“Ready for lunch?” Payton asks. I meet my best friend’s bright-blue eyes.
Maize crosses her arms over her chest and grins. She has this stupid idea that Payton likes me, but he’s never given me any signals, so I’ve always pushed it away.
“I can wait until y’all are finished chattin’,” he says politely.
“Oh, we’re done. Trust me,” I say, then walk toward the buffet line.
“I’m just sayin’! You know it’s true.” Maize laughs as she moves back to the kitchen.
“What’s she talkin’ about?”
“Nothin’. Don’t listen to her,” I tell him as I stack two drumsticks, a huge scoop of Grandma Bishop’s famous potato salad, and green beans on my plate. I finish it off with a honey butter biscuit. Payton follows my lead.
My stomach growls when we sit at one of the long tables, and I’m thankful Mom remind
