The next day was a Thursday, and it started off normal like always: breakfast, Zeke takes us to school, Mr. Miller drives us up to the building, and then we stop by Noah's locker before class.
When we sat in our seats, it felt like Monday all over again. The other kids crowded us and congratulated us on winning the game. But this time, they were able to see Noah in action and gave him the attention he deserved. He laughed with them and shared his thoughts on playing with juniors and seniors.
A few of them also tried talking to me, but I shied away. I'm still at the 'talk to a different teammate a day' stage. I don't think I could communicate with my classmates just yet. Most of our classes followed the same pattern where we would be complimented and then Noah would answer their questions.
It wasn't until math with the twins, did I get a break from all the hovering. The twins and I shared a table in the back corner and no one approached us to ask about the game. A few guys walked by and exchanged weird handshakes or simple greetings, but no one stayed for too long.
I sighed with relief as class started.
Kyle looked down at me, eyebrows raised. "Long day?"
I nodded.
"Let me guess: the freshman are all excited about you and Noah playing varsity?"
I nodded again.
He laughed. "Yea, it'll be like that all year for you. It's not often that freshmen make any varsity team so it's a rare accomplishment. It's natural for others wanting to know what it's like. But then there are others who get jealous. Anyone from JV or the freshman team bug you?"
I shook my head slowly. No one really talks to me directly. And if they do, Noah tries to intercept them.
"He's got Noah to watch out for him." Dave jumped in and turned to me. "Noah had a problem with some of them last semester right after the rosters were decided for varsity, junior varsity, and freshman levels. He knows what to watch out for."
"A problem?" I mumbled.
Dave and Kyle nodded together, and Dave answered first. "Since he plays with the varsity team, the other freshmen kind of exclude him from their group. Think about it…there's twenty plus freshmen on the low leveled team so why doesn't Noah hang out with them? Or better yet, introduce them to you and vice versa? It's because they don't get along; Noah knows it would make you uncomfortable, because they would probably be just as jealous of you as they are of him. As for the junior varsity team…he just beat them all out for a spot on the varsity roster. It's not a good feeling to be beaten by someone younger than you. So they don't really acknowledge him either."
I started to understand why Noah only hung out with me. He knew a lot of people, but wasn't necessarily close to them
"Just imagine a bunch of kids like Chris." Kyle added. "Like him, they can't accept that they're not as good as they thought."
The classroom door opening interrupted the class and everyone got quiet, including the twins. The class watched as another student walked in and handed the old teacher a note.
He read it and then immediately looked at me. "Jake Hollander. It's for you. Pack your backpack just in case it goes on for awhile." He passed the piece of paper to the person in front of our row and they passed the note back. The student who had delivered the note was already leaving, apparently done with his job.
The note made it to our desk.
"A hall pass to the Counselor's office." Dave read it. He glanced at me. "Mrs. Golladay's specifically? Do you know where to go?"
I slowly nodded, recalling the front office where Noah told me to if I needed anything. I put on my backpack and stood up.
Kyle handed me the note. "See ya at practice."
I nodded and left. I made my way through the halls and into the front office. It wasn't as full as the first time I was there, but it still had a good mix of students and adults. I waited in line and handed my slip of paper once it was my turn. The lady led me around the counter and to a closed office door. She knocked, opened and let me in. Then closed the door behind me. I swallowed my fear. It's okay. Everything's okay. The door isn't locked. I can leave anytime I want.
"Jake Hollander?" A woman sat behind a desk, reading glasses perched on her nose. I nodded slowly. "If you're Jake Hollander, take a seat. If not, go back to class."
I debated for a second on whether I should actually sit or if I should just leave. I had a gut feeling that I wasn't going to find this pleasant just from the strict tone of her voice. In the end, I decided to sit across from her on the other side of the desk. No need to get in trouble for not showing up when I'm already here.
She studied me through her frames of eyewear, and watched as I shifted uncomfortably. "Don't squirm. It's unbecoming for young men like you. Sit straight and firm."
I flinched, but did what I was told.
She held up some papers. "I've been getting progress reports from your teachers. Let me start off with this….it's unimpressive and disappointing seeing excellence wasted. On you." I gulped. "You don't participate in class. You don't communicate with teachers or classmates. And. Now. I've gotten multiple calls showing concern about why someone like you, has made the varsity baseball team. Care to explain?"
Explain? What? I shook my head slowly.
A loud bang came from her desk as her palm met with the wood, making me jump. "Speak when spoken to."
My breathing became more shallow and came out in faster beats. My hands felt clammy and the backpack still on my shoulders, felt heavy. I cleared my throat, trying to find the right words to say.
"Tell me. Why is it, that a kid like you, has made the varsity team? Are the Atkins giving the coach extra money on the side to let you play? Is Zeke Atkins blackmailing him, saying he won't play without his brothers? I find it highly suspicious that a timid, mute, faint-hearted kid like you found courage to join one of the best teams in the county."
I started to shiver. How is this lady a counselor? My eyes started to blur, my nose tingled, and a lump formed in my throat…I was on the verge of tears. I don't want to be here. Not with this lady. She's too domineering and too much like my mother. I suddenly stood up.
"Where do you think you're going? Sit back down. We're not done discussing how you're receiving undeserved special treatment." She commanded.
I ignored her and bolted out of there. I swung the door open and ran. Bypassing the adults and students in the office, and then out to the empty halls. Class was still going on, but I couldn't go back. Not where she can find me.
