"Oh, I've been a bit busy lately and forgot. I'll call Collins when I have time…" Faced with Sheldon's persistent questions, Mike casually made an excuse.
Although Collins was very beautiful, St. Mary's High and Medford were too far apart.
Besides, Mike wasn't short on girls, so there was no need to go out of his way.
"I also heard about your school's Spring Invitational. It's incredible that you actually defeated last year's runner-up team…" Sheldon didn't realize Mike was being perfunctory.
He continued speaking familiarly, "Oh, and I haven't congratulated you yet on becoming a celebrity in Texas. I've seen your newspaper columns and posters."
"Let me tell you quietly, Collins has collected a lot of your posters and newspaper clippings. She's definitely smitten with you."
"Moreover, my parents also know that she likes you. Judging by their attitude, you have a good chance of winning over my older sister…" In a short while, the precocious Sheldon had completely sold out his sister.
It was as if Mike only needed to nod, and he would immediately get a beautiful girlfriend.
"Sheldon, who are you talking to on the phone?" Just as Sheldon was trying to set up his sister with Mike, Mike heard a girl's questioning voice through the receiver.
It was clear that Sheldon's attempt to arrange his sister's major life event behind her back had been caught red-handed by the person involved.
"Oh no, Collins is here. You talk to her…" Any older sister is a devil in her younger brother's eyes, and what Sheldon was doing now wasn't exactly honorable.
After a flurry of commotion, Collins' voice came through Mike's phone: "Hello, is this Mike? Did Sheldon say anything strange to you just now?"
"No, Sheldon just chatted with me for a couple of minutes." Mike kindly covered for Sheldon.
He had heard earlier on the phone that Collins wasn't so gentle when dealing with her brother.
"That's good," Collins said, then fell silent for a moment, as if a great weight had been lifted from her heart.
Then, she continued, "Congratulations on your team's good performance in the Spring Invitational. I saw it in the newspaper. Many people at school are also discussing you…" Mike's image and his story were now very popular among teenagers.
"Thank you," Mike responded politely.
"Oh, do you still remember Michael?" Collins actively led the conversation on the phone.
Compared to her shyness during their last meeting, she seemed much more talkative on the phone.
"Of course, the core player of the St. Mary's High team, I have a pretty deep impression of him…" Mike said truthfully.
"Actually, Michael is my parents' adopted child, so he's like my older brother. He's very talented in football and just passed the team tryout for Mississippi University…" Collins intentionally sought common ground.
The fact that Michael was noticed by the Mississippi University football team was partly due to Mike's influence.
The implementation of the "Star-Making Project" had caused many scouts from other states to turn their attention to high schools in Texas.
Although the St. Mary's High team's performance this year wasn't great, a gifted high schooler like Michael was indeed too outstanding to go unnoticed.
Therefore, like Aaron, Michael was also sought after by several top universities.
And Michael, being grateful, chose Mississippi University from among them.
Simply because Mississippi University was the alma mater of the Cooper family couple who adopted him.
"Michael is currently worried about his high school graduation exam. My parents even hired a tutor specifically for him…" Collins shared embarrassing stories about her brother like an old friend catching up.
Unlike Aaron's situation, Michael, who had previously wandered around like an orphan, had a very unfortunate childhood.
Lacking normal social interaction, he developed a shy and reclusive personality. This situation resulted in Michael's learning ability being similar to that of an eleven or twelve-year-old child.
Coupled with his tall and strong physique, it wouldn't be wrong to say he was all brawn and no brains.
Therefore, to get his pass to Mississippi University (his high school diploma), Michael's life now certainly wouldn't be easy.
Mike could only mourn for the academic underachiever Michael for two seconds in his heart.
Next, Collins, who had taken the initiative in the conversation, talked a lot about her family's situation.
Without the pressure of being face-to-face, the girl on the phone seemed to have endless things to say to Mike.
She was completely like a little fan… "Collins, it was a pleasure talking to you. Shall we chat again next time when you're free?" Mike found an opportunity to intentionally end the call.
Although he wasn't against talking to Collins, now was certainly not the time for a long conversation.
After all, dinner time at the Cooper family household was probably almost over.
"Sorry, I think I talked a bit too much…" Collins, uncharacteristically, also realized that she had been too eager this time.
"Oh, do you have an account on any chat websites? We can connect online." It was a rare opportunity, so before hanging up, the girl chose to be proactive one more time.
Facebook hadn't been founded yet at this time, but with the popularization of computers, online dating was already very popular.
Mike only hung up the phone after telling the girl his chat ID.
"Mike, you're such a busy man. Come sit down and eat," Seeing Mike return from his call, Connie chuckled and teased him.
Everyone at the dining table had basically finished their main course and was leisurely enjoying dessert.
As Mike went to the table to eat his main course, he noticed that the atmosphere among the three the Cooper family children was much more harmonious than before.
This situation was very unusual!
"Did they reach an agreement?" Mike quietly asked Paige, who was beside him.
"Yes, we've decided that your title will be 'Tornado'. I'll write to the newspaper later…" Paige explained with a smile.
The title "Tornado" was thought up by young Paige.
A Tornado that destroys everything perfectly matched Mike's playing style on the football field.
Therefore, when Paige proposed this title, she successfully convinced the other three children as well.
"Tornado? That's a great suggestion. Did you come up with it?" Mike asked curiously, seeing the slightly smug expression on Paige's face.
"Uh-huh!" Paige smiled and nodded.
It proved that young Paige's tsundere attribute was no less than Sheldon's.
Especially when it involved Mike.
And without the initial conflict, the atmosphere at the dining table became much warmer.
"Mike, if I remember correctly, your sixteenth birthday is coming soon. How do you plan to celebrate it?" Connie, who was drinking beer, suddenly asked.
A sixteenth birthday is considered adulthood here.
Generally, families with the means would hold a grand coming-of-age ceremony for their children on this day.
Mike's birthday was in mid-May, only a few days away.
"How about we book a private room at an outside restaurant to celebrate?" Mike, who was no longer short on pocket money, suggested.
For him, the practical meaning of becoming an adult was more important than the ceremony.
Therefore, the process of the coming-of-age ceremony didn't need to be so troublesome.
"Such an important birthday, it won't do to celebrate it outside." Connie smiled and said, "How about we hold a bonfire party? Grandma will make you an improved version of specialty brisket."
"Connie is right, celebrating at home has a better atmosphere. I can also help prepare food that day." Mary promised.
It could be felt that she already regarded Mike as family.
Everyone else also looked at Mike, waiting for his decision.
"A bonfire party is too exaggerated. How about we just have an outdoor brisket party?" Mike chose a compromise.
Anyway, there were two brisket "masters" at home, so it was also a matter of using local resources.