Bionic Baby Steps (Chase Davenport)

The Game

It was getting late, the sun had gone and the street lights were on. I sent my Mom a text, saying I was going to be late but I'd catch a ride. I stood at the sidelines near Perry, as instructed by Spike 'So he could see me cheer for him'. He was really getting on my last nerve, but it was clear the brute had a soft spot for me so I was keeping calm to try and keep him calm.

There were kids cheering all around us, the cheerleaders with their pom-poms, and others holding banners. Leo stood in front of one of the football players. This guy towered over him, making Leo seem even smaller. He shrunk back in line, turning to Perry.

"This doesn't seem fair." He stated.
Perry smiled and chirped, "Seems fair to me! Let's get em!"

The boys moved into positions, as I moved over to the sidelines. I prayed and prayed, hoping that they would at least come back in one piece, considering only Leo knew how to play football. I watched as Trent threw the ball over to two guys, it was an immediate touchdown. Oh boy. This was gonna be a long night. Then Leo screamed in horror as he was tackled to the ground. Ouch, that has gotta hurt.

~

The score was now Dingo's 23 - Alpha Dogs 17. I knew the guys had been using their bionics. I don't know if it could be called cheating but I didn't really care. Spike had been active for hours now. Poor Chase had missed his entire first day of school.

They guys were getting ready to use their final play when all of a sudden, Spike stopped walking and was spinning around in confusion. Chase is back! Finally! Bree ran at Chase, smacking his helmet yelling "where is spike?!" Oh, that does it.

I marched over there as Leo called a timeout.

"I told you, I don't wanna be Spike!" Chase wined.

"I have had it up to here with you three," I scolded, moving in front of Chase to chastise the three. "Chase has been waiting just as long as you two for his first day of school and now he doesn't remember a thing because he spent it as Spike!"

"When you put it that way, I just feel selfish," Leo said looking at Chase.
"Well, you should!" I yelled.

Adam walked over to Chase, putting his hand on his shoulder. " Oh come on, snap out of it. I wanna win." He shouted, slapping Chase around more.

Leo and I pushed him off, as I turn to Chase.

"Are you okay?" I ask timidly.

"No, you were supposed to look out for me Serena! But instead, I got turned into Spike again, and I missed my entire first day. Why weren't you there for me?" He asked desperately. I knew he was just lashing out but it hurt just as much as the last time. I felt the tears running down my face again, but I didn't turn away this time.

"But Chase, I-"
"Hey, don't blame her!" Bree, stepped forward. "We're to blame, okay? Serena tried everything to stop you from turning into Spike. She tried everything to turn you back into Chase. Alone. We didn't even try to help, we just got caught up in being popular. You owe her an apology."

Chase furrowed his brow at his sister before turning to me. I wiped my cheeks as another tear escaped, his expression fell to guilt and regret. "Serena..." He trailed off. He turned to the team, "Come on guys, we can still win this thing. And even if we don't, what have we got to lose?"

"Table,"
"Popularity"
"Everything"

"Come on, are we playing football or are we playing put put." Trent hollared.

I take one last look at Chase as Leo pulls them into a group huddle, he glances at me but turns back to the team. I walk back over to the side lines as Perry blows the whistle. Leo throws the ball to Chase, who stands back a bit. He seems confused about who to pass the ball too. Adam or Bree. He takes so long, that he's clothes-lined to the ground and all the opposite players pile on top of him.

"Game over! Dingo's win." Perry announces.

As the Dingo's get off of him, I run to Chase, skidding the last inch on my knees so I'm right beside him. "See you in the cafeteria, Alpha duds. Oh? And the puddings on you." Trent bows to them. He looks at me for a second, leaned over Chase, and smiles at me before going off with his friends.

He may be a real jerk, but he's still my brother. I think we can move past our Mom and Dad's fights.

I look down at Chase, "Chase, are you okay?" I pull him up to his feet, then step back timidly, ignoring that tingling sensation in my hands again. Then all of a sudden Chase pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around my waist securely. I try to wrap my arms around his neck, but it's hard due to the shoulder pads.

"I'm sorry, can you forgive me." He mumbled in my ear. I smiled into his chest, the colour rising in my cheeks. "Already forgotten," I replied, stepping back and smiling up at him. He smiled back, both of us getting lost in each other again.

"Ah-hem" somebody cleared their throat. I jumped back, hugging myself slightly as the heat rose to my face. I looked at Leo, Bree, and Adam bashful.

"Well, we may not be the Alpha dogs, but at least we still have each other. We're not total nobodies." Chase said looking at us all.

"No, we are total nobodies. But at least I have you four to carry my broken butt home." Leo nodded before passing out. I laugh while watching the Daven kids each grab onto Leo, lifting him up.

"Hey, Serena!" I turn to see Trent calling me. I say goodbye to the others as I jog over. "Hey.... Everything okay?" I ask him, a little cautious.

"You need a ride home? I'd like to say hi to Mom,.. and apologise." He said, wringing his hands on his helmet like a scolded pre-schooler. I smile up at him lightly, it's a start to mending things. How can I pass that up?

"Sure Trent, that be great."

He smiles at me as he throws an arm over my shoulder and takes me home.

~

I step out of the car, Trent still inside looking at the lights on in the living room. He looked scared and guilty. "Hey," I said to him as he finally climbed out. Locking the junker behind him. "It's Mom. She'll just be happy to see you."

He smiles at me, and I return one reassuringly. As we step through the door I follow the same routeen. "Mom, I'm home!" I call out, dropping my keys in the bowl on the table by the door. I kick my boots off and place them on the shoe rack underneath.

I see Trent stood there, too nervous to move. I take his keys and place them next to the bowl, and grab him hand dragging him to the kitchen door way down the thin hallway.

"Hey Mom, look what I found outside. Can we keep it?" I asked her slyly. Her back was turned from us, facing the stove. She laughs her light airy laugh that raises my smile further.

"Sere, I've told you not to bring strays home anymore." She jostled lightheartedly, not turning around yet.

"But Mom, it so cute. Just look!" I beg. Trent holds his breath as she laughs again, putting down a wooden spoon to turn around. She stops laughing and takes in a breath of her own. Tears start to fill her eyes as a ghost of a smile falls upon her lips.

"Trent baby...." she whispers.

"Yeah, it's me, Mom.... I'm really sorry I left with Dad... can I come home? Please?" He asks. We talked in the car, turns out Dad was giving him the boot for not dropping out of high school yet and getting a job. He never expected Trent to amount to much.

"Baby, of course, you can come home. Oh, I've missed you so much." She bursts out crying, engulfing me and Trent in a hug. She's so happy to have us under the same roof again.