Beautifully Designed

Chapter Two-Hero

My head whipped to the side, looking for my savior. My heart jumped in my throat when I recognized Chase.

Say something! My brain screamed at me. I opened my mouth to speak but no words formed. Casting a frantic glance at Jared was all I could do.

"Nothing man, little Spencer here said she had a crush on me, and wanted to know what it's like to kiss me." Jared said coolly, throwing a smirk at me.

There's no freaking way Chase would believe that. Would he? No, not after what Melanie told the world at lunch today. My heart flew as his face contorted in confusion.

"What are you talking about? Were you not there today? Those messages were for me, not you." My face grew warm as he smiled at me.

"Yeah, whatever man, you can have her anyway." Jared grabbed his duffel and sauntered out of the locker room, leaving me and Chase alone.

"Thanks." I said shyly, shuffling my feet.

"Don't mention this to anyone, Spence, do you hear me? Go home." His face dropped to a cold expression. He grabbed a cell phone from out of his locker and walked briskly out.

My heart constricted in pain, standing motionless in shock. He didn't really mean it, did he? I slid down the locker until my butt hit the cold, hard tiles.

Silent sobs wracked my body, making me shudder violently as tears finally decided slide down my cheek. Now that I knew to only person I ever cared for hates me, this is officially the worst day of my life.

*****

Cold wind slapped me across the face as I stepped out the doors. I checked my phone to see if my mom was here, but when I saw the 'Unread' memo, I felt the tears all over again. It's funny how something as small as this can break me down.

My breathing accelerated, my nose began running. I was a complete mess. Flashes of Jared's smirk kept flipping through my mind. If Chase hadn't been there to help me, who knows what he could have done?

"Ethel, is that you?" I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't even hear my English teacher walk out and stand next to me.

"Mrs. Cromwell! Hi!" I said cheerily, wiping a tear from my cheek. I didn't even realize she used my real name.

"Do you have a ride?" She took a step closer, tilting her head to the side.

"Yup my mom will be here any minute." I lied, giving her my best reassuring smile. I buried my hands in my North Face, trying to keep the cold at bay.

"Ethel I can tell you're lying, your eye twitches a bit when you do." Mrs. Cromwell gave me a soft smile. "Come on, let me drop you off."

"No! Really! She'll be here!" I stated, shaking my head vehemently.

"Your eye." Was all she said, before heading to a blue Subaru.

I sighed in defeat, and trudged after her. After dropping into the passenger seat I slipped the seatbelt on and leaned my head back against the seat. My heart finally slowed down, but the image of Jared will never go away.

"Where do you live?" Mrs. Cromwell's voice crashed my train of thought, pulling me back to reality.

"Wooden Pine development, it's about five minutes from the school?" I said tiredly, looking out the window.

Mrs. Cromwell continued chatting about nothing in particular, constantly trying to keep from any awkward silences. I answered with the occasional "Mhmm" and "Yeah". I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts to think any more about what she was rambling about.

Chase's words played through my head like a broken record, his cold tone still intertwined with them. Why had he said that? All this time I thought we were actually friends, he's been nothing but kind to me, unlike everyone else. Ever since 7th grade in science I have had the biggest crush on him.

--

We were dissecting a starfish, and the two of us were paired together.

"Hey Spencer, I guess we're partners?" Chase said, a huge grin plastered on his face.

"Yeah, I guess." I said shyly, shaking my hair to hide my face.

He stared at me for a few seconds too long, then tucked the few strands back behind my ear. "You should pull your hair back more, you look cute."

I could feel my cheeks heat up, so I turned away quickly to get some plastic gloves. When I went back to Chase, however, the moment was dead as he shoved the starfish in my face shouting "Save Patrick!". It earned a couple laughs from his friends but only a scream from me.

--

"Which house is yours, Ethel?" Mrs. Cromwell broke into my window of thought again, causing me to jump.

"This one here, thank you." I said politely, and hopped out before the car was even stopped.

"Don't forget the Paper due Friday!" She called, as I hurried up the walk to a two-story red brick house.

The cold nipped at my exposed skin and made my eyes water. Upon reaching the front stoop I ripped the door open and went inside with a slam.

I felt bad for not properly thanking my teacher for the ride but I think it would have been awkward for both of us if I broke down hysterically.

"That must be Spencer now, go on in and check." I heard my mom's muffled voice, along with the shuffling of feet.

"Hey, Spencer." My mouth dropped to the floor, exasperation pouring out of me like a waterfall.