“Why didn’t you stop him?” Lori asked Grace.
Grace recoiled in her seat. “Why me?”
“Technically, you’re the headmaster when your grandfather isn’t here. You also taught us when he wasn’t here. What changed? Why did your grandfather hire a sub?”
“I think the headmaster is concerned with the academy’s safety,” Grace replied.
“Hush,” Lori ordered as she looked behind them.
“What’s wrong?” Andrea asked, peeking in the same direction. “Oh, crap!”
Grace turned back and saw Noah with a tray of food.
“Why is he eating with the students? There’s a mess hall for teachers. Didn’t you tell him?” Lori bombarded Grace with questions.
Grace nodded. “He likes eating here. Looks like the other teachers ask too many questions.”
Andrea smirked at Grace. “You’re going to do it again, aren’t you?”
“What?” Lori questioned.
Grinning, Grace got up with her tray of food and sauntered to where Noah was seated. She put down her tray across from him.
Noah raised his eyes from his plate.
Grace spoke first as she folded her arms and leaned back in the chair. “You know, the teachers’ dining area has better food.”
“Is my presence disturbing you and your friends?”
“No, but the other teachers might feel offended.”
Noah scoffed. “As if I care what they think about me.”
“Do you care what the students think about you?”
He shrugged. “Did you come here to see if I’m feeling lonely?”
She arched an eyebrow. “Are you?”
“Not really.”
“Still, you shouldn’t eat on your own.” Something hit against her back, and Grace turned her head to look at the friends she had abandoned at the other table. “Do you miss me already?”
Lori waved and winked at her. “We’ll be at the library after dinner. Meet us there.”
“Will do,” Grace answered and turned her attention to Noah. Sucking in a breath, she grinned at him. “Are you feeling proud of yourself?”
Noah frowned. “About what?”
“About your first day at work.”
Noah leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Do they hate me already?”
“Let’s say you aren’t one of their favorite teachers.”
“Good. I’m not here to make friends.”
Grace frowned but didn’t dare to voice the question that crossed her mind. “Very well. I guess we’ll need to practice your people skills.”