n

n

n

n

nI laughed at Noah's remark. It's true that this family seems pretty lively at all times. Just being with Noah all day, was more excitement than I'm use to. I couldn't imagine being with all of them, all the time.

n

"Noah. Are you mocking me?

" Mrs. Atkins raised an eyebrow.

n

"No ma'am.

" He sat up straight.

"I was just telling Jake that he's going to have so much fun in precalculus with the twins.

"

nShe looked at me worriedly.

"Well maybe we should make sure you're in a different class time or something.

"

n

"But then he won't share his other classes with me!

" Noah refuted.

n

"What?! Jake's in math with us?

" Dave walked in with a pan and set it on the table.

nKyle followed in with a pot of mashed potatoes.

"Wow. He must be brilliant. That must be why Noah is sticking so close to him.

"

n

"Boys.

" Mr. Atkins warned.

"We don't put others down. Especially your own brother. Someone get Zeke from the garage. Let's start taking seats before dinner gets cold.

"

nMr. Duncan snuck in from the kitchen and quietly took a seat on the other side of me.

"You doing okay so far? I know it's a lot to take in. A lot of new faces.

"

nI shrugged, silently watching the bickering and moving about. Kyle went to get Zeke. Dave and Mrs. Atkins were going to and from the kitchen, bringing out food. Noah was telling his dad about the shopping trip yesterday.

nThere was a lot going on, but I felt at peace. This is way better than the dead silence I lived through. There was constant laughing even when they were supposedly fighting. When my mom and I would fight, it was just one-sided abuse.

n

"Listen up! Dinner is on the table so start simmering down and find a seat.

" Mrs. Atkins sat at the other head of the table.

nNoah was next to her, then me, then Mr. Duncan, and Mr. Atkins. That left the other side of the table open for the twins and Zeke. Dave was the first to come in and took a seat next to his mom. Kyle came in next, and took a seat next to his dad. Then it was Zeke.

nNo one has really talked about him much so I wasn't sure what to expect. I vaguely remembered that he didn't smile in the family photo hanging on the wall. Noah also said he was strict, didn't meddle when he and the twins fought, and that he was the captain of their varsity team.

nZeke looked exactly like the photo. He didn't smile and looked very serious compared to everyone else in the family. He sat exactly opposite of me, making me slightly nervous.

n

"Jake, this is Zeke. Don't be scared of him. He just has face paralysis.

" Noah introduced.

nZeke' eyes shot towards Noah instantaneously.

"What was that?

"

nNoah coughed trying to cover his laugh.

"Nothing. Just telling Jake that you're the captain of the team at school. And that maybe he should ask you for a tryout.

"

n

"Team is already put together.

" Zeke didn't even sugarcoat it.

"He can play with the other freshmen.

"

nI looked at Noah, unsure if I would even want to play. Let alone play with a bunch of strangers. Noah didn't even look upset or worried. He winked at me, then smiled at his oldest brother.

"What if I told you he could hit a 100mph fastball...multiple times?

"

nThe table seemed to fall silent all at the same time. All side conversations stopped and all eyes were on me.

nZeke squinted at Noah.

"I would have to ask you to prove it.

"

nNoah's smile got even brighter as if he expected that response. He looked at his mom innocently.

"Mom, you didn't tell dad what happened today?

"

n