Zoey 101: You Must Of Had A Broken Heart ☑

Chapter 54

I lowered my head to his chest before my legs gave out. He kept his arms wrapped around me, resting his chin on the top of my head, while I listened to his accelerated heartbeat and deep breaths. I wiped an escaped tear from my eye, trying to remember how to breathe.

"That was worth waiting for," he whispered and then added with sarcasm, "Missed me, huh?"

I looked up at his perfect smile and replied with a smirk, "I survived."

"I heard."

I pulled away and eyed him suspiciously.

"I still have friends here." He shrugged. Just then, the bell rang, declaring the end of the school day. "What do you want to do? Do you have to go home?"

"I'm actually staying over at Lola's tonight."

"You are?" Chase confirmed, raising his eyebrows with a deliberate grin. "Do you think Lola will mind if I kidnap you for a couple of hours?" He casually leaned against the doorway, as I went to the sink to scrub his handprint from my face.

My heart stuttered.

"Um, I think she'll be fine," I replied, turning to face him. "What are you thinking?"

"We have to talk. I mean, I couldn't have asked for a better way to be welcomed back, but I have some things I need to say before there are any more misunderstandings."

I winced. Couldn't we have left it at the perfect welcome? My stomach twisted, fearful of what he needed to say. I could only imagine; although it couldn't be worse than what I'd been saying to myself since he left.

"So, you're back?" I confirmed cautiously.

"Yeah," he grinned. "We'll talk about it."

"Great," I huffed, zipping my sweatshirt to conceal the blue hand prints and smear of green paint.

Chase laughed. "Don't be so nervous. I'm here, right?" He grabbed my hand, the warmth from his touch spread up my arm.

The halls were sparsely occupied, since most people had already left. The shocked eyes of those remaining followed us as we traced the familiar route to my locker.

"Mathews!" a few guys yelled out in recognition. Chase nodded in acknowledgment, continuing to walk beside me. I think I was as shocked as everyone else to see him next to me. His firm grasp of my hand was the only thing keeping me from believing that I was dreaming the entire thing.

"So, he found you," Lola observed when we neared our lockers. "I was getting concerned that you threw each other out the window or something - but I can see that didn't happen." She eyed our interlocked hands with a small smile.

"We're going..." I started. "Where are we going?" I looked to Chase for the answer.

"We need to talk," he explained. "So, can I bring her back to your house in a couple of hours?"

"My parents are going out again. You can stay and hang out with us tonight if you want. That is if you don't say anything that's going to devastate her more than she's already been for the past three months."

Chase's shoulders shot back as he received the blow. I stared at Lola with my mouth open, shaking my head in disbelief.

"What?!" she shot back. "I'm just saying..."

"Enough," I finished, "more than enough!"

I glanced at Chase; he looked pale. I turned to my locker to gather my books before he could see the truth of her words on my face.

"I'll see you later then?" Lola confirmed in her pleasant voice.

"Sure," I replied dismissively, still in shock from her honesty.