I'm not falling for him maybe.

chapter six.

"Gracieeeee."

"Don't call me Gracie."

I'm sitting on Chase's bean bag - which is, on a off topic note, a horrible bright yellow color that's so awful I wouldn't sit on it if it wasn't so darn comfortable. He's sprawled out on his bed, his head hanging off, staring at me upside down. I stick a bookmark in my worn out copy of The Host - which is, on another off topic note, my favorite book. 

"Gracie, I'm bored."

"You sound like a child," I say. "And don't call me Gracie."

"Fine." He flips onto the floor as clumsily as possible, crashing into his desk and knocking a stack of notebooks off. He ignores me when I start laughing. "Why are you reading that Twilight crap again?"

"Okay, no. You don't insult this book." I shake my head. "I love this book more than... probably more than I love you, actually." He snorts. "I'm serious. I love this book. And just because she wrote Twilight, this is a lot better." I pause. "But don't knock Twilight. I'll kill you for that too."

"Sparkling vampires? Really, Grace?"

"Have you ever met a vampire?" I challenge. "Besides, Twilight really isn't that bad. But because you're a dude, you refuse to give it a chance."

"That's sexist." He pretends to be hurt for a split second. "Graceeee."

"Whatttttt?" I imitate his tone.

"I'm bored. Do you want to do something?"

"I guess." I sigh, checking my phone. "I was supposed to catch a movie with Oliver, but he backed out because he's sick. So I'm free."

"I'm glad I can at least be your second choice."

I roll my eyes. It's been two weekends since Oliver came over for family game night and I've only seen him twice since. I've found myself chewing my bottom lip and wondering if he's loosing intrest at least four times a day. I shake my head and toss my book on Chase's bed.

"So what do you want to do?"

"We could go to the mall," He offers.

"Typical teenager." I mutter. But I guess I am too, because I don't hesitate to follow him downtairs.

- - -

"Have you ever thought of getting a job?"

"Yes. For a whole minute once." Chase looks at me. "Why?"

"You just complain about your truck a lot. And its already broke down quite a few times. So if you got a job, maybe you could afford a new one." I grin. "And, I mean, you're my ride to school. I don't exactly like having to ride the bus when your stupid vehicle is having issues."

"You could walk," He suggests. "Besides, I could never hold a job. I'm always having to watch my brother at random times, you know? I couldn't just decide when to go in. And my grades aren't so hot right now. If I had to juggle something else along with school..." He shrugs, picking up a hat and turning it over in his hands. "Maybe a summer job. I don't know. I can deal with my truck for now."

"I guess." I check the time on my cell phone. "We've been wandering around for half an hour. Is there anything you want to look for?"

"Actually, yeah, I need a new phone case."

"That's all the way across the mall." I groan.

"Well, stay here and I'll meet you."

"No, its fine." I follow him out of Hollister, blinking into the light. "I can see again."

"Its not that dark," He laughs.

"Its pretty dark. I mean, I don't get it. Like, what's the point? So people can't see how ugly some of the clothes are and will buy them anyway? I just thin-" I stop talking, losing my train of thought when I see a familiar figure sitting at the mall fountain. "I thought he was supposed to be sick," I say, quietly.

"Oliver?" Chase frowns. "Maybe it was a misunderstanding."

But it definitely wasn't a misunderstanding. And that becomes clear to both of us very soon. A pretty young girl walks up to the fountain, with red hair that falls in curls down her back. I'm trying to figure out if she's actually approaching him or not when he stands up to kiss her on the lips. I stop walking. Something inside of me shatters as I try to process the situation.

"Oh. Shit." I hear Chase say, and I catch my breath. But I don't stick around to find out what happens next. I turn and sprint away before anyone can stop me.