The Bachelors: a tiktok story

118: Truth's Out

*CHASE'S POV*

Chase had seen Jaden drop her off then pull away. He waited long enough to make it seem like he hadn't been watching out of the window, waiting for her. He tossed the laundry he'd been folding back into the basket and ran it up to his room. His mom was a neat freak and would flip if he left it in the living room.

He knocked on the front door then remembered how much she loved that he felt comfortable just walking in her house. He opened the door and called out, jokingly:
"Oh hooooneeeyy. I'm hooooome-"

He was so excited to finally catch his best friend at home. He had so much to tell her but didn't want to push when she was clearly struggling with her own stresses. He looked into the empty living room, confused because he'd JUST seen her walk in. He turned towards the dining room and froze. He made eye contact with her at the dining room table, holding a pile of papers and failing to hold back the tears staining her cheeks. She clutched a big envelope and pile of papers to her chest as she wept. Chase rushed over, with the sound of genuine concern dripping off of his words:
"What's wrong? What happened?"

She handed him the papers and there he saw it in black and white...

...We would like to see you in the Office of the County Prosecutor, this Wednesday at 4:00 pm. to discuss potential testimony you may be able to give pertaining to a reported assault that took place on or around January 1st of this year...

Chase's face turned red with anger as he shouted:
"Wednesday? That's TOMORROW?! They couldn't give you more notice than a day?"

She shook her head, slowly trying to get out the words:
"I don't know how long that's been there, honestly. My parents almost never come through the front door. They only come in through the garage and I haven't really."

Chase: "Still. This is just awful communication on all of their parts."

She could barely hold herself together so she had no leftover energy to hold him together as well:
"It doesn't matter. I'm not going."

Chase turned to look at her with shock:
"What? You have to!"

She begged:
"I'm sorry. I can't. Please don't push this."

Chase grew more emotional in his agitation:
"I saw you on the ground... with him... and what he was doing... It was awful. You have to do this. I need you to do this to stop men from him from doing crap like this!"

Her feelings quickly changed to frustration as she stood up, challenging him:
"YOU THINK YOU FEEL AWFUL? I get what you witnessed was awful but I lived it. I DID NOT YOU!"

*END OF CHASE'S POV*

Chase immediately calmed down and pulled you up and into a hug. He squeezed, letting his hands hold you tight against him as he apologized:
"You're completely right. I'm so sorry. I won't push anymore."

You: "Look, I know I need to do this. I already know that, okay?"

Chase: "I just- I know this happened to you but I've barely seen you the last few weeks."

You sat back down knowing that now was as good a time as any to tell Chase the truth that you'd moved out. You were nervous because you didn't want him to be disappointed that you wouldn't just be right next door anymore. You knew that he'd understand the wish to escape the mess your parents had made of their marriage but you just couldn't stand to feel any further away than you already had since the night you gave yourself to him under the promise that you'd be closer than ever.

You stalled:
"I've been busy and so have you but I still text you all the time."

Chase: "Yeah but you always say I'm fine when clearly you're not fine."

You hung your head in shame:
"I know..."

Chase: "I have to text Emma to check on you and all she always tells me is you're over there again and you won't get out of bed. Clearly, this is affecting you more than you think."

You: "Um- I actually moved to Emma's."

Chase looked shocked and a little hurt:
"Wait... what?"

You explained yourself:
"I know I should have told you but I just needed out of here."

Chase nodded:
"I know their fighting has gotten really bad."

You threw your hands out in frustration:
"It's more than that. I just can't breathe here. I just needed to get away."

Chase: "How is your Mom taking that?"

You: "I know she didn't deserve me to leave her behind but I just can't. Every conversation with my dad makes it clear that I'm a painful disappointment and I just can't. Nothing I ever do is good enough because everyone has an opinion on my own personal choices. I'm so tired of everyone telling me what's best for me and then just going out behind my back to make all of these decisions for me. I can decide things for myself!"

Chase took a step back and wrung his hands together, nervously:
"I need to tell you something-"

You had a feeling what was coming next and you were glad the secret would finally be out and you didn't have to pretend you didn't know about him and Jaden.

Chase: "I don't know how you're going to take this-"

His confession was interrupted by his phone going off, so you asked:
"Jaden?"

Chase: "No it's my mom. I have to go- Wait, how do you-"

You made an excuse:
"Relax, I don't really know anything. Just wishful thinking."

Chase took a deep breath and admitted:
"It's not official until I tell my parents and I'm not ready but yeah we are spending time together."

You: "Oh my God! Chase! That's- That's just amazing."

You could see his nerves settle a little as he declared:
"I'm sorry. We can continue this later but I have to go. Love you."