A Certain Not-So-Bad Boy

{eight}

{picture of Lacey (she's a new character) played by Kiernan Shipka}

I shut my locker and made my way into the sea of students who were also ready for the weekend. All week, I had avoided Carson, and he avoided me. Not like it was very difficult. Carson and I were from different social groups entirely. All I did during the week was make a few visits to Grayson at the hospital.

I exited through one of the side doors and looked up at my car to see a tall figure leaning against it. Carson.

"I was getting used to the thing we had going. You know, avoiding each other at all costs?" I said half seriously.

He scoffed. "You're too stubborn for your own good."

"And what does that mean?" I snapped.

His demeanor was light as he replied. "What it means is that you are stubborn and can't accept the fact that you are attracted to me. And don't bother denying it."

He had hit the nail right on the head, but I guess I was stubborn because I scoffed. "As attracted to you as I would be to a baboon's butt."

I saw a hint of a grin at the corner of his mouth, and his eyes brightened with amusement. "Look, I didn't come for a fight," he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

"Then why?" I asked. I realized that I was supposed to mad at him.

"Well... Grayson told me to apologize. So... Sorry...?"

"Right. Well, come back when you are sorry. I don't need you apologizing on Grayson's behalf; he didn't do anything wrong." I reached for the handle of my car door, but he grabbed my hand before I could touch the metal.

"Wait! Okay, Grayson didn't actually tell me to, I'm just... I'm not great at apologizing."

I understood, I really did. "Good enough."

Carson gave me a boyish grin as he said, "So a baboon's butt, huh? That must've been some monkey to compare to me." He winked.

I shook my head in amusement. "Someday, someone will come and humble your ego. And believe me when I say that I cannot wait for that person to come along."

"You wound me with your words," he joked, holding a hand to his heart. "I should get going. I'll see you around, Angel."

"No need for nicknames, Baboon Butt," I teased. "See you later."

He smirked and turned away with his hands in his pockets. I shook my head as I climbed into my car and drove home.

When I reached home and walked in the door, I peered into the living room where I heard voices. Dad wouldn't be home for another hour, so Noah was the only one home. He usually took the bus to be with his friends. Is Noah really that crazy? To the point where he's talking to himself?

I heard a new, feminine voice that proved me wrong. I walked into the room where Noah and a girl were sitting. She had shoulder length wavy blonde hair, light brown eyes, and a warm smile showing off her straight white teeth.

"Um... Hi," I say awkwardly.

"Maya, what are you doing here?" Noah asked.

"I live here," I deadpanned. "Who's this?"

"I'm Lacey Cooper. I moved here a couple days ago. I live on the next street, actually."

"I was showing Lacey around the school and stuff. We're, uh, also partners for the lab in Chemistry," Noah explained, looking nervous. I knew exactly what was going on in his head. 

Little Noah had a crush on the pretty new girl.

"Right. Well, welcome to the town. Where'd you move from?" I asked.

"We used to live in San Francisco, right in the city. I like it here, though. Thanks to Noah, moving hasn't been as bad as I thought it would."

I gave my brother a pointed look. "That's good. I'm sure Noah would love to keep you company while you get settled here." My brother glared at me.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Noah blurted. I closed my eyes and took a moment to feel sorry for him.

"I would love to. If it isn't too much trouble..." she responded.

I was surprised, to say the least. "No, of course not. You're welcome around here," I said, sending an innocent smile towards Noah. He looked like he wanted to kill me and then bring me back to life so he could kill me again.

"Thank you," Lacey said, not noticing my brother's glares.

"Kids! I'm home!"

"Oh, look at that! Dad's home!" I sang as Noah buried his face in his hands and Lacey remained oblivious.

"Hi, Mr. Martin. I'm Lacey Cooper, Noah's friend," she introduced when he came into sight.

"Lacey," Dad said with a suggestive look towards Noah. "It's nice to meet you."

"Lacey is staying for dinner. She's new in town and Noah's been showing her the ropes," I piped up.

"Wonderful! It's Noah's night to cook, so you're lucky. He's the best one in the family." I noticed how Dad slipped that in there. Real subtle.

"Wow, you can cook?" Lacey asked.

"Yeah, you know... Just... mix together some stuff, follow a recipe," my brother brushed off, rubbing the back of his head. "You want to make it with me?"

Yes! Go, little brother!

"That would be really cool. I can't cook, but nobody really took the time to teach me," she laughed. She skipped ahead into the kitchen, and Noah followed. But he made sure to send me and Dad a glare before disappearing.

As soon as he was out of sight, Dad held his hand up and I gave him a high five. "They grow up so fast," I fake sobbed, before heading into the kitchen to see how the night would play out.

{a/n}

Hello everyone! I just got back from a vacation and decided to do a Christmas update. I don't think I've ever been this tired after a flight :) Where I live we got a white Christmas, but driving around is going to be a pain for the next few days.

Anyway, thank you guys for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please vote and comment your thoughts!

QOTD: What is your favorite holiday?

Until the next update, mwah! xx

-Seagull