Impavid

Your Story

     "So," Rachel leaned forward, propping her self up on her elbows. She was spread across our floor with her laptop open in front of her when I walked in. "How was it?"

     "It was an advising appointment," I noted. 

     "It was hanging out with a cute boy!"

     "Is that all you care about?" 

     "Duh."

    We both laughed before I got into details. I told her of how we hit it off pretty well, and he had invited me to hang out later in the day. She was frustrated with me when I told her I turned the offer down.

     "Why are you like that?" I laughed.

    "Because he's cute!" She exclaimed in response. 

    "I can't date everyone!" I reminded her, "Aren't we going out with Chase and his friend tonight?"

   She was silent. I wasn't entirely sure if my comment hushed her or if it was the faint knock on the door. I had learned in my short time with Rachel that she was dramatic, always making exaggerated motions or becoming overly excited over really stupid things. As if she could hear what I was thinking, she jumped to her feet and running toward the door, despite the fact that I was much closer. 

    "Hello?" She swung open the door. Chase was standing in front of her. I felt my face heat up as I noticed his eyes focus on me standing behind her. She noticed it, too, as she stepped aside, silently inviting him in.

    "Hey." He flashed me a smile, and my eyes flicked to Rachel who was smirking. 

    "Hi." My eyes moved back to his. 

    "What time works for you guys?" As he spoke, he turned to look at Rachel before looking back to me. As soon as his eyes moved back to me, I caught a glimpse of her waving her arms over her head. My eyes moved to hers, and I squinted in confusion, trying to read her lips. Chase raised his eyebrows, turning to look at her over his shoulder. She dropped her arms and smiled innocently, causing all three of us to laugh. 

    "I was just thinking that I have to run out for a little bit, but Carson wanted to watch a movie. Maybe you can keep her company, and then when I get back, we can go to get food."

    I rolled my eyes. Smooth, Rachel. Smooth. 

   "Oh." Chase looked over at me before looking back to her and continuing, "If she wants me to."

   "She does," Rachel answered, earning a laugh from me, accompanied by another eye roll. Chase looked back at me, but he didn't say anything. He was waiting for me to talk. I reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. 

   My thoughts flashed to Luke, and I hesitated. They were both staring at me. 

  "Sure," I finally answered, smiling. "I'd like that. I mean, if you want to."

   He didn't hesitate at all, looking straight at me as he spoke. "I do."

***

   "So," he leaned back on his palms, glancing around my side of the room. I yawned, sitting up. I closed the laptop sitting in front of me, sliding it across the rug and looking over to Chase. "What's your story?"

  "My story?"

 "Yeah," he answered simply. "We all have a story." 

  "What's yours?"

  "I asked you first."  

   "I asked you second." I smirked.

   Without warning, he lunged toward me, closing the gap between us. He landed on top of me, knocking me backwards onto my back, as he hovered over me. His hands moved across my stomach. I squirmed beneath him, laughing, gasping for air. "Stop, stop!" I giggled. 

   "So you're very ticklish." He stopped briefly, looking at me. I nodded slightly, before his hands started to work again. 

    "Chase!" I squealed, "Stop that!" I was laughing too hard, barely any sound came out between my gasps and giggles.  The door opened slowly, Rachel standing there. We both froze, looking toward her. She blinked before pulling the door closed without saying a word. 

    "Shit." I laughed. "She probably thinks something else was going on."

    Chase laughed. "Oops. Sorry."

    He was still hovering over me, and I pointed accusingly at him. "This is all your fault." 

    He sat up, freeing me. I stayed on my back on the middle of the floor. I looked up at him, debating if I should go try to find Rachel. I decided against it, not wanting to move. I yawned again, and Chase mimicked my action, shifting his body to lay on his back beside me.

    "What's your story?" he asked again.

    "Story as in family? Friends?"

    "Do you have a boyfriend?" He was blunt. It reminded me slightly of Luke and his bad-boy vibe. 

     I hesitated again before shaking my head. I realized we were both staring at the ceiling, and he didn't notice I had answered non-verbally. "I don't," I stated. 

    "Me neither." 

    "That's good." 

    "A girlfriend, I mean." He laughed. 

    I rolled onto my side, propping myself up to look at him. "That's even better."

    "Yeah?" He smirked. 

    "Hey, when I gave you that face, you attacked me." 

    "I wouldn't object to you climbing on me like that." He winked. 

     I rolled my eyes, knowing he was only trying to be funny. Suddenly, I thought back to Dave. I thought of him lying over me, trapping me beneath him. Despite the obvious difference, my heart sped up at the thought of being alone with someone I barely knew. While Chase had only jokingly held me down, making me laugh, it started to make me a little nervous. 

    A knock on the door interrupted me from my thoughts, and I sat up. 

   "It's open!" I shouted. 

    The door opened slightly, and I could hear Rachel question if she was welcome in. I rolled my eyes, moving to grab a pillow from my bed. I threw it at her face as soon as the door opened wide enough for me to see it. 

    "It was a valid question!" She pouted, earning laughter from all three of us.