Winter (Four Seasons #1)
Page 10
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Noah Richards doesn’t sound like an Irish name. He doesn’t look Irish either; no ginger hair; not a single freckle in sight. Slightly wavy locks of dark brown hair poke out from beneath a beanie pulled down tight over his ears. Light grey eyes and a wicked smile. He looks cramped folded up into his desk, so he’s probably quite tall. I recognize two other guys from class talking animatedly with him, sitting on top of their desks as I unwillingly trudge over toward them. Noah stops talking when he sees me heading over and the others quickly followed his gaze. I know how guys look at me sometimes, but I can usually avoid acknowledging it. Mostly, it happens in the hallways and I can keep my head down and pretend I don’t notice. It’s much harder to ignore when I have to approach them and talk to them directly, however.
Noah sits up straighter as I arrive, tugging on his beanie. I look at the other two guys, wondering if they’re going to continue sitting there when it’s obvious I want to talk to Noah. Yes. Yes, apparently they are.
“Uh…” I swallow and do my best to meet Noah’s eyes. “You’re the exchange student, right?”
“Yeah, Ah am.” His accent isn’t what I was expecting. It isn’t strong or over pronounced, just a faint lilt. He flashes me that wicked reprobate smile, but his eyes seem kind. He isn’t picking me apart like the other two are. “Ah’m Noah. This is Freddie and Kyle. They’re the lucky bastards putting me up this semester.”
I know who they are. I saw them at the party the other night with Morgan. The guy on the left, Freddie, was the make-out guy I kept getting shoved up against. “Right. You’re in the same frat as Tate,” I say. “The ceilidh.” The whole Irish party thing makes more sense now. They must have held it in Noah’s honor.
Noah’s eyes shine a little and his smile grows wider. “Good pronunciation.” He holds out his hand. “And you are?”
“Avery,” I blurt out, kicking myself for not introducing myself. I am Avery, queen of Columbia University! Everyone surely already knows my fake ass name! Such an idiot. “I’m Avery Patterson.” He gives me a firm handshake, which is nice considering most guys think they’ll crush your bones if they squeeze too hard. Dad always warned me never to trust a guy with a limp handshake. If he were around, he would have approved of Noah’s.
“Nice to meet you, Avery.”
“Likewise.” Get to the point, Avery. Get to the point. “I…Professor Lang said you might need some company. I just wanted to offer my services.”
Freddie and Kyle both start snickering openly. I realize too late that what I’d said could be taken salaciously, especially if you are a moronic nineteen-year-old guy.
“I didn’t mean…ugh!” I glance back over my shoulder to see Professor Lang watching on approvingly. At least I can stammer out another couple of words and leave and he will know I’ve done as he suggested. Noah is looking at the professor when I turn back to him, chewing the cap of his biro. His eyes narrow. “This is a punishment, ain’t it?”
“Uh, no. I mean, I know what it’s like to not know anyone—”
“Ha!” Kyle reaches over and slaps Noah’s arm. “Are you kidding? This guy already knows half the female populous of Columbia.” He makes a point of gazing off into space. “Man, what I wouldn’t give for an Irish accent.”
“Shut your mouth, Kyle,” Noah laughs. It’s a joking command but Kyle obeys all the same. “I’ve not had any problems settling in thanks, Avery Patterson, but if you want to study or hang out sometime, I’m all in.”
Both Kyle and Freddie manage not to laugh this time, but I can tell it’s killing them. I really didn’t expect Noah to say that. I’d expected him to brush me off and make a joke out of my awkward offer as soon as my back was turned. He seems completely genuine. I’ll know for sure when I turn and make my way to my seat at the front of the class.
“Okay, well great.” I give him my best ‘I’m normal, I swear’ smile and take my leave.
No laughing. Or none that I can hear, anyway. As class commences, I allow myself to look over once to see if they’re whispering behind their hands. Kyle and Freddie are studiously taking notes. Noah is frowning out of the window, still chewing on his pen cap.
Five
Smells Like Sex