The Sterling Theory

8

I haven't talked to Megan since then.

I wanted to, but the fact that she was always stuck with Chase Marshall wasn't all that encouraging.

What was I supposed to say anyway?

Hey, I see you're hanging out with Chase Marshall. That guy? I don't know if you've heard, but he's bad news.

I looked down at my backpack. We still have that stinking baby to take care of.

"Hey."

It was Brooklyn. She was saying hello to me but her eyes wandered someplace else.

I needed to get rid of Brooklyn somehow. It took me a minute before I finally spoke.

"Chase Marshall likes you."

Her eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her sockets when she looked at me.

"W... what are you talking about?" she whispered, leaning closer as if us being heard having this conversation was going to get both of us killed.

"I said what I said." I kept eye contact until I saw her face turn red.

"Are you crazy?" she continued to whisper.

"Last time I checked, no. Sleep-deprived but still sane."

"He's dating Megan Harper, remember?" She looked at me as if it was my fault that they were going out.

It took all my willpower not to say that it'll be her turn soon. It would've sounded creepy with or without context.

Chase chose that time to walk in with Megan in tow. He grinned at Brooklyn as they walked past us.

Unlike last time, Megan wasn't giving me the ye old rascal look. She took one look at me and Brooklyn before I figured out she had already determined a problem, considered her options, and made a conclusion.

I'll stick with my belief that girls are evil.

And all villains have an origin story. To be completely honest, there wouldn't even be a plotline for this one if only Chase Marshall made up his mind.