Only You Can Afford My Love// A Chase Davenport Love Story

Smart and Smarter

[Edited 2/25/24]

At School... Juliana's P.O.V.

"Check out what I've done with my locker!" Adam said as he pulled Bree and me aside, throwing his locker open to reveal a ton of weird stuff set up in it. "Tah-dah! Here's where I keep my books. Down here I keep random strands of hair I've collected to make fake mustaches. And here is where I stockpile old lunches, or, as I like to call it, my tum-tum yum-yums." 

We all raised a brow and I turned to see Leo frowning down at a piece of paper. 

"Hey, Leo," I said. "What's that?"

"My progress report," Leo groaned. "I can't believe my science teacher says I'm always late to class."

"Well, you are always late to class," Adam pointed out. 

"I know that, but I don't need it publicized." 

I chuckled as Chase walked over to us.

"Look at this!" He exclaimed. "An 'A-minus'! I knew my Home Ec teacher had it out for me. Always criticizing my muffins."  I giggled and Chase sent me a glare. "It's not funny," he said. 

"Chase, your Home Ec teacher does not have it out for you," I assured. 

"Ha ha!" Adam laughed. "I beat you! I got a 'D-plus'! 'Plus' because I'm better!"

"Adam, the 'plus' is-" Bree went to explain, but stopped herself. "You know what? It's just not even worth it anymore." 

Chase rolled his eyes. "'D' is not a good grade, but we don't really expect you to get good grades," he stated. "I'm engineered to be the smartest person on the planet, and I just got an 'A-minus.' I've been relegated to into the huddled, unwashed masses of minuses, like you!" 

Chase motioned to all of us and I raised a brow. "Excuse me, but I got all 'A+' on my report card," I bragged, handing him my card. 

"Chase, I know this must be hard for you, but, I mean, look at the bright side," Bree said. "Seeing you fall flat on your face is really fun for us!"

"Besides, it's still an 'A'," I pointed out. "A lot of kids in this school would kill for an 'A' minus." 

"I have got to find a way to reclaim my superiority," Chase said, ignoring my comment. 

"Well, you could sign up for the Student of the Semester competition," Leo pointed out. 

"What's that?"

"Every semester, kids compete to see who can best improve the school. Whoever gets the most votes wins free pencils, a bumper sticker, and a cheesy picture of himself on the wall!"

"And that cheesy picture will show everyone that my brilliance reigns supreme! I am so gonna win!"

"I call your free pencils!" Adam exclaimed. "No, wait, I'll take the cheesy picture. Oh gosh, they both sound so good!" 

I chuckled, just as the bell rang.

"Race ya'!" Both Adam and Chase shouted, the two running off to class. 

"W-Wait for me!" I called, racing after them.

The Next Day...

I had just gotten out of class, walking towards the stairs to see Chase handing out cards. Oh right, he's campaigning for Student of the Semester. I wondered how he got business cards made so fast. 

"Hey, vote for Chase," Chase said to the students. "Tell your friends. Vote for Chase for Student of the Semester. Here's my website, where you can peruse my platform, marvel at my skills, or even play a game of Chase trivia, where all the answers are about me." I giggled, Chase turning to Leo, Bree, Adam, and me. "Hey! What do you think?" He asked, quickly coming to my side.