552 V2 ch24 (2/2)

Zeke grinned. ”Nope. I'm ready.”

I blinked. ”What are you going to do?”

Zeke sat back down. ”The first step to pulling off any prank is keeping it a surprise.”

”Oh.” I guess that makes sense. The twins didn't tell Noah and I about what they were doing to Zeke. ”Are you going to need our help?”

Zeke shook his head. ”Nope. Just watch and laugh. That'll be good enough.”

”Okay.” With nothing else to say, I started to look around. As it Friday afternoon transition to Friday night, the mall was becoming even busier and the crowds were more tightly compact.

I started to feel a little nervous with so many people around.

”Jake.” Zeke said, getting my attention.

I looked at him. ”Yea?”

”Don't focus on them. Focus on yourself. Focus on me.” He looked me in the eyes. ”Is there anything you want to talk about?”

I felt awkward being called out before an anxiety attack kicked in, but I was also thankful. I put my hands together and shrugged. ”I don't know what to talk about...”

”How do you feel about Kyle?” He asked.

I sat up a little straighter. ”I'm not mad at him.”

He gave a light smile. ”You're never truly mad. I didn't ask how you didn't feel though, I asked how you felt.”

I shrugged. ”I feel a little guilty. He sometimes makes me feel uncomfortable...”

Zeke nodded.

I looked around to make sure Dave and Noah wasn't back yet before speaking up. ”I heard him talk to you on the ride home from the game last night. I kind of understand his anxiousness.”

”He doesn't hate you.” Zeke told me out of the blue.

”I know.” I answered with a smile. ”I know what hate feels like. Plus, Kyle is a nice guy. He...he's just going through some uncertainty..?” I offered up.

Zeke replied. ”Yea, that's a good way to put it. He's unsure of himself and is lashing out. That kid...” He shook his head, dismayed. ”Even though him and Dave are twins, they're the opposite when it comes to how they handle their emotions.”

I nodded in agreement. When Dave was going through his injuries, he internalized everything. He became serious and focused, almost like a robot.

”They're back.” Zeke looked past me and stood up again.

I followed suit.

Dave and Noah were walking back, both laughing at something one of them had said.

Dave was the first to speak when they reached us. ”Hear me out guys...why don't we four prank Kyle together? There are no rules that say I can't prank him even though it's my birthday too.”

”He wants to be our inside man.” Noah explained.

”What do you have in mind?” Zeke didn't turn him down.

Dave threw out a bunch of random ideas, some of which were really childish while others sounded kind of mean. We spent more time throwing around ideas as we headed to the crowded food court for dinner. Dave didn't slow down in the slightest, very intent on pranking his own twin. Maybe he was hoping that if he shifted our attention to Kyle, he might be left off the hook. Unfortunately for him, both Zeke and Noah already had something planned.