With the five of us reunited, the parents decided it was ti for lunch before we headed to the university. The outdoor mall had an assortnt of restaurants to choose from. We settled on a family diner and had hamburgers with fries.
On our way to the university, Dave asked a question that even I wanted an answer to. "Why did Zeke not want us there for lunch?"
"So he could bond with the team?" Noah shrugged.
"More like, so we wouldn’t embarrass him." Kyle muttered. "He’s obviously ashad that his family followed him for a college visit."
"What’s there to be embarrassed about?" Dave shot back. "We’re baseball players too. He should have let us joined him."
"He probably didn’t want us to distract him." Mrs. Atkins tried to soothe her boys. "This is an important life decision that needs to be scrutinized closely. You boys would take away the college atmosphere. Not because you’re immature, but because Zeke is older."
Um. Isn’t that the sa thing? The other boys seem to have the similar thoughts as , yet no one dared to correct Mrs. Atkins.
Mr. Atkins smiled at us, using the rear view mirror. "I’m sure Zeke just didn’t want us hovering. It’s good to be on your own sotis." He found a visitors parking spot and pulled the car in. "Okay, I shouldn’t have to remind you boys, but be on your best behavior. No fighting. No running around and causing trouble. No gambling of any sort."
I think the last line was specifically for Noah. I grinned at him and he nudged away.
Mr. Atkins turned off the car and we started to pile out. Him and his wife led the way through the parking lot and onto the actual campus. The school reminded of a garden or a nature preserve with all its flowers, trees, and bushes everywhere. There was a mix of historic buildings and modern complexes scattered to my left and right. Students walked around, rode bicycles and skateboarded throughout the school as we walked to the main offices.
"What a nice place!" Dave looked around, excited.
"Right?! I can’t wait to go to college and be free." Kyle sighed.
"Be free? Excuse ." Mrs. Atkins looked back at her twins. "I’ll have you two know, that I’ll be expecting daily updates when you go to college. If not, I’ll visit every weekend."
Noah laughed. "That’s if they can even get to college, Mom."
"Little rascal!" Dave was the closest and quickest twin to react, pulling Noah into a headlock. "I’ll definitely get into a college with my baseball skills."
"Yea, a community college." Noah snorted.
We ended up stopping in the middle of the walkway as Dave and Noah continued to ss around. Noah was able to tickle Dave under the arm, making him release his grip on Noah. Then it beca a cat and mouse ga as they ran around, Dave trying to catch Noah. They weaved through the crowd, ran around bushes and sprinted across the nice green lawn.
Kyle made a sneak attack and was able to catch Noah off guard. He held him up, rciless, and Dave started his attack. Of tickles.
"They’re so lively." A loud voice said from behind , making jump. "Are you sure you’re related?"
I didn’t waste any ti getting out of the way, standing behind Mr. Atkins.
"I like to think I’m adopted." A familiar voice replied, deadpanned. Zeke! I peeked and saw him standing next to a big-bellied man as tall as Zeke.
The big-bellied man laughed, shaking with his whole body, reminding of a Santa Claus. Minus the beard and white hair. But he was definitely red in the face. The maroon-red shirt didn’t help his complexion any. "It’s good to see children so lively. These must be your parents! Hello, I’m Leroy Fairynaz. The head coach of the baseball team."
Mrs. Atkins stepped up and shook his hand. "Hello, I’m Mary and this is Wayne, my husband. We’ve heard a lot about you and your program."
anwhile, Mr. Atkins faced the trio of troublemakers. "Boys! Co!" Mr. Atkins sounded like a dog owner, disciplining his pups, making smile.
The twins stood on either side of their mom, while Noah approached , where I stood behind his dad. "Why does it look like you’re hiding?"
I nervously put my hands together and tapped my thumbs. "I was startled. But, only for a minute. Zeke’s Coach was loud and it was sudden-"
"Okay, okay. No need to go any further." He tugged from out behind his dad. "Your minute is up. Ti to face him." We stood in front of his dad, who gave a reassuring smile.
Mrs. Atkins just finished introducing the twins and moved on to us. "And these are my youngest boys, Noah and Jake. They’re both freshn in high school." She rambled on how we were also part of the varsity team at school, but I zoned out.
’My youngest boys.’ Noah and . and Noah. I’m one of her youngest boys? She claid as one of her own. Even if mothers and won near my own moms age made scared, Mrs. Atkins wasn’t really one of them anymore. Ever since she picked up from the police station, I’ve stopped being so on edge around her. Last week at the tournant, we even stood together and shared so words.
The question is...what would I call her? My foster mom? That’d be a weird way to introduce soone. Plus, it would put in awkward position to explain where my original parents were.
A nudge on my right drew out of my thoughts. Noah eyed and whispered, "Sounds like that Coach is going to take Mom, Dad, and Zeke to the etings now. Are you sure you’re okay?"
I nodded, feeling good. I even gave him a thumbs up.
"First up, we’ll sit down with the financial aid director and the dean of student life." The coach said, still loud, but it hardly bothered now.
Mrs. Atkins looked at the four of us. "Maybe one of us should supervise them?"
"Mommm." Kyle groaned.
"We’re not kids anymore." Dave huffed.
"Correct if I’m wrong, but you three were just running around without a care." She shook his head. "I think it’s best if I stay with you while your dad goes with Zeke."
"Oh, this is an easy fix." Coach Leroy cut in, hands on his belly. "I’ll text a few of those boys to co on over. They can do a tour of their own. Maybe even go to the fields."
"Yes!" Noah exclaid.
"Perfect!" Dave fist pumped.
"Bye, Mom!" Kyle pushed her and Mr. Atkins closer to Zeke.
Mrs. Atkins looked unsure.
"There." Coach Leroy held up his phone. "Already sent the text. A couple of them will be here in no ti." So decisive! He didn’t even let Mrs. Atkins make the decision. "Let’s head to the offices before we’re late. I really want to go over so numbers with you both regarding financial aid." He spoke with Mr. Atkins as he led the way to one of the big buildings.
Mrs. Atkins gave us a tight smile. "Okay, be good for reals this ti. He said a few minutes so don’t go anywhere. Just wait for so of the players to find you." She followed her husband and the Stanford coach.
Zeke lingered for a mont, eyeing each and everyone of us. "Try not to embarrass yourselves too much. It’ll reflect poorly on ." And with that, he turned and hurried alto catch up to his parents.
My jaw dropped. They just left us. Without even a second glance. "Shouldn’t they at least wait until a player gets here? What if they can’t recognize us?"
Kyle laughed. "We’re four high schoolers surrounded by young adults...trust ...we stick out. They’ll have no problem seeing us."
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