Chase your fate

chapter 31

Alex woke up with an aching head.  Instantly regretting standing so fast, the room spinning as he swam through the fog of his mind till he caught himself against the dresser.  He knew it had been a bad idea to let Chris and Walt talk him into those last few drinks in the parking lot.  The hangover he was experiencing now, was worth showing them that he was still able to down more booze than either of them and still be able to make it home.  He was the best... at everything.. and if he had to suffer a little bit to remind everyone of that fact, then so be it.  He walked to the restroom emptying the indulgences of the night before, then leaning against the sink to look into the mirror.  The red eyes staring back at him told him that he'd better avoid mom and dad this morning.

He jumped into the shower, washing away the lingering smell of alcohol, letting the stream of hot water take his mind off of the ache and to the more important things on his mind.  He remembered the way that Riyah had blown him off, who did she think she was?  Even worse, he had looked over at that Island of misfit toys... Chase.. Kiira.. and Devyn... laughing... laughing at him.  He shut the water off, the memory angering him more and more as he dried off and got dressed.  They all need a lesson.  They all needed to be put back into their places.  That smart mouthed Kiira needed to be shut up, and for some reason, Devyn had chosen the loser's route, and there was no way that he'd be getting her poisoned mind into the sack like he had originally intended.  It wasn't even about bedding her anymore.. this was about getting back respect.. restoring order.. and finally showing Chase Daniels who the better man really was.  He smiled as the thought came to his mind.. This is too good.  I only have to get one of them, and I have them all... then they will all know not to ever cross me again.

...............

One thing about time...  it doesn't ever really slow down, or speed up, but it never stops.  The next several days went by in the usual fashion of the world.  Everyone going to class, to work, back home.  Chase felt himself becoming closer to Devyn with every day that passed.  No, closer isn't the right word, more like, he felt himself becoming more comfortable with her with each day that passed.  It became a daily thing for him to pick her up for school, and drop her back home on his way to work, saving her from the horrors of riding the bus. 

Lenora, finally, came back around to the group, apologizing, and begging for forgiveness.  Kiira was the first to speak up when she came back "I can't believe that you honestly are going to stand there.... and tell us that you didn't know.." "I swear Kiira ... I didn't.. I thought the whole thing was just a joke.. I didn't even know that Devyn worked there."  she said, trying not to let the tears flow.  "And how do we know that you're done being his lapdog?" Kiira spit out "In all the time we've been friends... I never once ... not once thought of you the way that I do now... You... you can't say you didn't know.. we ALL warned you...".  With that, the tears began to fall "I know.. alright.. I know.. I'm stupid.. I'm blind.. I ... I.." Chase quietly interrupted "You were tricked by a snake Len.... it's alright..". 

Everyone's head turned to look at Chase, with shocked disbelief.  Devyn glared from Lenora to Chase "What?  How can you say that it's alright?" "Because... I believe her.. she didn't know Dev.." "I DON'T HAVE TO KNOW....." she said at almost a shout "What I do know.. is that she went to your house on purpose.. knowing that HE sent her to keep you busy... SHE KNEW that he was up to no good, so don't you sit there and try to defend her.".  Chase's heart sank for a moment.  He knew that there was no such thing as a perfect relationship, and that all couple's fight from time to time, but he'd hoped it would be over something simple, something that they could work out together.  "Devyn... I saw her.. that night.. she didn't know.. she was" "SHE WAS THERE SO THAT YOU .... YOU..." her face became red as she fought with her mind, trying to find the right words "she was there so that you would know he was coming to see me." "I know hun.. but she didn't...." "I .... don't ... care...." she spit out "She .... He... he scared me Chase... he was... I .. I don't even know... I just... I.. I have to go.".  Chase softly grabbed her wrist as she stood to go "Devyn.. please..." "No Chase... I have to get ... I need to be alone for a minute.. just... leave me alone for a minute...".  He hung his head in defeat, looking back up as he let go of her arm "I love you Devyn..." she stopped for a minute, glaring at Lenora, then scowling back to him "I'll see you in class." and with that she left him sitting at the table.  He started to get up to follow after her, but Kiira put a soft hand on his shoulder "Chase... not this time... let her calm down first, then go get her..."  he nodded silently as he watched her walking away with his heart in the air, falling from his grip in the emptiness of the words that she had left unspoken.