He Ruined My Life (#Wattys2015)

Chapter VII

"Ch-Chase?" I stuttered. He was even more gorgeous in real life. He was wearing the same black jacket on the picture, but his shirt was white this time. He had on baggy jeans and sneakers.

"Hey Alyssandra. Gosh. You look cold. Come on, let's get you in the car." He said, putting an arm around me and guiding me in.

"Alyssandra, meet my older brother, Paul." He said, gesturing to the driver. Paul gave me a little wave and I waved back.

"Gosh, Alyssandra, what got you into this state?" He asked as the car started. He looked me over. "You are soaking wet. Have you been waiting in the rain for a long time?"

"Well, I had volleyball practice, and then this giant rain suddenly came, so we all had to go. But I didn't have an umbrella, so,..." I shivered. Chase put his jacket around me.

"Better?" He asked.

"Yeah. A little." I said.

"I think it might be better if you take off your hoodie, Alyssandra. It's saturated with water and I think you don't want it on right now."

So I took it off. It actually did help. But the fact that the only thing underneath was a flimsy white tank top didn't. I scrunched up my shoulders and he hugged me closer.

"So how is life?"

"Okay."

"Be a little more specific."

"How can I be more specific to that kind of broad question?"

"You can. What's one thing that you really like about life?"

My answer was quick. "My dog."

"Oh, can you tell me about him?" He asked.

"Well, he's a mutt. Mix of a bunch of breeds. He's got a bit of golden retriever in him, so his fur's shape and size is about the same. He's practically gotten inherited traits from my family. He has red fur, exactly the same shade as my hair, and amber eyes. He's a real sweetheart."

"What's his name? I swear, if it's Reddie or Cherry Pie, I will throw you out. Dogs don't deserve such terrible names. That's animal abuse in my opinion." He jokes.

"No, he's called Barbarossa, named after the nickname of Fredrick I. He was know for his red hair, so we decided to name him that."

"That's a good name."

"What's one thing that makes you happy in life?" I ask him. I snuggle in closer since I'm really cold.

"Everything." He answers. "Life was made as a test. You can chose to enjoy it, or you can chose not to. I chose to enjoy it. I make an effort to love life. That's why everything is the best thing in the world to me." He looks down at me. "Including you, Alyssandra." I blush. "Talking philosophical and ninth grader, huh? I'm sorry. I'm fluent it English and mostly in Spanish, but not in Philosopher." I joke.

Chase chuckled a little. "So what's the thing you dislike the most in life?" He asks.

"You go first this time. I went first last time. I'm getting back at you."

He chuckled. "Alright, Alyssandra Erins. I'll go first. The thing I hate the most is jealousy. It's really annoying sometimes. If you are jealous that someone else has what you have, then you don't take anything but still cultivate the hate, it's useless. You need to take action to get yourself what you want. In my opinion, jealousy is pointless."

"Wow. You're talking deep and philosophical and ninth-grade. Again." I say. He smiles. "How about you, Alyssandra Erins?"

"Do you have to call me by my real name every time?" I protest.