I wrote the beginning of this while hiding out in the bathroom during health class...
The next few weeks were okay. The team won a few games, lost a few. Chase was getting closer with Clyde, they've hung out after school or baseball practice a couple times.
Halloween was right around the corner, Chase dreaded asking his mom about the party, but knew waiting til last minute would be a definite no.
Max and him have been talking more and had conversations often. There were a day or two where Max didn't talk at all, he kept his earbuds in, not uttering a word.
Chase thought Max was nice but was extremely timid. He felt as if he was going to scare him by just saying hi.
He guessed it was something they'd have to work on if they continued being friends.
Chase wasn't sure if they were friends, he thought they were. He didn't know how Max felt though.
He just went with the flow.
"Mama?"
Ashanti looked up from her book, tilting her head. "Yes?"
The dishes are done, she ate food, the room is quiet, my room is clean... I got this.
"Can I go to a party on Halloween?"
Ashanti stared at Chase as if he was joking. She waited for him to just laugh and say it was a joke.
But he didn't.
"You're serious?"
"I did the dishes and cleaned my room and I'll be back whenever you want me to and-"
Ashanti shushes him, putting her book down. She thought, her eyes locked with Chase's.
His chest was heavy. The worse thing she could say was no, but it was so nerve wracking watching her think.
Finally she sighs, speaking monotonely. "When does it start?"
Chase's eyes widening, not expecting to get this far. "Oh, around 8, I believe."
"You're not going to drink, smoke, do drugs, or get any girl pregnant?"
I'm gay and hate the smell of weed...
"I won't."
His mom contiued staring at him, deciding. "If you even smell like weed, I will beat you into next week, understand?"
Chase nodded, "yes ma'am." Ashanti didn't speak again, still thinking.
Again, Ashanti sighs, nodding once. "Be back by 10, got it? No later."
"Yes ma'am."
Ashanti nods and waved Chase off. The boy grins while going up to his room.
He passed by Milo's open door, seeing his younger brother was working on a project.
"What's that?"
"Science project. About human organs."
Chase plops on the boys bed, scanning the poster. "How are you doing yours?"
"Oh, I have to do the large intestine, so I just get to talk about poop."
"Milo-"
"It's where poop comes from." Milo insisted, holding up papers. Chase sighs and nodded along. "I have to draw it and label it and make a model of poop travelling."
Chase stood from the bed, clearing his throat. "Yeah, good luck with that... Go to Wikipedia if you need help."
"Got it."
