551 V2 ch23

We spent the afternoon munching on cookies and listening to Mrs. Atkins lecture on what not to buy for a girl. I had to nudge Noah a few times to make sure he was listening. Dave was the only one to make an escape with the excuse that he had to reply to some emails from college coaches before we head to the mall. Zeke listened patiently to his mom, but it was hard to tell if he cared at all. 

Eventually, Mrs. Atkins had to get back to work. She pointed at Noah before leaving us in the kitchen. "Listen to Zeke. He has money on his card so you shouldn't be wandering far from him."

Noah nodded obediently while stuffing his face. 

Mrs. Atkins looked at me. "You too. Stay close."

I nodded. 

She left for her office. 

Zeke pulled the plate of cookies away from Noah. "That's enough for you. If you keep eating like this, you're going to get out of shape. You know Coach doesn't have any problems with moving varsity players down if they don't perform well."

Noah looked guilty. "I'll make up for it tomorrow. I'll train with you. That should burn all the calories." He reached for the plate. 

Zeke stood up with the plate of cookies. "Moderation, Noah." He went to the kitchen and came back empty handed. "We better head for the mall. It's a Friday. The parking will be a hassle."

Noah got up. "Okay, okay. Jake, lets go put our bags away."

I followed him upstairs, then we both put our backpacks down in the corner. As soon as we came out of the room, Dave was right there waiting. 

He leaned against the wall with a smirk. "You guys ready?"

Noah and I both nodded. We three went downstairs and met back up with Zeke. He grabbed his keys and wallet and headed for the car. 

"Wait." Dave stopped us before we got in. "Can I drive?"

"Why?" Noah asked, taken aback. "Do you want to kill us before your birthday or something?"

"I'm not that bad of a driver." Dave said. He looked at me. "Jake, speak up for me."

I shrugged. "You did get pulled over by the cop before." I got in the back seat before Dave could grab me. 

"It wasn't my fault!" Dave turned to Zeke. "C'mon. Please? Kyle gets to go camping with Dad all weekend and I only get you guys. I bet Kyle gets to practice his driving with Dad."

Zeke handed the keys over. "Fine." He went around to the front passenger seat. 

With Zeke's permission, Noah and I could only buckle up and stay silent to let Dave concentrate. Dave got in the driver's seat with the biggest smile as he started to readjust the seat and mirrors. 

"To the mall!" He put the car in reverse and pulled out of the driveway. 

"Should we check the movie times first?" Noah bounced a little as the four of us walked to the huge building. "What should we even watch? It's been so long, I don't even know what's playing anymore."

"Whatever's funny." Dave suggested. "I definitely won't watch a romance." He shivered.

"Yea, lets keep it lighthearted." Noah said after glancing at me. 

Once inside the mall, we headed straight for the movie theater at the other end. There, they discussed which time was best as I hung back. Even Zeke got involved, reminding them that they should think about dinner too. Do we want to eat before the movie?

"Hell yes!" Noah shouted. "Food has to be before the movie or I'll just be hearing my growling stomach."

"Fatty." Dave poked him on the cheek. 

"We'll go with the 7:30pm show then." Zeke made the executive decision. "We'll eat at the food court around 6pm and then come here afterwards." He stepped up. "I'll buy the tickets now just in case they sell out." He went to the ticket window. 

Dave nodded in satisfaction, then looked at me and Noah. "And just where do you two plan on getting that girl's gift from?"

Noah scratched his cheek. "We'll probably just look around. You and Zeke can do your own thing."

Dave chuckled. "No way, kiddo. I'll be watching all of you. Mom said to stick together."

Noah frowned. "Okay. If that's what you want to do."

Zeke came back with the purchased tickets. He put them in his wallet and looked at us. "Where to first?"

Noah shrugged. "I guess we should just look around? Walk in the girl shops?"

Zeke nodded. "Alright."

Noah led the way, going in one girl like store to the next. I felt kind of embarrassed by the looks we were getting, however I wasn't alone. Dave was also shifting around uncomfortable with all the attention we were getting. Every time we entered a new store, a worker would approached us and ask who we were shopping for. 

When Zeke suggested we take a break, Dave agreed immediately. 

He collapsed on a bench near an indoor fountain. "This is so exhausting. Can't you just pick something already?"

"No one asked you to come in every store." Noah grumbled. "It's not like I know what to get a girl. Have you ever bought a girl a birthday present?"

Dave sighed. "I say you should just get a gift card."

"That's so impersonal." Noah thought for a minute. He spotted a store nearby. "I've got an idea. I want to go in there and take a look. Are you guys staying here or coming with?"

Zeke handed his wallet over. "Jake and I will wait here."

I smiled, thankful that Zeke didn't make me go. I really needed some time to decompress. I relaxed in my chair, happy to know it's break time. 

Dave glanced at us, then at the store Noah was talking about. He waved his hand around lazily. "Go ahead. I'll wait here with Zeke and Jake."

Noah grinned. He winked at me, out of Dave's view. "I'll be back." He turned and walked away. 

"I can't believe you guys are actually going to a party." Dave told me. "Are you guys going to hide out like last time?"

I shrugged. I was in a better place than last time. Plus... "Alisha is nice. And she said it's only people in our grade." I frowned. "It's a pool party though. So I'm kind of scared."

Zeke knew of my scars, whereas Dave had actually seen them.

Dave say up on the bench. "You don't have to go swimming just because it's a pool party. Just chill near the food."

I nodded. "That's what Noah said."

Dave rolled his eyes. "I bet he said that more for himself than for you. That foodie...I bet he stuffs his face with sweets the whole time. Cake, cupcakes, cookies, anything with sugar and he'll probably scarf it down." He shook his head. "I hope this softball thing gets him to burn all these calories."

"No worries there." Zeke spoke up. "I'll practice with Noah and Jake this summer until the Stanford camp." 

I audibly gulped. Can't wait.