Not My Type

''Why is he always in my way''

Ryder spotted them first.

He nearly choked on his soda. "HELLO? Why do you two look like you're going to a gala."

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "It's literally just a dress."

Ryder leaned closer. "Who are you trying to impress."

Charlotte blinked. "No one."

Ryder smirked. "Liar."

Before Charlotte could respond, her phone buzzed.

Noah: You at dinner? I'm heading there now.

Charlotte smiled at her screen.

Ryder leaned over her shoulder like a nosy grandma. "Who's that."

Charlotte shoved him. "None of your business."

Ryder gasped dramatically. "IT'S NOAH, ISN'T IT."

Charlotte's face heated. "Shut up."

Tom walked up right then, tray in hand, hearing the last part.

He raised an eyebrow. "Noah? Seriously?"

Charlotte glared. "What's your problem."

Tom shrugged. "Didn't know you liked boring guys."

Charlotte gasped. "He's not boring."

Tom smirked. "He's literally the human version of plain toast."

Charlotte shoved him. "You're so annoying."

Tom shrugged. "You make it easy."

Lily sighed. "Can we please eat without violence."

They sat down — Charlotte between Lily and Ryder, Tom across from her.

Charlotte's phone buzzed again.

Noah: I'm here. Where are you sitting?

Before she could reply, Ryder snatched her phone.

"RYDER!" she yelled.

He read the message out loud. "Awwww, he wants to sit with you."

Charlotte lunged for her phone. "Give it back!"

Ryder held it above his head. "Say please."

Charlotte glared. "I will end you."

Tom snorted. "Smooth."

Charlotte turned to him. "Shut up."

Tom smirked. "You're blushing."

"I'm not."

"You are."

"No."

"Yes."

Before she could argue more, someone tapped her shoulder.

She turned.

It was Noah.

Looking stupidly cute in a hoodie and jeans.

"Hey," he said, smiling. "You look... wow."

Charlotte's cheeks turned pink instantly. "Oh. Um. Thanks."

Tom's jaw tightened.

Ryder whispered, "Oh this is juicy."

Noah sat beside Charlotte, and they started talking — catching up about middle school, teachers they hated, how weird Maple Grove was.

Charlotte laughed at something Noah said, leaning in slightly.

Tom stabbed his pasta like it had personally offended him.

Lily noticed.

Ryder noticed.

Everyone noticed.

Eventually Noah said, "We should hang out sometime. Maybe this weekend?"

Charlotte smiled. "Yeah. I'd like that."

Tom dropped his fork.

Loudly.

Everyone looked at him.

He muttered, "Slipped."

Noah stood up. "I'll text you later, Charlotte."

She nodded. "Okay."

He walked off.

Charlotte turned back to the table.

Ryder grinned. "Sooooo... Noah."

Charlotte groaned. "Please stop."

Tom leaned back in his chair. "You like him."

Charlotte crossed her arms. "So what if I do."

Tom shrugged. "Nothing. Just didn't think you liked guys like that."

"Like what."

"Nice."

Charlotte blinked. "Are you saying you're not nice."

Tom smirked. "I'm saying I'm not boring."

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."

Tom leaned forward. "And you're predictable."

Charlotte scoffed. "How."

"You blush every time he talks to you."

Charlotte shoved him under the table. "Shut up."

Tom grinned. "See? Predictable."

She glared. "Fine. Who do YOU like."

Tom froze.

Ryder choked on his drink.

Lily's eyes widened.

Tom cleared his throat. "No one."

Charlotte smirked. "Liar."

Tom glared. "I'm not lying."

"You hesitated."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did."

"No."

"Yes."

They bickered the entire dinner.

But it wasn't sharp.

It wasn't mean.

It was... fun.

Annoying.

Warm.

Something neither of them wanted to admit.

When the dinner bell rang, Charlotte stood up, smoothing her dress.

"See you tomorrow, partner."

Tom groaned. "Stop calling me that."

Charlotte smirked. "Okay... partner."

She walked out with Lily, dress swaying, ponytail bouncing.

Tom watched her go.

Ryder elbowed him. "Dude. You're so obvious."

Tom shoved him. "Shut up."

But he didn't deny it.

Not this time.