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

The Rats Strike Back

Edited 4/30/24

In the lab... Juliana's P.O.V.

I smiled as Adam, Bree, and Chase walked into the lab after another mission.

"Another successful mission!" Dad cheered with a smile. "Sure you guys blew a lot of stuff up, but hey, that's the city's problem now."

"Ugh, I am so exhausted," Bree groaned. "I can't wait to just stand up, and go to sleep."

"Well, you guys get your rest. My big NASA presentation is this week, and we still have to complete training on my gravity propulsion belt."

"I don't know what that is, but it sounds like it does a lot more than hold up my pants," Leo stated with a grin. 

"You think?" I asked. 

Chase chuckled as he tiredly put his head on my shoulder from behind, and wrapped his arms around my waist. 

"This is a huge contract," Dad stated. "If NASA buys this, astronauts will be able to spacewalk anywhere in the galaxy. They'll probably name a moon after me, or a planet! Things are gonna land on me! Ha ha! I'll see you guys bright and early in the morning."

"Wait, tomorrow?" Leo asked. "No, no. That's not gonna work. I planned an awesome cyber-pong tournament. I made nicknames and everything. I'm 'Kingpong'."

"And tomorrow's the Teen Fiancee marathon on TV," Bree explained. "I didn't think it was possible, but I actually found a group of people whose lives are more pathetic than mine."

"Yeah, and I was gonna have a spa day," Adam said. "According to one of Bree's girly magazines... I have cankles."

"And I was gonna get a head start on my homework," Chase said. Everyone gave him weird looks, including me. "I mean, play sports and hang out with Juliana." 

I rolled my eyes and reached back to plant a kiss on Chase's cheek. 

"All right," Mr. Davenport said, waving his hand in dismissal. "Look, none of that is happening. This stuff is important."

"What makes your stuff more important than theirs?" I asked with a tilt of my head. 

"Uh, 'cause my stuff can make a billion dollars. Yeah, so, when you're the boss, you can make the rules. But until then, I am the king of Davenportia, and you will all do my bidding. Ha ha ha ha!"  

Dad walked out of the lab and I sighed, shaking my head.

"Man, this stinks," Leo said.

"Agreed," I said. 

"Why do we always have to do what he wants us to do?" Bree asked.

"Weren't you listening?" Adam asked. "The man is king!"

"Hey!" Leo suddenly exclaimed like he had an idea. "Maybe you guys should do what those hotel workers downtown did. You know, strike."

"Okay," Adam said. He hit Chase, and Chase let go of me.

"Ow!" Chase exclaimed. "What was that for?"

"Leo said strike."

"Strike?" Bree asked. Adam hit Chase again. "What's a strike?" Adam went to hit Chase again, but he grabbed his fist.

"It's when employees refuse to work until they get better working conditions," I explained. "Like more days off. Or in your case... a day off."

"Hey, that's a great idea," Chase said with a smile. "I say we all strike!" Leo, Bree, and Adam hit Chase. "Oh, come on!"