Chapter 17: Unexpected Touch

Noah’s

I stared at the guy, Stan, sitting close to me on the school steps, his smile easy and friendly but still sharp, like he was studying me intently. He didn’t say anything more, just leaned back casually, his hands tucked into his pockets, watching me finish the sandwich he had generously given me. My stomach was full for the first time all day, but I still felt intensely uneasy, as if his kindness came with a hidden price I didn’t fully understand yet. ...