644 V2 ch116 (1/2)

It only took us a little over an hour to get to Stanford. There wasn't any traffic on a Sunday night. As soon as we pulled up to the school, Noah sent a text to Mom saying that we had arrived.

The school wasn't as busy as the last time we were here, but it also wasn't as dead as I thought it would be. There were students walking across the campus on a Sunday night; most probably going back to their homes or something.

Zeke found a parking spot and we got out in time to see the sun setting over the campus. Noah was quick to snap a picture with his phone. Then we grabbed our bags and Zeke took the lead. We came across other teens, either alone or with their parents, all heading to the same dorm building.

The line was rather long, leaving us outside.

Zeke glanced down at us. ”You guys stay here and follow the line. I'll go in and see if I can meet with Coach Leroy.” He held both of his bags in on hand, over his shoulder, and headed for the door.

His movements grabbed the attention of those in line. He made it to the door, but was held up by those standing in the doorway.

”I think they're accusing him of cutting the line.” Noah told me as we watched from afar.

”Because he is.” The guy in front of us remarked. He spared a glance back us before snorting. ”Too good to stand in line? How naive.”

I immediately took a step back.

Noah did the opposite, taking a step forward. ”You know what? You're right. He is too good to stand in line. After all, he's already one of the players for Stanford.” Just as Noah had finished, we could see someone come out of the building and shook hands with Zeke. Then they went into the building together.

”He's one of the counselors for the camp?” The teen asked, sounding surprised. He turned back to give Noah his full attention.

Noah nodded. ”All current and former players of Stanford's baseball team act as camp counselors and coaches.”

”You guys showed up together? He's your brother?”

Noah nodded.

”So you got in through the backdoor?” The teen smirked.

Before Noah could lose his cool, someone commented from behind us. ”College camps are opened to anyone and everyone.” It was Rhys! He stood beside us and continued speaking. ”College camps are about getting exposure. There is no 'backdoor'.”

The teen in front of us snorted and faced forward.

”Don't mind him.” Rhys told us. He wrapped an arm around Noah's shoulders and pulled him back closer to me. ”How's the leg, Jake?”

”Good.” I did a few calf raises to prove it. ”No pain.”

”That's good.” He reaches out with his free hand to pat me on the head. ”I was worried you weren't going to be healthy in time for the camp.”

”Don't worry about him.” Noah told Rhys. ”Zeke made us run, workout, and play baseball yesterday. We are still sore.”

I nodded in agreement.

”That's not true!” Noah quickly explained what had happened during his birthday.