Against the Odds

Chapter 7

Ellie

Sundays at the ice cream shop were usually mind-numbingly dull, but not today. That tingle from that bell above the shop door registered in my psyche with an unmistakable rhythm, and I turned to see Noah swaggering in. My heart sank, and I could feel a surge of frustration rising once more.

"Hey, Ellie," he said with that insufferable self-satisfaction.

"Are you fucking stalking me!

"No I have better thing to do in life. I was just craving for some ice cream and this was the nearest place.

I tried to keep my voice indifferent. "What do you want?"

"One scoop of chocolate,"leaning on the counter like he owned the place.

"There " I said, with much effort not to sound furious.

"Ellie," he said, his voice cold, cutting through the usual hum of the shop.

I jerked my head up from the counter, my eyes widening a fraction in surprise. "What ?"

"What ?" He mimicked, a thread of frustration lacing his voice. "What happened last night at the game—how you made a fool out of me."
I raised an eyebrow innocently. "Oh, that. That was only a prank. I didn't think that it was going to bother you this much."

"Bother me?" His voice was rising, and in his eyes, I could see the bubble of anger. "You turned me into a walking joke in front of the whole school. You think that is just a harmless prank?"

I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "It was meant to be funny. If you can't handle a little joke, perhaps you need to lighten up."

"Lighten up?" Noah practically growled, all but leaning over the counter. "You don't get it, do you? It wasn't just a fucking joke—it was an embarrassment. I was supposed to have my moment, and you turned it into a big show. I'm furious."

I crossed my arms and met his gaze, my eyes challenging. "You're blowing this way out of proportion. It's not as if I am the first person to pull a prank. If you get this upset, perhaps you should grow thicker skin.".

His fists clenched at his sides as if he was fighting to keep himself under control. "A thicker skin? That's what you think this is all about? It's about respect. You crossed a line, Ellie. You thought it was so funny making an idiot out of me, and now you act like I'm overreacting."

I rolled my eyes, acting like it didn't affect me. "You are being dramatic. Maybe you need to get over yourself and quit making everything about you."

Noah's face hardened, his voice dropped menacingly low. "You have no idea just how big of a mistake you have just made. I'm not going to let you think for one second you can fuck with me like this. You have pushed me too far."

He turned around and was about to walk out the door.

"Have a horrible day you piece of shit"

"Go fuck  yourself Noah!"

"Don't you worry, I will"

He walked out. I watched him with my fists clenched. What a nerve this guy has to come in here and get under his skin and make him feel like crap. The audacity of him was simply staggering.

As soon as the door shut behind him, I exhaled in a long, frustrated sigh. I felt my anger and determination increased from what the interaction had given me. Obviously, Noah had thought he would just waltz in and sweep aside his actions. The war was far from over, and I was more fired up than ever to ensure Noah would regret crossing my path.

The air in the shop seemed to thicken after Noah left, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. It wasn't just about the humiliation he caused; it was the sheer audacity with which he walked into my space and taunted me. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the customers who were starting to trickle in. The ice cream shop was my sanctuary, my escape from all the drama, and I wasn't going to let Noah spoil it any further.