550 V2 ch22 (1/2)

Dave spent most of math trying to get something out of me. But I really didn't know, so all I could do was shake my head. In my next class with Noah, I told him how Kyle didn't come to school today and how Dave was already on edge for his birthday.

Noah grinned. ”Dave's on edge?” He laughed. ”It's going to be a tough weekend on him.”

”Are we going to do something this weekend?” I asked.

”To him? Nah. We've got to wait for his actual birthday.” Noah told me. ”It's not special if you just do it any day. I really wonder what Zeke has come up with.”

”Should we come up with something by ourselves?”

”We could.” He thought about it. ”It'd be wrong to make Zeke do all the work. What should we do..?” Noah spent most of the class brainstorming, not paying attention at all.

After school ended, Noah had a giant evil grin on his face. He thought of something. He refused to say since we were heading to the car to go home, and didn't want to accidentally give it away if Dave snuck up on us.

Zeke was already waiting in the car as we got in the back with our backpacks.

”Zeke, can we go to the mall tonight?” Noah asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

”Why do you need to go to the mall?” Dave asked from behind us, crawling out of the very back row, scaring the crap out of us.

I put my hand to my chest, feeling like my heart my break out of my chest.

”God! What is wrong with you!?” Noah smacked him as Dave climbed his way to the front passenger seat.

Dave laughed. ”I caught you red handed. You think you can go to the mall without me? I'll be sticking to you guys like glue all weekend.”

”I wasn't going to the mall because of you.” Noah rolled his eyes.

”Really? Then why do you need to go to the mall? You almost never go there. You spend your days watching baseball, thinking about baseball, and playing baseball at the cages.” Dave squinted at home. ”And it just so happens that you want to go to the mall right before my birthday? Ha. I'm not dumb.”

I laughed a little, finding Dave funny with his accusations.

”You!” He pointed star me. ”Don't think you're off the hook. Let me remind you, that you can expect the same treatment on your birthday.”

”We have another reason to go to the mall, okay?” Noah said.

”Oh yea? What for?” Dave asked, smirking.

Noah pursed his lips, probably thinking of a lie.

It was at this time that I remembered Alisha's request. She wanted a birthday gift. I pulled up my bag and opened it, looking for the invitation. Then I passed it to Dave. ”We were invited to Alisha's birthday party. We have to get a gift.”

Dave blinked in surprise. After all, we didn't mention the party before so he can't possibly know that we were invited a few days ago. ”Who's Alisha?”

”Hmm.” Dave looked it over. ”The party isn't until after school ends. You can get a gift next week weekend.”

Helpless, I kept quiet.

”Next weekend we have to prepare for softball.” Zeke spoke up for the first time. ”Now...can you buckle up so I can drive us home? I don't want to spend my Friday evening in the school parking lot listening to your paranoia.”

Dave twisted around, facing forward. He buckled up and so did we. With everyone settled, Zeke started the car and we headed home.

Dave tossed my invitation back. ”I still don't trust you guys. I'll be coming to the mall too.”