Page 76 of Chasing Infinity

“So, has Addie been giving you the inside scoop on the place?” Charlie asks her before taking a bite out of his sandwich.

Grace nods her head, giving me a bright smile. “Yes, she’s an excellent tour guide. She pointed out the cleanest bathrooms and ensured I know which vending machines are always stocked.”

Eli nods his head. “Good, all the stuff that matters.”

“Pretty much,” Grace agrees. I feel a sense of pride swelling in my belly as she continues to tell the boys everything we did during her tour. “She’s even told me who the nicest people here are, don’t worry, you two were at the top of the list.”

I fight off a chuckle as Charlie and Eli glance at each other, each with an arrogant smirk on their faces. “I can’t say she’s wrong. We’re about as nice as they get,” Eli says with a grin.

“Pretty much everyone here is nice, save for maybe a few people. Just make sure to stay out of Noah’s way. He can be a real asshole sometimes,” Charlie warns her. Grace nods her head, probably recalling our conversation about our resident bully just an hour or so ago.

“Yeah, just the other day, he and Charlie got into it over a stupid dodgeball game cause Charlie tagged him out,” Eli contributes. “I thought for sure he would deck you, Charlie.”

“Me too,” my other friend says sheepishly. “He is bad news all around.”

“I’ve tried telling her, but she has this fixation that I like—” I protest.

“Oh, speak of the devil, here he comes,” Grace chimes in cheekily, pointing with her fork at the figure of Noah McCoy striding towards us. He has a cocky smirk on his face as if he can’t wait to deliver the snide remarks he’s likely been thinking of all morning.

Right after our altercation last year, the dynamic between Noah and me became even more strained. It will go in waves—he’ll leave me alone for most of the week. Then, suddenly, hellfire rains down, and he’s taking every opportunity he can to ruin my day. As much as I try not to be, I’m always on edge when he’s around because I’m unsure which version of him I will get—the aloof Noah or the aggressive one.

“Who’s your new girlfriend, Parks?” Noah taunts me as he gets closer to where we’re sitting. “Get tired of Monty making passes at you and decided to swing for the other team?” he asks, shooting a pointed glare at Eli. Eli’s face heats up red, but he doesn’t take the bait for once. Noah braces himself with one hand on our table, extending the other out to Grace. He offers her the biggest cheesiest grin I think I’ve ever seen him plaster on his face. “I’m Noah McCoy. Welcome to my school.”

“Grace Turner,” Grace introduces herself, flashing her brown eyes at Noah as if she can see right through his “cool kid” façade. A smile plays on her lips as she takes his extended hand. Next to her, I grit my teeth together as I prepare to watch this mess unfold. “Nice to meet you, Noah. Addison has told meallabout you.”

Surprise crosses his face for a split second before he masks it. “Has she?” he questions, shooting his silver gaze towards me, a suspicious smirk now appearing. “Well, be careful what you believe. Parks here has a habit of embellishing the truth. Sometimes I think she’s got it out for me.”

“I do not,” I chime in, defending my honor and glaring at him. “And I definitely wouldn’t waste my breath trying to list all your flaws to her. We’d be here all day.”

“Easy there, Parks. Don’t get too riled up,” Noah says with a sneer, thoroughly enjoying the game he’s just started.

“Noah, could you please just leave? I was about to explain to Grace what the rest of our day will look like, and you’re scaring her.”

“Actually, I’m fine,” Grace announces, watching us go at each other with amusement. “Don’t stop on my account.”

“See, Parks,you’rereally the problem here. No one else seems to have an issue with me. Only you and your two boy-wonders.”

“And why do you think that is?” I shoot back, standing up and taking a step towards him. “Maybe because I’ve barely hadtwo secondsof peace and quiet ever since I’ve been here because of you? Because you’re so obsessed with me that you can’t just leave me alone?”

Noah frowns, his eyes narrowing, “What? I’m not obsess—”

“Oh really? When was the last time you went a week without giving me crap about something? What I’m wearing or how my hair looks, or the fact that my parents aren’t rich? I try and stay out of your way like you ordered me to last year, yet you always find a way to weasel your way and attack. You’re a jerk, Noah. There is no other way to put it. And I’m counting down the days until we graduate, so I’ll never have to see your selfish ass again!”

Noah stares open-mouthed at me during my outburst, clearly struggling to find a comeback. Finally, he gives a half-hearted laugh and rolls his eyes. “Okay, I’m done here. I don’t have time for you when you’re PMSing so hard.” I glare at him as he turns back to Grace and gives her a fake smile. “Later, New Girl. Hit me up if you ever get tired of Ms. Goody-Two-Shoes here. I’m sure I can show you around a lot better than she can.”

“Don’t you have to stick your tongue down Rose’s throat or something?” I say darkly, ready for him to be gone.

He shoots me a withering glare and turns on his heel, walking away from us. I fold my arms over my chest and watch him cross the cafeteria. He takes his seat next to his girlfriend again. His eyes flash to mine before he smirks and bends down to kiss Rose. I scowl even harder and fall back into my seat.

“You weren’t kidding. He really is an ass,” Grace observes, reaching for another French fry.

“See?” I reply, “I told you.”

“Yep, but he definitely likes you.”

I stare incredulously at her. “What part of that confrontation gave you any idea that helikesme?”

“I’m just saying. There’s definitely something there.”

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