Ga two of the World Series, a few friends ca over again to watch. The happy atmosphere of having friends over died in the first inning as the Nationals took an early 3-0 lead. Then the A’s ca up empty-handed.
The guys all groaned and a few expletives were let loose.
It only got worse from there. The Nationals continued to score runs while the A’s couldn’t get any in. Near the end of the ga, Maberry hit a three run hor, but no on celebrated. How could we? The ga ended with the Nationals winning 12-3.
"That was a good ga..." Garret sighed. Everyone glared at him. "What? It was! For the Nationals anyways. Successful hitting and pitching. They scored runs when there were runners on the bases. Only one relief pitcher gave up runs. This is what a win should look like. They practically coasted and had fun." He grinned. "That’s what we look like most of the ti."
Bryce shrugged. "I think we have a few close gas though. Like counting on Jake here to win the championship."
Noah grinned and threw his arm around my shoulders. "Jake’s even stronger now. He’ll be able to carry us all the way back."
"If Jake is the new Zeke, who is the new Jake?" Dave mused.
"For the record, Jake had better numbers than Zeke." Kyle pointed out.
"Yea, but he couldn’t hit horuns then." Garret replied. "Now Jake is Zeke. I can’t be Jake. Although my hitting is good, it’s not very consistent." He looked to Noah. "You have to put more work in the cages before the season starts."
Noah started to flex. "Watch ! I’ll be getting on base all the ti!"
We joked and laughed with one another until the guys had to go back to their own hos. The A’s are now down two gas and have to travel tomorrow to Washington DC for three straight away gas.
Thursday morning, the whole school seed to be talking about the A’s big loss in ga two. I could feel a few extra stares directed my way. Occasionally I could hear Jeremy’s na in passing and knew that a lot of people probably weren’t saying anything good about him.
I sent him an extra text at lunch, wishing him a safe flight and reminded him that there was still ti to turn things around. Noah said I shouldn’t worry unless they lose ga three. If Noah still has faith, then so do I.
Friday morning, we packed up the car with our bags full of clothes. Our weekend trip starts here. Dad drove us to Stanford university first to pick up Zeke and Rhys, along with their baggage. Dave squeezed into the very back row with and Noah, then off to the airport we went.
Rhys’s parents declined going on the trip so it was just the eight of us. Which...is a lot. We were like a party moving throughout the busy airport and Mom was constantly doing headcounts.
I stuck close to Noah, feeling nervous. His constant comntary made feel less anxious and it took a lot of ti away as we waited at our gate for the plane. When it ca ti to board, Noah asked if I wanted the window, middle, or aisle seat.
I gulped, my breathing beca more sporadic. "I think...I’m having...a panic attack." I was getting dizzy and my body didn’t want to move.
Dad overheard and reached in two steps. He guided out of the line and helped sit back down in the waiting area. "Breathe, Jake. Take so deep breaths. In and out."
I tried to cooperate, but I felt like the whole family was watching . Making it more embarrassing. "They’re...staring."
Dad glanced back at the rest of the family. "Mary, why don’t you get the rest of them settled in their seats on the plane? Jake and I will take a minute."
"Can’t I stay?" Noah asked. "Jake?"
I gave a short nod and closed my eyes, trying to calm my heartrate down.
Mom must have taken the other four because I felt less eyes on . I didn’t want to be a baby, but I hate the looks. The stares. The uncertainty that I’m still not normal.
"Why don’t we talk this one out, Jake?" Dad prodded lightly.
I opened my eyes and peeked at him. He sat down right beside , casual. Like we weren’t in a hurry to board a plane that could soon be leaving without us.
"What’s making you anxious right now?" He asked. "Is it the strangers? Or the plane?"
"Both." I frowned. "The plane is full of strangers. So close. So tightly packed."
"I know it’s not easy, but try not to think too much about it." Dad said. "You can sit between and Noah the whole flight and just sleep. No one on this plane is going to hurt you. They’re going to be doing their own thing."
My brows furrowed.
"I have an idea!" Noah rummaged through his bag and pulled out headphones. "Here. We can plug this in your phone and just listen to so music to relax. Tune everyone out and keep your eyes shut." He held out his free hand. "Phone."
I pulled my phone out and handed it over.
He played with it and set up with a playlist to listen to. "Already set on airplane mode. Put it in your ears and let’s go."
I put the headphones on and was surrounded by music. Noah gave a thumbs up and then pulled to my feet. Dave closely followed as we got back in line. Our tickets were scanned and down the walkway we went. Noah led the way, and Dad stayed right behind , occasionally patting my shoulder for reassurance.
I kept my eyes on Noah’s back as we boarded the plane, trying to not pay attention to the strangers already in their seats. Noah stopped to put his bag in the overhead bin and then helped with mine. He slid into the window seat, I sat in the middle, then Dad in the aisle.
Noah waved his hand over my eyes, signaling to close them. I buckled the seat belt and sat back with my eyes closed. The music played the whole ti. I could feel the plane moving and then ca the roar of the engines as we prepared to take flight. I gripped the armrests on both sides of .
Dad covered my right hand with his own hand. So did Noah, almost as if he was copying his dad. I didn’t take a look, not even when the plane leveled out.
I didn’t think I would be able to fall asleep, but relaxing with my eyes closed and the music playing, I ended up being able to. It may have helped that Dad and Noah were patting the tops of my hands to soothe my nerves.
I only woke up when Noah pulled my headphones out. "Hey, Jake, we’re about to land."
"Did I have to be awake?" I asked, feeling groggy from sitting in an uncomfortable position for a long period of ti.
Noah looked beyond , to Dad.
Dad gave my arm a small pat. "I just want you to get used to flying. We still have to get back ho. Maybe exposing you to what it’s like will help. Plus, you were bound to wake up when we start the descent."
The two of them kept up a small conversation, talking about the flight and tonight’s ga. They successfully distracted until the plane touched the ground.
Reviews
All reviews (0)