Top of the fourth, Mahki was first up. Noah, who is right after, hurried to grab his stuff before going to the on deck circle. He tugged on batting gloves, pushed his helmet down on his head, and carried his bat on his shoulder. I felt a little sad as he left me alone on the bench. I missed being one and two. It was easy to talk to him without actually having to talk. Now I just sit alone to watch the game without Noah's commentary.

"You look like someone kidnapped your puppy.

" Dave laughed as he scooted over closer to me.

"C'mon, is Noah really your only friend? The whole team is here with you.

"

I think Dave was trying to comfort me, but I felt guilty instead for not considering the whole team as friends. Teammates? Yes. I just nodded and turned to watch the game.

Dave got the hint and didn't continue. He just sat quietly beside me.

Mahki who had a groundout in the first inning was able to do better against this pitcher, earning a double by hitting a ball to the outfield.

"Prettier than yours.

" Dave remarked as we clapped for Mahki.

I glanced at him.

"Why?

"

"Look, he isn't huffing and puffing like he had just run a marathon. He's calm and relaxed on the bag.

"

"Well he doesn't have to push himself to get a double.

"

"Exactly.

" Dave laughed.

"Better players have prettier plays. Just look at Zeke. When he dives and make plays in the outfield, they almost look effortless, right?

"

I nodded, then frowned.

"Are you saying my double is uglier just because I had looked like I reached beyond my grasps? Rude.

"

Dave laughed again.

"I'm just teasing. On paper, it all looks the same doesn't it?

"

"Yea...I guess so.

"

He gave my hat a flick with his fingers.

"I'm trying to cheer you up here. You look like a puppet just watching expressionlessly. Are you taking after Zeke?

"

I let out a small laugh.

"No, no.

" I wanted to take after Noah. I want to be as bright and happy as him.

A nice 'ding' was made and we both looked to the field to see Noah taking off for first. I jumped up and clapped for him as he had gotten his first hit in quite some time. Mahki only made it to third though since it was just a short hop to left field.

"That's better.

" Dave nodded in satisfaction.

"I'd be disappointed in him if he kept going hitless at the plate.

"

I sat back down, giving Dave my own look of disapproval.

"Don't look at me like that. This is for his own good. Noah gets a lot of heat for being on the team, right? A lot of his classmates say it's because of nepotism. Not only does that make him feel bad, but it makes us look like jerks.

"

"You?

"

"And Kyle and Zeke.

" Dave nodded.

"We get grief from our classmates as well. Noah is taking up a roster spot. A spot that could be taken by a hardworking senior who has done more for our baseball program than others.

"

"Oh.

" That wouldn't be good.

"I'm sorry.

" I wonder if the other guys say the same thing about me.

"For what? Being good at a young age?

" Dave laughed.

"No need to apologize. You or Noah. You're both good in your own ways and make some of the greatest contributions to us winning games.

"

My lips twisted as I fought off a smile.

"Was this a roundabout way of saying that you're happy that Noah broke out of his slump?

"

"Punk.

" Dave pushed down my cap over my eyes.

I fixed it just in time to see Sean connect with a pitch and send it to left field. It was a line drive...right to the left fielder. He caught it with ease and quickly threw it in so Mahki didn't have a chance to tag up and score.

"Wow. Sean has sure been hitting it hard today.

" Dave commented as he came back to the dugout and Alex moved to the batter's box. He waited until Sean returned and then spoke up for him to hear.

"No worries Sean, you're seeing the ball well.

"

"Yea, I'm not worried about that.

" Sean sighed as he came over, putting his bat and helmet away.

"The problem is that it keeps going to a position player.

"

"Just a matter of time before you sneak one in for a hit. Just keep persevering. Small roadblocks like this is nothing. Be patient.

" Dave sounded wise giving the sophomore advice. I wondered why he didn't say this to Noah when he was struggling. Instead he was giving him a hard time. Is that another brother thing? Or does he not like Noah as much as he likes Sean?

"Thanks Dave.

" Sean day down.

"How's the finger?

"

Dave scrunched up his face as he held the injured hand.

"I felt fine when they numbed it, but now that I have feeling again, it flat out sucks. They took off what was broken off though so the nail will grow without hindrance.

"

Sean nodded.

"Sounds rough. Any idea when you can pitch again?

"

Now it was Dave's turn to sigh.

"They couldn't give me a definitive time frame since everyone's nails grow at different speeds.

"

"You should ask your parents to get biotin. Helps with nail growth.

" He offered.

We both had clueless looks plastered on our faces.

Sean blushed.

"It's a vitamin. My mom makes my dad take it because his nails would always crack and break off. Seems to help.

"

"Thanks.

" Dave nodded.

"I'll check it out when we get home.

"

Another 'ding' made all eyes go to the field. I couldn't even find where the ball went, until the first baseman made a noticeable run in the foul area, towards right field. He caught the foul pop up and hurried the ball back in to the field. Not like Mahki would run on that.

Kyle went out next. Unlike his excellent pitching today, it just didn't translate over to hitting. He struck out swinging and left Mahki and Noah stranded.

Dave sighed.

"Too bad. Two on second and third with no outs had so much potential.

"

Sean nodded in agreement and headed on out to the field.

I waited for Noah so I could congratulate him on getting a single.

He smiled and thanked me.

"It just would have been better if it went farther or even to a spot the outfield wasn't defending, that way Mahki could have scored. I would have been happy with a RBI.

"

"And us bench players would have been happier with another run on the scoreboard.

" Dave sighed.

"Too bad a certain freshman is lacking. He needs to hit the gym.

"

Noah's face twitched.

"Let's go Jake!

"

I followed him out to the field.

"Was Dave just kidding?

" Because he was all smiles when Noah had gotten the hit.

Noah shrugged.

"Who can know when it comes to him. Also, it's not like he's wrong. As freshmen, we can't compare to some high school players who are fully grown. Just look at Zeke.

"

I looked to the outfield and saw him throwing a ball back and forth with Mahki. He did look like a full size adult.