to Noah, Jake, and the rest of us. Do you have something else to add?”

Kyle looked up again, making eye contact with me. I saw a flash of guilt. ”I didn't mean it in a bad way. I was just saying, we-” He completely stopped under the glare of his dad. ”Jake, I'm happy that you want our last name.”