Last But Not Least

~4~

Present Day
Chase POV

***

It's been almost a month since Mr. Davenport talked to me. I don't know why but nowadays he seems so invested in his work and his inventions that whenever I try to talk to him, he either walks away without question or he continues whatever he's building and just doesn't talk to me, ignoring me.

I've been getting the best grades I can, I constantly do the dishes since Leo and Adam don't do it and Bree is always out with Caitlyn shopping, and I try my best to ration video games with homework and training. It's as if he doesn't like me anymore.

I really wish he would talk to me about whatever's going on in his mind. It's eating me alive with the guilt for what I may or may not have done, and I'm constantly striving to do my best just to get even a glance from him. Everytime is the same thing. He congradulates Adam, Bree and sometimes he mumbles my name, then he gives us a thumbs up then he continues with his project, investing his time and energy to it.

I kicked a stone as I stepped out of Mission Creek high, alone as I went to walk home. Mr. Davenport was supposed to drive us home but if he's ignoring me, I don't want to see him. What's the point anyway?

I shoved my hands in my pockets self consciously and I lowered my head, training my vision on the sidewalk in front of me. I was kicking a little pebble along when I felt hot air around my ankles and I turned to see Mr. Davenport's car driving beside me, his tinted windows slowly lowering and his face came into my line of view, the passenger seat beside him free.

"Chase." Mr. Davenport barked, his face looking as if he suddenly aged fifty years in a minute. I narrowed my vision and realized how stressed he was. He had bags under his eyes and he looked unfocused, and really tired. "Come on. We're going home. Get in."

I sighed and took my hands out of my pockets, looking up at him with an unreadable expression as I lowered my vision to the door handle. "Um, I just want to walk home today."

"Chase, I am under a lot of stress looking for the an-working on my project. Please just get in so we can go home." His voice was unsteady and shallow, as if it took all of his energy just to say a single word.

"I just want-"

"Get in! NOW!" He yelled, his voice suddenly a lot deeper and a lot more menacing and to be completely honest, his voice and the way he glared at me, made me feel really afraid and uneasy.

Although I simply nodded and opened the door swiftly, sitting myself in the passenger seat as Mr. Davenport sighed and turned on the engine again, barely waiting for me to put on my seatbelt as he began driving home.

I sighed and slumped down into my seat, my leg feeling a vibration from my pocket as I turned over. I took my phone out of my pocket and realized it was a text from Bree. I was about to ask her to just talk when I realized it would certainly not help Mr. Davenport's mood if we talked. So I unlocked my phone and read the message.

B) hey Chase. Mr. Davenport's been really off lately so dont take it personally. We've all been on the other end of his constant yelling.

I looked back at Bree and she smiled weakly to me, her smile fading as I realized how cramped it was in the back. She was crammed in the middle between Adam and Leo, who were leaning on her and whispering to each other about who knows what.

I sighed and replied.

C) I no, I just want to no y hes acting this way. He hasn't told u anything has he?

B) No, I no as much as u do. But I do know that this "project" hes working on is stressing him out and making him feel flustered. Why don't we plan a surprise dinner for him tonight? That might help him out.