Take Me Away | ✓

» 10

K A D E N

"You might as well admit defeat now." Noah said cockily as he moved his chess piece across the board.

"Get off your high horse, nerd." I rebuked, although I was looking for a way to turn the game around. The heat didn't do much to help my concentration. The sun beat down mercilessly, reducing me and those around to taking off layers and seek the shade. Even the bench I was sat on was scorching hot, making it all the more uncomfortable.

Noah shot me a grin as I made my move before making his. "Checkmate."

"Congrats. You win."

"Again." He clarified.

I shot him a blank look. Having him hang around me these past few weeks did nothing to prepare me for his newfound confidence. At least when it came to chess. After seeing him in every corner I turned, I eventually got used to his presence.

Now, I was no longer classed as the new guy at school. Within that time I managed to blend in with the crowd. The rumours and conspiracy theories died down, though that didn't mean some people still didn't turn in the other direction when I was in the hallway. Then there was also how I was able to avoid any more unfortunate interactions with Dante which was another bonus.

I thought that the storm had passed when Noah said something that day. "So, Australia. What's it like?"

"Sunny." I deadpanned.

"Do you move around a lot?"

"No."

"First time, then. Coming here?"

I narrowed my eyes. "What's with all the questions?"

He shrugged. "I'm just curious."

"Yeah well, don't be."

"It's just that, you don't have an accent." He said slowly. "If you'd lived in Australia all of your life, surely you would have had that distinction."

The challenging look in his eyes was unnerving. I was two seconds away from grabbing his collar to make him spit out what else he knew when I saw Elsa approaching our table. Trailing just a few feet behind, was Phoenix.

I'd never been happier to see someone as I was now. While one was sporting a water bottle, the other was in the process of lighting a cigarette. The latter had no choice but to take the vacant seat beside me once Elsa occupied the one next to Noah. "Whatcha guys doing?"

Noah shared an unreadable look with me, before turning to the former. "Beating Kaden at chess. If I knew it was going to be this easy, I wouldn't have suggested it in the first place."

I shot him a blank stare again, more occupied with the smoke entangling in my hair and the recipient at the root of it. Her own was pulled up into a quick ponytail, giving me a clear view of her tattoo. As a whole, she didn't seem like the sort. For any of it, in fact.

"When did you start smoking?" I asked, not expecting anything in response since she'd been giving me the silent treatment for the past week, so when she did, my head immediately shot up.

"When did you stop?" She questioned with a raise of her brows.

"Funny you assume that." Though my tone was far from obtaining humour in it.