Chance On Me

Chapter Six

Wesley Gray

Jase and I have been at the mall for an hour, and it sucks. We got some new clothes, and shoes. Got some school supplies but he wants to go to Target to get more. I just want to leave.

We made our way out of another store, and I let out a heavy breath. "Can we go please? I don't like this" Jase's eyes skim my face, then my body and his shoulders relax.

"Yes, I hate shopping. I was trying to make it fun for you" he gives me a smirk, and i shake my head.

"I'd rather order stuff online than do this. Can we get food and watch a movie?" my bottom lip pushes out, and Jase nods, his eyes dropping to my mouth.

"Mhmmm" he murmurs, and starts speed walking out of the mall. I have to take large steps to keep up with him, and it takes my breath away.

I grumble under my breath, because exercising sucks ass. But I stayed close by, and before long were stepping up to his dark jeep. He tosses the bags in the back, and climbs in the driver seat. I get in the passenger side, and buckle up before resting my hands in my lap. Tugging at each finger, then cracking each one glance around as he backs up and starts to drive.

My knee bounces, and I keep my eyes on the trees that go by. We don't say much, but it's not an awkward silence or anything like that. It's comfortable, and that's what I like.

I have enough going on in my head, I don't need to force a conversation I don't want to take part in. People are hard, and I'm not good at it. Social cues are ticky, and they're different for every person.

How am I supposed to know if everyone likes one thing or another? I have to feel out each and every person? That sounds like hell, if you ask me.

The drive through Wendy's then home is a blur, even getting to the couch and putting on a movie is a blur, but we eat, and watch our movie.

—

"Get ready," Troy says, leaning against the doorframe of my room. My brows crease, glancing down at my sweats and hoodie.

"Why?"

"We're going on a date" he says calmly, and my spine stiffens.

"Me and you?"

"All of us" he corrects, "We're not going anywhere public, but it's warm out. And we're going to be walking" Great, more exercise.

"I don't get a say?"

"You don't want to go on a date with us?" his dark brow raises, and that's when my eyes finally take him in. Normally he wears slacks, and a button up or a nice shirt. Right now, he's in gym shorts and a regular t-shirt. He has gym shoes on, and his hair is messy.

"I didn't say that" I closed my book I was reading, and set it on my night stand. Slipping from the bed, I make my way to my dresser. Grabbing a pair of shorts, and a t- shirt, stop in the bathroom to get dressed quickly before emerging.

"Ready?" Troy asks, still in the same spot as earlier. I nod, and follow him downstairs where the other two boys are waiting.

Slipping on my shoes, I glance between everyone. Then we all follow Troy out of the house. He drives a truck, and Jase drives a jeep. I don't think Zane drives at all.

Troy opens the passenger side door, gesturing for me to get in. I don't think I've ever had someone open the door for me. I get in, buckling up at Jase and Zane climbs in the back.

Troy talks to his brothers about his work, I don't really understand most of it. But I try to just listen. We pull up to a trail, and all get out.

"Ever walked a trial?" Zane asks, handing me a bottle of water.

"Not much of an exercise guy" I mumble, grabbing the bottle.

"You don't like walks?" Troy asks, coming around the side of the truck to us. I shake my head, and his brows crease "Well maybe with us you'll like it?"

I don't think I have the ability to lie, or I just don't want to waste the energy doing it, so when the words ''Doubt it" slip free I'm not surprised. Troy cracks a smile, Jase laughs and Zane says.

"Maybe we should do something else?" He suggests, and I shrug.

"It's fine, we're already here"

"You sure?" I nod, because I already said it was fine. We start to walk to the trail, stepping over overgrown roots. It's pretty clear besides that though.

"Are you excited for school?" Zane asks, walking behind me.

"I guess. I don't mind school, but i don;t love it"

"Our school is pretty chill. They're good kids for the most part"

"You're a senior, right?" I ask, and he nods.

"You're a junior?"

"Yeah, but I'm hoping to take some extra classes and graduate early. I started school late so I want to graduate when I'm supposed to. "I mumble, because the reason I started late isn't something I like to think about.

"How come you started late?" Jase asks, he's in front of me with Troy.

"No big reason" I murmured, stepping over a large root.

"I graduated early," Troy adds, and I nod my head at that.

"That's cool"

"Will say you're really smart?" Troy asks, and I shrug.

"I don't know if i'm really smart, but smart enough. I know what's going on and I'm good at it. I'm good with numbers too. Remembering them and codes and such "I say, forcing the words through my lips. Sometimes, it's like my social battery empties out of nowhere and the words become hard.

It's like they're sticking to my throat, trying to stay with me when all I want is to push them through.

Zane adds in "That's pretty cool. I'm good with history. I remember like everything we've been taught like i was taught it all yesterday"

"That's pretty cool" the words are smooth, easy. But then the panic starts to surge, and a headache grows behind my eyes. Deep breaths. In. Out. In. Hold. One, two, three, four Out. The panic wave slows, but stays right on the surface.

We start hiking up a large hill, and half way through I stop. Panting and sweaty, as the boys are calm and dry. Embarrassment floods for a moment, just a second before I decide there's nothing I can do about it.

We finish the hike within an hour, talking about little things. Learning things about each other. Or at least me learning things about them and them learning about me. I guess they already know each other pretty well.

By the end of the hike, I was drenched in sweat and exhausted. We stop and get food, and then when we get back to the house I take a long hot shower. When I got out, dried off and dressed I opened my bathroom door to see the boys sprawled out in my bed. Troy and Jase are shirtless, and Zane's in his boxers with a t-shirt.

They're laying on top of the covers, hair wet from their own showers. Mom said Troy doesn't live here, so I wonder why he's been staying here rather than his own house. "So you guys are taking over my bed?"

"Yup" Jase says, scrolling through his phone. I let out a huffy breath, although I don't really care. I climb in bed, grabbing my book from the nightstand. I read for a bit, while the boys do things on their phone.

Then at some point we all end up watching New Girl cuddled in my bed.