I Can't Drown My Demons / Chase Lawrence

chapter Four

I decide I am going to borrow (steal) chase's diary. I want to see what is in that lovely, curly head of his and know if he feels the same way that I do. All I have to do is distract him for long enough that I can snatch it. I will read it and then give it back. He will NEVER know. And once I know how he feels.... I can make our relationship a reality. My mom will get over it. she is married, after all! and chase and I could be too - if you really think about it. 

My phone beeps and I look down to see texts from my bfffl (that stands for best friend forever for life). His name is Zach Sutton. He hated Chase when we were in high school because he told him that his hair looked nice when Zach didn't think it did and he thought he was making fun of him. You really just had to be there! Anyways. 

Zach: Hey! How are you?

Me: Im great :) I have a boyfriend now I think

Zach: Omg. Spill. 

Oh no I've said too much. 

I swallow my pride and text him back, telling him that it is a boy in my neighborhood that he's never met before. He doesn't respond probably because he is sad or at work as a dental assistant at his dad's dentist office and I get sad a little bit. 

There is a soft knock on my door. it was quiet but it SCARED me and so I jump! 

I run to my door really fast and sling it open, ready to yell at my mom for disturbing my important thoughts! When I open the door... it isn't my mom standing there.

Instead, it's a very tall boy with brown hair and really pretty blue turquoise baby blue azure eyes that shine like a freshly-polished grandfather clock. He has a button nose and a cute smile. He has on khakis and a white t-shirt and there is a tool belt across his waist filled with every tool you could imagine. He is prepared for anything whoever he is. 

"H-hi," I say, entranced by his wavy brown hair with a slight curl to it. "Who are you?"

"Plumber," he says in a tiny voice. "I mean, I'm the plumber. Jake. Your toilet is definitely broken." 

"Oh my God, are you a psychic too??" How did he know? 

"Yeah, I give readings on Tuesdays. But I don't have to be a psychic to know that I see myself in YOUR future ;)," he says, winking at me. I blush ferociously. I cant believe that my love for Chase is being tested by this beautiful plumber. He pushes past me to the bathroom and starts working on fixing the toilet. I watch him in awe. he knows what he's doing with those pipes. 

I sit down on the edge of the bathtub and watch him. He asks me about my day (so considerate!) and I tell him that I almost drowned but didn't. He says thats good. 

I go to my room to Get a coat because it is cold in the bathroom. As I walk away, I can feel his orbs on the back of my neck and my ears turn red. he thinks Im cute. 

I get back to the bathroom and ask him his full name. "Did I go to high school with you? What's your name?" I ask sensually. 

"Jake Michael Luppin," he says. I feel my heart leap. This cant really be Jake, can it? He was the most popular but mysterious bad boy in our high school!!! He looks so different now. I guess a year can change a person huh! 

"Oh wow. I'm H-" 

"Hannah, I know." He looks me deeply in my eyes. I melt. "Toilet's better. Shall we go downstairs?" 

He takes my hand (without washing his! Gross!) and we start walking downstairs. Linda gives me a look of approval. Chase is standing at the bottom of the stairs, scowling. I hope he is jealous. 

"Hey, Chase!" Jake says, dropping my hand. I stare at Chase's face. 

"Hi," he says cooly. He avoids eye contact. Is he mad? 

"Wanna go to the Cowboys game tomorrow?" Jake asks him casually. 

"Yup." Chase looks directly into my eyes now. I am so in love. "But only if Hannah can come."

My mom gasps! 

"Of course she can come," Jake says smugly, smirking. I see him push his wavy kinda curly brown hair out of his big, blue eyes and he straightens his white t-shirt and pulls up his khaki pants. He's wearing doc Martens. He's so indie. 

Jake leaves then, accepting a wad of cash from my mother. I watch him walk away, feeling my heart break. 

Chase goes back outside to clean the pool, winking at me. 

Linda turns on me once he is gone. "You are forbidden from going to that baseball game!!!" she screams. Very loud.

"B-but." I think fast. "But Jake is my , BOYFRIEND. I HAVE TO GO!!!!"

"Boyfriend?" She smiles at me, patting me on the back. "That handsome young plumber boy is dating you? You're free to go sweetie you should've told me that before." She pauses. "Keep an eye on hottie Chase for me while you are there. Don't let him fall for a water girl!" She sticks her tongue out, laughs, and goes to get inside our in-house tanning bed. Mom hates the outdoors.

After she is gone, I fall to the floor dramatically. I feel the emotions overcome me. How will I survive these LIES? And TWO boys interested in me is too much! I feel myself starting to spiral into an empty sadness I will not be able to escape. Just as I am giving up all hope, a purple thing in the corner of the room catches my eye.

Chase has left his journal on the counter. I snatch it up quickly, stuffing it under my oversized PINK hoodie so that I can carry it upstairs in secret and read it by my Himalayan Salt lamp upstairs. 

I SPRINT upstairs and settle down on my bed, ready to crack open the holy book in front of me. 

Before I can read the first words, my phone goes off. 

I look down.

ZACH: YOU ARE DATING JAKE LUPPUN? 

Oh no.