Page 90 of Chasing Infinity

Parks is way out of my league, and I’d be stupid for ever thinking otherwise.

Chapter 24

Addison

Addison - Age 16

“You’re in my spot,” a deep voice says above me.

I remove my head from my hands and look up. An exhale escapes through my nose when I realize it’s Noah. Ofcourse, it’s Noah at this moment. After looking at him, I put my head back in my hands.

The sound of something thumping on the floor echoes through the hallways. And then Noah’s presence is next to me as he slides down against the wall. The smell of his body wash floods my senses, and I take a deep breath, appreciating the now familiar smell. I don’t look up at him, but I know we’re mirroring last fall when I found him in this same hallway after his father won the election. I guess that’s why he said I’m in his spot.

And now he’s in mine.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice low.

I wait a minute before answering. Before I do, I wonder if I’m making a horrible decision to confide in Noah. “Eli and I broke up today,” I tell him, taking my time before looking up so I can gauge his reaction.

Noah keeps his face impassive, but I notice the slight twitch of his eyebrow attempting to furrow. “What did he do to you? Do you want me to go punch him in the throat?”

“He did nothing, so no. Don’t get too excited to beat him up.”

Noah turns his head away from me and leans it against the lockers. “So what happened?”

I shrug a shoulder and look at the wall. “It just wasn’t working.”

A beat passes. “Are you sad?”

“Maybe? I’m not sure. It was kind of my idea. Being together like that was too different. I missed the version of Eli that was my friend. He didn’t seem like the idea was out of the blue, though, so I think he was feeling the same way.” I think about it a bit more. “I guess I am a little sad, but maybe just more sad that it wasn’t what I thought it would be.”

Noah shifts next to me, trying to get comfortable, and then questions, “He didn’t—he didn’t pressure you into something, did he?” I don’t answer, and Noah shifts again. “Don’t answer that. I shouldn’t have even asked. It’s not my business,” he mutters with a sullen tone.

“He didn’t,” I offer with a whisper, watching Noah out of the corner of my eye. “I set the boundary, and he didn’t push it.”

I leave it at that, not bothering to fill in the rest of the blanks. Somehow, I feel like Noah knows I’m not telling the whole truth, but he doesn’t press further. He gives a brisk nod and says, “Good.” Then leaves the topic be.

Like the last time we were in this hallway together, Noah lets the silence fall over us like a blanket. It doesn’t feel awkward this time, though.

“How’s everything with you?” I ask.

Noah shrugs next to me. “Same old shit, different day.”

“Is your dad still giving you trouble?”

“Always,” he grumbles, then turns to look at me. His eyes then travel to my hands resting in my lap. He holds out his hand, asking me a question without his voice. I place my hand on his large one, and he laces our fingers together.

Again, I’m hit with the sense of déjà vu as I think of the last time we sat in this hallway together. Holding hands.

“You know what they say. What goes around comes around. And I can’t wait for the day when he finally gets what’s coming to him. I hope I’m there to see it,” Noah says, his attention now on our entwined hands.

“Just promise me you won’t let your hatred for him ruin your life,” I say to Noah, barely above a whisper. “You have such potential, Noah. I’d hate to see him take that from you.”

His eyes flash up to mine, and he studies my face. There’s something hidden behind that blue gaze I can’t place, but it intrigues me. “I’ll try not to if you promise me you won’t let this breakup with Eli Montgomery hold you back.”

My lips twitch, and I give his hand a squeeze. “I promise.”

Noah squeezes my hand back. “Great, it’s a deal then.”

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