"It looks like you just want to babysit Jake.

" Kaylee said again.

Noah frowned.

"No. I'm hanging out with my friend. That's completely normal.

"

"I don't think it's normal how close you are.

" Kaylee shrugged. She ate a chip.

"It definitely feels like babysitting.

"

"It's called being a friend.

" Noah was getting defensive.

"Don't act like Jake is-

" He abruptly stopped.

Kaylee smirked.

"Normal? Were you about to say that Jake isn't normal?

"

Noah looked to me. But I was feeling a little clueless on what was happening at the moment. Alisha left and Kaylee came. Alisha was nice, but Kaylee sounded like she was trying to pick a fight with Noah.

Noah huffed.

"You're so annoying.

"

Kaylee grinned like it was a compliment.

"I know. All I'm saying is that you don't have to babysit Jake. He's a big kid. He can take care of himself.

"

Uhhh, I don't know about that. I looked at her, confused.

Kaylee noticed.

"C'mon Jake. Didn't you approach me on your own when you wanted me to join the softball team?

"

That's true, but Alisha was the one to show up and call her away from her friend group for me. I have a hesitant nod.

"See? Jake is fine with being with me. I can babysit while you go play.

" Kaylee said.

Noah rolled his eyes.

"Like I'd let you babysit with that attitude.

" He glanced at me.

"That's not what I meant.

"

"You guys...I'm okay on my own.

" I told them, finally speaking up for myself.

"It's when I'm in a big crowd that I get...uncomfortable.

" I looked around as our classmates were all in smaller groups eating, talking, and playing.

"I have a good view.

"

Noah rubbed his nose.

"Would you really be okay with just Kaylee though? She's kind of mean and you don't really stand up for yourself.

"

"Hey! I won't pick on him!

" Kaylee objected.

"Your track history says otherwise.

" Noah referred to the time she was mean to us on the bus.

Kaylee looked at me directly.

"Jake, do you trust me?

"

"Uhh..

" I hated to be put on the spot.

"In what way?

"

"That you can handle Noah not being by your side for a couple of minutes?

" Kaylee was really pushing this. I wonder if there was a motive behind this whole argument.

I looked to Noah.

"If you want to go play volleyball in the pool with others, then go. I'm fine. Really. Kaylee is...Kaylee.

"

"That's what worries me.

" Noah sighed. He got up.

"Fine, I'm going to prove to you that I don't have a need to 'babysit' Jake. I just like hanging out with my best friend. So don't be surprised when I come back and accuse me of babysitting.

"

"Sure, sure. Have fun!

" Kaylee waved him away.

Noah took off his shirt, leaving it on the chair. Then kicked off his sandals and waved.

"Yell for me if you need me, Jake.

"

"Sure.

" I told him.

Noah walked over to the pool area and gave some guys high fives and went in to join the game.

"You don't think I'm mean, do you?

" Kaylee asked.

I blinked in surprise and studied her expression. She looked nonchalant, but the way her lips thinned in distress gave her away.

"I don't think so.

" I shook my head. She was just a little rough around the edges. Very defensive of her sister, just like how Noah is with me and his brothers. Our brothers. I started to grin.

"What's making you so happy?

" Kaylee pulled me back to the present.

I blushed.

"Well...I'm getting adopted.

"

"Congratulations!

" She told me sincerely.

I felt my face get really warm.

"Does Jeremy know?

" She asked.

I shrugged and nodded at the same time.

"Kind of. Sort of. Like a little bit. I'll see him tomorrow night so I'll mention it to him then.

"

"That's a little strange. Is it something you can't say over the phone?

"

My leg started to shake.

"Well...

" I started to feel uncertain because this wasn't something I haven't you talked to Noah about yet.

"I...

"

Kaylee waited patiently, no longer acting like a porcupine with Noah being gone.

"I want to tell him in person that...I've started to call Mr. and Mrs. Atkins, 'Mom' and 'Dad'.

" I looked at her.

"That's new. I just started doing that yesterday.

"

Kaylee wasn't surprised.

"Oh. Yea. That's a bit awkward. Not you calling them 'Mom' and 'Dad', but telling your brother. Does he call your uncle 'Dad'?

"

I shrugged.

"I don't know.

" I guess I'll have to ask.

She sighed.

"Families are so complicated sometimes.

"

I looked at her.

She gave a weak smile.

"It's the same in the Atkins house isn't it? There's always something going on. Whether it's you.

" I slouched in my chair.

"Or it's Kyle. Dave too. In my house, even though it's only me and Marie, we also have issues.

"

"Do you?

" I asked, surprised.

"You and Marie don't get along?

"

"We do. Just not all the time.

" She explained.

"Wasn't Noah just mad at Kyle? And now I don't hear any complaints. It's the same for every family.

"

"Are you mad at Marie right now..?

" I asked, wondering if she wanted to talk about it.

"A little. More jealous than anything.

" She looked a little depressed.

"I can only play softball with you guys because I'm not allowed to play for the travel this summer.

"

"Oh..?

"

"My parents think it's better if they invest that money into Marie's summer to visit schools since she's trying to get a full ride.

" She sighed again.

"Marie is so good. Already one of the top ten in the state, yet needs to still visit schools? What a joke.

"

"Oh.

" I said again; this time understanding her frustrations. The twins also had some money problems. If it wasn't because I was too scared to leave, then...I don't know what would have happened? A fight?

"I'm sorry.

"

She laughed.

"It's okay, I'm just ranting. It's not a big deal in the grand scheme of life, but it sucks not being able to play with the same girls as last year. Instead...

" She trailed off, but I had a pretty clear idea of what she was going to say. Instead she was playing meaningless softball with us.

"You know,

" I spoke up.

"Noah feels the same way. Sad about not playing baseball.

" And it was a little worse for him.

"Of course.

" Kaylee agreed.

"Noah is a baseball maniac. Only he would want to play with a bunch of tools that shunned him for making the varsity team.

" She looked to the pool where he was playing with the others, including Alisha.

"I didn't mean to be rude with you guys. I just wanted him to go and have fun. Not that he doesn't have fun with you, but-

"

"I get it.

" I cut her off. I was too reliant on Noah. He has other friends and interests. And, this was a good opportunity for him and Alisha to be closer, I guess. Maybe Kaylee knew of Alisha's feelings. I was scared to ask because what if she doesn't know? That would be awkward.