There's a Reason

Chapter Two

4  WEEKS EARLIER

“Yo, Mandy!” 

I look up and see smiling back at me is my gorgeous best friend Chase Collins.  He and I go way back, as in back when we were in diapers that is.  Unfortunately, I’ve had a crush on him since I realized boys didn’t really have cooties.  He is completely oblivious to that fact and I intend on keeping it that way.  I don’t want to ruin our friendship.  It’s worth more to me than anything in this world.

But I mean who wouldn’t fall in love with him?  He’s got slicked back brown hair and green eyes that sometimes seem to change colors, a personality as sweet as candy, and above all a heart of gold.  As cheesy as it sounds, I’m really glad he’s my best friend.  I mean no one would even give a girl like me a second glance.

“Yo yourself Chase.  What’s got you grinning like the cat from Alice in Wonderland?”

“What? Can’t I just be happy to see my beautiful best friend on this fine morning?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call myself beautiful Chase.  Have you see me?”

He brushed a strand of my hair behind my ear.  “Mandy, you’re too hard on yourself.  You’ve got pretty blonde hair, green eyes almost as awesome as mine behind those thick glasses, you’re smart and caring!  But we could work a bit on your sense of fashion," he suggested.

I've got frizzy blonde hair that seems to get frizzier everytime I brush it.  I got my mom's green eyes but no one really knows except for my family and Chase since they're hidden behind my huge binocular of glasses.  I've got a wad of metal in my mouth.  And I don't exactly care for fashion.  Besides, no one even pays attention to me so it's not like I have to care about how I look right?  On the other hand Chase here looks good.  Really good, and NO! I am not checking him out.  Okay maybe I did earlier, but I mean he's got dark blue jeans on and a white vneck under his blue checkered flannel.  

I smacked him on the arm. "Ouch!" he said.

I stuck my tongue out at him.  “What did you do or what do you want Chase Collins,” I told him as I turned to grab my books out of my locker.”

“I am appalled! Here I am complimenting my best friend in the entire world and she thinks I want something from her!? I’m shocked.  Really I am. I thought you knew me better than that!” he faked being hurt.

I closed my locker and looked at him dead in his eyes.  I glared at him, and the idiot glared back.  Neither of us blinked as we automatically went into a no blinking contest.

Chase blinked.

“AHA! You lose. What do you want?” I said.

“Hahaha fine fine fine.  You got me.  You do know me,” he grinned at me. “I need a .... teensy, weensy little favor,” he said in a slightly higher pitched voice.

“And what would that, teensy, weensy little favor be might I ask?” I replied mocking his high pitched voice.

“I...uhm... needtahbarowurcahr.” He mumbled so fast.

“You need to watta now?”

“I need to borrow your car!” He said.

“WHAT?! Why?! You already have a car! What do you need mine for?”

“Well, I would use my car but unfortunately mom’s working a night shift tonight.  I have a really hot date with Eva...”

“EVA? As in the star soccer player of our school?  How in the heck did you manage to ask her out and have her say yes?”