Update: they had a girl pitcher who threw faster than KJ. She crushed half our team with ease, earning plenty of strikeouts. Only Zeke, Julian, and I could even connect with her pitches. It definitely opened my eyes to how good softball pitchers could be. KJ tried her best, but we couldn't really compete when only me and the seniors were the only ones getting hits.
"That was brutal." Alisha sighed as we started to pack up after the game. We lost. "I don't know how you guys can play with such intensity." She slumped in her seat on the bench. "I'm wiped out."
"Do you still want to go to the cages this weekend?" Andy asked.
"What?! You guys are going to the cages??" Noah started to jump around. "Me too! I want to go!"
Alisha laughed. "I was going to invite everyone."
Sure...I looked away, my eyes drifting to Kaylee and KJ. KJ was bent over, resting her face in her hands as Kaylee was trying to talk to her. She must be feeling down on herself. I wanted to say something, but we weren't really close. If Kaylee couldn't cheer her up, then I doubt I could do any better.
I looked to Noah, thinking he would have an idea on what to do, but he was too absorbed talking to Alisha and Andy. My vision shifted to Mr. Miller. He was also a good option as a coach. Yet, he and Stu were engaged in a conversation, not minding the rest of us. Okay...Julian and Zeke then...my eyes wandered, trying to find the pair.
They were both talking to some members of the other team. The pitcher and another girl. Before I could point it out to the others, all four of them made their way back to our dugout.
I lightly kicked Noah's foot to get his attention. He paused to glance at me. I nodded to the four that were coming over. Andy and Alisha weren't oblivious to our unspoken conversation, they also looked to the four that were coming by.
Zeke stopped right in front of KJ, motioning for Kaylee to back up. She complied, making KJ look up in confusion. She found Zeke in front of her. "W-W-What?"
Ah. I wasn't the only one to stutter when anxious.
Zeke gestured to the opposing team's pitcher that followed him. "This is Cassie. She played college softball. Want to talk to her for a few minutes? We'll wait."
KJ nodded and stood up. "Yes!" She looked at Cassie. "Do you mind?"
Cassie shook her head. "I don't mind. I noticed that your pitching style is similar to how mine used to be. I wish I had someone give me advice when I was in high school too. Why don't you grab your glove and I'll show you some techniques that you can easily pick up."
"Yes!" KJ fumbled for her glove, and quickly followed the two girls out of the dugout.
Kaylee also chose to go out with them, but without her glove. She just went to listen and watch.
Stu and Mr. Miller exchanged pleasantries with Zeke and Julian before leaving in their cars. Zeke and Julian joined what was left of our team.
Julian looked at Andy. "Ready to head home?"
Andy frowned. "We aren't staying?"
Julian's lips twitched. "Why would we stay? To learn the mechanics of pitching a softball? Come on, it's dinner time and I'm hungry." He packed up his bag and motioned for Andy to follow.
Andy pursed his lips and grabbed his bag. He looked at Noah. "Let me know what time this weekend."
"Sure thing!" Noah grinned and waved as the pair left. He turned to Alisha. "Do you have to text your mom that we're running a little late?"
Alisha shook her head. "Nah, there's no definite time when these games end so there's no need." She looked up to Zeke. "Did you know those girls from the other team?"
Zeke glanced at her and gave a small shake of his head. "No."
"Then why did you ask her to talk to KJ? Actually, how did you convince her to talk to KJ? Are strangers so nice?" Noah asked, poking his brother.
Zeke swatted him away. "I just asked for her opinion. You could tell how good she was, right? Same here. So I simply went up to ask if she could give KJ some advice."
"Since when were you so kind?" Noah squinted at Zeke, almost as if he couldn't recognize him.
Zeke rolled his eyes.
We stayed for an extra 30 minutes, watching KJ talk to Cassie about pitching. For the most part though, Alisha and Noah spent the time making plans for the weekend. Noah was considerate of Zeke's online classes and told Alisha we couldn't do tomorrow. So Sunday we would meet her at the cages. Noah also sent a text message to Andy and Julian.
"Can I also get a ride on Sunday?" Alisha asked, peeking up at Zeke.
Zeke gave a nod.
Noah nodded more enthusiastically. "Sure! It's better to show up together."
KJ and Kaylee came back to the dugout to tell us that they were done. We all packed up and put the bags in the car. I sat in the very last row, the girls sat in the middle row, and Noah sat up front with Zeke.
"Zeke? Thanks." KJ said after hopping out of the car. She got her bag out of the trunk and ran up to her apartment building.
"Kaylee, don't forget to remind her about Sunday." Alisha said as we drove to the next stop.
Kaylee shook her head. "We won't be free on Sunday. My sister will be in town so we're going to do something together after church."
"Oh okay." Alisha was unaffected. She'd probably be happy if all of us didn't come except Noah.
"When do the twins get back?" Kaylee asked, looking at Noah.
Noah looked back at her. "Don't you mean Kyle?"
Kaylee laughed. "Yea, I do. So?"
Noah shrugged and looked up at Zeke.
"Late Wednesday night." Zeke answered.
Kaylee looked to Noah. "Try to schedule something for next Friday."
Alisha laughed. "Are you trying to set your sister up with Kyle again?"
Kaylee sighed. "It's not my idea. She's still in love with him. So set something up then and I can invite Marie."
"What if I throw a pool party next Friday?" Alisha offered. "The twins can bring Noah and Jake. Then there's me, you, KJ, and Marie. Four and four."
"I think Andy will want to join too though." Noah pointed out.
"Hmm. Who else can we invite then?" Alisha tapped her leg.
"Can I be uninvited?" I asked. That would make the numbers still even.
All three looked back to me.
"Party pooper."
"You don't have to go in the pool."
"Come on, it'll still be fun."
They all spoke at the same time.
I looked to Zeke for help.
"Kaylee, we're here." Zeke said in a timely manner, pulling into her driveway.
Kaylee glanced back at me. "Don't be such a wimp. We won't eat you. This is a smaller party. You'll know everyone this time."
I shrugged, uncommitted.
Kaylee got out, grabbed her bag, and waved as she walked up to her front door.
"Don't listen to her." Noah told me. "You aren't a party pooper. If you don't want to go, you don't have to. Maybe we can do something else."
Alisha's smile started to waver.
"Or," I cleared my throat. "I can stay home with Zeke. You don't have to bring me everywhere you go."
"We can talk about it more when the twins get home. They might not want to go either." Zeke pointed out. He drove a couple streets over and dropped off Alisha. "We've got a whole week until then."
"Right." Alisha nodded. She gathered her stuff and got out of the car. "Thanks for the ride. Bye!" She walked up her driveway.
"Jake has his own interests, Noah." Zeke said. "He obviously doesn't feel comfortable around pools. You shouldn't be pushing him."
"Hey! Kaylee was more pushy than I was!" Noah frowned.
"I didn't say she wasn't." Zeke told him. "I'm just saying, put yourself in Jake's shoes for a second. He's self-conscious as it is."
"I also can't swim." I pointed out, reminding them that my scars aren't the only reason I don't want to be near the water.
"Oh." Noah looked apologetic. "Sorry...I just never known someone who can't swim. Well, maybe it'll happen, maybe it won't."