Night Burn

Chapter 7

I note that Noah looks simultaneously out of place and very much at home as he rests his elbows on the shiny silver tabletop.

"How much does a person have to exercise to have room for two sandwiches and a muffin?" I ask as I scoot my chair closer to the table's edge. It makes an obnoxious scraping sound that is fortunately swallowed up by the din of conversations around us. He chuckles, his fingers toying with the mostly empty sugar caddy.

"I promise, I really didn't do all that much. I ran a few miles and lifted some weights. Honestly, I just had some time to kill before my first class and figured I could burn off a bit of excess energy. I've always just had a really big appetite."

I stare at him enviously as he finishes color-coordinating the sweetener packets.

"Oh, so you're one of those high-metabolism people who can eat anything and not gain weight. How lucky for you."

He leans back in his chair and pats his flat stomach. "I mean, I do keep reasonably active, but being 6'3 sure helps."

My eyes roll back, and he laughs.

"What?"

"You're literally an entire foot taller than I am. Not to mention, you get to eat whatever you want and still look like," I wave my hand at him, "that."

Just as he's about to respond, I hear my name being called. Noah's gaze flicks past me briefly before he stands up.

"Foods ready," he says gleefully before walking around the table and over to the counter. I let loose a small giggle, grateful that he's no longer within earshot to hear it and pull my phone out of my bag, placing it on the table in front of me.

The numbers on the screen alert me that I still have about twenty-five minutes until I need to start heading to my next class. I notice a notification for an unread text message on the lock screen and bring the phone up to my face. Typing in my password, I see that it's from Lucas.

Lucas: Your mom said I have to come to dinner tonight. Do you want me to pick you up so we can go together?"

I roll my eyes for what feels like the hundredth time this morning and type out a response.

Larke: I have to work, so it'll probably be tight. Wanna just meet me there?

Lucas: Ummm... and leave me defenseless with your mother and Rosa? Hard pass. I'll pick you up at the restaurant, and we can get your car later.

Noah comes up from behind me, skirting around the table before falling back into his chair. He's got both of our cups in one hand and his breakfast is piled in the other. I quickly set down my phone and take the coffee, placing his smaller cup down in front of him.

"Thanks," he says as he dumps the small mountain of food onto the table. I grab my cup and take a sip. It's practically scalding, but I'm immediately grateful for the impending caffeine rush.

"No, thank YOU. I really, really needed this," I say to him, wrapping my fingers around the cup's collar.

"Hey, it's the least I can do."

He takes a bite out of one of the sandwiches and I use the brief distraction to quickly type a final response to Lucas.

Larke: Fine, fine. I'll text you when I'm cashing out.

Setting my phone back onto the table, I look back at Noah. He's watching me as he takes a drink from his own coffee cup.

"So what's got you needing the extra shot today? Early morning?"