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nThe rest of the week went according to plan. I settled into the Atkins routine of school, practice, home. At school, Mr. Miller would give Noah and I a ride to the buildings. We went through classes and ate lunch together. I would do the twins math homework and class work with my own. At practice, I would follow Noah through warmups and we would toss the ball together, before I was sent to Drew.

nDrew was not my friend, I had decided. He pushed me through difficult workouts and made sure my whole body would be sore the following morning. After Friday's practice, I was convinced that practice may be for masochists. Pain was a reason that I was starting to have second thoughts on playing. I really couldn't tolerate much more.

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"It'll be better when you're actually playing real baseball.

" Noah said to me in our room Friday evening. We had just finished our showers after coming home from practice. He stared at me as I laid on the floor of our room.

"Are you just going to be like this all night?

"

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"Yes.

" I replied, trying not to move.

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"Oh? That was such a clear yes. Are you choosing to talk, because moving your head hurts so much?

" He sat upright on his bed.

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"Yes.

"

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"Back to back one worded answers. It's almost like we're having a real conversation.

" He looked down at my pathetic state.

"Even if it's at your expense, it's pretty nice. Will you use one worded replies from here on out?

"

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"Maybe.

"

nHe jumped up excitedly.

"Wait here. I want to show the twins and Zeke.

" He ran out of our room. It wasn't like I was going anywhere. Every part of my body was so sore. He returned in a mere minute with the three.

"Watch this guys. Jake, are you still giving out one word replies?

"

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"Yes.

"

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"Wow!

" Kyle squatted near my head.

"He must be dead tired. Too tired to move his head. And probably too tired to be scared.

"

nDave squatted on the other side and poked my cheek.

"Say something else.

"

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"Ouch.

" I wanted to move away, but it required too much effort. Normally I would hide away if the twins came too close, but the lack of strength played a big part in my lack of movement. Correlation. There's some math going on, I know it.

nZeke leaned against the doorframe.

"Don't billy a defenseless kid. His body is probably sore and stiff. Tomorrow we won't go out to practice.

"

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"Oh man.

" Noah groaned.

"But how are we going to work on our plays?

"

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"We'll do theoretical research first. We can pull up some clips and background for him to watch and learn. It's better if he sees what he's supposed to be doing first anyways. Stop poking Jake.

" He stopped talking baseball to scold the twins, who were taking turns poking my cheeks.

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"But it's interesting.

" Dave kept poking.

"Jake never lets us get this close. Look. He doesn't even mind.

"

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"I do.

" I told him, blandly. Even thinking about falling asleep.

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"Hey, look! I got two words! Obviously this is working!

" Dave started to poke at a faster rate.

nNoah pushed him away.

"Leave him alone.

"

nDave fell over from his squatting position but quickly got back up and tackled Noah. They started wrestling around me, but I didn't move. In fact, my eyes started to feel heavy.

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"Boys! Dinner time!

" Mrs. Atkins hollered from downstairs.

nKyle shot up and ran down first. Zeke walked away at his normal pace. Dave and Noah continued messing around.

nAfter a couple of minutes, Mr. Atkins appeared in the doorway.

"Your mother has called you. Get moving.

" They broke apart and Dave bolted out. Mr. Atkins looked at me, seeming more like a giant than usual.

"You okay down there, Jake?

"

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"No.

" I replied honestly. Everything hurts.

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"He's sore from all the practice.

" Noah informed him.

"The trainer said it's hard to get muscles that haven't worked in awhile, into shape. He's been lying on the floor since after his shower. He's even been giving one worded replies. Watch this.

" Noah squatted near me.

"Do you want to eat or sleep?

"

nI closed my eyes.

"Sleep.

"

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"Food will give you energy and fuel your body into recovering.

" Mr. Atkins informed me.

"Which means you won't be in as much pain tomorrow morning.

"

nMy eyes burst open.

"Eat.

"

nHe laughed and helped me off the floor.

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"How'd you get him moving?

" Noah laughed.

"I thought he would give up dinner for sure.

"

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"I told you, Jake has an aversion to pain. If it'll make the pain go away, he'll do it.

" Mr. Atkins helped me move down the hall.

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"We should give him an ice bath then.

" Noah grinned at me. Ice bath? What did that mean?

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