Only You

4 - Chase

I should've just kissed her when I had the chance. Why didn't I? Oh yeah, because I am what they call a chicken. The way she reacted though, for a moment I thought she wanted me to kiss her. Mm, I wish I did. I shook my head and cleared my mind concentrating and climbing safely down to the ground, I decided to walk over to the door and wait but just as I did the door flew open and out came Alanna. All I know is one second I'm on my feet the next I know I'm on the ground with Alanna and top of me cracking up. I laughed too. I definitely wasn't expecting that. "Hello there." I said after a moment of catching my breath. Alanna laughs had turned to uncontrollable giggles. I got to my feet and helped her to hers. "Come on, Alanna." I said pulling her with me. After we walked past my house Alanna looped her elbow through mine. "How's your mom?" She asked now totally serious. I took a deep breath, this morning was terrifying. I woke up to my mom dropping a frying pan in the kitchen. I ran in there and panicked. She wasn't answering me, she was just shaking, so I called the police, they were there within minutes and thankfully they got her heart to start again. Then while they were working on her and I was telling the cop what happened, Alanna had run out, calling me. At first I thought something was wrong with her and then I realized she was there for me. Proving to me again just how much I loved having a friend like her. "She's stable. They're gonna take her to the hospital overnight, my dad got their right as they were leaving and he went with them and I've been waiting around until 3 so I could see you and then you never showed up." I said. Alanna blushed, no doubt remembering earlier. I blushed too. I should've have waited to turn around, I can't believe I didn't at least ask her. I had now seen my best friend half naked and then I almost kissed her. What the hell was wrong with me? "I'm sorry, I didn't expect to fall asleep." Alanna said, unlooping our arms and shoving her hands in her pockets. 
"Don't be sorry, I get it. Long night?" 
"You have no idea. I was reading this book and wow it was amazing, I couldn-"
"YO CHASE!" Someone yelled, cutting Alanna off. We both glanced over and saw the source of the voice. It was Jeffrey Long from school. He was always my lab partner and he thinks I'm the coolest person on the planet which is strange considering I don't talk to him ever unless we're working on a project. Jeffrey was playing Basketball with a few members of the school team. They all stopped playing and ran over to me and Alanna. "Merry Christmas Eve, dude!" He said giving me a high five everyone following his lead giving me a high five as well. "Thanks, you too, man" I glanced at Alanna. I could tell she was uncomfortable, but she knew as well as I did you knew walk away from the Basketball players. That's when Jeffrey noticed Alanna. "Larson, How are you doing these days?" He asked. Alanna shrugged her shoulders and looked at the ground. "So, are you two a thing now? Or what?" Alex, another player asked out of the blue. Alanna's head snapped up and we both stared at Alex. "Excuse you?" Alanna asked. 
"I'll take that as a no." Alex said taking a step away from Alanna. Alanna looked away again, and I felt my cheeks turn pink. The Basketball players smirked at me. "She's a keeper." Alex whispered in my ear. "Come on boys! Only a couple more hours of practice time!" Alex yelled, running back towards the indoor court where they were practicing. Jeffrey turned to us. "Well, see ya round guys, Merry Christmas." He said running off after his teammates. Alanna and I continued walking silently for a few moments. Did we look like we were dating? I looked over at her and saw her looking at me. "Sorry about them. Every Time Jeffrey sees me he has to come say hi." I explained. Alanna shrugged her shoulders. "It's okay. I understand, you're friends with the Basketball Team, No biggie" She said nudging my shoulder with hers. I laughed and nudged her back. "I am not friends with them! They just like to assume I am." I said. Alanna raised her eyebrows at me and I chuckled. We had reached the park and I knew exactly what we could do to pass time. "Come on!!" I said, grabbing her hand and pulling her along. 
"Where are we going?" Alanna called. I smirked and ran over to the lake. "Ice skating." I said. Alanna crossed her arms. "I can't skate. I'm too fragile." She said. I shook my head and walked over to the desk that had been set up, and got us both skates. "That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Sit down, and put these on." I said, holding out her skates. She rolled her eyes but she took the  skates. After we had both put them on, we discarded our boots under a park bench. Slowly, I stepped onto the ice. Alanna stood just off to the side. "I don't know about this, Chase." She said. I held out my hand. "Come on, please. It'll be fun!" I said, pushing up my glasses with my other hand. Alanna bit her lip and then slowly extended her hand putting it into mine. As soon as she was on the ice she grasped onto me. "Don't you dare let me fall." She said. I laughed and looped my arm through hers. "If you fall I fall." I said and I pulled my arm free and skated ahead. "Chase!" She called, skating after me, "Did you just quote Titanic to me?" She called. I laughed and let her catch up to me. "Maybe." I said, winking at her. We skated around the rink for what seemed like forever. When we finally decided to stop it was almost dinner time. "What do you say we go to Savannah's for dinner? Just for old times sake." I said. Alanna smiled at me. "Sure." She said, dropping her skates back on the counter and pulling her boots back on. "Maybe afterwards we do a little last minute shopping, There's one last person I need to get something for." She continued. 
"Oh yeah? And who might that be?" I asked. Alanna raised a finger to her lips. 
"It's a secret. Come on. I'm starving!!"