Kyle got Mom on board with the idea of going to the football game Friday night so I didn't have to say much to Noah and Dave. Dave wasn't too against it even after hearing that Kyle was going to invite Marie and Kaylee too.

"I think we should invite Alisha.

" Noah said after I got back to the room from my shower.

I nodded along, not seeing a reason to object.

He frowned.

"But I don't want her to think it's a date.

"

"Is going to a football game considered a date..?

" I asked, not understanding. We hang out with Alisha all the time and those aren't considered dates.

Noah rolled his eyes.

"Isn't Kyle taking Marie?

"

"Good point.

" I pulled my phone off the charger.

"Want me to invite her instead?

"

Noah nodded.

"Yea. You do it. She won't think too much into it if you send the invite.

"

I tried not to laugh.

"What do I say?

"

"Here. Give it to me.

" He took my phone away and started to message her.

I started to walk away, but Noah held me back.

"Where are you going?

"

"Downstairs?

" I shrugged.

"It's almost dinner time.

"

"No. You still have to help.

" Noah told me.

"We have to make sure it still sounds like you in these texts.

"

I rolled my eyes.

"How about I just tell her in class tomorrow? That sounds more natural.

"

"Yea. That sounds better.

" He gave me my phone back.

"Good thinking, Jake.

" He slapped my back and left the room first.

"Let's go see if dinner is ready!

"

I shook my head. Everyone always accuse me of overthinking, but Noah does it too. Over dumb things like inviting Alisha. Aren't we all friends? We can invite friends to do friend things. I hurried after him, eager to eat.

Dad was on board with us going to the football game tomorrow night. He smiled at Mom.

"Looks like we can still have another date night.

"

"Ew.

"

"Gross.

"

Mom grinned.

Friday classes were mostly quizzes and were just generally easier to get through. Maybe because we have the next two days off and there wasn't any urgency to do homework.

We saw Kaylee in our first class, chemistry.

"My sister already told me.

" She said to Noah after he asked about the game.

"We're going to meet at your house after getting cleaned up from practice.

"

"Don't rush.

" Noah told her.

"We have to stay late in practice today for Jake.

"

Kaylee shot a grin my way.

"I heard. The baseball players in my other classes were talking about it. I can't believe some of them think they have a chance. Crazy.

"

I grinned, feeling only a little embarrassed.

"Well...they want to take a shot at it. I don't mind. Noah and Dave helped me go over the list so I know who to watch out for.

" Then I added.

"A lot of the returners didn't sign up. Some might be busy with other sports.

"

"True. True.

" She nodded.

"Quite a few play football. I know of some that play golf.

"

"Lame.

" Noah commented.

"At least they're being active.

" Kaylee shrugged.

"A couple girls that showed up to our camp aren't showing up to the practices after school.

"

"Why not?

" I asked

She shrugged again.

"Because it's not mandatory. The coaches can't really hold you to it because we aren't technically in season. It just sucks to see some of them not taking it seriously.

"

Noah nodded.

"That's annoying.

"

We spent most of the class talking about our teams and incoming freshmen. Kaylee asked about the other sophomores we see and might have problems with, but Noah said most of the guys did football in the fall. What a relief. I wouldn't want to have to deal with some of them every day.

Right before fourth period, Alisha met me at my locker like she has been for the last two weeks. I didn't know if I was on her way to class, or if she just wanted to see Noah for a few seconds, or if she was just being genuinely nice.

Noah gave me a look and mouthed the words: don't forget.

I nodded.

As we got closer to the classroom, I could see some of Alisha's friends waiting for her. I gulped. I knew I said that it would be more natural to ask her in person, but I don't think I could ask her in front of all her friends.

"Um, Alisha?

" I slowed down my steps.

"Yea?

" She looked at me with a smile.

"Well, uh...

" I froze up, trying to find the words. Maybe I should have gone with the text.

Alisha paused in her footsteps, making me stop as well.

"What's up, Jake?

"

I scratched the back of my head nervously.

"Did you want to come to the football game with us tonight? All of us are going. Marie and Kaylee too.

"

She laughed.

"Yea, sure.

" She left out another laugh.

"I was a bit scared on what you were going to ask me. You looked so nervous that it made me nervous.

"

I gave a small laugh, feeling relieved.

"Seeing your friends made me a little more anxious. Noah and I were going to text you last night, but I figured I would see you in class.

"

She frowned for a second.

"Why didn't Noah just text or call me?

"

I looked away, not sure if I should tell her that he didn't want her to think it was a date.

"Not sure.

"

"Uh-huh.

" She said lightly.

We met up with her friends and walked into the class as a group. She stopped asking me about Noah and started to catch up with her friends as we took our seats. Sitting with a bunch of girls is a little nerve racking, but I was kind of used to sitting there silently. They didn't talk to me much, but they didn't shun me either. If we had to group up for class work, they still included me which was nice.

At the end of class, a girl asked Alisha if she was coming to the game tonight.

She smiled at her friend.

"Yea, I'm going with Jake and the Atkins brothers. If I see you, maybe we can sit together.

"

The girl was surprised.

"Oh. Okay. Sure!

" She nodded at me and then waved before walking off.

"You don't have to go with us if you want to go with your friends.

" I told her as we walked back to the sophomore hallway.

"We're friends too, Jake.

" She smiled.

"And you ask first. If I already had plans, then I would have told you so. So are we just going straight from practice or what?

"

I shrugged.

"Don't know. Noah might though.

"

We waited around my locker until Noah showed up. Alisha asked him what the plan was for tonight.

Noah switched his books in his locker.

"If you want to ride with us, you can. We'll go back to our house after practice so we can clean up. Then Marie and Kaylee should be coming over. We can take just one car to the stadium and go as a big group.

"

Alisha nodded.

"Okay, I've got to let my parents know. See you guys at practice.

" She left us.