The Ride of My Life (an Ansel Elgort story)

Chapter 27

Lucy's POV

I don't know what to do when Ansel tells me Chase is here. I know it's not his fault, he really didn't know he'd be here. But I decide to not let Chase rain on my parade. I'll ignore him and if he says anything to me, well, all hell will break loose.

"I have to face him sometime. It might as well be now." I tell Ansel. Chase is a part of my past I don't necessarily want to relive, but now that I have Ansel, it's time to move past the past and have a fresh start.

Ansel's POV

"Alright, but can we just like go in the basement or something? You can meet my parents once everything's calmed down." I plead.

"Yeah, okay."

I take her hand and lead her through the crowd of people and into the basement. When I get to the bottom of the stairs I see two people on the couch, making out, getting physical.

"What the hell?!" I yell, not feeling very welcome in my own home.

The two people sit up. "Who are you?" I ask the girl straddling the guy. The guy. Chase. "Oh my God, really? Chase you've got to be kidding me. Get out of my damn house!" The girl gets scared and runs past Lucy and I and up the stairs.

"Dude! What! I wasn't causing any problems! Wait. Lucy?" He says. He's such a jackass.

"Don't talk to her." I warn him.

"Ansel, it's okay." She whispers.

"Man, Ansel, I always knew you wanted to be like me but I never knew you'd want my leftovers." Chase says with a sly smile.

I feel Lucy squeeze my hand. I clench my other hand into a fist.

"You're a piece of shit, Chase." Lucy says. I'm glad she's standing up to him. And it's true. He is, in fact, a piece of shit.

"What was that?" Chase stands up now, slowly walking closer to us. He's trying to be intimidating but he can't fool me.

"I said you're a piece of fucking shit!" She repeats, louder and angrier this time.

"You better watch your mouth, girl. Hell, you've seen what I'm capable of."

"Chase, I'm warning you, if you don't leave in the next minute you're going to regret it." I say, giving him one last chance.

"Or what? Show me what you've got, Elgort." He instigates. That's it.

I let go of Lucy's hand, take my clenched fist and with all my strength, punch him in the jaw.

After he recollects himself he punches me in the stomach. I hunch over in pain but then I decide to end it. I straighten up and knee him in the crotch. He falls to the ground, groaning.

I hear feet scrambling down the stairs and see Warren. Behind him is Lucy, my mom, and Chases parents.

"Boys! What's going on?!" My mother squeals, gasping.

I've recovered from my punch in the gut enough to explain.

"Mom, I'm gonna need you to make Chase leave. He's being extra asshole-y today."

"Ansel! Why did you have to do this?" She says aggravated.

"Chase, get up. You're leaving." Chase's dad orders.

Chase slowly gets up and takes the walk of shame up the stairs.

"Ansel. We will talk about this later. After the party. Behave yourself." My mom scolds.

Everyone heads back upstairs, leaving Lucy and I alone. She walks over to the couch and sits.

"Thank you," she says, "for standing up for me." I sit next to her and take her hand.

"Any time, but don't feel flattered. I did that for me as much as for you." I laugh. "I'm kidding. But hopefully he gets the hint that we don't want him in our lives."

"I would be happy if I never see him again." She says, quietly.

"Lucy?"

"Yeah?"

"You know I'd do anything to protect you. Physically and emotionally. When I'm near, you'll never get hurt." I give her a kiss on the cheek. "And you know why?"

"Why?" She smiles.

"Because.." I hesitate, "Lucy, because I love you."

{ahhhh! feeeeeels! If you're reading this, comment your favorite animal! Mine are manatees :) }